Gylfi Sigurðsson. New Season New Start?

Glyfi Sigurðsson arrived at Spurs in a cloud of mystery. Poached from under Liverpool’s noses, he was initially seen as direct competition for fan favourite Rafa Van der Vaart, but as the year progressed so did his role.

Players left White Hart Lane, but more significantly for Siggy, players arrived. Mousa Demebele, Clint Dempsey and Lewis Holtby all had an affect on the Icelanders role, confidence and playing time.

After an average start to the 2012/13 season where Dempsey and especially Dembele performed at a much higher and consistent level to Glyfi, it wasn’t until a run of games against Arsenal, Inter, Basel, Everton and Chelsea, where his importance to the team was seen.

Ironically having been signed to play in a number 10 role, it was at left wing, a space vacated by Bale who had moved inside, where he started to shine.

What impressed about Sigurðsson was his ability to track back and give help out the left-back. He also showed great determination for regaining possession, perhaps an attribute gained by the hardships of the first half of the season?

He is definitely one of the more naturally talented footballers at the club possessing great vision, cracking long range shots and the ability to score from set pieces. Unfortunately he was not given a consistent run in the team during his debut season, and when he did enjoy a spell it wasn’t in his natural position. Spurs’ possess an inviting problem when it comes to selecting the midfield line-up in the coming season. What does the addition of record signing Paulinho mean to the future of Gylfi Sigurðsson?

Paulinho’s addition may mean that AVB could line his team up in a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1, depending on the situation. First we’ll examine what a 4-2-3-1 would mean for Sigurðsson, and then a 4-3-3. It is easy to assume that if we did line up as a 4-2-3-1 that the double pivot would be a combination of our Brazilians and Dembele.

Spurs often play exciting and quick football and Lennon is seen essential to a counter attacking set up and maintain a natural width about the team. Other options Dempsey/Holtby/Sigurðsson drift inside when deployed in wide positions causing the team to play extremely narrow.

Andros Townsend is coming off an impressive loan spell with QPR and would look stake his claim in the first team, gambling issues aside. It is safe to assume that either one of Lennon and Townsend would play as one of the 3, with the *world shattering adjective* Bale being the first name on the team sheet.

This means that it is up to Sigurðsson to battle with Dempsey and Holtby for the final spot in a 4-2-3-1. It is also noted that Bale will probably be given a central role meaning that Sigurðsson and his competition would have to play out wide, not their natural position (excluding Dempsey, who impressed at Fulham on the left).

The free flowing nature of the midfield would mean that sometimes he would find himself in central locations, but this would still be fairly limited. This would be the same set up that Sigurðsson a part of after the West Ham game, often starting on the left and looking to thread balls behind the defensive line directed towards centrally originated runs as well as also delivering crosses into the box. Also cutting in on his right to shoot, goals versus Chelsea and Basel highlight this.

[linequote]He is definitely one of the more naturally talented footballers at the club possessing great vision, cracking long range shots and the ability to score from set pieces.[/linequote]

If given a consistent run of games, there is no doubt that Sigurðsson’s tenacity and overall skill will see him succeed. Unlike last year we need to make sure that he’s not a player low on confidence.

With a 4-3-3 the competition is a little different. Holtby has stated that his preferred position is as a deeper midfielder, and had relative success in a midfield 3 last season. An impressive assist to Defoe versus Man City and a tidy performance against Everton had him recycling possession well and keeping the ball in the final third of the pitch.

It is my belief that the midfield 3 of AVB’s 4-3-3 would consist of a combination of Sandro, Paulinho, Dembele, and Holtby. Tom Carroll would also expect an increasing responsibility in the first team, and a mixture of Parker, and Livermore would be used in some domestic cups and in tight situations.

It is also likely that Parker could be on his way out with QPR interested and Huddlestone reportedly on his way to Sunderland. The forward 3 seems a tough place for Sigurðsson to attain minutes. It also seems likely that we will look to transition to a 4-3-3 this season with the signing of Paulinho and after using it rather successfully against Man City and Everton last season.

The attacking trio of AVB’s 4-3-3 sees a striker deployed with two wide men, often an inverted winger. Given Bale’s natural ability to cut inside on his left foot (see goals against West Brom, Sunderland, Man City, and Southampton) it is seen that he could very well be starting on the right next season in a 4-3-3.

As stated before, Spurs are a very free flowing team and there will be some rotation in game between the forward 3. So it is likely that Lennon/Townsend will be used to maintain the width and add pace to a counter attack. It is also argued that Dempsey will be preferred in an attacking 3, especially if he gets to play on the left with Bale on the right. This is where he was so dangerous for Fulham the season before last, notching up an impressive 17 league goals.

I suppose that Dempsey, in his 30s, is not a spring chicken and Gylfi will be given opportunities to prove himself in the future. But can we wait until the future?

It is clear that Gylfi has the ability to influence the team at the moment, and we should not risk losing him. Sigurðsson is an undoubtedly talented player and with Spurs’ healthy competition it is likely that his playing time will not a true reflection of his abilities.

If Sigurðsson is going to be a success at Spurs it is essential that he get a run in the team and be able to prove himself on a regular basis. The 2013/2014 season will come with a congested fixture list, if we enjoy cup runs, and with rotation it is expected that Sigurðsson will be given some opportunities. Let us hope for his future that he takes them.

[author name=”Jai B” avatar=”https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/1659352356/IMAG0018.jpg” twitter=”Jai_B” tag=”JaiB[/linequote]