Last month, Tottenham Hotspur decided to add another piece to their midfield when they purchased Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus for €19-million (£15.8-million) + €6-million in performance-based.
The north London club is pairing the Uruguay international with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Harry Winks to close out the season. However, the decision to go with these three guys to fight for a top-four spot isn’t convincing former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan.
Whelan states in an interview with Football Insider that he doesn’t see much creativity in Bentancur, Hojbjerg, and Winks. He adds that the three players don’t take chances to link up with the forwards.
“There is not enough creativity in those three. They are all similar players. They are very side to side. Nobody dribbles with it,” Whelan said. “That is where they are missing a trick. They don’t have that creative midfield player who can link up with [Heung-min] Son and [Harry] Kane.”
“That player who can find a pass. It seems very routine in that midfield. Nobody takes a chance. There is too much similarity between those three players. They do not give me any confidence.”
Bentancur will be out for a couple of weeks with a leg injury, affecting how the three can develop some chemistry and see their roles while out on the pitch. Nonetheless, this won’t be the trio heading into next season as manager Antonio Conte will want upgrades.
Furthermore, Pape Matar Sarr will be joining the club after spending this season with FC Metz on loan.