Five ways Spurs could line-up without Kane – and why Llorente could be deployed against Chelsea in crucial Carabao Cup semi-final
IT is crunch time for Mauricio Pochettino and Spurs.
The last thing the Tottenham boss wanted was to be told that he will be without Harry Kane for the next two months.
But Pochettino has not got time to mope or moan.
He simply has to get on with it.
The good news for Spurs is that they have won nine of the last 10 games they started without Kane.
But then they knew his absence was only short-term, not at least 11 matches.
SPURS NEWS
And this time round Spurs are also without Korean ace Heung-min Son for at least another 10 days.
Of course, there is the possibility that Daniel Levy may decide to enter the market and buy a player to fill the void.
Yet few Spurs fans expect that to happen and Pochettino has admitted previously that he does not like buying in January because of the time it takes for players to get their heads round his demands on them.
So what can Pochettino do to make up for the absence of his star striker, leading goal scorer and talisman?
SunSport looks at some of the options:
4-2-1-3
THE likely formation Pochettino will deploy against Fulham on Sunday, although the Argentine will be anxiously awaiting fitness updates on Eric Dier and Lucas Moura.
The three up front rotate around each other with Eriksen buzzing into the space behind.
Dier and Winks give the Dane the platform to deploy his skills.
4-1-2-1-2
SAME personnel, differing shape, with Dier and Dele the base and tip of a midfield diamond.
Pochettino has used this shape quite a bit this season although normally with Kane and either Son or Lucas up front.
The lack of a traditional out-ball means it may be used sparingly but is an option.
4-3-2-1
POTENTIALLY the option Pochettino might look to deploy when he feels he needs an orthodox No 9 to occupy the opposition centre-backs.
Given the way David Luiz likes to stride forward and hit over the top, this might be the way Poch goes at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
Lamela will be instructed to break up play at any and every opportunity.
Dele will be the one closest to Llorente.
3-4-1-2
POCHETTINO favoured the back three two seasons ago and started with it last term before his fall-out with the injured Alderweireld saw him revert to a back four.
The Belgian, though, is back in favour, even if he looks likely to depart for that £25m release clause in the summer.
Eriksen has no defensive responsibilities with the width coming from the wing-backs. The back three gives more stability.
Rotating back three/four
4-5-1 without possession
3-4-2-1 with possession
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
DEFENSIVE shape of a back four changes when Spurs have the ball.
Dier drops in to the back three with the full-backs pushing further forward as wing-backs.
System means they have an extra body in midfield defensively but can spring forward in numbers with Lucas and Dele having to join Llorente at speed.
Requires the Spaniard to hold up the ball to allow midfield runners in behind.