This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Tottenham Hotspur take on Manchester United at Old Trafford later this week and one key battle could decide the fixture.
On the chalkboard
When Jose Mourinho takes his new club back to his old stomping ground, he is likely to pick Tanguy Ndombele in midfield, particularly after such a strong showing against Bournemouth at the weekend.
And he is likely to be matched up against Fred, the United midfielder who has played 90 minutes in each of the club’s last seven Premier League games.
Winning the midfield battle will be key for both sides as they look to wrestle control of the game away from the opposition.
And Ndombele’s battle with Fred could be pivotal.
Dynamism vs defence
Ndombele is a dynamic presence in the Spurs midfield.
Per WhoScored, he has already scored twice and registered one assist in the Premier League, while averaging 1.6 dribbles per game, 0.7 key passes, a passing accuracy of 84% and 1.9 tackles and 0.8 interceptions.
This is a player who can surge forward but also remain assiduous in defence.
Fred, meanwhile, does not have a goal or an assist to his name yet in the league, while he averages 0.9 dribbles per game, one key pass, an accuracy of 86.7%, 2.2 tackles and 1.3 interceptions.
This is a more withdrawn player than Ndombele, one who sits deeper and looks to win the ball back before recycling it, instead of driving forward with it.
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But their match-up will be instructive to the result on Wednesday evening.
If Ndombele wins, one has to assume that space will open up in midfield and Spurs will have the opportunity to carve United open; if Fred wins, they will stay a solid unit and United will have the chance to hit Spurs on the break, utilising the pace further forward of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
Keep your eyes on this personal duel; it could be the difference between three points or zero.
Meanwhile, Spurs have a youngster who could be their next Eric Dier.
