The pundits have been made to eat their own words so far in this topsy turvy season. No one predicted such an outcome at the fag end of the year before the season started, yet Spurs have collected their record number of points at this stage of the season and the key to that has been their players fitting the managers system. More than that, when the going was tough, the players adapted and changed for the system. Such has been the versatility and chemistry of this side that had made Tottenham a success this season.
The 3 players who are the main reason for Spurs’s success? Belgian Toby Alderweireld has been a defensive stalwart and is the reason why Spurs have such a low goal conceding stat. He has found himself at the right place at the right time at both ends of the pitch, chipping in with crucial goals when needed and also with crucial tackles, interceptions and blocks when required.
The other 2 players? Without doubt, Harry Kane and Delle Alli. What do these 2 have in common? They are both young, both hungry for goals, hard workers and more importantly for Roy Hogdson, they are both English Internationals. Alli was a surprise inclusion the first time he was called up, but he justified his inclusion with a goal when he was given the chance. In fact, he started his spurs career with a goal. His first ever touch in the Premier League resulted with the ball in the back of the net against current table leaders, Leicester. A 19 year old playing his trade last season at MK Dons has rapidly risen to fame and has put in solid individual shifts and also a team player who has helped Spurs win points more than they would have expected to at the start of the season!
He’s had help from his team mate too. Harry Kane. He was doubted to be a one season wonder, but the young Brit has responded to his critics in style, leading the race for the golden boot in the PL this season with 21 goals currently. Its not written in history that the golden boot winner guarantees the side finishing at the top, but it has happened 4 out of the last 10 times.
Its not just Tottenham who will be hoping that these 2 continue their bromance on the field. In fact, coming June, the whole country would and should be rooting the duo fire. Kane and Alli have been pivotal for Tottenham, having been a part of 27 goals that Spurs have scored so far this season, while Alli has played a direct role with around 20 of those goals, the number is quite higher than that for the midfielder as he has been a provider for other players too! Through the course of the last 7 months, the duo have contributed immensely to a mediocre Spurs side and have made them look like champions. In fact, they could even become champions, so where does this leave England at the end of the May?
With about 3 weeks before the start of the Euros after the Premier League, Roy Hogdson will look to capitalize on the duo’s chemistry and connection. Its a well known fact that players having a good relationship at club level tend to perform at their best for country as well. This would be the main point to focus for England. They do have other strikers in the name of Captain Rooney, Walcott and Sturridge, but if England want to be anywhere close to a real threat for the trophy, then starting their two best goal scorers on current form will be the utmost important thing to do and that means, starting Kane and Alli.
Moulding a side around the two players by the time of two Euros is the strategy that he has to work on now. England have their work cut out if they want to have a realistic chance of winning the Euros.