Game of Numbers #36 – Role Changes for Dejan Kulusevski & Konrad Laimer

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One thing is for certain. Spurs have not been the same since injury to James Maddison. Spurs were flying high with no signs of slowing down at the start of the season. But injuries across the squad have since stunted their progress and made for a more difficult second half of the first half to this campaign. Micky van de Ven‘s been a miss at the back, but Maddison’s creative influence has been that missing puzzle piece that’s made for a lack of a finishing touch to Tottenham’s endeavours. Perhaps not anymore, with Dejan Kulusevski showcasing his potential as a ‘Creative Ten’. Here is Game of Numbers #36 – featuring role changes for Konrad Laimer and Dejan Kulusevski.

DEJAN KULUSEVSKI AS A ’10’

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Dejan Kulusevski’s always been a creative player. He racked up fifteen assists in his first two seasons for Spurs, one of which started only in January. But with Maddison at the helm as that creative spark, Kulusevski’s assist-making powers have actually gone quiet this season. He’s even been more of a goal-scorer, landing five to his name.

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This is only a positive. The likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes have dovetailed as both the creative outlet and goal-scoring get out of jail card for their teams over the past few seasons. If Kulusevski can offer a distilled version of something similar from a number of roles in Postecoglou’s system, it will only benefit Spurs.

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But in the meantime as Maddison recovers, there are inherit advantages to continuing with Kulusevski through the middle. First of all, he has greater tactical intelligence and wherewithal when it comes to his surroundings on the pitch than most. He’s excellent at operating in tight spaces, and instinctively knows his next pass before he receives.

This is particularly valuable as a ’10’. You’re often receiving in congested areas of the pitch, without time and space to receive on the half-turn, get the head up and spread the beautiful pass. Being able to navigate spaces like this and perfectly time a through pass for a willing runner in behind is the key trait Postecoglou could ask for in a James Maddison replacement.

It’s no surprise that Kulusevski’s accumulated his reputation for assisting goals and creating chances over the previous two seasons. His weight of pass when putting runners through on goal is quite exceptional. And he normally hits the mark regardless of which foot he uses.

You may be less than surprised to hear that this also makes him quite an exceptional dribbler. It’s one reason why he excels in tight spaces like central channels. But evidently, it also allows him to dominate 1v1’s and take players on in the wider areas.

So as he floats around as a ’10’ and drifts left to right, he can get on the ball, draw players in, and then release for the powerful runners in behind like Brennan Johnson and Heung Min-Son.

Maddison made himself similarly exceptional this season at finding the spaces to float into across the field. If Kulusevski can continue to harness his awareness of when to shift into the half-spaces / out wide and when to stay central, he can nicely increase the unpredictability of the Spurs attack.

Now ultimately, the Swedish star will likely serve Spurs best coming onto his left foot from the right-hand-side, whipping in dangerous crosses into the box. He works best as that ‘Inverted Winger’ prototype – someone who thrives in the half-spaces. But what he’s demonstrated the past few weeks is that he’s a player more than capable plugging holes in an incredibly injury-stricken side.

Central channels benefit his inclination to strike from range. But the 23-year-old even showcased his versatility in the closing stages of Tottenham’s recent win over Newcastle, switching to the left-hand-side and cutting in on his right-foot to deliver those same stellar crosses.

So wherever Postecoglou plays Dejan Kulusevski as the season unfolds, he can be confident that the Swede will thrive. Now if Spurs can just get James Maddison and Micky van de Ven back into the fold, they truly might become an unstoppable force in the Premier League once again.

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KONRAD LAIMER AS A RIGHT-BACK

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Why Benjamin Pavard wanted to leave one of the best clubs in the world is still a bit of a mystery. But Bayern Munich were always going to be in an awkward transition this season at right-back, left with just Josip Stanisic and Noussair Mazraoui. Thomas Tuchel didn’t panic, instead remembering another member of his squad who spent time fulfilling the role in his younger years. That’s Konrad Laimer, who’s held down the role for the past few months now, ensuring he doesn’t just play second fiddle to Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich.

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In many ways, Laimer’s able to utilize his unique skillset at right-back. One of the hallmarks of his playing style as a central midfielder included a powerful ball carrying ability, venturing box to box and spearheading transitions. He’s still able to utilize that power at right-back, where he can get into the half-spaces, drive forward and allow his wingers to receive in space as he attracts attention. Laimer’s excellent at getting his body in between himself and the defender, and possesses excellent control with either foot to quickly take the ball past his man.

It’s just when he gets into those final third situations that he still lacks that extra cutting edge confidence. Laimer’s assisted two goals in his 14 appearances this season, but he’s still getting used to optimal decision making when playing passes into the penalty area and creating chances. It may come with familiarity in the position, or Thomas Tuchel may be better off giving him more of a reserved role within the team’s rest-defense.

While Laimer became a pivotal figurehead to everything Leipzig produced at both ends, he ultimately remained a player that you’d want more for his work ethic on the defensive end. Their typical 3+2 rest-defense would often position Laimer alongside Kevin Kampl in the centre of the park, rather than having one without the other. Bayern already allow Leon Goretzka license to roam forward, which can leave just Joshua Kimmich alone to mop up any messes if the initial counter-press is broken.

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This is where Laimer’s defensive role may become more important as the season unfolds, ensuring Bayern have more numbers at the back to cope with transitions. Even more so, when Laimer’s tactical intelligence makes for an excellent player to have on the defensive end. He’s keenly aware about how and when to close spaces, how to narrow himself within the back-four, and the priorities of each moment.

For example, as Bayern quickly counter-press in the opposition’s half, he’ll make sure there’s not a winger high up the pitch in a dangerous position before engaging in the team’s swift counter attack.

That tactical intelligence does however come out in attacking phases too, so Laimer should not be restricted to a purely defensive role. As soon as the ball changes hands, the 26-year-old’s always thinking about how to aid the attacking transition, whether it be by energetically sprinting up the pitch, or carrying forward himself.

He’s great at picking up spaces to receive, and naturally wants to play in the half-spaces. This can allow for the type of interchange Bayern always create, where the likes of Leroy Sane can receive out wide as Laimer comes inside, and vice-versa.

That can however cause somewhat of an issue in competing for spaces with Joshua Kimmich, who also loves to float out to the right-half-spaces to deliver crosses.

Alongside the wizardry of Kevin de Bruyne, Joshua Kimmich is probably the best in the world at crossing from that right-half-space vantage-point. Ideally, you’d be utilizing Laimer’s power and energy to bring fight and tenacity to transitions, and Joshua Kimmich as the key creator from deep in attacking phases.

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If they can strike the right balance and find the perfect harmonization for Laimer in that position in relation to his teammates, Bayern Munich have a great temporary solution for Benjamin Pavard’s departure. But ideally, we’ll be seeing Konrad Laimer back in the centre of the pitch on more than just a few occasions this season, getting a full glimpse of his vivacious energy.

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Be sure to check out more from my Game of Numbers series, and follow on social media @desmondrhys. Thanks for reading and see you soon!

-> Game of Numbers #35 – Anthony Gordon’s embodiment of the Newcastle way
-> Game of Numbers #32 – Harry Kane’s playmaking at Bayern Munich

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