Tottenham Hotspur have been looking to bring in a new wide forward this summer transfer window, with multiple players being linked with a probable move to Hotspur Way, but the latest report indicates that the Lilywhites are willing to push it big as they look to bring Real Madrid star Rodrygo Goes to N17. And a marquee move for the Brazilian would signal a bold new direction that Daniel Levy and the chiefs at Tottenham are ready to explore under Thomas Frank.
The incoming Dane head coach has been known for his tactical flexibility and his ability to develop players and get the best out of them, and playing under him, he could possibly take Rodrygo to the next level if the North Londoners do manage to lure him away from the Bernabéu.
If we look at his development in the Spanish capital over the past couple of seasons, Rodrygo is showing that he is more than just a flashy winger. The Brazilian international showed how he has that elite technical capacity given how he showed his ability in Carlo Ancelotti’s fluid attacking systems and, more importantly, came out as a shining light in high-pressure moments for Madrid.
How can Rodrygo technically fit at N17 under Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank typically plays a 4-3-3 / 3-5-2 hybrid setup where he likes to play with his attacking line making vertical movements with fast transitions. More importantly, having a rotational front line was the highlight of how Brentford played. And then he demands that discipline in pressing and his renowned compact mid-block structure.
And when I think about these frameworks, you can play Rodrygo in a few potential roles, starting with right wing, where he would be cutting into his left foot (something that he has been doing at Madrid for years). Here you can think about him offering runs to someone like Solanke or Kudus whilst playing between the lines. Playing him here gives Tottenham a sense of width, but it comes at a cost, given that this will limit his attacking instinct as he won’t be playing on his favoured foot.
The ideal role would be that left flank where he can cut into his stronger foot and combine with the central players whilst having an overlapping fullback (Udogie) to support his outside-to-inside runs. And given that Son Heung-Min has been subject to links with a move away from the North Londoners, he could take up the attacking baton from the South Korean and that so in the position that the 33-year-old has made his own at N16 for the better part of the decade.
Then you’d come to the false 9 or support striking role where you can play Rodrygo just off the main striker (Solanke). So the Brazilian would be tasked with dropping deep to link midfield and attack and making late runs into the box (a skill that he has refined playing under Carlo Ancelotti). But then you need a more physical partner to balance off his presence in the front two.
What does Rodrygo bring to Tottenham?
The Brazilian has proven his ability in the most tense moments in the past few years, and Tottenham are missing someone who has that Champions League pedigree, and that is what he brings to the table.
Moreover, he has that technical intelligence given how he can adapt to different shapes, which can be very important to feature under Thomas Frank.
The Brazil international also has that creativity and composure in the final third alongside the versatility to play across the frontline.
Possible hurdles in having Rodrygo at Tottenham?
One thing that would be a massive problem would be the price tag that Real Madrid would slap on his signatures given his marquee ability complemented by a plethora of English clubs in the race for his signatures. And then the North Londoners need to also convince the player about the project that the club are undertaking under Thomas Frank and how he could be the figure that the club builds their team around, which is going to be a tough task for Daniel Levy given that the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City are also interested in procuring his signatures.
Author Opinion
Rodrygo has the potential to become the prince of the project at Hotspur Way under Thomas Frank, and he does bring a lot of qualities to the table, enough for you to build your team around him. But then it is about whether Levy can pull this one off, because if Daniel Levy can pull this off, Rodrygo could become the face of a new and more ambitious roster at N17, one that is not just looking to attain Champions League status but a club that is competing for trophies consistently.