The North Londoners have been looking to compound their roster at N17 in the ongoing summer transfer window, and one of the things that the Lilywhites have been aiming for is to bring some attacking talent to the roster given how Tottenham Hotspur struggled to find goals a lot of times under Ange Postecoglou last season. Now, the Lilywhites have been looking to ensure that similar situations don’t repeat next season under incoming head coach Thomas Frank, and this is where the Premier League heavyweights have been linked with multiple star wingers this offseason.
Moreover, I also think that Heung Min Son could call curtains on his time at Tottenham this summer, which would open up a space to integrate another wide forward into the squad, someone who can grow into that consistent goal-scoring presence that the South Korean has been for years at Hotspur Way. And this is where the links with a move for Manchester United winger Garnacho make sense…
Garnacho is possibly on his way out of M16 given his very public disagreement with Manchester Reds head coach Ruben Amorim after the Argentine was benched for the Europa League finals against Tottenham last season. And this is where Daniel Levy can jump in and pounce on an agreement with the chiefs at Carrington.
The former Atletico Madrid star could slot into Thomas Frank’s system given his raw power and intelligence operating from that left channel.
Let’s discuss the attributes that Garnacho brings to the table and how Frank can reap dividends from it…
Tottenham keen on signing Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho
Tottenham keen on signing Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho
The Argentine wide forward is quite explosive in transitional situations, be it from the wings or from the frontline. The Argentine has that natural instinct to seize the space in counter situations, and that is thanks to this burst of pace he has complemented by his direct intent, which makes him a prime candidate to get the best out of the vertical style that Tottenham are expected to implement under the former Brentford manager. The thing here is that as soon as Tottenham win the ball, they can have Garnacho push forward in the wide or half-space channels, which will end up stretching the opposition and also give the North Londoners a quick outlet.
Another thing that Garnacho could bring to the table is his pressing and that front line tempo. The Argentine wide forward is one of those players who press as a drive and not as a duty. And this relentless tracking back and the capacity to force turnovers high up the pitch align quite seamlessly with the Lilywhites expected mid-block pressing triggers. I would have the 20-year-old lead the front four press where they are trying to force mistakes while compressing the space of operation.
Another thing that I really like about Garnacho is how he is always drifting between wide and half-spaces to have those overloads, and then he does so whilst interchanging with fullbacks at times, which could come really akin to how Frank also likes to operate. While Garnacho has this habit of dropping wide to drag defenders, and then once he has his man out of the space, he cuts in or goes on to combine with his teammate in those channels, which ends up creating layers in attacking sequences.
And one thing that is quite a highlight about his game is how he is really direct in how he goes about himself on the pitch. He has this fearless directness about him, especially when he is going at his man or driving into tenacious zones whilst giving you that penetration. But that being said, it could be too much at times (given how we have seen United fans a lot of times pushing him to pass). I think this is something Thomas Frank and his staff have to coach and refine, making him understand the ringing and sequences of when to dribble and when to pass (and when to pass in behind).
The final thing that I would touch on with Garnacho is his final product. He has these really strong crossing and finishing abilities (with crosses, I think at lines those intelligent low cutbacks are exceptional). And given how Thomas Frank likes to focus on that delivery, his creative instinct gives Tottenham a base to build on.
What role can Garnacho play under Frank?
Can Garnacho fit in under the system that Thomas Frank wants to implement at Tottenham?
If I am thinking about Tottenham, the Lilywhites do need someone who is a rapid outlet on transitions, and given the pace and power that the Argentine possesses, the Lilywhites will gain a lightning forward who can be passed into in the counter sequences. The North Londoners also need a trigger in the front line press, and given his high work rate, which we see in the chase downs, he gives you that energy in the pressing mid-block system.
Another thing I feel that the Argentine can do is put in overloads in half-spaces, which could come through with smart rotations with the full-backs, and this gives you that vertical combination and threat.
And one thing that Garnacho will give you is how he is always fighting for those second balls in midfield/attacking thirds, which assures Frank that the North Londoners are getting the better of those duels in congested zones.
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Author Opinion
Garnacho is someone who is capable of having one of the most explosive young forwards in world football, and if he is to play under someone like Thomas Frank, he may well go on to become a world-class winger at Tottenham.