Spurs: Michael Carrick could be Levy’s own Arteta
Given the success Arsenal have had hiring a former midfielder, Daniel Levy could look to replicate this feat.
Tottenham Hotspur is a club that has often been in the shadow of their arch-rivals, and across this season the gulf has seldom felt so huge.
As Arsenal declined under Arsene Wenger and later Unai Emery, Mauricio Pochettino was masterminding the steady rise of the Lilywhites back to the apex of the Premier League.
However, in a cruel twist of fate, it was the Lilywhites who then sought greener pastures in the form of aging legends of the game, whilst the Gunners trusted in the youth of Mikel Arteta.
Tottenham manager news – Could Michael Carrick make a surprise return?
The latter now find themselves as title challengers, whilst Daniel Levy is once again searching for a new man for his dugout.
One such name that has emerged recently is that of Michael Carrick, who has impressed at the helm of promotion-chasing outfit Middlesbrough in the Championship.
With the playoffs within his sights, perhaps that could culminate in a move straight to the top, in a similarly meteoric fashion to the aforementioned Spaniard.
How does Michael Carrick set up his team?
Preferring to employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, it would instantly be an aesthetic improvement on the turgid back-three fans have become accustomed to in recent seasons.
The former Spurs midfielder, who also shares that similarity with Arteta as a former Arsenal player, has captured the attention for taking the Boro from a woeful start to the Championship season to within touching distance of the Premier League.
Across a short managerial career, the former Manchester United legend has enjoyed 20 wins from the 33 games managed, at a points-per-game average of 1.94. For context, ex-Manchester City colossus Vincent Kompany has managed a win rate only 0.9% higher on Burnley’s way to the title.
Impressive indeed.
This has been accomplished through a long-ball style born of necessity, given the lack of pre-season he had, but with some attractive ideals mixed in.
Such compactness in the midfield makes them favorites for the second ball from these punts on every occasion, where they can then play their football in the opposition’s half.
Kieran Scott, who is the director of football at Riverside, spoke on Carrick, claiming that “he’s calculated, calm” in and around the dressing room and “talks about football non-stop,” adding an emphasis on the word non-stop.
And in some ways, that sort of obsession correlates well with Arteta down the road in north London – for anyone that has seen the ‘All or Nothing’ docuseries.
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