How Tottenham could line up with Arnaut Danjuma

If you think you've got it bad right now, take solace in knowing you're not an Everton supporter. If you are of a Toffee persuasion, God help you.

19th in the Premier League and without a manager following a ten-game winless run, Everton sought to mitigate their woes by venturing into the transfer market. A personnel overhaul is required in many areas, and the club appeared to be making a savvy first step by bringing in Villarreal's Arnaut Danjuma.

The deal was all but wrapped up, with Danjuma reportedly saying he'd do "absolutely everything" to keep the Toffees up this season. At last, some optimism on the blue side of the Mersey!

Yeah...

Danjuma, in a move comparable to Batista's U-turn on Evolution (with the faux thumbs up and all), is now heading to Tottenham after the Lilywhites hijacked the Dutchman's Everton move incredibly late on. Left helpless and stunned, as they've often been for the past 12 months, all the Toffees could do was watch as their beacon of hope made the long trip south to north London.

Antonio Conte has little room for sympathy right now. The Italian needs players, and Danjuma is an addition that should aid his side during a busy conclusion to the 2022/23 season.

Here's how Tottenham could line up with Danjuma in the side.

• Tottenham confirm loan signing of Arnaut Danjuma
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3-4-3 - Danjuma LW

Danjuma's loan at Spurs includes an option to buy, but Conte will be looking at getting a good six months out of the Dutchman before those kind of decisions are made.

The 25-year-old has primarily operated as a left winger throughout his senior career, and he'll join Spurs to serve as cover for Son Heung-min. The South Korean, however, is enduring a miserable season and many supporters have called for Conte to drop last season's Golden Boot winner.

With Richarlison seen as cover for Harry Kane - although he can also line up on the right and left side of the front three - Danjuma could share Son's minutes should his poor form continue during the second half of the season.

According to Transfermarkt, Danjuma has 57 goal contributions in 92 games when lined up down the left-hand side.

Possible options

• Danjuma - Kane - Kulusevski
• Danjuma - Kane - Richarlison
• Danjuma - Richarlison - Kulusevski

3-4-3 - Danjuma RW

Despite impressing at the start of the year with a couple of cameo performances, Bryan Gil could leave Tottenham on loan for the remainder of the season.

The diminutive Spaniard has operated as Dejan Kulusevski's second in command this season, but Danjuma's arrival could facilitate his temporary departure. Danjuma is more proficient operating off the left, but his versatility means he can function across the front line and he has played down the right in the past.

Richarlison has looked uncomfortable when operating off the right of Conte's front three, and if the Italian is insistent on playing Son into form, Danjuma could share Kulusevski's minutes or usurp him in the starting XI should he, God forbid, get injured again.

Possible options

• Son - Kane - Danjuma
• Richarlison - Kane - Danjuma
• Son - Richarlison - Danjuma

3-5-2

Conte has been wedded to the 3-4-3 since he joined Tottenham, but there have been times when he's switched to the 3-5-2. This system has brought about mixed success, and the manager has been reluctant to use it since his side were comprehensively beaten at Old Trafford in October.

Nevertheless, it remains an option for Conte, and Danjuma enjoyed a productive season for Villarreal under Unai Emery in 2021/22 when deployed in a front two. The Dutchman scored 16 goals in 34 games last term.

His function within the front two was a fluid one, and he tended to drift out to the left so he could isolate defenders and receive possession in more familiar zones. He excels in transition, and Conte could partner Danjuma with Kane in a bid to overwhelm teams on the counter. Perhaps the pair could strike a similar dynamic to Danjuma's with Gerard Moreno in Spain, or Kane's with his South Korean partner in crime.

Possible options

• Danjuma - Kane
• Danjuma - Richarlison
• Danjuma - Son