Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur: A Tactical Evolution in 2020-21
When Jose Mourinho inherited Tottenham Hotspur from Mauricio Pochettino, the club languished near the relegation zone, 14th in the Premier League with just 14 points from 12 matches. However, Mourinho quickly engineered a turnaround, lifting Spurs into sixth place and securing European qualification. The 2020-21 campaign brought further promise, thanks to key signings like Sergio Reguilon, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and the high-profile return of Gareth Bale. Following a statement 6-1 victory away against Manchester United, it became clear that Mourinho had revitalized both the lineup and tactical identity of Tottenham. This analysis explores the main features powering Spurs’ resurgence under his leadership during the first nine league games.
Formation Flexibility: The Transition from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3
Tottenham’s structural evolution has been fundamental to their progress. Traditionally, Mourinho favored a 4-2-3-1, with Dele Alli and Harry Kane forming a dynamic axis in the final third. The addition of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in midfield has proven to be transformative. The Danish international, adept at controlling the tempo and recycling possession, has operated as the team’s deep-lying orchestrator—providing defensive cover and quickly shifting Spurs from defense to attack.
With the boost in form from Tanguy Ndombele, Mourinho has often shifted towards a more aggressive 4-3-3, deploying an extra midfielder to aid both ball progression and pressing structure. This alternation between a stable double pivot and a forward-drivng midfield trio has made Spurs more unpredictable and resilient, particularly when facing top opposition.
Personnel Choices and Squad Upgrades
Defensively, recruitment and rotation have solidified Spurs’ back line. Matt Doherty’s arrival added experience and attacking impetus on the right, although Serge Aurier remains an effective alternative when greater defensive security is required. Sergio Reguilon’s arrival pushed Ben Davies into a more peripheral role, with the Spaniard’s energetic overlapping runs making the left flank a focal point for attacks.
In the center of defense, Mourinho has increasingly trusted Eric Dier alongside Davinson Sanchez, though Toby Alderweireld remains an ever-reliable option. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris continues to command the starting spot, with Joe Hart signed as backup. These changes have imbued the squad with depth and positional competition.
In attack, the presence of Bale, Moura, and Lamela on the wings creates internal competition. However, the partnership between Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son has stood out. Their chemistry has yielded 16 goal contributions in nine matches, with Kane evolving into a deeper playmaking role and leading the league in assists, most of which have benefited Son. This interplay may reach another dimension when Bale is fully integrated into the side.
Building Play: Patterns, Switches, and Forward Momentum
A cornerstone of Tottenham’s tactical approach this season has been their adept use of switch play and progressive ball movement. Hojbjerg, in particular, has become a central conduit, completing a league-leading volume of passes and expertly linking the back line with advanced players and fullbacks. Spurs often seek to stretch opponents horizontally, drawing pressure to one side before exploiting open spaces on the opposite flank.
Tottenham tend to initiate attacks down the left 38% of the time, compared to 34% on the right and 28% through the middle. Frequently, Hojbjerg drops between or beside the center-backs, forming a temporary back-three, which enables both fullbacks to surge forward and wingers to tuck inside. Alternatively, a fullback may join the center-backs while the opposite fullback pushes high, converting their shape into a flexible 3-4-3 during buildup phases. This variety in buildup structure has improved both their safe ball retention and fluidity in attack.
Vertical Play and Ruthless Counterattacks
Even though Spurs excel at switching play, vertical progression and swift counterattacking remain hallmarks of Mourinho’s philosophy. The team attacks centrally more often than most—28% of their attacks are launched through the middle, a figure rivaled only by Manchester City and Burnley in the Premier League.
Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele are granted freedom to break forward from midfield, backed by Hojbjerg’s defensive discipline. Harry Kane’s tendency to drop deep draws defenders and facilitates swift one-two combinations with Son, who then exploits the vacated space at speed. Both Moura and Lamela perform as inverted wingers, often drifting centrally to support vertical surges. The addition of Bale may further intensify these inside movements, creating even more unpredictability.
Interchanging Roles: The Kane and Son Dynamic
A defining feature of Spurs’ attack in 2020-21 is the exceptional positional interchange between Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane. No longer just a classic number nine, Kane regularly drops into deep playmaking positions, while Son seamlessly moves into central striking roles. Kane’s distribution, especially his diagonal through balls and early passes, consistently finds Son’s clever runs behind the defense.
Interestingly, this rotation has often seen Kane collect the ball in left-central midfield, with Son shifting centrally as the main goal threat. Supporting fullbacks, particularly Reguilon, provide attacking width, allowing Kane and Son to operate with greater freedom. In possession sequences where both fullbacks push forward, Kane may remain central as Son and Moura (or Bale/Lamela) provide wide or inside support, maximizing the team’s goal threats and confusing defensive coverage.
Defensive Discipline and Transitional Security
Despite the attacking improvements, Mourinho has stayed true to his trademark defensive rigor. Tottenham typically defend in a compact 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 shape, often with all players behind the ball, forming layered blocks to deny central progression. Son and Kane remain higher than other midfielders, primed to spring rapid transitions.
Midfield compactness is maintained by the trio of Hojbjerg, Sissoko, and Ndombele, ensuring Spurs rarely lose their defensive balance. Depending on the game state and opponent, they may press high in select moments, as seen in the win over Manchester United, but generally avoid an unsustainable high line that could expose the back four.
The big risk comes when pressing disrupts the midfield’s shape, potentially creating gaps between the lines. Hojbjerg must stay alert to cover these spaces. Overall, conceding just nine goals across nine matches, Spurs have shown substantial improvement in defensive solidity compared to previous seasons.
Conclusion: Tottenham’s Optimized Balance Under Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has cultivated a Spurs team defined by smart reinforcement in key positions, a dynamic blend of buildup and direct play, and the exceptional partnership between Kane and Son. The calculated use of formation flexibility, tactical switches, and vertical energy has allowed Tottenham to climb back into contention among the Premier League’s elite. Whether this project leads to silverware remains uncertain, but the evidence to date suggests Mourinho’s Tottenham are far better equipped—both defensively and in attack—than the side he inherited.
This tactical transformation, combining positional discipline with creative freedom, positions Spurs as one of the most intriguing teams in the 2020-21 Premier League season. As the campaign unfolds and additional signings like Gareth Bale gain prominence, Tottenham’s trajectory under Mourinho will continue to be a focal point for analysts and fans alike.
