Lucas Moura’s growing influence on Tottenham

By Ryan Conway

The win in the end was routine. Tottenham Hotspur left West Yorkshire with all three points after a 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town. While the problems for the Terriers remain much the same, it can be said that Spurs are finding some welcome solutions and options.

Mauricio Pochettino was without several key players for the trip up from London. Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Hugo Lloris all missed out through injury leaving the door open for the Terriers to cause a shock and get their first win of the campaign.

Yet instead, a clinical Harry Kane and elusive Lucas Moura gave the visitors a different kind of attacking edge. An approach which the Spurs boss acknowledge post-match, “We had to approach the game in a different way. The team had to fight, and I think the team was ready to fight.”

When Moura arrived in England from Paris Saint-Germain in January his impacted was limited at best. With Alli, Kane and Heung-Min Son mainstays in the side questions were asked as to where the Brazilian winger would fit in.

So far this season the 26-year-old has scored three goals in seven league appearances after failing to find the net in his first six appearances after signing in the Winter. Moura has also started all seven league games this campaign.

With Spurs opting to not add to their squad during the summer transfer window Moura’s contribution would be put under even more scrutiny. So far, he has answered the call. Against The Terriers Moura, along with Son, operated behind Kane as supporting strikers, joining the fray when the visitors hurried forward.

Moura’s pace, direct attacking style and elusiveness gave Tottenham a different dynamic in the final third. With Alli and Eriksen out of action Pochettino was forced to adapt his approach, such is their usual reliance on opening teams up down the middle with clever passes.

While Moura’s passing range does not match that of Danish teammate Eriksen, his speed and agility is enough to bother defenders – a trait perhaps not associated with Eriksen nor Alli. Such options give Spurs the fresh new dynamic they have been searching for in attack. Fernando Llorente has failed to provide an adequate ‘plan B’ and questions about their reliance on Kane may be quietened with Moura showcasing his attacking tendencies.

The Brazilian could have even got himself on the scoresheet in the second half against David Wagner’s side. After selling Christopher Schindler a magnificent dummy the £23 million January acquisition bared down on goal with the Huddersfield backline scrambling to contain him.

The shot he unleashed was high and wide in the end, but on another day could have been resting in the back of the net.

The former PSG forward’s breakout party came in August when Spurs dismantled Manchester United at Old Trafford with Moura grabbing a brace. In the contest Moura lined up alongside Kane, drifting out to the wings to run at full-backs and running off the England striker hoping to get on the end of a flick.

The modus operandi has been much the same through the early portion of this term with Pochettino tinkering with his formation to accommodate the Brazil forward.

A large knock on Spurs since the emergence of Kane has been an inability to adapt when the game plan dictates. Often relying heavily on their prized, home-grown centre-forward their pastures have been less fruitful when trying to change tact. Moura’s stellar start to the season may alter how teams defend Tottenham as they tinker with how they attack teams.

Pochettino was understandably concerned about the injuries mounting up for his side, the Argentine confirmed Alli would be unavailable for their Champions League clash with Barcelona on Wednesday – another test of their depth, “I don’t know [when Alli will return]. He reinjured the same muscle which he injured while with England.” Said the former Southampton manager “The problem now is that the problem could be aggravated.”

The injuries and fixture pile-up Spurs have been subjected to will test their depth perhaps more than any other side in the Premier League with their lack of summer transfer activity well documented. Moura’s emergence, however, has given Pochettino reason to be optimistic his side can find the net without some of their key contributors – and in the process Moura has become a key cog himself.