19 January 2024 , 14:00
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A key reason behind Tottenham's early success under Ange Postecoglou has been the utilisation of the full-backs.
Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro have been revelations for the north London side this season, which is all the more impressive considering they joined when Spurs used a system where wing-backs were key.
Both players were signed with the idea of playing a little further upfield. So when Postecoglou took over last summer, the Australian favouring a 4-3-3 setup, there were understandable question marks over whether the pair would have a long-term future at the club. Both Udogie and Porro made a name for themselves as wing-backs for previous sides Udinese and Sporting CP, so it was a case of adapt or depart.
In that sense, Postecoglou is a miracle worker. The pair have made the transition from wing-back to full-back seamlessly and there is a sound argument to be made that both are the best in their respective positions in the Premier League.
For Udogie, much of that is due to a lack of options. Left-back should come with a health warning with a number of defenders sidelined due to injury at one point or another over the course of the campaign.
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In a hugely competitive right-back field, Porro is undoubtedly one of, if not the, best in England's top tier.
Each team will back their own in this debate and understandably so. Liverpool can call upon Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier has again been solid for Newcastle while Manchester City skipper Kyle Walker remains one of the most consistent performers on the right side of defence.
Yet the trio are unable to combine their defensive duties with the attacking output in the same manner as Porro.
Pedro Porro is having an outstanding season with Spurs - is he the Premier League's best right-back? (Getty Images)Indeed, the Spain international ranks third for tackles (61) in the Premier League this season. "I think he's not a good defender," Tim Sherwood said earlier this month. Maybe Tactics Tim shouldn't be so quick to judge the former Sporting man.
That's not to say Porro is the perfect defender but it's a side to his game that has improved immeasurably since Postecoglou took over at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In addition, with Porro operating higher up the pitch compared to conventional right-backs as per Postecoglou's demands, this means the Spurs man is able to win the ball in dangerous positions to help the north London quickly get on the front foot. Spurs have won possession in the attacking third the third most times (135) in the Premier League this season and in committing the full-backs forward; Postecoglou's side are able to swarm even the most organised defence in their quest for goal.
With Porro already so high up the pitch he is then one of many attacking outlets that can be utilised in Spurs' quest for goal. It's no wonder he ranks 12th for key passes (39) in England's top tier this term.
Porro has become Spurs' prime creator since James Maddison suffered his injury (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)That number will have been inflated in the absence of James Maddison, with 20 of Porro's 39 key passes coming from set-pieces - only three players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold (22) have done so more - but with so many chances created coming from open play, the 24-year-old's defensive improvements haven't had a negative impact on his attacking influence.
That he has seven assists to his name - only Mohamed Salah and Ollie Watkins (both 8) have more in the Premier League this season, while no defender has more in Europe's top five leagues - isn't spoken about enough.
Porro was always considered one of the most exciting attacking wing-backs-turn-full-backs on the continent but that he has significantly improved the defensive side to his game lends credence to the argument that the Spurs star is the best right-back in the division.
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Maintain his current form for Postecoglou's side and you'd be hard pressed to find any that would disagree with that assessment.
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