Fri 29 August 2025, 15:45
Tottenham Hotspur"While the top clubs came for their defence, Bournemouth still look a force. Antoine Semenyo’s running is a problem, but the Cherries’ will be wary of the Spurs player impressing in the number 10 position."
Rob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit
Superb Semenyo
Semenyo’s second goal at Anfield on opening day was a perfect demonstration of what he’s all about, showing strength and pace to carry the ball 50 yards before firing into the bottom corner. Having arrived as a striker from Bristol City, he’s proved to be an excellent winger, with well-timed, threatening runs from deep. Stats show Semenyo’s also one of the most two-footed players in the league, and only Mo Salah, Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer had more shots than him last season. He, and Bournemouth, are a menace on the counter - just look at how they attacked and scored here last season in a 2-2 draw. But a change in style, plus the roles of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur, means Spurs look less vulnerable in those situations now.
Adding Adli
As if they didn’t have enough threatening runners in their team, Bournemouth have signed Amine Adli from Bayer Leverkusen. "He can play in those three (attacking midfield) positions, even as a number 9," explained Andoni Iraola. "We need more time... to see how he adapts to our team." But, in theory, the transition shouldn’t take too long. In Leverkusen’s double winning 2023/24 season, he scored 10 and assisted 12 in 42 games, playing in a direct, quick, hardworking side. During an eye-catching 25-minute cameo against Wolves, his teammates continually sought him out on the right-wing to take on his defender, cut inside or head for the byline.
Rebuilding the defence
Bournemouth have sold Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) and Illia Zabarnyi (PSG) for around £150m this summer. With Kepa’s loan ending too, the backline has been rebuilt. Goalkeeper Đorđe Petrović is an instant starter from Chelsea, while defenders Adrien Truffert (Rennes) and Bafodé Diakité (Lille) appear to be good signings too. Despite the clean sheet against Wolves, there were occasional teething problems for the new-look defence, which is understandable, while four were conceded at Anfield.
What next from Thomas Frank?
In the three games so far, we’ve seen real tactical variation from the new Head Coach. Many, myself included, expected the 3-5-2 from the PSG game at the Etihad, but Thomas Frank went 4-2-3-1 and applied aggressive man-to-man marking. "I don’t think I’ve seen a team braver than Tottenham,” explained Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football. "Van de Ven, the left centre-back in a back four, jumps here (deep into City’s half to follow Rayan Cherki), and Romero comes in behind Haaland.” When highlighted, it’s extremely stark - the extent to which Spurs’ defenders followed their man. The rewards were obvious.
Sarr boy
“My no 10!” exclaimed James Maddison in the comments under Pape Matar Sarr’s Instagram post, holding his player of the match award in Manchester. The Senegalese international has shone through pre-season and into the campaign proper, especially as the most advanced midfielder in the absence of injured options. He played a perfectly weighted pass into Brennan Johnson for his strike against Burnley, but he was also involved in both goals at the Etihad. The 22-year-old won a crucial header in the build-up to the opener, before sensing the chance to win possession in the Man City box for Palhinha’s 2-0 goal. His ability to read opportunities to win the ball, provide physicality and show that deft touch too have made him an early, outstanding performer.
