6 current players who have evolved significantly to adapt to his team's needs
We’ve all been there. Your team is cruising in a five-a-side match and suddenly it’s your turn to go in goals. Truth be told, it’s not everyone’s favourite position, but you pop yourself between the posts to do your duty – it rarely goes swimmingly.Yes, being adaptable in the world of football is a key skill to have. In fact, it’s arguably as important as being able to dribble well, shoot from distance or produce an acrobatic finish in a crowded penalty area.Players who learn how to evolve, apply their strengths well to different positions as well as continuing to learn about different roles are exactly the type of performers managers love to have at their disposal. They can give the team a lift at precisely the right time, and when done properly they can evolve gradually over time to help their team get the most out of them on a consistent basis.So, let’s take a look at six recent examples of stars who have changed in some way to fit into their team’s system.
#6 Christian Eriksen
There has been a great deal of moaning and berating whenever Christian Eriksen’s name has come up in conversation in recent weeks. Some have stated that he needs to give more to Tottenham Hotspur football club, while others see his slump in form as a reason to let him go in the coming months.
Tom Collomosse of the Evening Standard penned a piece arguing that Spurs need him at his best again if they are to climb up the Premier League table, stating that he would work well just behind Harry Kane. However, that fails to take into consideration that the Denmark international is part of a new system being implemented by Mauricio Pochettino which has seen the influential midfielder becoming more withdrawn for the benefit of his team-mates.
As pointed out by Lee Scott on These Football Times, Eriksen has altered his approach substantially so as to work as part of a system that sees him as the perfect decoy for others, and a player who has begun to use space more effectively than anyone else on the team, something which has given Delle Alli licence to roam forward with great effect. It’s also allowed Eriksen the opportunity to create more assists – he already has six in the league.
It certainly explains Eriksen’s lack of goals and should go some way to easing any fears certain Lilywhites fans have about the player experiencing a slump – it’s merely the sign of a player changing his style to suit the needs of his team.
It’s working, too, because after 17 games last season they were 7th with 27 points, whereas this time around they are fourth with 29 points. It might only be a marginal difference reflected in the table, but it’s hard to argue that Eriksen hasn’t altered his style significantly for a bigger purpose.