4 ways that Mauricio Pochettino can turn around Tottenham Hotspur's slump

#2 Settle on a preferred right-back

Could Juan Foyth be the man to solve Spurs' right-back problem?

If any single position has given Tottenham Hotspur issues this season, it’s been right-back. Mauricio Pochettino allowed his former first choice, Kieran Trippier, to move to Atletico Madrid in the summer, but strangely the club decided not to buy an outright replacement. Instead, Pochettino has been forced to deploy four different players in the role with varying degrees of success.

Youngster Kyle Walker-Peters started the season in the slot and performed relatively well, but picked up an injury in August’s loss to Newcastle and hasn’t been able to regain his place since.

Davinson Sanchez was simply diabolical in the spot – the Colombian was clearly uncomfortable playing out of position – and while Serge Aurier impressed against Crystal Palace, he soon returned to his inconsistent ways and was even sent off against Southampton.

Midfielder Moussa Sissoko slotted into the role following Aurier’s dismissal in that game and performed admirably, but he’s not a natural right-back either, meaning the position remains a worrying hole for Pochettino to fill.

The man who could be placed into the slot is Juan Foyth, who has been playing at right-back for Argentina, but he’s still inexperienced and has made dangerous errors before.

So who is the answer? It’s hard to say, but for me the best thing Pochettino could do is to simply settle on one player and let them have an extended run in the side. Foyth or Walker-Peters would likely be the best options – Aurier has had enough chances while Sanchez and Sissoko just aren’t right-backs – and if they don’t work, then Spurs need to buy a new right-back in January.

Either way, a settled player in the role would be far better than the current question marks.