Is Spurs' full-back pairing the best in England?

Prior to the international break, Tottenham secured an unlikely 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Granted, Spurs came into the North London Derby as the Premier League’s one remaining unbeaten side and continued that run at the home of their rivals, but had failed to win the previous six competitive fixtures, including a disappointing 1-0 Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the days before the game. Mauricio Pochettino sprung a surprise ahead of the clash when the line ups were announced, with the Argentine deploying a three-man defence for the second time during his spell in charge of Spurs. 

The switch in system had the desired effect, even if Kevin Wimmer netted a first half own goal on his first Premier League start of the season. Pochettino, of course, has the personnel at his disposal to deploy such a system, particularly with the Spurs boss able to call on perhaps the best full-back partnership in the country. The role of wing-back with a three-man defence is essential. The players in question are expected to provide attacking width for the side, but have the fitness levels to ensure they are able to carry out their defensive duties, helping to convert a three-man backline to a five-man defence if required. 

In Kyle Walker and Danny Rose, Pochettino has two full-backs capable of adhering to the demands set out by the young manager. While the 44-year-old’s tactical versatility has improved this term, with Pochettino deploying both a three-man defence and a 4-1-4-1 formation to go with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, the full-backs have an essential role to play. With the wideman tasked with cutting inside from their designated flank, it’s up to Walker and Rose to provide the attacking width to help stretch opponents. 

In that regard, both are superb fits for Pochettino’s high intensity, high pressing system. The duo’s pace allows for them to bombard up the flanks to help overawe opponents. With the wingers drifting infield, Walker and Rose are more than capable of filling the space vacated to attack and present Spurs with more goalscoring opportunities. Spurs rank third for shots per game (17.7) in the Premier League this season, with the full-backs impressing in that regard. 

Rose (0.7) ranks fourth for crosses per game of all Spurs players this season with Walker (0.5) fifth. Given those ahead of the pair - Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen and Heung-min Son - are often on set-piece duty, it highlights the pair’s impact in the final third, particularly from open play. As they make runs beyond their attacking teammates, Rose and Walker are played in behind opposition defenders to then fire the ball across the goal, with their overlapping tendencies a vital route to goal for the north London side. 

Yet, it isn’t just their willingness to push forward at any given opportunity that means they provide an offensive outlet for Spurs. Of players to make more than one Premier League start this season, Rose (1.7) ranks top for interceptions per league match with Walker second (1.6) of all Tottenham players. Utilising their commendable reading of the game and willingness to hound opponents, they are able to cut out any attacking threat before pushing forward with the ball themselves. 

Indeed, it’s little surprise both rank relatively highly for dribbles per game (Walker 1.2 and Rose 1.1) of all players at the club as they duo rob opponents of possession before breaking forward. Their impact for Spurs means Rose (7.50) is the second best rated full-back in the Premier League this season, while Walker (7.36) places fifth of those to make six or more starts, with both of their ratings improving on each season that Pochettino has been at the White Hart Lane helm. Importantly they routinely transfer their good club form to their country. Debates continue to rumble on as to who should be England’s full-back partnership, but at the time of writing, Gareth Southgate routinely calls on Rose and Walker. 

The former has started three of four games in World Cup qualifying, while the latter has started all four. After the 3-0 win over Scotland, Walker (7.78) is England’s second highest rated player in qualification, while Rose (7.55) is the fourth highest. They have ample competition from the likes of Ryan Bertrand, Luke Shaw and Nathaniel Clyne, but at present, Rose and Walker warrant their starting spots. Given the focus for both club and country now is to implement a high pressing approach, England look to be following in the footsteps of Spurs and Liverpool, with their respective managers demanding their players routinely harrass opponents. 

It’s no shock then that of the 32 players called up to the England squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifying, nine either play for Spurs or Liverpool, with Rose and Walker now key men in the national set up. If Southgate uses the approaches Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp implement as a blueprint, then it makes sense to use as many players familiar with the system as possible to ensure a smooth transition between domestic and international football. “One of the first things he (Pochettino) said was if I entered into his philosophy, he would make me into an England player,” Rose said back in September, with Pochettino fulfilling his promise. 

His fine club form means Rose is now England’s first choice left-back, with Walker occupying the right-back berth for the Three Lions. Given their strong progress under Pochettino, it’s feasible to suggest they are the Premier League’s best full-back partnership as they continue to play a vital role from defence for club and country.