Two dream trios and Dele Alli returns: 5 ways Mourinho could line up his new Tottenham with Bale
Jose Mourinho now has options galore in his Tottenham Hotspur squad and he will have various line-ups that can get the best out of his new signings
JoriPress
Tottenham Hotspur now have one of their strongest squads in recent times and Jose Mourinho has six new signings to get the best out of.
When Spurs return to action against West Ham United after the international break they could have all of their new arrival fit and ready to take part.
The north London club signed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Hart, Matt Doherty, Gareth Bale, Sergio Reguilon and Carlos Vinicius during the main transfer window.
Now Mourinho must work out various tactics and formations to harness as many of his top players as possible
Here are five possible ways he could line-up his side.
The two dream trios
It potentially harks back to the Ossie Ardiles management days, but Mourinho could employ a ridiculously talented 4-3-3.
In front of a back four, he could have Hojbjerg sitting as an anchor man with Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso just in front of the Dane.
Then ahead of that talented trio would be the mouthwatering attacking trident of Son Heung-min and Bale either side of Harry Kane.
Bringing in Dele
Should Dele Alli find his way back to form and a place in Mourinho's affections then the Spurs could choose a formation to get the best out of the 24-year-old.
Mourinho could play a 4-2-3-1 with two more defensive midfielders in Hojbjerg and either Harry Winks or Moussa Sissoko and then play Alli in between Son and Bale.
Alli could then push up into his favoured role playing off Kane, although he would face competition for the spot with Lo Celso.
Enter Carlos Vinicius
There might be occasions when Mourinho wants to pair up Kane with new Brazilian striker Carlos Vinicius.
The Spurs head coach could employ a flat midfield four behind the new pairing, with Son and Bale employed as more traditional wingers either side of a midfield pairing.
The diamond
Mourinho could also go narrower with a formation that might require Bale to shift positions.
The Welshman said after joining that his new boss had suggested he is likely to play in a range of roles within his team.
If Spurs were to employ a diamond in the midfield then Bale could either operate at the tip of the diamond with Son or Vinicius alongside Kane up front, or the Wales international could play as the second striker himself.
With either Hojbjerg or Winks at the base of the diamond, Lo Celso, Alli, Ndombele and Sissoko would fight it out for the other spots.
A back three
It's not only about the attackers as a back three could get the best out of Mourinho's flying full-backs.
Doherty in particular is used to playing as a wing-back at Wolves and Serge Aurier practically played as one for most of last season.
On the other side, Reguilon's attacking ability marks him out as a potentially superb left wing-back.
A back three would see Bale and Son pushed infield with one playing alongside Kane and potentially one missing out.
One thing is clear, there is plenty of choice and tactical flexibility for Mourinho this season.
