How changing to a 442 diamond structure could improve Spurs in 2025/26.

Part of the initial appeal of Vilahamn's 4231 set-up was the balanced width that would be provided by having wingers and 2 deeper midfielders in the buildup while ideally (in theory) being able to quickly play through the thirds with quick short passes. This season has seen Spurs regress both offensively and defensively. They've looked especially poor in defending wide areas as players lose their markers far too easily, and aerial balls continue to be a problem against top strikers. Offensively Spurs look like they're running out of ideas in the final 3rd and are still having trouble in progressing the ball into the final 3rd against top half sides.

On the surface, it might seem a radical change to completely remove wingers from the team after a down season for Spurs. Spurs adapting to a 442 diamond could be a difficult process initially, but would allow Spurs more options centrally when building through the thirds.

My two ideas for how Spurs could use the 442 in and out of possession (the top drawing is out of possession and the bottom drawing would be one version of an in-possession structure.)

Going position by position in the current squad, Spurs already have plenty of players that would suit this set-up.

. In goal, Lize Kop in goal is good enough on the ball, around top 5 league average for cross claiming and - at time of writing - has been about neutral in terms of shot-stopping with her 68% shots saved this season. Eleanor Heeps has shown promise in the few appearances she has made this season and has clearly become 2nd choice keeper as Rebecca Spencer was allowed to leave on an emergency loan to Chelsea. 

. At RB, Ella Morris has been one of the brightest players for Spurs in what's been a really dim 2025. Her speed, ball-carrying and stamina on the right flank would have to facilitate most of the wide threat on that side. Charli Grant hasn't made much of an impact in the year that she's been a Spurs player but could probably do a decent job in this role with her pace off-ball. 

. Right-sided CB is a contentious position for the future. Luana Bühler has put in the best performances on that side, but is on an expiring contract (which is probably likely to be renewed). Clare Hunt was initially the starter in this role for the opening half of the season but failed to instill much confidence. Josefine Rybrink hasn't really had much time in that role and almost certainly won't stay beyond the summer. Amy James-Turner has only made one appearance from the bench this season and hasn't made a teamsheet since playing against Aston Villa in the Conti Cup in late November for unknown reasons. Spurs may look to bring in a starting quality player here in the summer to stem the defensive rot from this season.

. Left-sided CB is a bit easier. Molly Bartrip has been this season's iron woman for Spurs, having played every game in the WSL so far. She's Spurs' best ball-playing defender and one of the vice-captains, who will probably get a new contract in the summer. Piggybacking off of the previous section, it'd be a help if spurs did bring in another defender that could play either side of the CB pairing. It'd also help if they're capable of winning aerial duels at a decent rate and strong enough to not get out-muscled by the stronger 9's in the league.

. The LB slot doesn't have an immediate need for improvement as Amanda Nildén and Ash Neville are both serviceable on that side, even if both are in down seasons. Nildén has been able to pose a decent enough threat overlapping in the final 3rd, and Ash Neville's defensive numbers have been as good as ever, seeing her make a ridiculous 3 successful tackles a game at over 75% success rate. One tweak that Spurs could make is to look to bring in a left footed CB/LB that could create a back 3 to allow Morris to have a higher starting position in settled possession.

. The 6 role would be taken up initially by Eveliina Summanen. She's been one of the most consistent players during Vilahamn's time in charge as the deeper pivot in the midfield 2 so far, and her presence was sorely missed in the games she was absent for due to her injuries. Olga Ahtinen initially formed a good partnership with Summanen in 2023/24. Unfortunately, after her injury early on in her Spurs tenure, she found herself slowly frozen out of the starting XI and even the subs bench. I think it's pretty unlikely that she'll be with Spurs next season, especially after she nearly joined Hammarby in February/March time. Bringing in a backup 6 in the summer would take off some of the initial load the Finn has to carry and, provided Spurs look at u-23 holding midfielders, could get a chance to develop a player for the long term in that role. Someone in the mould of a Katrina Gorry type 6 would actually be ideal to disrupt opposition midfields/forwards and quickly carry the ball upfield.

. The outside 8 roles are where I've had a bit of fun in interpretting. Partly inspired by her performance away against West Ham, Olivia Holdt could fulfil a half-winger role by providing some width but allowing either Morris or Nildén the freedom to stretch the pitch horizontally. She's also shown that she's press-resistant in tight spaces and creative enough to make chances in half-space channels. Maite Oroz would fulfil a deep-lying playmaker role aiming to get the ball up to the forwards and number 10. Whereas Holdt specialises in carrying the ball, Oroz's passing is her main form of press-resistance as she's able to put great disguise on her passes and her passing vision is arguably the best in the current squad. I'd also like to see Matilda Vinberg in the type of role described for Olivia Holdt but on the left side. Drew Spence and Anna Csiki could also play as 8's, as well as the 10, and would be good options on the ball. Kit Graham's contract runs out in the summer, but she has been quite an important player in recent seasons and I'd have no problem with her getting a contract extension so she can hopefully get some minutes when she's finished rehabbing her ACL. 

. The player I want to see for Spurs at number 10 is where I'm willing to put my name on a non-spurs player coming in this summer.

Werder Bremen's Larissa Mühlhaus would be my pick to come in as a 10/9 option for Spurs. At 5'10 she'd give Spurs a good out-ball if they end up needing to play up the pitch directly, as she's good at linking up play both aerially - an area that's a real problem for Spurs at the moment - and in tight spaces. The 22 year-old is capable of scoring from creative areas and can take free kicks, as she's scored 6 goals while providing an assist this season for an up and coming Werder Bremen team. Holdt, Drew Spence and Anna Csiki (although the Hungarian has mostly played as a double pivot this season) can all play the 10 role. 

. The 9 roles would see Jess Naz going into wide channels and looking to run in behind to provide a threat from long balls and knock downs, whereas Beth England would be able to focus solely on getting in the box to get on the end of cut-backs and finish chances. As mentioned earlier, Larissa Mühlhaus can also play as a 9 in a front 2. Young forwards, Lenna Gunning-Williams and Araya Dennis also would be able play as 9's to fulfil the role that Jess Naz would be asked to play. Martha Thomas, Rosella Ayane and Hayley Raso look unlikely to get contract renewals - in the case of the first two - and Raso would struggle to find a role in this system.

This 24/25 version of Spurs' team looks unconfident and a shell of the previous season's team. It's pretty clear that following runners has been a serious problem for quite a bit of the season and should be a fix that Robert Vilahamn could make. As already stated, the initial transition into the 442 diamond could take some time, but I believe it could be a long term solution that could rejuvenate the squad and better fit the Swedish coach's style of play.