During Luis Enrique’s tenure as coach of the Spanish national team, his La Roja side appeared to have a rotating cast of center-forwards. Strikers of all shapes and sizes are welcome. All styles and skill sets are welcome.
It was occasionally Alvaro Morata. Others include Gerard Moreno. Borja Iglesias, Ferran Torres, Raul de Tomas, and Mikel Oyarzabal were all given chances in the middle but never truly established themselves as starters.
While Enrique was no stranger to rotation, one name seemed to be etched in indelible ink on his Spain team sheet.
Dani Olmo started all four of Spain’s World Cup games in Qatar. He also started all bar one game at Euro 2020.
From 2020 to 2021, the former Barcelona youth earned 21 international caps. Olmo’s energy, flexibility, running power, and attacking thrust made the now-RB Leipzig attacker an integral part of Enrique’s game plan – the three-lunged joker in Enrique’s pack of playmakers – and reports that Olmo has been contacted by Tottenham Hotspur about a summer move to the Premier League are made all the more intriguing when you consider that Enrique remains one of the favourites to succeed Antonio Conte.
LUIS ENRIQUE AND DANI OLMO TOGETHER AGAIN AT TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR?
According to BILD, initial talks have taken place between Spurs and Leipzig regarding the £33 million-rated Olmo, a 24-year-old attacking midfielder who made the brave and now-justified decision to leave Barca’s fabled La Masia academy in order to make his name in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb.
“Dani Olmo was huge for us,” Enrique said after Spain were knocked out of Euro 2020 by Italy. “He is very smart, has a lot of quality. He is a very important player for us.
“Dani Olmo has proven that he has high quality,” the former Camp Nou boss adds. He offers a great level and tremendous flexibility in his movement.”
‘AWESOME FOR US’
Enrique recently informed Cadena Ser that he wants a new start in England after being fired by Spain following their World Cup defeat to tenacious Morocco. Interestingly, Olmo prospered at RB Leipzig under another Spurs target, Julian Nagelsmann.
However, it is undoubtedly alongside Enrique that Olmo delivered his best football of his career, with stunning strikes against Georgia, Kosovo, and Albania most memorable. Meanwhile, Olmo’s excellent individual effort in that 7-0 World Cup thrashing of Costa Rica underlined a number of the qualities Enrique holds dear.
The ability to locate a pocket of space in a packed penalty area. The method of bringing the ball under control. Most importantly, the ability to finish with poise.
Dani Olmo was a ‘big’ player for Luis Enrique’s Spain. If both player and coach are reunited, Olmo will be equally massive for Enrique’s Tottenham.
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