What can this defender offer Manchester United?

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In signing Sergio Reguilón from Real Madrid in September 2020, Tottenham succeeded in signing one of Europe's most exciting young left-sided defenders. Then 23, Reguilón had played an influential role for Sevilla as they won the previous season's Europa League. Upon his return to Real from that loan spell, he appeared ready for first-team football under Zinedine Zidane.

“One of the players who could show that traditional Real Madrid desire to compete against Barcelona was Reguilón,” said Spurs' former manager José Mourinho, even before his appointment in north London in November 2019. Reguilón has lasted longer than Mourinho at Spurs, although whether his long-term future remains at the club is open to question. Here, our professional coaches analyse his game. 

Technical analysis

Reguilón is a typically modern full-back who offers his team more in possession than without the ball. He is a capable and tenacious defender, adept in 1v1 situations and not afraid to get stuck in or make a big tackle when needed. But he is at his best when charging towards the opposition's goal to cross from a wide position.

The Spanish international is a brilliant crosser who can deliver accurate balls into the area from any position on the left. He is quick and can beat an opponent with a subtle drop of the shoulder, but he is just as effective when running on to a ball from a player in a central position. His delivery is exceptional, particularly when crossing on the run. He is effective at slowing down swiftly from top speed to sort out his feet and dig out a cross. This is an area of his game that stands out; plenty of top-level wide players struggle to maintain their technique and cross with accuracy when travelling at high speed.

Versatile deliveries

When looking to work his own opportunity to cross, Reguilón favours running diagonally towards goal before feinting to pass or cross and taking a heavier touch outside to create himself space. His acceleration is another strength; here, he can retrieve the ball and dink it towards goal after doing so.

He doesn’t put a great deal of power on his crosses, instead looking to pick out a specific teammate after taking a quick glance as he sprints towards the ball (below). His ability to deliver accurate crosses after running forward at pace is useful – even more so when teammates have included lethal finishers like Harry Kane.

Although he is left-footed, Reguilón can also deliver with his right. His technique is naturally weaker on this side, so when using his right he looks to cross towards a zone rather than a specific teammate. Defenders obviously want to stop him getting on to his left, but he possesses enough ability to lift the ball in with his right – and will take that option when there is no space to cross with his left.

He is a good passer who retains and recycles possession reasonably well, but he could improve at finding teammates' feet in the final third. Given how often he gets into advanced positions, he could look to fizz balls into advanced teammates more than he currently does.

Out of possession

When defending, Reguilón is switched on to potential danger and closes his direct opponent down as quickly as possible after they receive the ball. When defending 1v1 against an attacker facing away from goal, he gets tight and leans into that opponent to make life as difficult as possible for them, while snapping at their heels to try and win the ball.

If his opponent is facing towards him, Reguilón attempts to show them wide. He will almost invite the attacker to take him on around the outside, backing himself to beat them in a foot race if the ball is pushed down the line (above). His turn of pace and speed in making recovery runs means that his nearest centre-back does not need to stay too close to him. They can be confident that Reguilón will often manage to keep the attacker from progressing into the centre.

He is proactive in his defending, and happy to engage in an aggressive counter-press at defensive transitions when high up the pitch. He is, however, relatively lightweight. Physical duels, both on the ground and in the air, are not his strongest suit.

Role at Tottenham
Reguilón’s arrival in north London initially transformed Mourinho's then team. Spurs had previously played with Ben Davies, who is more comfortable tucking in and playing like a third centre-back, at left-back. Serge Aurier was often then selected as a very advanced right-back. Reguilón’s presence gave the team attacking impetus from full-back on both wings. With defensive midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg perfectly happy sitting in front of the back four, Reguilón had plenty of freedom to attack.

When his team had the ball, Reguilón joined attacks whenever he could. While Tottenham’s main goal threats were right-footed, and tended to run from left to right towards goal, Reguilón held his width on the left. He galloped into the space that Son Heung-min left vacant as often as possible (above).

Numbers to target

When Reguilón was on the ball in a position to cross, Tottenham’s players piled into the penalty area to attack any delivery. Rarely would anyone come short towards him, because they knew he had the ability to beat his opponent and cross. He usually had three players to aim for – a midfielder would often join Kane and Son in the area, and the right-back might also attack towards goal in a five-point attack (above). When play was on the other side, Reguilón only made the area if Spurs were chasing the game. Otherwise, he would stay outside to pick up any clearances.

Though he clearly enjoys attacking, Reguilón diligently stuck to his role as a narrow left-back when Spurs didn’t have the ball. Generally, when he did leave his position to pressure the ball, Hojbjerg was on hand to fill the space in behind him. He was often able to recover himself, while the centre-backs stayed central to protect the space close to goal.

Reguilón was a revelation after joining Tottenham, but spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Atlético Madrid. At 26, and in search of regular first-team football, he may think that his future lies away from north London. 

To learn more from the professional coaches of The Coaches’ Voice, visit CV Academy

Author: The Coaches' Voice