Tottenham vs MLS All-Stars Preview

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Who Will Play in this Pre-Season Friendly?

Glossing over the club’s tweets, here’s a position-by-position rundown of who made the trip, but also potential starting eleven against the MLS All-Stars.

Goalkeepers (4): Hugo Lloris, Tom Glover, Luke McGee and Michel Vorm

Although number one goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is here, along with Michel Vorm, both players might not start. Not only is Hugo Lloris dealing with a fractured wrist, but Mauricio Pochettino already knows what he has in the club’s starter.

As for Michel Vorm, there’s a possibility that the Dutch international starts before being subbed out, but because Tom Glover and Luke McGee joined the trip to the U.S., it’s likely that these two young keepers will get playing time against the MLS All-Stars.

Starting goalkeeper: Luke McGee

Tom Glover could be a possible sub for the second half. Michel Vorm is already established as he has been a starter before so Mauricio Pochettino will look to see who could be the club’s third choice keeper for this season.

Defenders (10): Toby Alderweireld, Ben Davies, Eric Dier, Federico Fazio, Danny Rose, Kieran Trippier, Jan Vertonghen, Kyle Walker, Kevin Wimmer and DeAndre Yedlin

Tottenham has brought their entire backline minus Vlad Chiricheș who looks to be on his way out, so bringing him along wouldn’t make much sense. With that said it’s unlikely that all ten defenders will get any minutes.

Here’s a look at the starting back-four.

Danny Rose (LB), Jan Vertonghen (LCB), Toby Alderweireld (RCB), Kieran Trippier (RB)

Now here might be the subs for the second half.

Ben Davies (LB), Kevin Wimmer (LCB), Federico Fazio (RCB), DeAndre Yedlin (RB)

It’s possible that DeAndre Yedlin doesn’t play in this game after taking part in the USMNT’s recent Gold Cup run. And with him playing as a right midfielder/winger with Jürgen Klinsmann’s squad, Yedlin could probably start as a winger or revert back to his natural right-back position.

Kieran Trippier will get a shot to claim the right-back position in this game.

Midfielders (9): Dele Alli, Nabil Bentaleb, Tom Carroll, Nacer Chadli, Mousa Dembélé, Christian Eriksen, Érik Lamela, Joshua Onomah and Harry Winks

Andros Townsend is surprisingly omitted from the 25-man squad. But assuming that he isn’t a part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans moving forward then this makes sense. Interestingly enough Érik Lamela, is with the club after being away on international duty with Argentina in Copa América.

More from Hotspur HQ

Regarding Aaron Lennon, because he’s unlikely to come back after no longer being a part in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for next season, there’s no need to bring him with the club on their U.S. tour.

Here’s how the midfield could look like.

Nacer Chadli (LM), Christian Eriksen (AM), Érik Lamela (RM)

Nabil Bentaleb (DM/CM) Mousa Dembélé (DM/CM)

Possible subs: Tom Carroll (RM), Harry Winks (DM/CM), Dele Alli (DM/CM), Joshua Onomah (AM)

Tottenham goes with their starters, but could seen a majority of them be subbed off at the second half to keep them from getting injured, while also seeing which youth players could be making some strides.

Due to Ryan Mason not being available because of his recent injury — same with Alex Pritchard — this gives Mousa Dembélé a chance to cement his status as a starter and not a backup in Pochettino’s offense. The same will be said for Érik Lamela as both Andros Townsend and Aaron Lennon were omitted.

Forwards (2): Harry Kane and Shaquile Coulthirst

Here’s the starting striker for Tottenham.

Harry Kane (ST)

Shaquile Coulthirst will be subbed in during the second half

There’s no chance that Harry Kane plays the entire ninety minutes of this game and possibly risks getting injured. Although that could be said for just about everyone on this squad that made the trip to Denver, Kane is much more important than the rest.

It’ll be likely that Shaquile Coulthirst is one of the first names to come on during the second half because he’s the only backup striker that Mauricio Pochettino brought along. It’s possible that he could start instead.

Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado are likely to be sold before the season starts, so they’re back at North London, likely training by themselves or together.

Next: Final Thoughts

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