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What Is Tottenham’s Best Starting XI When Healthy?

By Alexander Balano

Jul 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino talks with his team during training in advance of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino talks with his team during training in advance of the 2015 MLS All Star Game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Throughout the entire season, Tottenham has had to deal with a key player being injured. Losing Danny Rose, Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembélé, Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb for some stretches has had an effect on their record as well as how good this team can actually be when fully healthy. So, what could their starting eleven, plus bench, be when everyone’s healthy?

4-2-3-1 formation:

Harry Kane

Heung-Min Son, Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembélé

Ryan Mason, Eric Dier

Danny Rose, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Kyle Walker

Hugo Lloris

Bench: Michel Vorm, Ben Davies, Nabil Bentaleb, Dele Alli, Érik Lamela, Alex Pritchard, Clinton N’Jie

With regards to the bench, an obvious omission is Nacer Chadli. While Chadli deserves a spot, his position is taken care of by Heung-Min Son starting and Clinton N’Jie the backup. The rest of Tottenham’s backups could be swapped in and out based on certain matchups: Andros Townsend, Tom Carroll, Josh Onomah and Harry Winks, but for the most part this 18-man squad works well, until January assuming that new players are signed or some are loaned out.

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One player who looks like the first name of the bench is Dele Alli. He has stepped up immensely since being given opportunities and has actually helped spark the team in multiple appearances thus far. Nabil Bentaleb’s spot is more or less a straight swap for Ryan Mason. Both played in the double pivot last season, but due to Eric Dier’s current form, there’s no chance he comes off. Another like-for-like sub is Alex Prtichard, position and playmaking ability wise for Christian Eriksen.

Obviously the Danish international won’t be subbed off like Eric Dier, but Pritchard has the added benefit of playing out wide if need be. Ben Davies and Michel Vorm are on the bench in case something happens to both Danny Rose and Hugo Lloris. As for Érik Lamela, while he is a consistently inconsistent player, Tottenham can still use a player of his ability. When things go right for him, as he showed against Qarabağ FK — remember, the good highlights only — the Argentinian can help Spurs be creative and direct in the final third.

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As for the starting eleven above, it’s not surprising to only see one new addition and three returning players from injury.

While yes, Nacer Chadli has been very good for Tottenham since his arrival and isn’t surplus to requirements. He does need a new position change. To slot the Belgian as Harry Kane’s understudy isn’t a bad option, but clearly he’s no longer viewed as a starter anymore.

Lastly, when Tottenham’s 25-man squad is fully healthy and fit (Eriksen, Dembélé and Mason returning), they’ll pose a problem to opponents but also for Mauricio Pochettino with game-by-game selections. There’s a lot of talented players who won’t be playing due to returning starters which isn’t bad at all. It’ll only make this one of Tottenham’s best squads in a while due to the abundance of depth.

Next: Tottenham's Player Power Rankings: Third Edition

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