Imagining Tottenham’s Best Lineup Against Monaco

On Wednesday, Tottenham will be playing AS Monaco in the Champions League. Yup, no more Thursday night Europa League matches. Time to play with the big boys.

Many questions have come up regarding the line-up for Wednesday’s game. Will Moussa Sissoko make his first start in a Spurs shirt? Will Georges-Kévin N’Koudou make his Tottenham debut? What roles, if any, do Victor Wanyama and Vincent Janssen have?

Let’s cut through all the questions and discuss the strongest possible lineup Mauricio Pochettino can name for Wednesday’s Champions League opener.

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris

He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world and obviously Tottenham’s best goalkeeper. He should start in every single Champions League match barring injury, no questions asked.

Defenders: Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, and Ben Davies

Kyle Walker has really come around as a defender since the arrival of Pochettino. In addition, his ability to push up and create havoc for opposing defenders is what makes him so special.

Toby Alderweireld is one of the best centre backs out there and was in the Premier League team of the year last season. Alderweireld completely takes opposing strikers out of the game with his superb defending week in and week out.

More from Hotspur HQ

• Storybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s Richarlison
• Tottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivated
• Tottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United
• Tottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield United
• Tottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help

Jan Vertonghen is Tottenham’s second best centre back. Him and Alderweireld make for a fantastic centre back pairing. Should be a no-brainer by Pochettino.

Ben Davies will be the club’s replacement for Danny Rose who is still recovering from the injury he suffered while training with England.

Midfielders: Eric Dier and Mousa Dembélé

Eric Dier is the perfect player to put in midfield in front of the defense. He seems to be all over the place during games and he has been terrific thus far,so  he has to start tomorrow.

Mousa Dembéléis now available for selection after being suspended for six games for this eye gouge on Diego Costa last year. He’s one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League. Tottenham has missed him greatly. This is a huge game and he MUST start.

Attackers: Moussa Sissoko, Christian Eriksen, and Hueng-Min Son

Sissoko should get his first start after only playing 15 minutes when he came on as a substitute against Stoke. This would also give Érik Lamela can extended period to rest after coming back from international duty with Argentina.

Christian Eriksen seems to have woken up after receiving his new contract with Tottenham. There’s no doubt that when Eriksen is in form and playing behind the striker, he’s a genius.

What more can you say about Hueng-Min Son? The South Korean is coming off of arguably his best game in a Tottenham shirt, Pochettino should allow him to carry on the momentum against Monaco in this vital first Champions League game.

Striker: Harry Kane

Kane scored his first goal this season against Stoke on Saturday. Yes, it was only a tap-in, but that might just be what Kane needed to give him that extra boost. He has always been a slow starter, after all. Harry Kane is Harry Kane — the goals will come.

Next: Mauricio Pochettino: Wembley Pitch Will Help Tottenham

This is the line-up that would be best for Tottenham against Monaco on Wednesday — not only tactically, but also to have a good rotation and allow some kplayers to get some rest.