Tottenham Hotspur’s Top XI on Current Club Form

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As we head into a weekend without the Premier League, and with Chelsea a bit too far off to worry about yet, I thought I’d try a new column and share my thoughts on Tottenham Hotspur’s Top XI based on their current form.

Before jumping into the Top XI rankings, just a bit on my thought process. I considered the last four matches in all competitions, which were all wins. 3-1 over West Ham in the Carabao Cup, 3-2 over Wolverhampton, 2-1 over PSV, and the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend. Beyond the scope of games, I did look at some statistics from those matches and read through my own game notes.

This is NOT a best line-up, it is simply the Top XI Spurs based on current form for the club. Ultimately, this is what it is: one man’s opinion of who is playing well and having an impact for the club.

All that said, let’s start with the honorable mentions.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Dele Alli of Totteham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth at Wembley Stadium on October 14, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mention

Christen Eriksen and Dele Alli are my honorable mentions, just on the outside of the top XI in terms of form. Most of this is not so much up to how they are playing, rather how little they have been playing. As both have recovered from injuries, they have put themselves in good positions, but have failed to capitalize on those chances. If Spurs are to continue to fight on all fronts, we need more from these two men.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 31: Fernando Llorente of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team’s third goal during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on October 31, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Number XI – Fernando Llorente

I’m starting out on a limb here with Fernando Llorente. Okay I get it, he hasn’t played a ton, but has seen a few more minutes of late. He scored in his start against West Ham in the League Cup. More important for Tottenham was the late assist he provided to Harry Kane in the Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven.

One must admit with limited opportunities, Llorente has been coming through lately. This doesn’t mean we don’t need some help backing up Kane, but Llorente has done his job the best way possible over the last month.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 31: Paulo Gazzaniga of Tottenham Hotspur and Juan Foyth of Tottenham Hotspur celebrate victory after the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on October 31, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /

Number X – Paulo Gazzaniga

I’ll admit, I’m a big fan of Paulo Gazzaniga and have been pleased to see Mauricio Pochettino keep some faith in him and play him in both the Cup and Champions League. Sure, Pochettino didn’t have much choice in Europe, but it was good to see. Gazza gave up a goal to both West Ham and PSV, but ultimately made a lot more saves than he did mistakes and neither goal can be blamed on him.

Gazzaniga has experienced such growth. Like another player or two on this list, he earned himself a call-up to the Argentine National Team. He has had solid command of his box and- with a couple minor slip-ups- has distributed the ball very well. While Lloris is still the man for Spurs, if we want to give him more rest over the next couple seasons, Gazza is ready.

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur saves the ball during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park on November 10, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Number IX – Hugo Lloris

This may be a controversial decision, but Hugo Lloris comes in at number IX on my current form list. Like Gazzaniga, Lloris did give up two goals in his two games, but both were penalties against the Wanderers. After that, he was rock-solid in the shutout of Crystal Palace.

Lloris has clearly had an up and down year, winning the World Cup, getting busted for drink driving, shutting out Manchester United, and two big gaffes in the Champions League. Yeah, like I said- up and down. The Hugo we saw against Palace was the one we all know and love. Quick off his line and quick to react, Lloris is best when he has focus. It seems like that focus is coming back.

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: Juan Foyth of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur at Selhurst Park on November 10, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

Number VIII – Juan Foyth

Did I mention two penalties against Wolverhampton, enter Juan Foyth. In all honesty, he was having a fantastic game until those two incidents that we don’t need to re-hash here. His confidence on the ball is impressive for anyone, let alone a 20-year-old playing his first meaningful Premier League minutes. Clearly someone, somewhere was already talking about and watching Foyth because he was called up to Argentina’s National Team before his significant Premier League minutes.

We have all heard the comparisons to John Stones, but ultimately Foyth is who Vlad Chiriches was supposed to be, right? A sometimes risky, attack-minded, center-half who has an eye for passing. While their styles are similar, Foyth’s touch, ability to control the ball, and- most importantly in football- his composure are all skills Vlad only wishes he had. There is a bright future and good present here for Juan Foyth as he is our number eight Spur based on current form.

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Top XI on Current Form

By Aaron Coe | Nov 16, 2018