Tottenham versus Tottenham: Creating two starting lineups

Spurs’ two defensive units

Given the overall imbalance in the squad, clearly Spurs are going to have to play some folks out of position, like we saw with Gedson Fernandes playing what some could call right fullback against Ipswich in the preseason opener. Thus, even if the player is not really a fullback, at current that is what Tottenham has available.

Before we get to the actual defense, we have Hugo and Joe Hart as the two starters in goal. I just get the sense Jose is going to favor Joe, but we will see and either way both sides have two keepers, so we are good there.

The starting back four should be Serge Aurier, Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez, and Ben Davies given everything. Opposite that four we would have Gedson Fernandes, Juan Foyth, Eric Dier, and Japhet Tanganga. What we see with these two fours is a lack of any real experience behind the starting full backs and a lack of left-sided players. This was clear last season as well; I suppose growth and development is what is supposed to help Spurs overcome this issue.

By moving Gedson back into the defense, that still leaves Danny Rose and CCV on the outside looking in. Maybe Rose has something to offer as a left-sided player who is a true fullback. However, I have a hard time seeing how CCV is going to crack a center-half rotation that is already full given Foyth and Tanganga can be added to Dier, Alderweireld and Sanchez. Of course, just as Gedson is being used at right back, maybe it is Ryan Sessegnon who covers the left side, which provides more depth and flexibility than currently exists in the defensive changing room.

So, while Spurs can manage to produce two relatively solid defensive units, there are a few folks out of position and the issue at fullback may persist if Gedson cannot cover the right and Tanganga or Sessegnon cannot cover the left. If they can, Tottenham may have saved some money, if they cannot the defense may be thin and porous all season long.