Tottenham Hotspur continue their European journey with their second game of the Group Stage at Royal Antwerp, so who gets the nod and who grabs a seat.
Even with a 23-player roster and up to five substitutes allowed in UEFA competition this season, each team can still only start 11 players. The reality is Tottenham are deep and some will play, and some will sit. So, who has the latest chance to shine and put a leg up in the competition for playing time at Tottenham?
Whereas in the Premier League missing out on the team can be a big deal, ask the media about Dele Alli and they will gladly tell us. However, no one said anything about Steven Bergwijn missing out on the Burnley match too. In post-match commentary coach Jose Mourinho commented how much it hurt him to leave people out, the good news with Europe is few do get left out, so take your chance when you get it.
Last week we saw Gareth Bale and Carlos Vinicius both get their first starts since joining on loan. This week, we have both along with a couple more newer faces rounding out the starting line-up. It is also likely that a few of the players who did not make the squad for Burnley – see Serge Aurier and Davinson Sanchez in addition to Bergwijn and Dele – will get their chances. Who gets that chance Thursday evening in Belgium to start or come on and make an impact, read on to see.
Spurs Goalkeeper and Defenders
Joe Hart (GK) – Joe Hart has done a fine job this season and earned the teams first shutout last week in the same competition. This time Hart gets to see if he can make it two in a row in Europe and three in all competitions after Hugo Lloris held Burnley at Bay in the Premier League. Hart has been active in the box and with his voice, both of which are good traits for a keeper. No reason not to continue to split time between the keepers given their age.
Serge Aurier (RB) – Unless there is something going on, we do not know about, Serge Aurier should start on Thursday. Matt Doherty has played the last two games. After being excellent last week in Europe, Doherty was a step off the pace Monday at Turf Moor. After a full week off, having last started vs West Ham Serge Aurier should be fresh, focused, and ready to play.
Davinson Sanchez (CB) – Davinson Sanchez finally got a little breather against Burnley when Eric Dier was back in the lineup and Joe Rodon was available. Rodon is not available in Europa League, so it would make sense from a rotation perspective Sanchez plays Thursday night.
Eric Dier (CB)* – This position is really a toss-up as there are reasons both for and against either Dier or Alderweireld playing. Toby is the oldest defender on the team and getting some additional rests is probably good. However, Eric Dier is coming off an injury and playing another 90 minutes after just going 90 on Monday may not make the most sense. Given Rodon is out and Tanganga is still injured, Dier gets the nod. *Note, whichever player plays, Dier or Alderweireld, will have the armband and are captain on the night – with Lloris and Kane on the bench.
Sergio Reguilón (LB) – Sergio Reguilón got the day off as an unused substitute Monday evening and Ben Davies played his second complete 90 of the week. Given those two considerations, this sort of must be Sergio Reguilón starting this game. While Davies could slot back into center-half if both Dier and Alderweireld need the night off, in all likelihood, it is Davies who is on the bench – remember there are 12 there – and Sergio Reguilón who plays left back. With both Reguilón and Aurier on the pitch expect a lot of crosses and play up the wings.
Tottenham Midfielders
Harry Winks (CM) – Winks last played last week in Europe and then was left out entirely on Monday at Burnley. Harry Winks has not been terrible, but something has just not yet clicked for Winks this season. Normally, Winks is a player who plays fast with and without the ball right now it almost seems like Winks is thinking too much on the pitch instead of playing. Whether that is scheme, confidence, or something else, is anyone outside of N17’s guess. Regardless, Harry gets another shot in Europe, but these chances are running out, particularly after this season with Harvey White in the youth and Oliver Skipp getting heavy minutes at Norwich.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (CM) – Not sure anyone has a reason he should not play, and he makes a huge difference both offensively and defensively for this team. The new Mousa Dembele, not with his control, but with the ease he puts everyone else on the pitch when he is on it. Maybe Sissoko plays again, or maybe we even see Harvey White and some youth, but with Højbjerg if it is not broken do not fix it applies and the man should play every game.
Erik Lamela (CAM) – Tanguy Ndombele has earned the right to start on the weekends in the Premier League in the #10 role. When it comes to Europe, the position is up for grabs. Despite not putting in his best shift last week, Erik Lamela gets another crack at the #10 job for Spurs after being a difference maker in the Burnley win. Giovani Lo Celso could play, but more than likely he gets a half and Ndombele is there in case of emergency. Jose could even appease the press and start Dele but only if he has earned it and is ready, which leads us back to Lamela being the most likely candidate.
Hotspur Forwards
Steven Bergwijn (LW) – After not being in the team on Monday Steven Bergwijn is back with something to prove for Antwerp. Bergwijn has yet to hit the same kind of highs he did last season, but he is also competing with an on-fire Heung-Min Son for time at left wing, which is difficult. Bergwijn will get his chances, like this match, he needs to leverage that and have a good game.
Carlos Vinicius (ST) – I never thought I would be happy to not be writing Harry Kane’s name down in the projected XI, yet here I am typing with a smile on my face. While I would not be surprised to see Kane play some in the match, Carlos Vinicius again gets the opportunity to learn the team, system, and structure of Tottenham. After a terrific debut and just missing out on playing versus Burnley after being pulled back following the goal, Vinicius gets a second chance to show his stuff.
Gareth Bale (RW) – The name everyone has been waiting to see is the last one, the starting right-wing Gareth Bale. Bale warmed up for a bit against Burnley, but like Vinicius after the goal went in, Mourinho went in a different direction. Burnley is not the team you score five against, so when you get one you keep it. However, when you could potentially score five, Bale is the kind of guy you want on the pitch, hence he starts and has his first goal back with Spurs in the win.
Tottenham Bench
Again, the bench is huge, with a full complement of 23 players that leaves 12 for the bench after the 11 on the pitch. Tanganga is out, along with Gedson and Rodon, leaving the rest of the first team to fill in. Last week, we pondered if Jose would keep a third keeper – Whiteman – or go with youth – Harvey Barnes or Dennis Cirkin – in the squad. Well Jose did a bit of both and gave us a youth keeper in Brandon Austin as the third keeper.
This week with Dier back, the closest thing to youth we get on the bench is Jack Clarke and a bunch of in case of emergency stars and some other players fighting for time.
Bench:
Heung-Min Son, Matt Doherty, Giovani Lo Celso, Harry Kane, Toby Alderweireld, Jack Clarke, Hugo Lloris, Moussa Sissoko, Alfie Whiteman, Dele Alli, Tanguy Ndombele, and Ben Davies.
Once again, an incredibly deep bench supporting a strong starting unit, that should lead to a big road win in Europe and continue to build the momentum Tottenham Hotspur need to not only compete but go and win on multiple fronts.
Line-up (4-2-3-1)
Lloris
Aurier – Sanchez – Dier – Reguilón
Winks – Højbjerg
Bale – Lamela – Bergwijn
Vinicius
This is who we have picked, who would you start?