Tottenham Hotspur travel to the Hawthorns to take on West Brom in Spurs final game before the next international break, so who will Mourinho trust for Spurs?
The stretch of winnable games from the end of the last international break for Tottenham Hotspur ends on Sunday afternoon at the Hawthorns as Spurs face West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League. With one last must win match before the break, who is going to play for Tottenham is going to align with who Jose Mourinho most thinks is going to help Spurs get all three points. The one thing we know for certain barring injury, we at least know who four of those players are for Tottenham as they start every match.
Nailed on Spurs Starters
At this point in the season there are four players who have started every game in the Premier League for Tottenham Hotspur. Given the form and production of the quartet of Harry Kane, Heung Min Son, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, and Hugo Lloris have not played every minute of Premier League action for Tottenham but have played the majority.
In addition to those four sure-fire starters, Eric Dier has started six of the seven contests and only missed the West Ham game after picking up an injury on his last international duty. Those five players are clearly Mourinho’s core of the team and everything else has been about trying to find the best pieces to work around this core to pick up the three points and develop the team. So who do we think those best pieces are, read on to find out.
Hotspur Forwards
Harry and Heung Min Son are going to start, that is known, who plays opposite Son, Lucas Moura, Gareth Bale, or someone else?
Son Heung-Min (LW)
Heung-Min Son had an instant impact midweek, walking on to the pitch and then basically running straight at the goal to pick up the ball and a nice assist to Giovanni Lo Celso. The celebration between the South Korean and Argentine help underscore the growing comradery within the team. More importantly for Son touches like those he had Thursday lead one to believe Son’s form is coming back, which should be a scary thought for opponents everywhere.
Harry Kane (ST)
Harry Kane was the main storyline midweek in Europa League. Kane started and captained the squad in his 300th appearance for Spurs. Even more significant was his 200th goal for the club, which came early in the first half. The talisman likely was disappointed in a couple of his misses but will be happy with 200. The striker will be looking to make more history Sunday as his next Premier League goal will be number 150 in league.
Lucas Moura (RW)
We thought long and hard about Gareth Bale starting this final match before the break, which no doubt Jose Mourinho is doing too. Ultimately, we held back on Bale and think Mourinho will do the same, as he builds the Bale is still developing narrative for the Welshman’s international work. The fact is, if Bale is ready to start in the Premier League, it is tough to say he is not ready to go for his nation, making this a tough call for Mourinho, so we go with Moura, who scored and assisted – both in collaboration with Kane – midweek.
Tottenham Midfielders
We know that Pierre Højbjerg will be starting in one of the two deeper midfield positions. Who plays around him may be more open for debate.
Harry Winks (CM)
The battle to share the field next to Højbjerg in the double pivot is really just between two players at the moment, Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko. Both have been playing decent at times, although Winks only recently seems to be regaining his confidence and Sissoko is still less than a year out from major knee surgery. With both selected for international duties, no extra rest is coming either way. We think Winks will be rewarded for his positive play in Bulgaria, giving the academy product the opportunity to show he can do a similar job in league.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (CM)
Pierre Højbjerg once again came on at half-time in Europa League. This time only part of two changes at the break, as Mourinho was seemingly pleased but not satisfied, by his side. Højbjerg was a presence all over the pitch, pushing Winks a bit deeper, his interception near midfield started the third and final goal for Spurs. Outside of Kane and Son, the first name on the sheet.
Tanguy Ndombele (CAM)
Tanguy Ndombele made his first appearance in Europa League proper with a cameo in place of Giovanni Lo Celso. There could be some debate on which of the two playmakers should start in the #10 slot behind – and sometimes next too – Harry Kane but it seems like this is Ndombele’s position to lose at this point. Not saying Lo Celso cannot take it, but Ndombele has not seemed inclined to let it go since stepping into the role on matchday 3.
Tottenham Defense and Goal
Like the attack and midfield there are a couple places that are more or less given if the game is a must win, in captain Hugo Lloris and defender Eric Dier. Given the need to get three points and hit the break on a good note, expect a strong team.
Ben Davies (LB)
Given the volume of work the Wales defender has had the last few weeks, it would make sense for Sergio Reguilon to get the start. However, the Spaniard was ill midweek and we have not received an updated since. If Reguilon is available, expect him to start and get Davies some rest before he Welshman goes off to play at least 2 if not 3 matches for his country.
Eric Dier (CB)
Eric Dier was in the team midweek and was strong overall. We were a bit critical of Dier’s arm raise as his response on the Ludogorets goal, but we all make mistakes and until someone shows otherwise, Dier is the best left-sided center half. Clearly trusted by Mourinho and earning that trust for Spurs.
Davinson Sanchez (CB)
Toby Alderweireld has started the last few in League for Spurs next to Eric Dier, but he has also played the last 180 minutes for the team in the back. With little rest coming from the break for Toby, Davinson Sanchez gets the call next to Eric Dier. When Sanchez is on, he may be the best defender Spurs have but only from the right side.
Matt Doherty (RB)
Matt Doherty is in a similar situation to Ben Davies, where rotation and the need to stay fresh may say Doherty should be rotated with Serge Aurier. However, Aurier was injured and not available midweek for Ludogorets. It is quite possible the knock was minor and Serge gets a go here, but at the same time, if he had a knock why risk it with a break coming. Although neither Serge or Doherty will get a break.
Hugo Lloris (GK)
Hugo Lloris sat out the midweek match in Bulgaria, as Joe Hart had a couple saves and conceded one on a largely quiet evening. Odds are Lloris will have a quiet afternoon on Sunday, but anything can happen, which is why the top keeper and Spurs captain is on the field.
Tottenham Bench
As always, the bench is designed to provide cover and ensure Mourinho and company are not caught short. A lot of the make-up of the bench is dependent on who is actually available, particularly defensively. Aurier and Reguilon are questionable at best coming in meaning we may see some youth on the bench like Dennis Cirkin to provide some cover. At the same time, Japhet Tanganga has returned to practice this week, so maybe he makes the bench as someone that can cover all the defensive positions.
Beside the defenders, the rest of the bench can be identified by those that played midweek. Whoever of Sissoko and Winks does not start the other gets a spot on the pine, the same with Lo Celso behind Ndombele. Add in Toby Alderweireld and Joe Hart and the bench is mostly complete. Likely Bale, is there, but one of Bergwijn and Vinicius is not, such is the competition right now. Then the final spot goes to the defender most ready to play, we think that is Cirkin, but would love to see Tanganga on the bench.