Tottenham Hotspur Projected XI for Manchester City Matchup
By Aaron Coe
Hotspur Forwards
Gareth Bale went a full 90 during the break for Wales, while Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane featured for the Republic of Korea and England as well. With all three of his top attackers full fit, Jose Mourinho deploys his top line for the second time in league this season.
Son Heung-Min (LW)
Heung-Min Son has been outstanding this season, scoring goals at an amazing level of efficiency. Son has been one of the main targets over the top when Kane has dropped deep and has finished well when the opportunity has arisen. Son traditionally has given Manchester City fits, as they struggle with his pace and aggression. Assuming no positive tests pop up after the midweek scare, Son should start and play the majority of the game.
Harry Kane (ST)
Harry Kane has had a memorable few weeks as he had his 300th club appearance, his 200th club goal, his 150th Premier League goal, and his 50th Cap for England, all since just the start of November. With all those milestones behind him and a renewed confidence from playing under Jose Mourinho, expect the best from Kane on Saturday.
Gareth Bale (RW)
We thought Mourinho would wait until after the International break to start Gareth Bale in our last projected XI, but the Portuguese coach went with Bale. After starting twice more for Wales since then including a full 90 Bale seems to be finding his fitness. Bale has yet to show that trademark burst of speed, but he has already scored a goal for Spurs and helped drive the attack for Wales this past week. While he may not be the dominant player of six or seven years ago, expect a good outing from Bale.
Tottenham Bench
Part of every bench selects itself as we know here is a back-up keeper, so Joe Hart is among the seven extras. After that much is down to tactics and form. What we do not know is how well folks not on international break were doing at Tottenham Way. We know that most of the international players performed well, but how Dele Alli or Japhet Tanganga did working on a more personal level with the staff we do not know
All that said there are few surprises on the bench. After Hart, we need defensive depth so expect to see Joe Rodon and Ben Davies both on the bench – after both played solid for Wales over the break. Tottenham will also need midfield options so Harry Winks and Giovani Lo Celso both get the call. Finally, Spurs need some attacking options, so Lucas Moura and Carlos Vinicius are waiting in the wings.
All told a strong team and a well-equipped bench for a game that will take a full 90 minutes of excellence from Spurs to win. So, this is our team, who do you think starts?
Starters – 4-2-3-1
Lloris – Aurier – Alderweireld – Dier – Reguilón – Sissoko – Højbjerg – Ndombele – Son – Kane – Bale
Bench
Hart – Lo Celso – Winks – Vinicius – Davies – Rodon – Moura