Projecting Tottenham XI to Face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Tottenham Hotspur travel across London to face Chelsea Sunday, with an opportunity to beat his old team, this is who José Mourinho likely starts for the derby.

José Mourinho and Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to get one over on Chelsea Sunday and put a little space between themselves and the Blues at the top of the table. Tottenham is mostly healthy, although Toby Alderweireld is out, Giovani Lo Celso and Hugo Lloris – who both missed Ludogorets Thursday – should be ready to go for Spurs. So, who starts and who is in the substitute seven for this top of the table showdown?

Tottenham Defense and Goal

Chelsea is not the same side as Manchester City, nor are they the same as Ludogorets. With playing a new and different opposition in mind, we get a somewhat shifted team, designed to handle the aggression of the Chelsea attack, and stretch the Blues defensive.

Hugo Lloris (GK)

Hugo Lloris got a shutout in Spurs first game following the international break, then sat out Thursday night in Europe. Presumably, the captain is in fine shape, which would equal his form thus far on the campaign. While some evenings have been incredibly quiet for the skipper, Sunday will be a big test for Spurs and Lloris will likely have to make one or two big saves if Spurs are to win. The Frenchman should be up to the task.

Sergio Reguilón (LB)

Sergio Reguilón was one of several spectators during Thursday’s game looking the coldest of the group. It was a nice evening to have off, but he will have his hands full on Sunday with a pacey and varied Chelsea attack. Reguilón will be tested defensively, but he can also give as good as he gets and will need to do so to help propel Spurs from the wide positions.

Eric Dier (CB)

With Toby Alderweireld out Eric Dier is the official leader of the defense. Maybe the most vocal of the defenders to begin with, Dier has been outstanding this season and has been even more focused the last month as he continues to grow under José Mourinho. Dier is facing a team with superior athleticism on Sunday, he will need to be smart positionally and be the better footballer.

Joe Rodon (CB)

José Mourinho made it sound as if it was nearly a forgone conclusion that Joe Rodon plays on Sunday versus Chelsea. While this could be Davinson Sanchez given his superior athleticism, HotspurHQ is projecting Joe Rodon to get his first Spurs start. Rodon is strong, aggressive, and surprisingly agile for a big guy. Rodon will have a chance to show he belongs quickly and should be up to the task.

Serge Aurier (RB)

After Matt Doherty returned Thursday from his Covid-enforced absence, Serge Aurier got the night off and should be ready to face Chelsea. While Mourinho seemed to be going with an every two game policy with his two right backs, it would make sense to give Doherty more time to recover and go with the fresher Aurier who has been excellent pretty much since Mourinho arrived.

Tottenham Midfielders

Tottenham potentially have some options coming back into the midfield with the re-emergence of Dele Alli and Tanguy Ndombele playing in a deeper role against Ludogorets. However, on Sunday against Chelsea, José Mourinho goes with what he knows best and puts a familiar three out in the Tottenham midfield.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (CM)

Pierre Højbjerg came on and was super energetic and active in his almost 30 minutes against Ludogorets. While some senior players might loathe the idea of coming on late in a game that is over, Højbjerg seems to relish the opportunity to play and frankly seems bummed he must sit at all. He will not be sitting for the Chelsea game, as Spurs game plan and tactics often revolve around the Danish ball hawk.

Moussa Sissoko (CM)

Moussa Sissoko was another Tottenham regular who got to sit out the entire Thursday night affair. With Ndombele deployed deep with Winks, Sissoko could sit and enjoy the game. Moussa has been highly active all year, but not excellent with the ball. While never to be confused with Ndombele from a skill perspective, Sissoko does have more to contribute offensively than we have seen. We should get a fresh and ready Moussa on Sunday, which is a good thing for Spurs and bad for Chelsea.

Tanguy Ndombele (CAM)

Tanguy Ndombele showed he can do one heck of a job in the deeper midfield position on Thursday evening giving his best Pierre Højbjerg impersonation. That said, there is no doubting that Ndombele is a creative engine for Spurs and has found a nice rhythm and rotation with the attacking trio, regardless of who is deployed. The match-up of Ndombele versus Kante will go a long way in determining the outcome of the match Sunday, our money is on Ndombele.