Projecting Tottenham XI to Face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge

Hotspur Forwards

Gareth Bale started and played 70 minutes midweek, which makes him more of a threat to come off the bench, but instead Mourinho goes with his strongest possible front three and plays all three national captains together, as Son, Kane, and Bale all start.

Son Heung-Min (LW)

Heung-Min Son continues to shine for Spurs. Still struggling at times with his first touch, when the South Korean gets near the goal he is finishing without remorse. His rocket through the legs of Ederson was just the latest in a long line of excellent shots against helpless keepers. Hopefully, Son gets a couple more chances like that Sunday and can capitalize for Spurs.

Harry Kane (ST)

Harry Kane should be fresh and ready for Chelsea after sitting out in Europa League. Kane is notoriously strong in derby matchups and will be looking to get one over on several of his English teammates that play for Chelsea. Still leading the Premier League in assists Kane will be looking to get to the top of the scoring charts and get a couple against the Blues.

Gareth Bale (RW)

Although Gareth Bale started midweek, he gets another start here on Sunday as Mourinho is looking to get his Welsh winger into top form. Bale showed some pace and an ability to turn the corner against Ludogorets. While Chelsea is a bit better defensively, you can bet Ben Chilwell is hoping it is not Bale. Mourinho pulls out all the stops here and starts the Welshman.

Tottenham Bench

We know we have Joe Hart on the bench and Ben Davies is a near lock for the team, surprisingly with Joe Rodon starting, we think José Mourinho keeps Japhet Tanganga as his second defender on the bench. Tanganga can back-up both Serge Aurier and either center back position, meaning he is more flexible than either Matt Doherty or Davinson Sanchez.

With flexibility in the back with two players that can player inside or out defensively, Mourinho can stack his bench with some real attacking depth. Carlos Vinicius gets a chance after scoring two midweek, also Giovani Lo Celso and Steven Bergwijn who both missed Thursday evening will be there as super subs. Finally, we believe the final spot on the bench is going to go to Dele Alli. This is not because Dele is totally back in the rotation, rather Dele kills Chelsea and if Mourinho needs an in case of emergency break glass option against the Blues, Dele represents it better than anyone.

There is what we think Mourinho will do as he looks to play with and beat Chelsea in a good, old fashioned, game of football. Who do you think José will play?

Starters – 4-2-3-1

Lloris – Aurier – Rodon – Dier – Reguilón – Sissoko – Højbjerg – Ndombele – Son – Kane – Bale

Bench

Hart – Lo Celso – Davies – Vinicius – Bergwijn – Tanganga – Dele