Tottenham Benefitting from Big European Bench Now and Later

While the reasons for the expansion are certainly tragic, the fact is Tottenham are starting to benefit from a bigger benches in matches. That benefit is coming both now in the matches and will also come later with the additional opportunities for experience provided.

Bigger Bench Means More Options for Tottenham

Truthfully not all teams benefit from a bigger bench. Wolfsberger had 10 players on the bench for the match with Spurs – three more than were allowed last season – but still two short of the 12 total allowed. Even in the Premier League where the bench has been expanded from seven to nine during the season, Sheffield United only had seven on the bench against Tottenham.

Regardless of how it does or does not benefit other teams, Tottenham certainly do get some add opportunities with the larger suite of reserves for José Mourinho and his staff.

Ticking the Boxes for Mourinho

With more than 75 matches in all competitions for Tottenham under his belt we have learned some things about José Mourinho. One trait that he consistently shows is that he does not like to be caught short on the bench. When it was just seven possible substitutes Mourinho focused on coverage and flexibility. Having those two things helped to ensure Spurs were ready for whatever came their way, or were as ready as possible.

With the expanded bench, especially in the Europa League, Tottenham can now have coverage for essentially every position on the field. This allows for a lot of opportunity with is starting to pay off for Tottenham. Mourinho has been using this expanded bench to both provide cover, help ease some players back, and gain some experience for others.

With the Wolfsberger game Tottenham had experience on the bench with Bale, Son, and Kane all there just in case. However, thanks to the expanded bench rules this season, Spurs also had Scarlett, John, and Lavinier to provide additional cover. In several matches this season, we have seen either Son or Kane or both come on the pitch to help seal a win for Spurs.

On Wednesday it was the opposite as some of the academy players – who would not even be in consideration if not for the expanded bench – were the beneficiaries of a strong Spurs performance over two legs.

Sharing the minutes will pay off in the short and long term for Tottenham

The best part about the bigger bench – especially on a day like Wednesday – is the win/win scenario it creates for the team. We all know seeing Kane, Son, and Pierre Højbjerg not have to play was a good thing and hopefully all three are sharp and fresh on the weekend. Any minutes some of these players can save is a good thing.

Likewise, when those minutes are being filled by players like Dane Scarlett and Nile John who are the future of the club, then clearly Spurs are planning for both the short and long term futures of the team. Whether or not John or Lavinier make it into the senior squad next season or not, it seems like Scarlett will and he will not be the last.

While the reason for the bigger benches was not player development, it is certainly one of the benefits Spurs are receiving. It just may be a few years before we know the total payoff from some of  those benefits. For other players that payoff might come much sooner.