Rotation Central to Tottenham Projected XI for Dinamo Zagreb
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham Midfield and Defense
Tottenham are going to play with two holding midfielders and we know from Mourinho’s post-match presser against Palace, one of them will NOT be Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. Mourinho announced the Dane would be one of the players rotated out for the match to get some rest. The question then becomes which player steps in for Pierre and who sticks from a backline that has been working but does not need to be overworked.
Tanguy Ndombele – Holding Midfielder
Tanguy Ndombele has gotten some nice rest over the last week or so. Ndombele has sat out the weekend completely watching the win over Palace much of the time from under a blanket. While it may make sense to give Ndombele some more rest before Sunday and the derby, the reality is Ndombele is the kind of player that needs to play to be at the top level so he gets 60-70 minutes in the middle of the park midweek.
Harry Winks – Holding Midfielder
After a neat and tidy match at the weekend against Crystal Palace Winks again gets the nod against inferior competition. The reality is Winks is good enough in the midfield to excel and do what Spurs need against 80% of the team’s Tottenham play. Dinamo Zagreb falls into that category and we see more from the English midfielder. Likely Sissoko comes in late probably for Ndombele so Winks could see a full 90 here.
Ben Davies – Left Back
Ben Davies is back in the line-up at left-back for the Spurs. Sergio Reguilon was good on the weekend but is being held in reserve for Arsenal on Sunday. It is quite possible that Davies could slot in at left center-half with Dier on the right side to rest both Sanchez and Alderweireld, but with Reguilon recovering from injury, that is probably not the best idea. Davies staying on the left with Dier next to him is probably the best move.
Eric Dier – Center-half
Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld cannot play every game and Joe Rodon is not even an option so Eric Dier is recalled to the starting XI for the Europa League. In reality, Tottenham need more than a pair of working center-halves with the schedule demands on them, so Dier really needs to play well and rebuild his confidence. This should be a confidence builder of a game for him.
Japhet Tanganga – Center-half
Again Sanchez and Alderweireld cannot play every match and without Joe Rodon the options here grow limited pretty quickly. José Mourinho has demonstrated faith in the young defender before and seems likely to do so again now. Asking Tanganga to be the aggressive attacker of the ball and work to deny things to the attack is right in his wheelhouse and what we see from him Thursday.
Serge Aurier – Right Back
Matt Doherty has been playing better and some may want to save Serge Aurier for the NLD, but Aurier needs minutes and Thursday is an opportunity to ease back in. If Aurier is unable to go the full 90 with 12 substitutes on the bench, there is plenty of cover to give him that additional rest he might need. Doherty needs the rest now and with Tanganga inside Aurier has to go, as Lavinier is still only on the bench.
Hugo Lloris – Keeper
As we noted at the top, Hugo Lloris dons the gloves, the armband, and leads Spurs from the back as the keeper. Lloris is looking to secure a shutout and continue to grow his own confidence ahead of the derby. Just as important Lloris is looking to earn a day off next week with a big win.