Tottenham Hotspur Projected XI to face City in the League Cup Final

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Harry Kane” LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on April 16, 2021, in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images) /

Ryan Mason is only coaching his second match as Interim Manager of Tottenham Hotspur and almost no matter what he does he will be second-guessed on Sunday. With a lot of question marks surrounding Mason and the Tottenham side the XI that starts the match as well as the nine in reserve are going to be critical if Tottenham is to succeed. Of course, one big question faces Mason above all others in forming his XI and it is the same one Pochettino is still second-guessed for, do you start a not-quite 100% Harry Kane.

Can Kane go is the big question for Tottenham

Two weeks ago the idea of Harry Kane playing or for that matter, Jose Mourinho not coaching for Tottenham in the League Cup final seemed unlikely. However, in the last fortnight, Kane rolled his ankle and Mourinho rolled his stuff home as Daniel Levy and company parted ways with the Portuguese coach and his staff.

Whether the coach is Pochettino, Mourinho, or Mason, like Tony Stark, there is only one scenario where the decision is the right one, which is if Tottenham wins. Kane has had an up-and-down history with injuries. Some of the more severe ones have kept him out for long stretches whereas at other times, including earlier this season, Kane has recovered quickly and been able to contribute.

Ultimately, that is the question Ryan Mason, Harry Kane, and the medical staff have to determine, can Kane contribute and to what extent. The last thing you want to happen is to have Kane start, re-aggravate himself early, and then you are out your player and a substitute. Then again, if Kane is used as a substitute and gets hurt then Tottenham might be down a man.

Alternatively, Kane could come in as a substitute and look fantastic, and then you will be hearing the questions about why Kane did not start. The bottom line is that Ryan Mason will have made the right decision with Harry Kane only if Tottenham wins and if they lose no matter what Kane does, plays, doesn’t score, doesn’t start, doesn’t the decision will have been the wrong one.

Given Kane is a no-win proposition here is our line-up without Kane in it from the off.