Tottenham Hotspur projected XI for big trip to Leeds United

By Aaron Coe | May 7, 2021

Tottenham Hotspur's Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his team's third goal and his hatrick goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 2, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur warms up prior to the Premier League match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage on March 04, 2021, in London, England. (Photo by Neil Hall – Pool/Getty Images) /

Tottenham Midfield Starters

Tottenham made some adjustments in the midfield for Sheffield. Maybe the biggest was the inclusion of Dele Alli as the attacking midfielder behind Harry Kane. Much less noticeable but equally significant was the move of Pierre Højbjerg to left-back much of the time in possession, leaving Dele, Giovani Lo Celso, and to some extent, Harry Kane, to connect the defense and attack, which worked.

Dele – Attacking midfield

Dele does not necessarily provide the same on-the-ball push as Erik Lamela, Giovani Lo Celso, or Tanguy Ndombele; however, Dele showed last week he still has impeccable timing on runs and a willingness to bring a lot of movement to the match. With Leeds playing man-to-man all over the pitch, movement will be key, making Dele a critical piece to the Tottenham puzzle Saturday afternoon.

Lo Celso – Holding midfield

Giovani Lo Celso is never going to be Christian Eriksen as they are just such different players but that does not mean Lo Celso cannot have a significant impact on Tottenham. Against Sheffield United, the Argentine had more freedom to push forward and side-to-side with Højbjerg behind him, not next to him. Lo Celso, like Tanguy Ndombele, needs space to operate and last week he found it, hopefully, he can again against the Peacocks.

Højbjerg – Defensive midfield

On paper and maybe defensively in a set Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Giovani Lo Celso will be playing side-by-side like a pair. However, in possession, expect Højbjerg to sit and Lo Celso to attack. This does not mean the Dane will not get into the offense, it is just that his primary role will be more defensive with Lo Celso more offensive. Højbjerg is another player who is likely to be buoyed by having only one game per week given his immense workload this season.