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Tottenham Hotspur projected XI for season opener vs Manchester City

By Aaron Coe

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Portuguese head coach Nuno Espirito Santo (L) and Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola watches his players from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Wolverhamptom Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 2, 2021. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / 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. / (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Wolverhampton Wanderers' Portuguese head coach Nuno Espirito Santo (L) and Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola watches his players from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Wolverhamptom Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 2, 2021. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / 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. / (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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After a summer short on time and long on drama, Tottenham Hotspur is kicking off at home against Manchester City, here is how we think they will line up.

New Head Coach Nuno Espirito Santo has likely not had as much time with his squad as he would have liked, however, after five preseason matches, it is time for live fire. In the preseason Santo preferred a 4-3-3 line-up after mostly featuring three in the back at Wolves. It is still unclear whether or not Harry Kane will feature and there are a few other question marks for Tottenham.

Whose available and not for Tottenham

According to Santo, there are a few Spurs who are not available or who like Kane are big question marks. Of the three Tottenham new transfer signings, likely on Pierluigi Gollini will be in the squad. Cristian Romero is still acclimating and recovering from an injury during Argentina’s Copa America run. Bryan Gil has only had a few days of practice following his summer with Spain in the Olympics.

Besides the new players and Kane, Ryan Sessegnon seems sure to miss the match recovering from injury and it seems likely this is not the right time for Tanguy Ndombele. Besides those five players, the rest of the senior team should be available, with Japhet Tanganga recovered from a little knock.

Here is our Tottenham first projected XI under Nuno Espirito Santo:

Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris

We did just say that new signing Pierluigi Gollini will be in the squad and Gollini is likely the best second keeper at Tottenham since Lloris’ arrival but the club captain is starting the season opener. It is a contract year for Hugo Lloris and often these are the best seasons for athletes as they look to cash in on their next contract. At 34 Lloris likely has only one big contract left, a clean sheet against mighty Manchester City would be a great way to make the case for new terms.