Projected XI for Tottenham Hotspur at Paços de Ferreira

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STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 23: Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Bet365 Stadium on December 23, 2020, in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Tottenham Hotspur is counting on rotation and desire as Nuno Espirito Santo takes a very young and hopefully hungry squad to face Paços de Ferreira in Portugal.

Having played with an all-out intensity not seen at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in some time, we wondered aloud about Spurs’ ability to keep up such a style. With the same coolness and calm demeanor he seems to handle everything, Nuno Espirito Santo is leaning into the youth and competition at Tottenham Hotspur to both advances the team and keep his starters fresh. With a lot of rotation and not anyone from Sunday, here is our projected XI for Thursday at Paços de Ferreira in Portugal.

Goalkeeper: Pierluigi Gollini

Pierluigi Gollini was signed on loan with an option to buy from Atalanta this summer, as the first of what has been three signings this summer. Gollini was introduced to the fans via the preseason and Thursday provides his first opportunity at football that counts for Tottenham. After Hugo Lloris kept a clean sheet against one of the best sides in Europe, you can count on Gollini wanting to do the same against a team much less well known in Paços.

It will be exciting for Gollini to make his official Tottenham debut as will a few other players in our projected XI.

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