New Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach Nuno Espirito Santo takes his Spurs to face his old team at the Molineux, here is the projected XI that Santo will start versus the Wolves.
Just as new Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Bruno Lage has yet to convert his Wolves team to his preferred back four set-ups, Nuno Espirito Santo has not changed Tottenham Hotspur to a back three. As the Spurs again line up in Nuno’s 4-3-3 shape, the real question is not about the shape but about the top of the attack and whether or not Harry Kane will play.
Harry Kane in the Tottenham Team
We do know for certain at this point that Harry Kane made the trip to Wolverhampton and is available for selection. Having been with the first team much of the week, it seems the Tottenham talisman may make his season debut. And while the decision of whether or not to start Kane seems like one that depends primarily on Kane in this instance it does not.
Creating confidence is most important for Tottenham right now
Of course, Harry Kane could jump right back into the line-up and start and no one would bat an eye. However, the issue is that Nuno then has to take one of his front three off.
Lucas Moura has been fantastic all preseason and continued that form into the regular season. Heung-Min Son seems to be taking on the mantle of team leader and scored the winner last week against Manchester City. Then we have Steven Bergwijn.
Admittedly Bergwijn has been the ‘worst performing of the three forwards and becomes the natural choice to sit, while Son moves wide and Kane goes up top. However, Steven Bergwijn needs two things at this point in his Tottenham career, minutes and confidence.
For the young Dutchman, getting those minutes breeds confidence and the more confidently Bergwijn plays the more minutes he will get. After playing okay in the preseason and then having flashes but also a big miss against Manchester City, Bergwijn needs to play to build his confidence.
The reality is Harry Kane knows he is good and he is going to provide in minutes big or small. Thus while it is still early in the season and Kane is still getting up to speed – and might be needed midweek – the Spurs ace starts the match on the bench, while Santo rides the hot hand of a familiar front three.
Tottenham Attacking Line
Tottenham Hotspur will continue to try and use pressure from the front three and the interchanging play they provide to get behind Connor Coady and the Wolves’ defense.
Left forward: Steven Bergwijn
There is still the possibility that Son starts on the left and that Bergwijn moves to the bench but we are sticking with the Dutchman. The need for Tottenham to get more players off the mark and firing is certain with the number of matches and lack of depth within the team. Steven Bergwijn started his career on fire and then has not managed to recreate that early spark consistently. Getting behind Max Kilman on the right of the Wolves defense could potentially help ignite that spark.
Center forward: Heung-Min Son
Heung-Min Son continues to look like the leader of this Tottenham team. Whether he is flashing his smile or flashing between defenders making a diagonal run, there is no doubt this team is feeding off of his energy and effort. Getting some more minutes up top for the team is good for Son and the Spurs.
Right forward: Lucas Moura
While Son has been the one scoring most of the goals in the preseason and now in the regular season, it has been Lucas Moura’s work in the middle of the park that has been making things happen. Even last week, it was an over-the-head kick and clearance from Moura that originally set Steven Bergwijn away on the scoring play. Lucas has shown both a burst and a willingness to run at players which is something this team desperately needs. Expect that to continue Sunday.
Tottenham Midfield
The Spurs engine room is definitely one area of the team that has some questions. As the team tries to form itself in their new coach’s image the question is how many of the pieces in the midfield fit. If nothing else, Spurs got supreme effort last week and will want that again against the Wanderers.
Left midfield: Dele Alli
How long exactly Dele Alli continues to have the left midfield position nailed down is really anyone’s guess. We have seen a change in his play under Nuno, with a willingness to stick his nose in much like he did when he was younger. Last weekend, no one on either team outworked Dele Alli and I cannot remember the last time I wrote those words. While there are likely better left-sided midfielders on the team, if Dele can give that same effort consistently, he is certainly talented enough to stay in the XI and have a great season.
Center midfield: Oliver Skipp
It is hard to say how many people really thought Oliver Skipp would come back off his loan from Norwich and be ready to slide in and start in the Spurs XI. However, after a shaky first 15-20 minutes against Manchester City on opening day, Skipp grew into his role and did not look out of place. Clearly, no one in the midfield from midweek played their way into the team and Skipp’s heady play, combined with a willingness to tackle and sit deep will keep him on the pitch and hopefully growing for this team.
Right midfield: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
Most probably thought it would be the big Dane, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg sitting in the middle of the Tottenham three and being the deepest midfielder. However, after last season and his work this past summer for his country, it is obvious that Højbjerg can contribute well beyond the defensive end. Against City, the Viking was tremendous in recovering the ball and starting the Spur’s counterattack. Despite being subbed off for the last minute – which was one more minute than his missed all of last season – we can expect Højbjerg to be out there on Sunday.
Tottenham Defense
It was in the Tottenham defense where most people were expecting the most changes. However, as we move into the second league game of the season, it would appear that at least three of the starters are the same as last season and the fourth is an academy product. While this does not seem like it would be the formula for success, Nuno and Spurs may be finding it.
Left fullback: Sergio Reguilón
Left-back Sergio Reguilón did not seem to spend nearly as much time defending against Manchester City as did his opposite Japhet Tanganga on Spurs right. However, the reality is that Reguilón had a big job keeping tabs on Riyad Mahrez. For what was not the first time Reguilón was able to keep Mahrez mostly under wraps. As teams continue to try to attack the younger Tanganga, Reguilón has to look to push the attack up the Spurs left.
Center-half: Eric Dier
After a summer where most – this author included – were hoping to see Eric Dier replaced, the Englishman had a solid opener against City. Less stretched with Reguilón mostly in place, Dier did a good job blocking shots and cutting crosses like he is supposed to do. If the Tottenham midfielders can help keep the game in front of him, Dier can be effective. Of course, Adama Traore presents a different challenge with his physicality than did City with their finesse.
Center-half: Davinson Sanchez
Some may want to see Cristian Romero start this match but the reality is Romero was struggling at the end of 90 minutes on Thursday and coming off an injury is not fit enough to go again this soon. Beyond Romero’s availability to go 90 minutes, Davinson Sanchez was fantastic for Tottenham in the opener. Sanchez was a perfect four-for-four on his tackles including a big one on Kevin De Bruyne late in the match. Sanchez has shown he is a capable defender and we saw that last week, which Tottenham needs to continue.
Righ fullback: Japhet Tanganga
The idea that Tottenham was looking for a new right-back most of the summer and the one he needed was right here all along is really great. However, Tanganga has not proven he can stay healthy for extended stretches. After a terrific opening match, staying healthy and on the field is one of the main priorities for Tanganga. The team clearly benefited from his physicality and he is better on the ball than most would think. Maybe we even get to see his long thrown-in at some point near the goal. Tanganga can bring a lot, let’s hope he stays fit.
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
There may come a time this season when Pierluigi Gollini takes over as the starter for Tottenham, however, that time is not yet. Hugo Lloris has to be feeling good and confident after starting the season with a shutout of Manchester City. Lloris was a bit sketchy early in the match as he was trying to control his box. However, as he and the game settled, he grew back into his normal shot-stopping self. Sunday, Tottenham should not need a lot of saves but they likely will need Hugo to make at least one big one.
Tottenham full team and substitutes bench
So Santo keeps the same starting XI without making any changes, despite having Kane back and a few players with a bit more fitness. Santo wants to continue to establish this as his team and that he is calling the shots. Let’s hope the XI continues to respond.
Spurs available substitutes
We know a little bit about the Tottenham bench for sure. We know we have Harry Kane on there and he is going to be joined by the #2 keeper Gollini, so who else will be back there for the Santo to pick from.
Surely Bryan Gil will be on the bench. While Son may take over on the left as Kane is further re-integrated into the team. However, it is Gil who is the most likely to become the new left winger of everyone we have seen. Gil is willing to attack players and put the ball into the box.
Additionally, Giovanni Lo Celso is available and so too is Dane Scarlett. With Bryan, Scarlett, Lo Celso, and Kane all available as attacking options for once Tottenham seems to have some real riches in reserve. Likely Harry Winks continues to be chosen as a reserve midfielder as Tanguy Ndombele is not available. Add Ben Davies, Cuti Romero, and Matt Doherty to the group and you have your nine reserves.
So there is our XX for Wolves, who do you think is starting, who is riding the pine, and who is watching at home?