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Tottenham Hotspur projected XI for Conference League trip to Rennes

By Aaron Coe

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Pierluigi Gollini of Tottenham Hotspur during the Pre Season Friendly match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Pierluigi Gollini of Tottenham Hotspur during the Pre Season Friendly match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on August 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Joe Rodon of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on April 16, 2021, in Liverpool, United Kingdom. S(Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Joe Rodon of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on April 16, 2021, in Liverpool, United Kingdom. S(Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images) /

Tottenham projected starting defense

It is in the defense where Tottenham is facing the most missing players. Davinson Sanchez and Cristian Romero are both still out from their National team duties in South America. Then this past weekend Eric Dier was injured, leaving the team particularly short in the center of defense. Given the need to cover for missing pieces, while keeping Chelsea in mind, here is the Spurs defense.

Left fullback: Ben Davies

Ben Davies was in a difficult position over the weekend. Brought on at the last second instead of Bryan Gil as a result of Japhet Tanganga‘s red card. Instead of bringing on Bryan and adding attack, Davies came on to try and help fill in at center-back, given neither of the starters was still in the match. The handball was a bad play and surely Davies wants to make amends, getting his first chance Thursday in France.

Left center back: Joe Rodon

Joe Rodon’s development and ability may be the reason Tottenham did not sign a second center-back this past summer after Romero. Rodon came on for Dier at Palace after not playing a minute since Euro 2020 back in July and did a fine job overall. After getting more than an hour on the pitch, Rodon should be ready to help lead the line.

Right center back: Japhet Tanganga

Japhet Tanganga started at this position against Crystal Palace and did well overall, until his rash three minutes and early exit. The second challenge probably should not have gotten the yellow as he clearly had pulled out of the challenge but Jonathan Moss likes to make a statement and Tanganga got his walking papers. If other options were available in this position it would be a good time to push Tanganga back out wide, however, none are available and Tanganga gets a second straight start at center-half.

Right fullback: Matt Doherty

Like Gollini, Matt Doherty seems destined to play mostly in the non-league competitions for Tottenham this season. While it might not be a bad idea to get Emerson some more experience with the team, given he will likely go 90 on Sunday, Doherty gets the nod on Thursday. More likely than Davies to push forward, Tottenham can likely get away with the Davies Doherty fullback combination because Jeremy Doku is unlikely to play.

Goalkeeper: Pierluigi Gollini

Gollini gets his third official start with the team and will be looking to have a big game. Tottenham will need some leadership on defense, a vocal, box-controlling Gollini could really help with that.