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Nuno’s best current starting 11 at Tottenham Hotspur

By Gary Pearson

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 3, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 3, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) /
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For Tottenham to finish in the top six this season, Nuno Espirito Santo will have to consistently rely on the best 11 players at his disposal.  

The question is, which players comprise Tottenham’s top 11?

While subjective, a number of Tottenham’s best 11 are shoo-ins to consistently crack Nuno’s top side. A few of the available remaining spots, however, are up for debate. While a lot comes down to a player’s individual ability, it’s crucial to pick a side with the right collective chemistry, one that is both dynamic and balanced.

Based on current form, here’s the pick of the crop:

Defence:

There’s no question who backstops Spurs, so I won’t waste everybody’s time. Hugo Lloris is still Spurs’ number one, though the elder statesman’s time at the top is definitely waning. Emerson Royal hasn’t assimilated seamlessly to the Premier League, but the Brazilian showed some real quality in the win versus Aston Villa. Even for the most hardened professional, adjusting to life in the Premier League is no simple feat. That in combination with having to learn English has stacked the chips against Royal. But based on his skill level, athleticism, ability and improvement in the Villa match, Royal is Nuno’s first choice right back.

Like Royal, Cristian Romero is still finding his feet in England’s top flight. Spurs paid a fortune for the centre back and need to back him unwaveringly. The Argentine enjoyed his best performance against Villa and will, with time and patience, come good.

Eric Dier is preferred to Davinson Sanchez, albeit marginally. Dier is still prone to committing senseless errors and is by no means a top-class centre back. But he is certainly the lesser of other evils.

Joe Rodon has the potential to leapfrog Dier in Nuno’s pecking order but has thus far this season disappeared from contention. Serge Reguilon has risen imperiously above Ben Davies in the fight for left back supremacy, with the performance levels of both left backs trending in entirely different directions.

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