Tottenham Hotspur looks to keep their unbeaten run in the Premier League under Antonio Conte going on Sunday at home, here are the XI that will face Norwich.
A week on from a poor performance in Europe followed by a snow day, the Tottenham Hotspur team from the last two years would have come out flat and lacking focus. The performance from Spurs against the Bees was anything but flat as Tottenham started showing some true signs of Conte’s guidance in the 2-0 win. Looking for a third straight win, here are the XI Spurs Conte will use to face Norwich City on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Projected Tottenham Forwards
In his pre-match press conference, Conte clarified who his attackers were and what roles they play. Tottenham has two number 10s and one nine if you were wondering. Given Spurs forwards were productive with and without the ball we do not anticipate much change here.
Forward – Heung-min Son
The most influential player in terms of the goals against Brentford, Heung-min Son was at his electric best against the Bees. Aggressive with the ball at his feet, Son was quick to try and beat his man and create for his teammates, which led to the first goal. Son’s anticipation and effort were well rewarded by Sergio Reguilón on Spurs’ second goal.
Forward – Lucas Moura
Son influenced both goals while Harry Kane was a creative force in the middle against Brentford; Lucas Moura on the other hand really never got going. Playing his least impactful match under Conte, Moura failed to get the ball in positions where he could really leverage his skills or pace. Playing against a Norwich team a bit soft on the edges, expect Moura to bounce back.
Striker – Harry Kane
Proclaimed his only number nine by his manager, it is clear Conte wants to see Kane succeed. One of the biggest successes already with Kane under Conte has been getting Spurs talisman to give 100% on and off the ball again. Like a rising tide, Kane playing at 100% helps improve everyone’s game. Consider the last month, Kane’s old August form, and expect to see Harry back in the goals against Norwich as his Spurs season kicks on.
Tottenham projected midfield starters
After breaking up the band due to Oliver Skipp‘s suspension and then rotating some against Mura, both the canceled Burnley match, as well as the actual Brentford game, featured the same four in the midfield Conte has used in every Premier League match they were all available for.
Left-wingback – Sergio Reguilón
After scoring against Leeds United, Sergio Reguilón again had a big day against Brentford. An absolute beast on the left, he, Son, and Ben Davies provided more push than the Bees could handle. Reguilón’s assist to Son for Spurs second was a thing of beauty and no less than either deserved. Sunday we will see if Reguilón can continue to grow in Conte’s free-flowing system.
Central midfield – Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
In the match against Brentford it seemed Pierre Højbjerg was more the holding midfielder while his fellow central midfielder Oliver Skipp pushed further up the pitch. Højbjerg had his moments in the attacking third and likely would center his side netting shot to Son if given a second chance. Playing a less expansive role does suit Højbjerg best and he was strong against Brentford.
Central midfield – Oliver Skipp
Only sitting out the one required league match from his suspension due to yellow card accumulation, Olive Skipp was very good against Brentford. Progressive with his passing, Skipp had a couple of key passes which set up shooting opportunities. HIs pass between the lines and through to Kane was a great example of the kind of eye for the pass Skipp has. All this with a relentless motor.
Right-wingback – Emerson Royal
Sometimes you see Emerson Royal and he simply does not look the part, lengthy but muscular, quick but he runs a bit flat-footed. None of that really matters as Royal’s skillset and comfort on the ball make him an excellent fit for Conte’s system, like Reguilón on the other side. If there is a clear weakness for Emerson it is his crossing, which he should have ample opportunity to work on against a susceptible Canary defence.
Projecting Spurs Defence
The one area where we think there will be a little rotation is on the defensive end, where we expect to see Japhet Tanganga back in at back for Davinson Sanchez. This is no knock on Sanchez, just part of the rotation we envision Conte establishing.
Left-back – Ben Davies
Looking as spry and lively as he ever has for Tottenham, Ben Davies seems to be growing in the left-back role. When he caught and then stole the ball from Ivan Toney on Thursday, it was truly a new Ben Davies playing defensively. Able to push-up and make the left side a real strength for Spurs without being completely out of position defensively this is a whole new world for Davies and he seems to be loving it.
Centre-back – Eric Dier
Eric Dier had a solid game against Brentford as he continues to lead the backline. His one real mistake was cleaned up and Dier, like Davies, seems quite comfortable in the role currently being asked of him. Tapping into his background as a midfielder, Dier can do what is required, while providing leadership.
Right-back – Japhet Tanganga
Watching Spurs win over Brentford a second time you can see a Davinson Sanchez who is growing in what he allows himself to do with the ball on the pitch. That said, this is the one position on the defence where Conte can actually rotate so he will. By starting Japhet Tanganga at back on Sunday, he can then put him at wingback on Thursday in the cup and get him two straight starts, while resting both Sanchez and Emerson one game each. Seems a likely rotation to keep everyone playing and fresh.
Goalkeeper – Hugo Lloris
After collecting his fifth shutout of the season on Thursday, Hugo Lloris will be looking to make it back-to-back shutouts for the first time since he got three straight to start the season. As much of a struggle as it has been for Spurs to score this season with just 13 goals in 13 games, Norwich only has 8 in 14 matches, with Hugo and Spurs looking to make it 8 from 15 after Sunday.
Tottenham full line-up and Substitutes
We have Conte making only one change from his team that beat Brentford midweek, with Tanganga coming in for Sanchez in the back.
Tottenham Substitutes
Conte has been consistent with who has been on his bench just as he has with most of his starting XI. Clearly trying to see how his players respond in different situations, we can expect to see most of the same names, until we don’t, which likely will not be until January.
Defensively, Davinson Sanchez is on the bench, along with Pierluigi Gollini backing up Hugo Lloris in goal. Given the nature of the positions, Ryan Sessegnon and Matt Doherty are available to back-up Reguilón and Royal, along with Harry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele as alternatives in the middle of the park.
With Giovani Lo Celso still out, expect to see Dele Alli, Bryan Gil, and Steven Bergwijn as the options and alternatives to Moura, Son, and Kane, rounding out the nine.
Tottenham XI – 3-4-3
Lloris – Davies – Dier – Tanganga – Reguilón – Højbjerg – Skipp – Royal – Son – Lucas – Kane
Tottenham Substitutes
Gollini – Sanchez – Sessegnon – Doherty – Winks – Ndombele – Dele – Bergwijn – Gil
That is is our XX, who do you have in Spurs XI?