Tottenham projected starting 11 for vital trip to Brentford
By Gary Pearson
The team pretty much picks itself at this point, not only because the starting 11, other than last week against Brighton, has performed so well, but also due to Conte’s lack of defensive options.
Oliver Skipp is still out and so is Japhet Tanganga and Matthew Doherty. However, Ryan Sessegnon has trained fully with the team and is back in contention. Realistically, left wingback is the only position where a change might be made.
Defence & Midfield
The usual suspects will line up across the back. Cristian Romero, Eric Dier and Ben Davies will hope to keep a clean sheet while using the ball wisely in transition.
It will be interesting to see who Conte selects at left wingback. I’d rather see Royal relegated to the bench, but neither Reguilon or Sessegnon the likelihood sees the Brazilian retaining his spot.
With that in mind, Sessegnon will come back into the team after a lengthy hiatus, replacing Reguilon, who didn’t have an effective outing against Brighton. Then again, nobody did.
At least this one change would bring some fresh blood into the team. Sessegnon is stronger than Reguilon and is better suited to handle the physicality of a robust Brentford side than his Spanish counterpart.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre Hojbjerg had off evenings last week and both will be looking for a bounce-back performance. The pair will most certainly start for Spurs in the heart of midfield.
Forwards
Son Heung-min, Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski endured their worst outing as a trio last week. That shouldn’t happen again considering the magnitude of the match. All three must have remonstrated all week, ruing their woeful outing, waiting for another chance to showcase their collective dynamism.
Next. Two Tottenham players who cannot afford to have an off match. dark
The triumvirate had been stunningly effective in the previous four matches and will want to emulate that form in west London on Saturday. Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura haven’t started in ages and, if things go according to plan, probably won’t for the rest of the season.