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Tottenham Hotspur Projected XI for Roma Friendly in Israel

By Aaron Coe

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JULY 13: Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the preseason friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and Team K League at Seoul World Cup Stadium on July 13, 2022 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images)
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - JULY 13: Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the preseason friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and Team K League at Seoul World Cup Stadium on July 13, 2022 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images) /
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ROME, ITALY – MAY 11: Ivan Perisic of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring to give the side a 4-2 lead during the Coppa Italia Final match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 11, 2022 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – MAY 11: Ivan Perisic of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring to give the side a 4-2 lead during the Coppa Italia Final match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on May 11, 2022 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /

Spurs Midfield Projection

Tottenham will be in a three-four-three formation on paper, although it could be more of a five-two-three if Mourinho decides to go for it. Regardless, we are putting our wing-backs here in the midfield. The real question is who is playing on each side.

Left wing-back – Ivan Perisic

After having a small knock at the camp’s start, Perisic will finally be ready to start in this final warm-up for the regular season. Ryan Sessegnon has had some moments, but Perisic was always brought in as the regular starter, and that begins Saturday against Roma.

Central midfield – Pierre Hojbjerg

With Oliver Skipp missing out injured and Yves Bissouma still finding his footing, Conte will stick with a known quantity playing Hojbjerg alongside Rodrigo Bentancur. Hojbjerg has always been solid protecting the defence and has improved each year with his passing and ability going forward. Look for that to continue against Roma.

Central midfielder – Rodrigo Bentancur

Coming over last January, Bentancur was a significant factor in Spurs reaching the top four and Champions League. Bentancur has shown himself to be a willing tackler and an efficient passer who is not afraid of attempting something big on either side of the ball. Like Hojbjerg, Rodrigo is working to hold off Bissouma and will likely play like it.

Right wing-back – Emerson Royal

Maybe people are hoping for something different here, or maybe some folks are warming to what we have; regardless, we expect Conte to stick with the Brazilian Royal at right wing-back. Djed Spence has not been at Spurs long enough to start, and Matt Doherty seems to be a bit further down the totem pole at current, so Royal continues to get his chances.