Tottenham Hotspur Projected XI for Season Opener vs Southampton

Some rule changes were implemented for this upcoming season, including increasing the substitutes bench from seven players to nine and increasing from three to five substitutes allowed during a match. With lots of options potentially available, expect lots of coverage.

Nine Available Alternatives

Spurs will have at least three defensive substitutes available, and Fraser Forster will be there to back-up Lloris. Additionally, Davinson Sanchez and Clement Lenglet will be included to back up the three if necessary. Or to come in to hold on to the victory.

Although there are only two positions, we should expect a five-player rotation at wing-back all season long as Conte tries to identify the best options. With Royal and Perisic in the starting, Xi, Doherty, Ryan Sessegnon, and Spence are on the bench.

With six of the nine slots among the defenders and wing-backs, only three midfielders or attackers are in reserve. Lucas Moura is available to play any of several positions, depending on the situation. New signing Yves Bissouma is on the bench as he recovers from a minor knock. Finally, one of Pape Matar Sarr or Bryan Gil will be the third option, and we think it will be Gil.

Full Tottenham XI

Lloris – Davies – Dier – Romero – Perisic – Hojbjerg – Bentancur – Royal – Son – Kane – Kulusevski

Tottenham Substitutes

Forster – Sanchez – Lenglet – Doherty – Sessegnon – Spence – Bissouma – Gil – Lucas

So there are the 20 players we think Conte will use to start the season. Who do you think will start?