Tottenham Hotspur will have an opportunity to vindicate Ange Postecoglou, a bevy of players, and legions of fans when they send their starting eleven out for the Europa League final. Unfortunately, injuries have prevented Tottenham from proceeding with their ideal positional pairings.
Nevertheless, the opportunity to end the trophy drought remains and a hungry and talented crop of players will be available to anchor the efforts.
Tottenham's disappointing Premier League season has been the talk of London, but the ultimate silver lining is within reach. Matched up against an English rival in Manchester United, this is a rare opportunity for a club that's been ridiculed for its lack of trophies to bolster its standing.
Thankfully, it should have a strong percentage of its usual starters to help it realize that dream—including Son Heung-min. The question is: Who will be starting alongside the face of the club?
The following projections could shed light on the matter.
GK: Guglielmo Vicario
Perhaps the most important player on the pitch today will be Tottenham's featured figure in net. Among goalkeepers with at least 20 appearances during the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, Guglielmo Vicario ranks seventh in goals prevented. He's also No. 8 in high claims.
Unfortunately, Vicario also ranks No. 15 in save percentage among Premier League goalkeepers with at least 20 games played. That contrast in statistical placement speaks to his highlight-reel ability, as well as his propensity for lapses in consistency—and the Premier League context is relevant given the opponent.
The positive trend: Vicario has allowed just two goals over his past three Europa League matches, including a clean sheet during the second leg of the semi-final.
RB: Pedro Porro
A fixture for Tottenham at right back, Pedro Porro is all but guaranteed to get the start. He's one of the most dependable playmakers on the roster, with his work along the wings often driving a successful offensive game plan for manager Ange Postecoglou.
Against Manchester United, Porro's task will be multifaceted and laced with the potential for both opportunity and disaster. Defensively, he'll likely have spells in which he's tasked with stifling United star Bruno Fernandes, who has made more use of the wings under Ruben Amorim.
Offensively, Porro's range as a passer and goal scorer could prove essential to breaking Manchester United's 3-4-2-1 formation. His goal in the Europa League semi-final sparks faith that he'll deliver.
CB: Cristian Romero and Mickey Van de Ven
On paper, Cristian Romero and Mickey Van de Ven have the potential to be one of the best centre back duos in the world. Hypotheticals only count for so much, but it's stages like a European final that tend to elevate players into a tier they previously only flirted with residing at.
For Tottenham, Romero and Van de Ven will be essential figures in the pursuit of realizing that championship dream. Fernandes is in fine form, and the Red Devils have utilized their midfielders to generate goals in recent outings due to the space the 3-4-2-1 system affords them up the middle of the pitch.
If Romero and Van de Ven protect the front of goal, then Spurs should be able to walk away with their first Europa League title since 1984.
LB: Destiny Udogie
Destiny Udogie is the epitome of a player with untapped potential. Still just 22 years of age, the combination of skill and physical attributes that he brings to the left back position seems to imply he can define his own limit as an athlete.
Thankfully, Udogie seems to be realizing that potential during Tottenham's Europa League fixtures. He's been a regular starter during elimination-stage matches and played every minute of Spurs' semi-final encounters with Bodø/Glimt.
If there are any questions about this back four, note that Postecoglou effectively confirmed they will be playing in the Europa League final.
Midfield: Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma
With Lucas Bergvall, Dejan Kuluseveski, and James Maddison sidelined, Tottenham will need to get creative in the midfield area. Rodrigo Bentancur is a safe bet, as is Yves Bissouma after turning in two of his best performances of the season during the semi-final.
From there, it's a matter of discerning whether it's Pape Matar Sarr or a different structure altogether that Tottenham should move forward with. It played more of a 4-2-3-1 during the first leg of the semi-final, but it also had Maddison to lead the team up the middle of the pitch.
Without Maddison and with a returning Son, it's safe to believe more of a 4-2-3-1 formation will thus be the approach—although Sarr could start to transform it into a 4-3-3.
Attack: Son Heung-min, Mathys Tel, Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke
Son Heung-min is healthy and will start with the opportunity to win a legacy-solidifying European trophy. Brennan Johnson has been Tottenham's top scorer this season, scoring 11 goals in the Premier League and four at Europa League, and should thus receive the same opportunity.
Dominic Solanke, meanwhile, has scored in each of Tottenham's past three Europa League matches—thus making him an essential starter. That trio should give Spurs a strong chance of finding the back of the net on a massive stage.
The reason Tottenham could go 4-2-3-1 rather than 4-3-3: The otherworldly potential of wunderkind Mathys Tel to pick up the pace and keep Manchester United on its heels.