Tottenham vs Monaco: Probable Spurs starting XI
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Mauricio Pochettino of Tottenham Hotspur looks on during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Who will Tottenham start in their Champions League opener?
Tottenham will make their long-awaited return to Champions League football on Wednesday against Monaco. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has some interesting selection dilemmas ahead of the encounter against the Ligue 1 club.
The good news for Pochettino, is that he’s got more players to choose from than he has at any point this season. Firstly, Moussa Dembele is finally eligible after missing the first four Premier League matches due to suspension. Secondly, Tottenham have added recent reinforcements via the transfer window in the form of Moussa Sissoko and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou.
Son Heung-Min’s emergence on the scene against Stoke gives the Spurs boss yet another option in the attacking midfield. You can bet Pochettino will think long and hard about starting Son to see if he can continue his patch of hot form.
Pochettino gets paid the big bucks to make these tough decisions, but no one should envy him this week. It’s a very serious set of difficult choices ahead of him this week. Read on to discover the most likely starting XI for Tottenham’s first Champions League match of the season.
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his sides win after the game during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Keeper-Hugo Lloris
Barring injury, there’s zero chance that anyone other than Hugo Lloris starts in-goal against Monaco. He is arguably the Spurs player who most deserves Champions League football for Tottenham. He’s going to get his opportunity on Wednesday.
Left back-Ben Davies
Danny Rose will miss out again due to injury. While that does cost Spurs some valuable athleticism, Ben Davies is certainly a capable replacement. He played an excellent match in relief of Rose at Stoke, and will look to do the same against Monaco.
Left centre back-Jan Vertonghen
Not much drama at this spot on the pitch either. Vertonghen has shaken off the rust of his summer injury to put together a string of three solid performances in a row. He’s another Tottenham player who will be relishing the chance to once again compete on Europe’s biggest stage.
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Right centre back-Toby Alderweireld
The acquisition of Toby Alderweireld might be one of the biggest reasons that Tottenham find themselves in the Champions League at all. He’s galvanized the club’s defense and formed an excellent partnership with Vertonghen. He’ll be one of the first names on Pochettino’s team sheet.
Right back-Kyle Walker
Count on Walker celebrating his new Spurs deal with a start in the Champions League. He may not get as much attention as some of his teammates, but his development under Pochettino has been nothing short of remarkable. He’s a lock to start barring injury.
ENFIELD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Mousa Dembele during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur training ground on August 25, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Defensive midfield-Mousa Dembele
Tottenham’s long nightmare of football without Mousa Dembele will finally come to an end Wednesday. His importance to Spurs can’t be overstated and Pochettino will welcome him back into the starting XI.
His presence will greatly enhance the flexibility of the Spurs midfield. They will finally be able to, again, start a double-pivot that fits perfectly together. Dembele’s ability to hold on to the ball and carry it forward, will be a huge boost to his attacking teammates.
Defensive midfield-Eric Dier
Remember, this is the starting XI I expect to see Tottenham deploy, not necessarily the one I think they should trot out against Monaco. As such, I think we’ll see Eric Dier get the start, but I would prefer to see Victor Wanyama get the nod.
It’s nothing personal against Dier. I love what he brings to the club when he’s playing his best football. The simple truth is, he isn’t playing well right now. Pochettino will trust that Dembele’s return will allow Dier to return to form, I’m not quite as optimistic.
I’d like to see Wanyama get the start because of the simple fact that he’s in a better run of form at the moment. Sure, his partnership with Dembele is untested, but I think the two have the characteristics to play well together. Expect to see Dier, but don’t be disappointed if Pochettino opts for the Kenyan destroyer.
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides third goal with his team mates during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Center attacking midfield-Dele Alli
Dele Alli may only be 20-years-old, but he’s already one of Tottenham’s most important players. He’s definitely going to get the start against Monaco. The only question really is where he might be deployed.
In truth, it doesn’t really matter. Tottenham’s attacking midfield three rotate regularly, so just because I believe Alli will start the match in the middle, doesn’t mean he’ll stay there for 90 minutes. The important thing is to get the English starlet on the ball early and often.
Left attacking midfield-Christian Eriksen
Tottenham’s Danish maestro finally returned to form against Stoke providing two scintillating assists. As I predicted, the signing of a new contract with Spurs allowed him to return to his top form. He looked like a totally different player against the Potters.
Eriksen is another Spur who could have opted to leave the club to take a guaranteed route to Champions League football. His loyalty will be rewarded with a start against Monaco.
Right attacking midfield-Erik Lamela
This is without a doubt, the toughest spot to predict. Pochettino will choose between the man he’s started all season long in Erik Lamela, or the player who ignited the Spurs offensive against Stoke, Son Heung-Min.
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It’s important to remember that Lamela didn’t do anything to lose his starting position. Son got the nod based on his late return from Argentina duty. If the International Break hadn’t occurred, Son would have been on the bench against the Potters.
Of course, that isn’t what happened. Son did get the start, and he took full advantage of the opportunity. Selecting him to start would be entirely justified. It’s not going to happen though, Pochettino is going to opt for the tougher of the two players, and that’s clearly Erik Lamela.
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his goal with Heung-Min Son during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur at Britannia Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Striker-Harry Kane
If you expected to see any other name leading the Spurs attack you’re absolutely insane. If Kane can walk upright on Wednesday, he’ll get the nod as the club’s starting number 9.
I’m interested to see if the occasion of Champions League football can kickstart his season. He’s been below-par during the club’s opening four Premier League matches. It’s possible that playing on such a grand stage can help him shake off the negative clouds of England’s Euro failures.
Such an occurrence would be perfection from Pochettino’s point of view. He knows that Kane has to start firing on all cylinders if his club are going to make a run at a Premier League title. The same is true if Tottenham are going to advance out of the Champions League group stage.
Harry Kane will lead the Tottenham line against Monaco, there can be no question about that. The only question is whether or not he can fire his Spurs to victory in their Champions League opener.
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