Tottenham Hotspur are limping at the November international break after an embarrassing 1-0 loss to Leeds United at Elland Road, which served as a slice of humble pie to Roberto De Zerbi's men following three straight victories that made it seem like Spurs had gottent past their ills to start the season.
But Spurs are still struggling to put away chances or even create enough clear cut opportunities. Coming out of the November international break, as more players get healthy, here is a look at the best possible starting 11.
Destiny Udogie's constant injuries leave his career at Tottenham Hotspur at a crossroads, but, for now, he is the best left back Spurs have when healthy. And if Spurs can get both him and Pedro Porro at 100 percent for a few games, they should have the best fullback duo in the English Premiership. And they already have one of the elite center back partnerships with how well Jan Paul van Hecke has acclimated himself to Spurs under Roberto De Zerbi - and how much more he has helped Micky van de Ven advance his game as a shutdown center back.
James Maddison's fitness continues to be a sizeable question mark hanging over the heads of the Tottenham squad, but it is impossible to deny how much better Spurs are at winning football games when he is in, especially looking at how decisive Spurs were against Coventry City. Luca Williams-Barnett is his best backup, but when Maddison available, he has the keys to the kingdom as the 10, allowing Mateus Fernandes to dominate in his best position as part of a double pivot with Sandro Tonali.
Mohammed Kudus will feel hard done by, but Savio has been a more dynamic player and has more of a chance at being decisive than Kudus, though both are more creative than they are scorers. Dominic Solanke might be more of a focal point on paper than Omar Marmoush, but the latter is so much better as a footballer that continuing to start Dom at striker would be akin to managerial malpractice, even as Marmoush has been no great player himself. Mathys Tel's hold on left wing will be tenuous, but if he is OK after his injury scare, only Williams-Barnett can truly chomp at the bit.