Eberechi Eze could complete a strong new-look Tottenham Hotspur starting XI
Sign up to our LondonWorld Today newsletter
Sign up
Thank you for signing up!
Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to LondonWorld, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
Submitting...
Tottenham Hotspur were hugely unlucky to taste defeat on penalties in their first competitive match under Thomas Frank, as European champions PSG ran out winners in the UEFA Super Cup final in Udine.
Spurs had led 2-0 until the final ten minutes, when quick-fire goals by two PSG substitutes took the showpiece final to a penalty shoot-out which was won by Luis Enrique’s side.
Amidst multiple attacking injuries, Spurs had started in an unfamiliar 5-3-2 formation in an attempt to nullify PSG’s threats, which almost worked perfectly. While this demonstrates Frank’s adaptability in comparison with predecessor Ange Postecoglou right from the jump, it begs the question of how the Lilywhites will line up in the Premier League under their new head coach.
They may still add to the side in attacking areas with the signing of Crystal Palace and England star Eberechi Eze, amidst reports that the Eagles are ‘braced’ for a bid from Spurs for their prized asset. With Eze in the side, we had a look at how Spurs could line up if the Palace man moves to N17.
How Tottenham’s defensive unit could line up under Thomas Frank
While it is possible that a back five is used in crunch matches in the Champions League, it is more likely that Frank plays with four at the back in the league so to get more attacking players on the pitch than we saw in the Super Cup final.
Guglielmo Vicario will continue in goal with reliable central defensive partnership Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in front of him. When the pair remain fit they are one of the best defensive duos in the Premier League, but after recent seasons, that remains a big if. Both central defenders netted from set pieces against PSG, demonstrating their threat in both boxes.
In the full-back area, Pedro Porro looks set to start on the right and bomb on to create goals at the other end. Djed Spence will likely begin the season at left-back after an impressive campaign last term, while Destiny Udogie will offer him competition and hope to regain his place in the side once he is fully fit after returning from injury.
How Spurs could look in midfield and attack with Eze
Spurs have signed Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich this summer and the former Fulham man started in midfield against PSG. He could be partnered by Pape Matar Sarr, though Rodrigo Bentancur will offer competition for the pair and there is likely to be rotation.
It is in the attacking positions where an already exciting array of talent could yet reach a new level. Should Eze arrive from Palace, he would slot perfectly into James Maddison’s No.10 spot and may even make it difficult for the playmaker to return to the starting XI when he returns from his ACL injury next year.
With Dejan Kulusevski also out injured, Mohammed Kudus and Brennan Johnson could take up the wide positions either side of Eze. Even this remains up in the air, though, as Spurs have been linked with a left winger and Europa League final match-winner Johnson remained on the bench for the entire 90 minutes against PSG. Up top looks like a more straightforward decision, as Dominic Solanke was fit enough to come off the bench on Wednesday and should return to the side in the place of Richarlison to complete a formidable line-up.