The Tottenham XI Roberto De Zerbi must pick vs Charlton as Savio decision made

Submitted by daniel on
Picture

football.london reporters select their Tottenham starting XIs for the Carabao Cup clash against Charlton Athletic

Tottenham are looking to issue an immediate response to Sunday's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Brentford when they host Charlton Athletic in EFL Cup action on Wednesday evening.

Roberto De Zerbi will be keen to record his side's first victory of the season heading into Saturday evening's home fixture against Newcastle, though the Addicks are in red-hot form after starting their Championship campaign with two wins, including one at West Ham.

The Italian has already confirmed club captain Micky van de Ven will be back on the bench alongside World Cup-winning right-back Pedro Porro.

Spurs have been told Savio is available to feature following his £85million arrival from Manchester City while Mohammed Kudus isn't ready yet.

James Maddison is also expected to be absent after sustaining a shoulder problem against Brentford at the weekend. Here are chief Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold and Ryan Taylor's teams to face Charlton.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Alasdair Gold - Tottenham correspondent

There's a balance to be had in picking a team to ensure Spurs don't exit a cup competition at the first time of asking while also, with fixtures at a premium, ensuring players have their minutes topped up who did not play on Saturday. Although with the state of the performance at Brentford, change might be a good thing.

Martin Dubravka will likely have been told he will get at least cup minutes and it makes sense to keep him ticking over in case he's needed in the Premier League. There's a case for bringing in both Kevin Danso and Ben Davies as centre-backs, but I'm inclined to give Marcos Senesi another start as he's a little behind Jan Paul van Hecke in the summer game time. That way Van de Ven can come on for the Argentine as the game wears on and Davies can replace Destiny Udogie who might struggle to go the distance.

In midfield, Mateus Fernandes and Rodrigo Bentancur are a strong pairing that need sharpness. Savio is eligible and if fit I'd give him an hour to start getting into the swing of De Zerbi football, then I would give Mathys Tel and Mikey Moore a share of the time on the left.

Up front Dominic Solanke needs to start to get himself back in working order and a decision lies between Conor Gallagher and Lucas Bergvall in the number 10 role. Both came off at half-time on Saturday so should both be in a good position to start the game.

Gold's Tottenham XI vs Charlton: Dubravka; Gray, Danso, Senesi, Udogie; Bentancur, Fernandes; Savio, Gallagher, Tel; Solanke.

Ryan Taylor

Usually I would say the back-up goalkeeper, in this case Martin Dubravka, should be starting the first round of the League Cup.

But I actually think Antonin Kinsky could do with restoring some confidence ahead of facing Newcastle after shipping three goals at the Gtech.

Archie Gray should continue at right-back with Kevin Danso and Ben Davies at centre-back. Destiny Udogie needs minutes and fitness at left-back in order to seriously challenge Andy Robertson.

In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur and Mateus Fernandes should start in a double pivot and ahead of them, I'd hand Savio his debut so he can immediately get to work.

Then I'd give Lucas Bergvall the chance to flourish as the No.10 following his Brentford struggles. I'm still sceptical as to whether he's effective in a deeper role, he is more naturally a creative player, so this would be a good chance to assess him further forward.

Mathys Tel keeps his place on the left then I'd unleash Dominic Solanke through the middle as he needs to get firing as soon as possible.