Ange Postecoglou has a really limited number of players to work with at the moment, as Tottenham are planning a big start to the New Year. Spurs, who ended 2023 with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, return to action on Friday night with an FA Cup third round match against Burnley.
Nine days later, they host Manchester United, with a possible FA Cup fourth round match on the schedule in the days before they face Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday 31 January. Tottenham’s schedule may not be as busy as in December, but the absence of players will make this a very challenging period.
Spurs have already been without first-team stars Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and James Maddison through injury and now Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr and Son Heung-min will miss the next month due to international commitments. Bissouma and Sarr represent Mali and Senegal respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Son is at the Asian Cup for South Korea.
With both tournaments finishing on the second weekend in February, there is a real possibility that Tottenham will miss key players for six matches if they manage to qualify for the finals. It is not an ideal scenario for Postecoglou, but Tottenham must try to get through it as best they can.
The return of the injured Romero, Van de Ven and Maddison in the near future will surely strengthen them in the coming weeks, as will the possible arrivals of January signings as the transfer window is already open for business. But what is Tottenham Postecoglou’s strongest squad at the moment, with Son, Sarr and Bissouma gone to play international football? Football.london takes a look below.
Guglielmo Vicario:
The Italian has been a revelation since his summer transfer from Empoli. Tottenham have indeed found a long-term successor to Hugo Lloris.
Pedro Porro
Pedro Porro has been a big success in Angelo Postecoglou’s Tottenham team. Although he may not play as a wing-back now, the Spaniard still has plenty of opportunities to break forward thanks to Spurs’ attacking philosophy.
Emerson Royal
With Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven sidelined, Emerson Royal has been partnered by Ben Davies in the centre of defence. He is likely to play this role until one of the duo or a potential new player becomes available.
Ben Davies
Ben Davies has been excelling at left centre-back for Tottenham since Micky van de Ven was injured against Chelsea. He may wear the captain’s armband for the next few games as Son Heung-min, Cristian Romero and James Maddison will be unavailable.
Destiny Udogie
Destiny Udogie immediately established himself in the Premier League after making his Tottenham debut in the summer after returning from a loan spell at Udinese. Automatically selected as left-sided defender.
Rodrigo Bentancur
Rodrigo Bentancur gave everyone connected with Tottenham a big boost last weekend, recovering quickly from injury to start the game against Bournemouth. The Uruguayan now needs time on the pitch in the coming weeks to get back to real competitive sharpness.
Oliver Skipp
Oliver Skipp could benefit from Papa Matar Sarr’s departure to AFCON and get more game time. He has played a lot as an eighth man this season, so if Rodrigo Bentancur continues to play as a sixth man, the same could happen to him.
Giovani Lo Celso
Giovani Lo Celso has really established himself as Tottenham’s No.8 in the last two months. With James Maddison still on the sidelines, the Argentine will be a key figure as he tries to link things up between the middle of the park and the attack.
Dejan Kulusevski
Dejan Kulusevski has played well in a central role during James Maddison’s absence, but with Son Heung-Min’s departure for the Asian Cup, he could return to the right wing. Regardless of where he plays for the Lilywhites, Kulusevski will make an impact for Postecoglou.
Richarlison
Tottenham are starting to get the best of Richarlison, who has scored five goals in his last five games when playing as a central striker. That position is very much his now that Son Heung-min is on duty in South Korea.
Brennan Johnson
With the possible return of Dejan Kulushevski to the right wing, Brennan Johnson could be shifted to the left wing. The summer signing, who has contributed some key assists in recent weeks, should have a big moment in a Tottenham jersey and hopefully it will happen soon.