Tottenham Hotspur exceeded all expectations last season as they made a sustaining bid for the Premier League title but fell short as it was clearly destined for Leicester City to win it. Spurs had a strong English base and a core group of players who were marshalled perfectly by an excellent Mauricio Pochettino.
Cut to the present season, after a relatively slow start, it seems last season was not an aberration after all. Pochettino has really got his act together and as things stand, Spurs are the only unbeaten team in the league and are breathing down leaders Manchester City’s neck with a gap of just 1 point.
All the attention was on City as they won all and sundry across the competitions, winning 10 in a row. But the work done at Spurs came to the fore as they blanked City 2-0 at the White Hart Lane and in the process throwing the League wide open.
Spurs have made a couple of additions to increase the depth in their squad with the Champions League to deal with and the new signings have taken to the squad like fish to water. With most of the players performing at a high level presently, it will be a tough job for Pochettino to leave out some players when he has a fully fit squad at his disposal. But he has shown a pattern while choosing teams for the Premier League and Champions League.
T40’s IDEAL TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR ELEVEN (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Hugo Lloris is the undisputed No.1 and is currently the best keeper in the League statistically. Walker has been immense at right-back and will get into very much any team on current form. Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are looking like emerging into one of the best defensive duos in the present era. While Danny Rose has enjoyed a career revival.
MIDFIELD
Victor Wanyama has been a revelation since joining this summer and has been a defensive rock, hustling and harrying the opposition throughout the 90 minutes. Dembele, when fit, should be in starting eleven and will be an ideal partner for Wanyama. Dele Alli is an integral part of Spurs and England and is one of the first names on the teamsheet in the No.10 role.
ATTACK
Son Heung-min has been sensational in the last few matches and edges ahead of Eriksen on the left wing while Eric Lamela’s newfound consistency has been instrumental in pegging the opposition defence onto the backfoot. Harry Kane takes up the lone striker’s slot with Janssen still seen upon as purely a back-up.
