Antonio Conte has admitted that he has some big selection decisions to make ahead of Tottenham’s trip up north to face Manchester City on Saturday.
The Italian made just one change for the clash against Marseille from the side who beat Fulham over the weekend, with Ivan Perisic coming into the starting eleven in place of Ryan Sessegnon at left wing-back.
The 53-year-old kept faith with the front three of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Richarlison, with the Brazilian enjoying a fairytale Champions League debut, netting both of Tottenham’s goals in the 2-0 win.
Dejan Kulusevski, who has also made an impressive start to the season, came on in place of Emerson Royal in the 61st minute and proved a major threat as a right wing-back for the final 30 minutes of Wednesday’s encounter.
Unless Conte chooses to play the Swede as a wing-back at the Etihad, he faced a difficult decision on who to start up front against Pep Guardiola’s men.
The Spurs head coach admitted that he will have to rotate his squad as his players will have little rest before their next two matches away at City and Sporting Lisbon.
When asked if he has a big decision to make on who starts up front against the reigning Premier League champions, Conte told Football.London: “I have for sure a big decision, not only this.
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“Because honestly, I’m a bit worried because we are going to play against City in two days and it’s not easy, because I think some players need to rest and to recover. We have many players that played every game until now.
“But on one hand you know we have to make rotations to give these players a possibility to rest, and we have to try to find a good balance to make rotations because we are playing City and then Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.
“It’s not easy when you play matches every few days because especially in the Champions League. Because in the Europa League, Europa Conference League group stage you can make more rotations and then you can afford also to lose some games because you know that in the end, you’re going to recover. The Champions League is always a massive game.
“Now we have to manage the game very well for the game against Manchester City. I have to trust in my players and to make rotations. Because it would be impossible to play with the same players on Saturday and then Tuesday. Impossible, but yeah not easy, for sure.”
Spurs Web Opinion
If the selection were purely based on performances so far this season, Richarlison and Kulusevski deserve to start either side of Kane against City.
However, given the high line that Guardiola’s men play, Son’s ability to run in behind will be a huge asset for Spurs on Saturday. So, I see Conte sticking with the same front three that player against Marseille.
The only potential changes I see the Italian making is Davies and Sessegnon starting over Lenglet and Perisic respectively, in order to add a bit more defensive solidity.
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