With the summer transfer window on the distant horizon and plenty of rebuilding still needing to be done in North London, we wanted to take a look at the XI who could walk out for Tottenham’s first game of the 2021/22 season.
Hugo Lloris
This will likely be the Frenchman’s last season with the club with his contract expiring the summer of 2022. Levy will likely move to sell Lloris in January in order to not lose him on a free at which point Spurs will have to find a replacement.
Max Aarons
Max Aarons is someone who Spurs are said to monitoring in the Championship (Sunday Mirror 24/01/21 page 72), with young Oliver Skipp even playing alongside him. It seems certain that Mourinho will want to upgrade on Serge Aurier and Matt Doherty after recent performances.
Dayot Upamecano
After selling Davinson Sanchez in the summer of 2021, Spurs needed a top-quality centre back to replace him with and Dayot Upamecano turned out to be that man. With a release clause of £40 million, Upamecano was no cheap player but he will surely help to solidify that backline.
Joe Rodon
Replacing Alderweireld in the starting XI, Joe Rodon has proved to be a very intelligent signing. Strong and good in the air, Rodon is the perfect Mourinho player.
Sergio Reguilón
After turning down Real Madrid’s approach for him over the summer, Reguilón is still Spurs starting left-back. However, young Englishman Ryan Sessegnon is adding competition to the spot and both can only improve over the course of the season.
Pierre Emile Højbjerg
One of the, if not the best CDM in the league, Hojbjerg books his spot in the team. Not much competition here but the Dane seldom gets injured and has his spot in the squad locked down.
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Tanguy Ndombele
A great player, Ndombele continued to improve over the course of the 20-21 season. 21-22 will prove to be an important season for the young Frenchman but he seems up for the task.
Marcel Sabitzer
Another signing from RB Leipzig, Marcel Sabitzer comes into the attacking midfielder role. The German club was keen to sell as Sabitzer’s contract would have expired at the end of the 21-22 season.
Steven Bergwign
After the Dutch international had a strong end to the 20-21 season, there was no need to replace him. Although Stevie still has a lot to prove, the 23-year-old seems ready to push on and add more goal contributions to his game.
Harry Kane
Not much of a decision to make here. Kane opted to stay at the club as Spurs booked their place in the UCL for next season and won a cup trophy too.
Heung-Min Son
Another easy decision, Son is still one of, if not, the best winger in the Premier League. The South Korean signed another contract extension with the club which makes it unlikely he will leave anytime soon.
Bench:
Joe Hart
Still our backup GK, Mourinho likes the experience the Englishman brings to the table.
Eric Dier
After being replaced in the starting lineup by Rodon/Upamecano, Dier has had to make do with Cup games and the odd Premier League start. However, he is working to prove to Mourinho that he deserves a spot in the starting XI.
Japhet Tanganga
Another great talent at the club, Japhet is starting to make more and more appearances with the first team. Suffering fewer injuries, Tanganga seems to be the club’s long-term solution at right-back.
Ryan Sessegnon
After returning from loan at Hoffenheim, Sessegnon has provided amazing cover/competition to Reguilón and the pair are often swapped in and out of the starting squad.
Oliver Skipp
Another young talent returning from loan, Skipp has made quite an impression on the coaching staff and frequently comes off the bench to close out of games.
Giovani Lo Celso
Gio Lo Celso has proved to be an important rotation player for Spurs, coming on when they are chasing a game and starting here and there. Constantly working and improving, the Argentine has a bright future.
Gareth Bale
While not being an integral part of the squad, Bale has proved to be an effective super sub and Spurs renewed his loan for a second season.
Lucas Moura
Another “super-sub” Lucas makes frequent appearances but seldom plays more than 25 minutes.
Danny Ings
Another new signing, Spurs were able to sign the Englishman on the cheap as Southampton did not want to lose him on a free in 2022. Not in the first team week in week out, but Kane and Ings do start together against teams lower in the table. He also filters in for smaller competitions and when Kane is inevitably injured.
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