Opinion: Who deserves to start the Carabao Cup Final?

Sunday marks the most important singular game of the season. Now that Champions League football is out of Spurs’ hands, Ryan Mason can throw everything at attempting to win Tottenham’s first silverware since 2008.

This may not be the team that Mason actually puts out against such an effective outfit, but if places on the team sheet were earned on merit, who would make the starting eleven?

Hugo Lloris

This is a pretty easy one. The captain isn’t under any threat from Joe Hart and comes off the back of a game against Southampton, which included a miraculous double save. Lloris clearly starts in goal.

Sergio Reguilon

The Spanish left back’s form has dropped off of late, with a few mistakes creeping into his game. But he’s always a threat going forward and is clearly the best left-back at the club.

Toby Alderweireld 

The Belgian has been in and out of the team this season and looked out of favour under the last few games of Mourinho’s reign. However, his experience in big games for club and country means that he should start.

Eric Dier

If it wasn’t for Joe Rodon not being allowed to play this weekend, Dier wouldn’t be in this deserved team. It was a toss-up between Dier and Davinson Sanchez, and the Englishman only pips the Columbian because I think he is slightly less mistake-prone.

Japhet Tanganga 

I think Tanganga has been treated extremely harshly this season. I don’t think he’s made too many mistakes when he’s played, and I trust the 22-year-old more than Serge Aurier. Tanganga has often played in big games for Spurs, and against Man City, the defence needs to be watertight.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 

Not much to say here. Hojbjerg has been the only effective defensive midfielder this season and is one of the first names on the team sheet, week in, week out.

Tanguy Ndombele 

Ndombele is marmite amongst Spurs fans at the moment. Some think he shows unparalleled quality, whilst others believe that he still doesn’t justify his price tag. But I think his ability to pick a pass and glide past defenders puts him ahead of Giovani Lo Celso in the pecking order.

Lucas Moura 

Despite being out of the team a lot this season, the Brazilian has shown a brilliant attitude. He always wants the ball and is braver than the majority of his teammates when he has it. I’m not sure that he’ll play, but he deserves to.

Gareth Bale

I don’t know why Bale was ever dropped from the team, after being dragged off against Arsenal. Even if he has a quiet game, the quality which Bale possesses is there for all to see and is perhaps our second-likeliest goal threat behind Kane.

Heung Min-Son

This was a tough one. Son’s performances have been pretty shocking for a few weeks now. However, his desire to play in big games was made clear in his post-match interview, and he will be desperate to turn up against a team that he has enjoyed playing against in the past.

Harry Kane 

No comment required. If he’s able to jog, he starts.

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