Spurs pair set to do battle later this evening

One position where Tottenham are arguably better stocked than any other team in the league is at centre-half as they have four very able players in Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth, with Eric Dier and Ben Davies also capable of filling in.

While Vertonghen and Alderweireld have formed a formidable partnership over the last few years, Sanchez and Foyth have also come on leaps on bounds in the past couple of seasons. At 23 and 21 years of age respectively, both players also have a lot of room for development in the coming years.

While both Foyth and Sanchez missed out on a starting spot in the Champions League final, both players are likely to start when Argentina face Colombia in Group B of Copa America this evening.

Both players have talked about the honour of representing their country in the prestigious tournament, and the prospect of coming up against each other in opposition colours.

Speaking to the club’s official website Foyth said: “We also have Qatar and Paraguay in our group but, yes, Colombia is our first game – I’ve talked with Davinson about it.

“When the group was drawn, we had a chat, a few laughs about it, but not now because we are focussed and wanting to do our best for our teams.

“It would be amazing to play against him at the tournament if we are both selected. He is a very good friend. We talk every day, very frequently. We’re very close, he’s a very good guy, a very good player and I enjoy working with him but I don’t think I will mark him or be one-v-one against him!

“Maybe if I play against a striker it’s different but we are both defenders at different ends of the pitch. Obviously we know each other but it’s hard for two centre-backs to be involved in one-v-one situations against each other. We will just be trying to help our teams to win.”

Meanwhile, Sanchez said, “That’s the biggest dream in the life of the players, to be called up for your country. It was an honour for me and for my family to be called into the national team for the first time last year and I try to enjoy it every time.

“It’s something unbelievable to have the chance to go to the Copa America but I know it’s hard. We have a good group of players and it’s hard to be involved but I’m confident, I just have to work hard and try to do my best.”

Spurs Web Opinion

While both players have been prone to errors recently, they certainly have a lot of time to work on their weaknesses given their age. Representing their country in a high-pressure tournament like Copa America will certainly do their development no harm.

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