3 Tottenham players who absolutely need to be in the starting 11 at Leeds United
Can it be autumn forever? Sure, the changing leaves are pretty and the pubs are cozy, but what I really mean is this: Tottenham haven’t lost a game since September 19, when it was still summer. Despite sitting atop the Premier League, Arsenal have lost more recently. Fleetwood and Tottenham supporters will forever be allies.
Still, Tottenham have plenty to improve upon, including settling on an optimum starting 11. Every game there seems to be some experiment. Mateus Fernandes in the 10. Actually, how about Conor Gallagher? James Maddison is healthy, let’s throw him in there. And Archie Gray seems to play everywhere except for striker. And now that you mention it…
Injuries are obviously a big part of manager Roberto De Zerbi’s team selections, and in the last six weeks he’s done a fine job figuring out how to put the available pieces together. As for this weekend, Tottenham have one job, to defeat Leeds United. They’ll keep the good times rolling by factoring in the following three players.
Will the real Pedro Porro please stand up?
There’s a reason why Pedro Porro is rumored for a transfer to Real Madrid or Barcelona. The World Cup winner is arguably Tottenham’s best player and certainly one of the best fullbacks in the world. But Porro has played 269 minutes in five Premier League games this season, good for just 54 minutes per appearance. He’s started in only three of those games. With such few minutes, he has had little impact on Spurs’ recent success.
That said, there is no world in which Tottenham are better with Porro out of the lineup. If fit enough, he absolutely needs to be the starting right back on Saturday, and if the transfer rumors are true, then Spurs need to wring every bit of value out of him while he’s still in North London.
Dejan Kulusevski is ready for more minutes
It’s a heartwarming story, Dejan Kulusevski returning from a knee injury after almost two years, but this is professional football. As the immortal Herm Edwards once said, you play to win the game. The winger can help Tottenham do that. Should Kulusevski play 90 minutes? Almost certainly not. He has logged just 20 minutes this season, but one of Tottenham’s best, most creative players isn’t going to get match fit by jogging in a pinnie on the touchline. Let the man start and make the halftime substitution if needed.
Luca Williams-Barnett needs more than a cameo
Future Ballon d’Or winner Luca Williams-Barnett—sorry. Let me try that again.
The next Lionel Messi Luca Williams-Barnett—I beg your pardon. One more time.
Backup attacking midfielder Luca Williams-Barnett—no! That doesn’t feel right, not after creating what should have been the assist of the season in his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace.
Free LWB! Let the kid play, especially if James Maddison isn’t fit to start. Williams-Barnett is Tottenham’s future. Let’s start that future now.
