As expected, Mauricio Pochettino has drastically rotated his Tottenham side after the dramatic victory at Manchester City last weekend.
While the Europa League is still a priority competition, Spurs can afford to rest key players due to the depth of the squad.
Michel Vorm replaces the injured Hugo Lloris in goal as Pochettno makes five outfield changes, the most notable of which is Ryan Mason’s selection as captain. Nabil Bentaleb fails to make the eighteen.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to all the team news.
#THFC Team: Vorm; Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Carroll, Mason (C); Eriksen, Alli, Son; Chadli. #COYShttps://t.co/2sK0PxCcn0
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 18, 2016
Interesting team selection. Instantly says 'creative but lightweight' to me. Expecting to face a parked bus?
— TalkTottenhamTactics (@TTTactics) February 18, 2016
#thfc Lamela & Bentaleb notable by their absences from the 18. Suspect the former has a knock. As for the latter…
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) February 18, 2016
This team has made my day! So proud to see Ryan as captain ?❤️⚽️ https://t.co/I6zoUYUUVN
— spurs4life (@LouJayne1882) February 18, 2016
FALSE NINE CHADLI THIS IS YOUR TIME
— Jay Jaffa (@jayjaffa) February 18, 2016
Strong team that. Spurs look like (bar strikers) they have plenty of depth.
— Paul O Keefe (@pokeefe1) February 18, 2016
Good balance in that team with some key players getting a deserved rest. Difficult coming to terms that Bentaleb is probably off though ?
— The Spurs Brain (@TheSpursBrain) February 18, 2016
BIG night for Michel Vorm, he needs to be in top form #EuropaLeague #COYS
— Harry Charalambous (@PrimeSpur1992) February 18, 2016
Starting lineup doesn't look too shabby. Guessing Nabil might get a look in vs Palace?
— el wehbi (@ibleedhotspur) February 18, 2016
Strong side from Sousa, interesting to see how the attack works with no out-&-out striker #FiorentinaTottenham https://t.co/E03J0h11Jm
— Adam Digby (@Adz77) February 18, 2016
Would love Harry to stay on the bench tonight – means the tie is well in hand – the boy needs protecting from himself, a 100% player #coys
— Ledley is my Hero (@spursNutN17) February 18, 2016
I'm a fan of Mason. Good to have him back fit. #coys.
— michael (@officialMKcoys) February 18, 2016
Strong line up but not full first choice tonight. Perfect from Poch. Interesting choice to see Mason as captain #COYS
— Emma Storey (@JournoSpursEmma) February 18, 2016
Now the chance for Chadli to prove that he can stand in for Kane. #COYS
— Allspurs (@all_spurs) February 18, 2016
Good team selection from Poch. Resting a few players with a team worthy of challenging, and a very strong bench. #COYS
— Darren Boyd (@DBTheFire) February 18, 2016
I hate to say it, but could Bentaleb's Tottenham career be over? #THFC #COYS
— Echo Of Glory (@THFCechoofglory) February 18, 2016
Would like to know what happened to Lamela, injury? COYS!