It’s a sure sign that the Tottenham squad is in rude health when you see that twelve players will head to the World Cup in Russia.
In fact, Spurs are the second most represented club in the Premier League, with only Manchester City having more with 17. Arsenal, you might be interested to know, will only send eight players to Russia.
Obviously, plenty of Spurs fans will be hoping that Daniel Levy gets his chequebook out and increases that number by the time the tournament has ended. However, there is a very real chance that some of the current players Spurs could do very well at the World Cup and can hopefully bring back that good form for next season.
So, who will be reporting late for pre-season training, after a successful World Cup and who will be back after the group stage? Here is a guide – with some predictions – to Tottenham’s players at the 2018 World Cup.
England – Kieran Trippier, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Harry Kane
It’s clear that England’s chances of success in Russia will be intrinsically linked to the performance of the Spurs quintet. Kane and Alli’s form, in particular, can go a long way to deciding England’s fortunes.
Much has been made of England’s 18/1 (Unibet) odds, which firmly put them in ‘dark horse’ territory. They will qualify from Group G and have a chance of getting past any of Colombia, Poland, Japan or Senegal in the last-16. After that, each side of the draw (going by form) throws up Brazil or Germany in the quarters. Game over.
Prediction: England make the quarter-finals
Belgium – Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele
This is arguably Belgium’s best ever chance of winning a World Cup. The Spurs trio form part of a golden generation, which also includes Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens.
All those players are at their peak as footballers and many of them have come through the ranks together, but with Roberto Martinez as manager, they will leak goals. In order to get ready to bet on World Cup 2018 you need to examine all the angles and Martinez will likely prove to be Belgium’s Achilles heel.
Prediction: Belgium reach the quarter-finals
France – Hugo Lloris
Loris captains what is arguably the best French squad since they won the World Cup in 1998. However, they still do not have a cohesive identity in their play. In fact, they somewhat resemble the current Manchester United side, in that the team sheet looks a lot better than the reality on the pitch. They are among the favourites for the World Cup (6/1 Ladbrokes), but France will probably just fall short of what’s required to win the tournament.
Prediction: France exit at the semi-final stage
Denmark – Christian Eriksen
Possibly the worst thing that could happen Spurs in the World Cup is that Eriksen shows the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona just how brilliant he is. He could certainly lead a Denmark team of which he is the star, to the quarters, but even getting out of the group would be a good result for the Danes.
Prediction: Denmark go out in the last-16
Colombia – Davinson Sanchez
Colombia have been given a favourable draw in Group H, landing Poland, Senegal and Japan. It is perhaps the most open group in the World Cup, but Colombia are the favourites to win it. A place in the last-16 should see Colombia face either Belgium or England in the knockout stages, where either way Sanchez will meet a number of his Tottenham teammates.
Prediction: Colombia lose in the last-16
South Korea – Heung-Min Son
South Korea have landed some difficult opponents in Group F. They will play the holders Germany, Mexico and Sweden. Unfortunately for Sonny, it looks like an upward struggle for his Korean side.
Prediction: South Korea to finish bottom of Group F
