Jose Mourinho has named a host of alternative options that could appear at right-back this season – with Serge Aurier the club’s only recognised senior right-back in the squad.
Aurier isn’t injured and is expected to start against Sheffield United on Thursday. However, including tomorrow’s game at Bramall Lane, Spurs play their final seven Premier League matches across a 25-day period and Aurier is likely to need a rest at some point.
Aurier has already featured 35 times for Tottenham this season and has done a steady job in filling the void left by Kieran Trippier, who was sold last summer, and Kyle Walker-Peters, who is on loan at Southampton.
Japhet Tanganga has played there this season, as has Juan Foyth – who plays there for Argentina – but the young duo are both out injured, leaving Mourinho with just one right-back available for selection.
The Portuguese was asked who could play there in the coming weeks if Aurier doesn’t start every game.
“We don’t have Japhet and Foyth, which is a boy who played there with Argentina and under Mauricio a few times,” Mourinho admitted.
“The right-back position is not available, so I’d yes it’s where are a little bit more in trouble.
In training, we did sometimes [Oliver] Skipp, we did sometimes Gedson [Fernandes]. We know we can also do Toby [Alderweireld], because a few years ago he used to do that sometimes with Atletico Madrid, and Southampton, I think he did sometimes a couple of times.
“So in emergency situations here we go. Even Moussa Sissoko did it already too. So yes, it’s the position we don’t have a second body. ”
