Head coach Andre Villas-Boas confirmed that Jan Vertonghen and Paulinho had both been left at home as the club headed for Moscow for tonight’s Europa League clash.
“We made that decision because both players were involved in the game two days after we played Cardiff,” Andre explained.
“Kyle Walker has travelled, but we rested him for the game against Tromso. The logic is to rest these three players between these fixtures.
“Our strength in depth allows us to do that, so Jan hasn’t travelled, neither has Paulinho.”
Sandro should come in as a straight swap for Paulinho while Vlad Chiriches is available to cover for Jan in the centre. There was no update on Younes Kaboul so Michael Dawson could keep his place.
There should be plenty of changes throughout the team but the strength in depth that AVB refers too will allow him to start with a strong line up.
Here’s our team but what’s your view?
Team looks good, but Naughton at RB, as Walker does need a proper rest. Lamela and Chadli to swap sides and we’ve got a very strong team there. COYS
Agree with Goodspurs,. Naughton & Fryers as FB’S, Chadli & Lamela on the toher wings and were laughing. COYS.
Unless Fryers is given a start in a game where he’ll be out of his depth, it has to be Naughton who plays left back today.
Holtby feeding a lively Defoe will be key to us winning this game from early on, love the understanding Holtby has of Defoe’s movement.
Other than left back, I have no doubts that whatever team we send out should be looking at 3 points.
lloris
naughton dawson chiriches fryers
townsend sandro dembele lamela
defoe soldado
442 for this game we will smash em
this sunday vs the spammers we could then go
lloris
walker dawson vertongen rose
paulinho dembele
townsend holtby sigarrdson
soldado
onwards and upwards
coys
Like the idea off 442. Don’t think he’ll play both forwards. Once JD does the damage first hour, Soldado should be given a run out. Hopefully he’ll bag some goals and get going in the prem.
I’d be tempted to rest Walker as mentioned by yidfoorever1
I’d also like to see Kaboul get some more game time under his belt, other than that I agree with Matthew Harris, the author of the article.
So I’d go for a defence of:
Naughton, Kaboul, Chiriches and Fryers.
Hopefully the game will be put to bed by half time so we can rest some and give others a run out. What a great team we have, so much more optimistic this year.
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Matt, you said there is no update on Kaboul. Do you know if he has traveled with the squad?