Mousa Dembele returns for Tottenham’s Champions League opener against Monaco at Wembley, but he’s only on the bench.
The Belgian missed Spurs’ opening four Premier League games of the season through suspension, so this will be his first appearance of the new campaign.
Victor Wanyama has started each and every game in Dembele’s absence. Tonight, however, both midfielders are on the bench, with Dele Alli preferred in central midfield alongside Eric Dier.
Heung-Min Son keeps his place after his exploits at Stoke last weekend. Erik Lamela comes in while the rest of the team is unchanged.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Dembele’s return and the rest of the team news.
#THFC team: Lloris (C); Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Alli; Lamela, Eriksen, Son; Kane. #COYS pic.twitter.com/dfReBp4e2o
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 14, 2016
Subs: Vorm, Trippier, Carter-Vickers, Wanyama, Dembele, Sissoko, Janssen. #COYS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 14, 2016
I prefer Alli at 10 not CM. Dembele surely should be starting #SpursAtWembley
— Harry C (@HazSpur92) September 14, 2016
More than happy with that team. Alli's done well at CM this season when needed, Son deserves to keep his place. #COYS
— Nikhil Saglani (@Nikhil_Saglani) September 14, 2016
Amazed Dembele isn't staring. But that's okay. Atmosphere here is going to be next level amazing.
— San Diego Spurs (@SDSpurs) September 14, 2016
Bench looking super strong again. Surprised by Son but sends message that good performances are rewarded. https://t.co/qC5nSUVYTi
— The Spurs Report (@spurs_report) September 14, 2016
#thfc Playing Alli alongside Dier is the next best thing to starting with Dembele. Just glad it's not Dier-Wanyama again. Lacks creativity.
— Ben Pearce (@BenPearceSpurs) September 14, 2016
People thought Poch would chuck Dembele straight back into the starting XI?! ?#COYS
— Jon. (@jonhotspur88) September 14, 2016
Wanyama to make way for Son. Going for a different formation with plenty of width. #COYS
— Rich (@Richspur) September 14, 2016
Surprised not to see Wanyama starting but it's hard to drop someone who's just scored two goals. #COYS #SpursAtWembley
— Rachel Martin (@RachelVMartin) September 14, 2016
Pochettino holding no fear for the CL, judging by that line-up, fantastic to see such an attacking team. #COYS#SpursAtWembley#THFC #UCL
— Ricky Sacks (@RickSpur) September 14, 2016