Mauricio Pochettino has a huge selection dilemma ahead of Tottenham’s match with Chelsea tomorrow, as he decides who will fill the left-back role.
With Danny Rose suspended and Ben Davies injured, Pochettino must shuffle his pack. Under normal circumstances it would be a straightforward choice to move Jan Vertonghen to the position, but with Toby Alderweireld also unavailable, his experience may be needed in the centre of defence.
Eric Dier and Kevin Wimmer struggled when paired together in Monaco in midweek. Although Vertonghen is clearly the best left-back available to Pochettino, he’s also the best central defender.
Kevin Wimmer has played as a left-back for Austria and is an option to be moved wide. It seems unlikely that he would offer much of an attacking threat, but if Heung-Min Son played as an orthodox winger in front of him, that might not be an issue.
Another possibility mentioned by Pochettino is his pre-match press conference was for Kieran Trippier to switch flanks. This is perhaps the riskiest option of all, with the former Burnley full-back having often struggled defensively at right-back in his Champions League appearances this season.
There is of course the chance that Poch will play Dier, Vertonghen and Wimmer in a back three, giving a midfielder the responsibility of playing at left wing-back. Again, this would seem like a huge risk. Son or Kevin-Georges Nkoudou are the only natural options for this position amongst Tottenham’s wide midfielders and neither would seem to be defensively-minded enough to trust in the role at such short notice.
We’d probably go for Wimmer in the position, safe in the knowledge that Vertonghen could be shifted across should the Austrian struggle. What’s your solution to Pochettino’s dilemma?
Against Chelsea Poch should adopt the same system as he successfully played away to The Arse.
3- 4 -2- 1
Dier. Clyde/walker. Wimmer.
Walker. Wanyama. Dembele. Vertongen.
Son . Erickson.
Kane.
Who is Clyde/Walker???
He meant walker
Sissoko could be a judicious option
Play 4-2-3-1 (Dembele behind Alli Wanyama in front of Dier and Walker)
Lloris
Vertonghen Wimmer Dier Walker
Wanyama
Dembele
Eriksen Alli Son
Kane
Subs:
Vorm Carter-Vickers Trippier Winks Nkoudou Sissoko Janssen
COYS!!!!!!
When I put dembele straight in front of Wanyama, I meant to put Wanyama in front of Dier and Waler. My mistake.
Vertonghen is our only left back choice