Opinion: Tottenham’s best eleven after Mourinho’s lively transfer window

The first game that Tottenham have played since Friday, the January deadline day, was a rip-roaring success for the Lilywhites. Jose Mourinho’s side overcame Manchester City 2-0 and played extremely well throughout, with new boy Steven Bergwijn really shining in the win.

However, the win over Pep Guardiola’s side is just one result and with a lot of the season left, it’s important that Jose Mourinho’s side keeps on winning, and we’re giving our opinion on what the strongest eleven that the Portuguese tactician will have at his disposal is this season, seeing as Harry Kane won’t be fit for the rest of the season.

Starting at the back, it’s fairly clear that Hugo Lloris is the best goalkeeper at the club. The Frenchman was sublime against Manchester City, keeping a clean sheet and saving Ilkay Gundogan’s penalty, but this won’t come as much of a surprise, although the backline might.

At right-back, it’s clear that Serge Aurier is the best option given the fact that no one else is a standout option, and at centre-back, we’re going for Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez. Jan Vertonghen is clearly showing signs of ageing and has played the fewest minutes of the three, hence his exile from our side.

Left-back is an interesting role. Japhet Tanganga has stepped up and been sublime since his debut against Liverpool, but he is still just 20-years-old, and when everyone is fit, Ben Davies is the man for the job as he excels as a defensive left-back, tucking in and forming a back three when the Lilywhites go forward.

The midfield is where things get interesting. The formation we’re going with is a classic 4-2-3-1, and in the two-man midfield pivot, we’re opting for a big-money signing being partnered by an academy man, in the form of Tanguy Ndombele and Harry Winks. The pair have both got a good blend of passing excellence and a physical side to their game to win the ball back.

It may be harsh of Moussa Sissoko, but the Frenchman is ageing and has a lack of technical prowess that is possessed by both Winks and Ndombele, and for those who are screaming Giovani Lo Celso, just hang on, we’ll come to that very soon.

With Kane out for the season, Heung-Min Son is not going to be on the left of the three attacking midfield options, and that conveniently opens up a spot for one Steven Bergwijn to play that role. The Dutchman is a serious talent, and we only need to direct you to the highlights from Sunday’s win over City to prove it.

His pace and ability to beat a man make him a real standout, and his first-touch on the chest followed by the volleyed finish was nothing short of wonderful, although he’s not the only one in this side capable of that type of goal, and the man in the middle of the three, Dele Alli, certainly has that in his locker.

The young Englishman is one of the nailed on players in this team, and Mourinho clearly loves Dele, especially seeing how much he’s got out of the former MK Dons man so far since he took the job in north London, with goals and assists both flowing freely.

On the right of Dele Alli, we’ve finally got to him, it’s Lo Celso. The Argentine could easily have slotted into the midfield two, but we’d rather have Winks in this side pulling strings than we would have one of either Lucas Moura or Erik Lamela on the right and the added control that Lo Celso will give Mourinho’s teams brings more to the table than a flair winger.

Then, as we’ve already mentioned his name, the man upfront is Son. When he gets the free role to do what he wants as a striker or a false nine he can do it all, especially when you consider who he has making chances and operating the midfield roles behind him, and the South Korean’s seven goals have him level with Dele for Premier League goals this season behind Kane.

(4-2-3-1)

Hugo Lloris, Serge Aurier, Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez, Ben Davies; Harry Winks, Tanguy Ndombele; Steven Bergwijn, Dele Alli, Giovani Lo Celso; Heung-Min Son.

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