The visit of Barcelona in the Champions League would be daunting enough on a normal day, but Mauricio Pochettino is missing four key players for the visit of Lionel Messi and co on Wednesday night.
With Dele Alli ruled out at the weekend, Pochettino confirmed that Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen, Moussa Dembele and Serge Aurier would be joining the England man on the sidelines for their Champions League clash at Wembley. Aurier aside, the other three players would be certain starters for the Spurs manager alongside Alli, so what kind of team can we expect the Argentine to field on Wednesday?
Christian Eriksen is the creative lynch-pin for Spurs and Pochettino doesn't have a like for like replacement at his disposal. Erik Lamela would be the closest fit and the Argentine was rested in Spurs' 2-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday with tonight's game in mind. Lamela has had a stop-start career so far at Tottenham and many doubters within the home support. His work rate cannot be doubted however and he's shown glimpses of why the club splashed out £25m when prizing him away from Roma in 2013. Lamela has two goals and an assist from his three substitute appearances in the Premier League season and although he doesn't have the set-piece prowess of Eriksen he has the ability to step into that role on Wednesday night.
Moussa Dembele will be a big loss to Spurs. The Belgian has the best pass success rating for the club this season and helps Eric Dier screen the defence. It's likely that Pochettino will be pragmatic in bringing in Victor Wanyama as a straight replacement in centre midfield, but the Kenyan has only made two substitute appearances in the Premier League this season and although he started in Spurs' Carabao Cup win over Watford last week and came on at half-time in the win over Huddersfield (replacing the injured Dembele), he's going to have his work cut out chasing Messi and co.
Harry Winks is another option and although he's unlikely to replace Dembele, his passing attributes are still likely to be utilised in a three man central midfield. Without Eriksen and Alli at Huddersfield, Spurs' gave up much more possession than you'd usually see from a Pochettino team and with the ball being such a valuable commodity against a team like Barcelona, then Winks for a Son or Moura looks like the sensible play opposed to bringing in Moussa Sissoko.
Davinson Sanchez will deputise for Vertonghen, it's a downgrade on experience and wiliness, but the Colombian has plenty of pace.
It's sure to be a tricky evening for Pochettino's side who are yet to really hit form so far this season, despite sitting fourth in the Premier League. Barca aren't in form either without a win in three domestically but they are five from five at Wembley Stadium and top of this Champions League group thanks to an opening day win over PSV.
Expected Spurs Lineup:
GK Lloris, RB Trippier, CB Sanchez, CB Alderweireld, LB Rose, CM Dier, CM Winks, CM Wanyama, AM Moura, AM Lamela, F Kane | Subs: Gazzaniga, Son, Davies, Sissoko, Llorente, Walker-Peters, Foyth
