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Tottenham’s projected starting XI v Dortmund: New signing will take centre stage

By Rucker Haringey

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on September 9, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 09: Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on September 9, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur and Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea clash during The Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on April 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images,)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham Hotspur and Michy Batshuayi of Chelsea clash during The Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on April 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images,) /

Right Centre Back-Toby Alderweireld

Let’s start off by making it clear what formation I expect Pochettino to utilize. Expect Spurs to again lineup in a 3-4-3 formation or something similar. That means Tottenham will start three centre backs.

Alderweireld is an absolute lock to start this match. No matter where he’s deployed, he is the most important defender the club have. The Belgian is a terrific defender who also is one of the best ball playing centre backs in Europe. Look for his full range of skills to be on display against Dortmund.

Left Centre Back-Jan Vertonghen

The other half of Tottenham’s defensive Belgian duo doesn’t get nearly enough credit for his improvement under Pochettino. He’s transformed his game into becoming one of the top centre backs in the Premier League. Vertonghen doesn’t get the same notoriety that many of his peers enjoy, but it’s time for that to change.

Centre Back-Davinson Sanchez

Some Spurs fans were a little surprised to see Sanchez thrown right into the fire against Everton this weekend. The talented Colombian acquitted himself very well against the Toffees.

He’ll ride that momentum into an even more challenging affair against Dortmund. His pace will be crucial if Spurs have any hope of keeping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and company at bay. He isn’t the club’s most polished defender, but his pace allows him to erase mistakes from his defensive teammates.

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