Tottenham projected XI v Barnsley: Which starlets will get their chance?

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LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 08: Georges-Kevin Nkoudou of Tottenham Hotspur in action during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at White Hart Lane on January 8, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Tottenham will start a mix of youth and fringe players

Mauricio Pochettino is committed to bringing a trophy to Tottenham this season, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to risk a ton of starters against Barnsley on Tuesday. Expect the Argentine gaffer to start an unconventional XI against the Championship club.

The decision to throw a number of fringe players into the lineup shouldn’t be viewed as lack of ambition from the manager though. It’s simply too early in the competition to risk playing a full senior squad. Imagine the criticism Pochettino would endure if someone like Harry Kane got injured in an early League Cup matchup against a Championship opponent.

Later in the competition things might be different. As the opportunity to win silverware grows closer, the potential reward justifies more risk. That isn’t the case in September.

As a result, expect Pochettino to start a healthy amount of youth and fringe players against the Tykes. It will be a big opportunity for several intriguing names to make a big impression on their manager. Read on to discover which starlets are in line to receive their chance to force their way into more playing time.

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