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Tottenham projected starting XI at Southampton: No Lloris for Spurs

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Michel Vorm of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Wembley Stadium on October 25, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Michel Vorm of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Wembley Stadium on October 25, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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SWANSEA, WALES – JANUARY 02: Renato Sanches of Swansea City (l) is challenged by Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur at Liberty Stadium on January 2, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES – JANUARY 02: Renato Sanches of Swansea City (l) is challenged by Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur at Liberty Stadium on January 2, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

Defensive midfielder-Victor Wanyama

I’m counting on the outstanding Kenyan to make his overdue return to the starting XI in the Premier League. He’s had plenty of time to fully recover from the injury that cost him most of his season.

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For all of Southampton’s struggles, their midfield will present an interesting challenge for Tottenham. The combination of Oriol Romeu and Mario Lemina offer quite an intriguing mix of pace and skill. Spurs will need Wanyama to be at his best to keep control of the middle of the pitch.

Defensive midfielder-Eric Dier

This was the hardest call of the starting XI for me. On one hand, Mousa Dembele would be a terrific choice against the Saints’ midfield. On the other hand, Pochettino seems determined to leave Dier in the starting XI.

In the end, Dier gets the nod because of his offensive versatility. He, more than any other Spurs midfielder likes to carry the ball into the final third. If Southampton set up defensively, Pochettino will need Dier to play more like an attacker than a defender.

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