Fernando Llorente has earned a start for Tottenham at Manchester City

Fernando Llorente has endured a tough tenure at Tottenham, but his play against Huddersfield may earn him a start at Manchester City.

Harry Kane‘s injury means that Tottenham have to change their tactics to knock off Manchester City on Wednesday. Don’t be surprised if Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino turns to Fernando Llorente to help his side make it through the semifinals of this year’s Champions League.

Simply put, the Spanish striker played his best match in a Tottenham shirt on Saturday. Huddersfield didn’t present Llorente with stern competition, but he did everything Pochettino could ask of him. He tortured his opposition with his hold up play and he even managed to drop deep to create space for teammates at crucial times in the match.

Some might assume Llorente didn’t play a key role because he didn’t provide a goal for his side. That would be a mistake. He was hugely influential in almost every goal on the afternoon. Llorente’s ability to occupy multiple defenders for long stretches allowed Spurs to keep Huddersfield pinned in their own half for most of the match.

The striker’s energy levels made it look as if he were energized by the chance to step in for Kane. The appropriate question now is whether or not Pochettino will trust him during Tottenham’s biggest match of the season.

Prior to the Huddersfield match, most would have assumed Heung-Min Son would lead the line for Spurs against Pep Guardiola’s side. The Korean’s speed and trickery can flummox world-class defenders when he’s on his game. Starting Llorente doesn’t mean Son won’t play a massive role at City.

Instead, Llorente’s insertion into the starting XI can provide Son with more opportunities to engage City defenders one v one. That will be a big part of Pochettino’s game plan. He knows that his side can’t dominate possession against Guardiola’s troops. The Argentine gaffer will try to craft a game plan that maximizes his side’s ability to find a decisive goal in the away fixture.

Playing Llorente as a target man will give Tottenham a constant pressure valve to use in times of trouble. His size can be an issue for any of the centre backs Guardiola chooses to employ on Wednesday. In particular, he’ll trouble the likes of Nicolas Otamendi and/or John Stones if he gets the chance to isolate them.

The real key for Llorente will be to win the ball and play it off for his more pacy teammates. Son, Lucas Moura, and possibly Dele Alli, will fancy their chances to collect a pass from him and transition it to a quick strike towards goal.

In the end, Pochettino isn’t a manager who overreacts to one match, but he does like to play the hot hand. That should be enough to get Llorente a start at City.