A dagger to the hearts of Tottenham fans! The news is out: Kudus, the Premier League assist king, won’t be gracing the pitch against Manchester United today. This absence throws a wrench into Tottenham’s plans, but as they say, the game must go on.
Manager Thomas Frank dropped a hint on Friday, stating Kudus was “touch and go.” Unfortunately, “touch and go” turned into “no go.” But here’s where it gets interesting… Frank is placing his faith in Brennan Johnson, who’s riding high after a goal-scoring performance against Copenhagen earlier this week. Will Johnson be able to fill the Kudus-sized void? Only time will tell.
And speaking of Copenhagen, Xavi Simons delivered what many are calling his best performance in a Spurs shirt during that match. As a reward, he’s been given the nod to reprise his role in the No. 10 position. Behind him, Joao Palhinha returns to the starting lineup, adding some much-needed steel to the midfield. Simons also registered an assist in the win, showcasing his playmaking abilities.
Destiny Udogie, who also impressed against Copenhagen, surprisingly makes way for Djed Spence. This substitution raises a few eyebrows. Was it a tactical decision? A reward for Spence’s hard work in training? Or perhaps a precautionary measure to manage Udogie’s workload? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Up front, Randal Kolo Muani gets another start. He’s played 70 minutes in each of the last two games, so he should be firing on all cylinders now. Can he finally break through and find the back of the net against a tough United defense?
Confirmed Tottenham XI: Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Sarr, Xavi; Richarlison, Johnson, Kolo Muani.
Substitutes: Kinsky, Danso, Tel, Udogie, Odobert, Bentancur, Scarlett, Akhamrich, Rowswell.
So, there you have it. The starting eleven is set. But this is the part most people miss… The bench is packed with potential game-changers. Will we see Bentancur make an appearance and inject some creativity into the midfield? Or will a young prospect like Scarlett get a chance to shine?
Here’s where it gets controversial: Some fans are questioning Frank’s decision to start Spence over Udogie. Udogie’s performance against Copenhagen was stellar, and many believe he deserved to retain his place in the starting lineup. Could this decision backfire? Is Frank underestimating Manchester United’s attacking threat? What are your thoughts on the lineup? Do you agree with Frank’s choices, or would you have made different changes? Let’s discuss in the comments below!