Tottenham Hotspur will return to Premier League action this weekend as Thomas Frank’s side will make a short trip to London Stadium for Saturday’s London Derby against West Ham.
The North Londoners would be looking to get back to winning ways after that loss against Bournemouth ahead of the international hiatus.
And the Dane head coach at the helm at Tottenham may end up turning to some of the new faces in his roster to shake things up.
The Lilywhites faithful still haven’t seen some of the big names that Daniel Levy signed in his final transfer window in charge at N17. And this weekend against a West Ham team who are still finding their feet will be the perfect opportunity for fresh faces to step up.
3 players in line for first Lilywhites start in West Ham vs Tottenham
Here are three Tottenham players who could be handed their first start of the season by Thomas Frank at the London Stadium:
Xavi Simons
The Lilywhites made a £52m marquee signing that has been taking headlines all over the country. And this will be the North Londoners’ supporters’ first opportunity to watch him don that infamous Spurs badge and take the field. The Dane head coach may hand him the keys to the creative side of things from the get-go.
We know how the La Masia academy graduate is a ball-carrying menace who always has a pass or two in his armoury. It is this ability to get the better of systems that Tottenham missed against Bournemouth a fortnight back, but not anymore.
The Hammers will be expected to be compact off the ball, making it difficult for the Lilywhites players to get a breather in the middle zones.
Randal Kolo Muani
The Frenchman has been a long-time target at N17, but his deadline day arrival at Tottenham came as quite a surprise. But he is here, and he is ready to compete for a starting berth.
Given that Dominic Solanke has been nursing his ankle problems. And then Richarlison has been playing so much football over the past weeks that Frank may consider giving him a breather given his injury history. And that is where Kolo Muani can take up the central role.
Given how he likes to drift out to the left to stretch the pitch, this can help the likes of Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus to be more involved on the inside.
Given his experience in big games, a London derby could be the perfect time for him to make his first start donning the Lilywhites badge.
Wilson Odobert
Odobert has shown glimpses of promise over the past weeks, but all of those have come as substitute cameos.
The French winger has been direct and unpredictable on his channel every time he has got on the pitch. And he can exactly be the kind of player who can unsettle a backline who are trying to compose themselves.
And with Kudus on the other side complemented by either Randal Kolo Muani or Richy down the middle, it will also very well end up giving that balance to the frontline.
Brennan Johnson has not quite been convincing on that left flank, which has left the door open for Odobert to impress. He has that directness and unpredictability, making it hard to contain him.
Who of the three do you think will start in your Tottenham predicted lineup vs West Ham? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
