The January signing is yet to start a game for Tottenham.
Tottenham Hotspur have now gone 10 Premier League games without a victory, equalling their longest winless streak in the competition.
Igor Tudor’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Sunday, thus failing to bounce back from the North London derby humiliation at the hands of Arsenal. Two consecutive defeats have seen Igor Tudor attract criticism from fans, pundits and media outlets alike. However, he has a chance to prove his critics wrong on Thursday evening when Crystal Palace visit Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Recent reports suggest that Tudor could be shown the door if Tottenham fails to beat Crystal Palace at home. The Lilywhites will be buoyed by the fact they did beat the Eagles in the reverse fixture in December, which, interestingly, was the last time they won a Premier League game.
Souza, “waiting for his moment”, says interim Tottenham boss
The interim Croatian tactician has shown tactical flexibility across two games, using a 3-4-1-2 formation in his first match against Arsenal, before trying out a 4-4-2 to suit the players available at Fulham. However, none of those worked out, and which formation he will opt against Crystal Palace remains for everyone to guess.
Tudor has confirmed that Djed Spence will be missing the visit of Palace on Thursday. This leaves the 47-year-old to choose between Archie Gray, who filled in against Fulham at left-back, and January signing, Souza. When asked whether he would be ready to give Souza a chance, Tudor said in his press conference (h/t Football London):
“He was good, I saw something in him. He is there and waiting for his moment to play.”
Opportunity to unleash Souza against Palace?
Souza, signed from Santos in January to serve as a back-up to Destiny Udogie, has made two substitute appearances in the Premier League to date. The teenage prodigy impressed when he replaced the injured Udogie in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United last month, coping well against the tricky Amad Diallo.
The Brazilian came on for the final 10 minutes against Fulham and did enough to catch the eye of Tudor. Being left-footed, Souza would provide balance to the Tottenham backline, instead of Gray filling in for Udogie. No doubt, Gray did well on Sunday and provided an assist for Richarlison, but having Souza would open up passing angles from the left-back spot and give fresh energy to the side.
Against a Palace side struggling with form, it will be the perfect time to unleash Souza.