Tottenham predicted XI v Chelsea… Ange Postecoglou drops £100k-per-week player as four changes are made

Tottenham Hotspur will make a swift return to action this week after their North London Derby defeat with a trip to Chelsea.

Despite showing some fight in the second 45 minutes, the damage had already been done in the first half against Arsenal.

Ange Postecoglou‘s side now look set to battle it out to hold onto fifth spot with some seriously difficult games to come.

And next up for Tottenham is a trip to a ground where they have not been able to get much change out of over the years in Stamford Bridge.

As if there needed to be any further fuel added to the fire that is Chelsea vs Tottenham, former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will also be in the dugout for the hosts.

Last time these two sides met, it all went wrong for Tottenham with James Maddison and Micky van de Ven picking up key injuries in the game as well as Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie both being sent off.

After a miserable North London Derby, is it now time for Postecoglou to make some major changes to his starting XI?

Tottenham came out of the derby defeat with two fresh injury concerns after Timo Werner was withdrawn after half an hour due to a hamstring issue.

The German will now miss the remainder of the campaign and Postecoglou also confirmed Ben Davies will also miss the remaining three weeks with a calf injury.

Ange Postecoglou forced into one change and could replace stuttering midfielder

With Werner set to be sidelined for the trip across London, Spurs fans may finally see Heung-min Son return to his more natural position on the left wing.

The South Korean has been operating through the middle for a number of weeks now with Richarlison having missed out through injury.

However, the Brazilian returned on the weekend with an appearance from the substitutes bench.

Although there may be some overhanging questions over the striker’s future in north London ahead of the summer, Spurs clearly need a focal point back playing through the middle.

Here is a brief rundown on Son’s last four Premier League games.

Statistics via Transfermarkt.

Once again, Postecoglou found himself making changes to his midfield as he continues to struggle in finding his best three.

It was Rodrigo Bentancur who made way at half time for Pape Matar Sarr on Sunday and the Senegal international did look better than he has in recent weeks.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg got a rare start against the Gunners, but his performance was enough to potentially earn him his spot back on the bench.

The Spurs News awarded the Dane with a mere 3/10 rating for his display before he was replaced by Yves Bissouma in the second half.

Here is a summary of the £100k-per-week Dane’s display vs Arsenal.

Statistics via SofaScore.

With Sarr impressing in the second half, perhaps Postecoglou looks to change up his midfield completely once again.

Micky van de Ven to be forced out to left-back

Just a week after Destiny Udogie was ruled out for the season, Postecoglou has now revealed Davies suffered a calf issue against Arsenal.

“Unfortunately, Ben Davies picked up a hamstring which will probably rule him out for the rest of the games, as well,” Postecoglou told the club’s media.

Now Spurs will not have any natural left-backs to choose from and will need to decide whether to move Van de Ven over or bring in Emerson Royal.

Pushing over the Dutchman would mean there is a player with pace and a natural left foot on that side of the pitch and would allow Radu Dragusin another opportunity in the starting XI.

No opportunity for Jamie Donley against Chelsea

After Sunday’s game, many fans would likely be happy to see Maddison removed from the team with an opportunity handed to Jamie Donley.

However, the Spurs U21s also have a huge game on Thursday night in a Premier League Cup semi final against Nottingham Forest.

Although the game against Chelsea will be far more important to the club, it is difficult to imagine he will be withdrawn from the U21s plans having barely been given a sniff by Postecoglou.

On the back of such an impressive season for the youngster, Spurs may have to tread carefully with how they treat their exciting prospect as his lack of game time may begin to frustrate him.

Predicted Tottenham XI v Chelsea (4-3-3): Vicario, Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison, Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son**