Ange Postecoglou will start life as Tottenham head coach with a trip to Brentford on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign. Tending to be at home on the opening day in recent years, the Lilywhites will get their season under way at 2pm on Sunday, August 13.
It promises to be a very tough encounter for Postecoglou and his team with the Bees only losing twice at home in 19 league games last term. Tottenham have yet to lose in their two visits to the Gtech Community Stadium and the hope is that it will be third time lucky as they attempt to leave west London with all three points.
All Tottenham fans will be hoping that Postecoglou can select a number of new players in his Spurs XI to take on Brentford as it is imperative the club strengthen ahead of the season. So how exactly could the Lilywhites line up on the opening day? football.london takes a look below.
A new goalkeeper could well be in the sticks as Hugo Lloris looks on course to seal a move elsewhere this summer as he has admitted that he has a desire for new things. Brentford shot-stopper David Raya is the favourite to come in and replace him, thus meaning the Spaniard could potentially make his Tottenham league debut against the club he has played for over the past four seasons.
In defence, Tottenham will hopefully have a new centre-back who can star alongside Cristian Romero as they bid to strengthen in a position that was a big problem for them last campaign. As Aymeric Laporte could be on the way out of Man City this summer due to a lack of playing time, he would be an outstanding signing for Tottenham and a player who would give them a major upgrade at the back.
Right-back may all depend on how Postecoglou views Pedro Porro as it's clear to see that he has to improve on his defensive play if played in the position and he may in fact be better utilised further forward. That could open the door for Emerson Royal to start, which in turn would give Tottenham more balance if Destiny Udogie starts at left-back.
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In midfield, Yves Bissouma will be determined to make a big name for himself under Postecoglou after a very difficult first year in north London. He could well be the player who sits deepest in midfield if he can hold off Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for a starting spot.
The other two midfielders will be very attack-minded and look to push on regularly to offer support to Harry Kane in attack. As the opening day will come too early for Rodrigo Bentancur to make his comeback from injury, Dejan Kulusevski, providing he joins on a permanent deal this summer, has all the qualities to play as a No.8 and, most importantly, has played in the role before when coming through Atalanta's youth system.
If Tottenham can get a deal for James Maddison over the line, he would excel in the same role for Postecoglou. With Kane and Son destined to take up two of the three attacking spots, the new manager will need to decide on the third and final position.
If indeed Kulusevski is to move back and operate as a No.8, that will play into Richarlison's hands as he could start from the left with Son on the opposite flank. Amid talk of Harvey Barnes joining from Leicester City, the exciting winger may have to bide his time on the substitutes' bench to begin with.
Postecoglou's dream Tottenham XI vs Brentford: Raya; Emerson, Romero, Laporte, Udogie; Bissouma, Maddison, Kulusevski; Son, Kane, Richarlison
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