Jose Mourinho will name his first Tottenham line-up on Saturday against West Ham and he has given little away beyond claiming he does not plan to make wholesale changes.
Paulo Gazzaniga is virtually certain to start in goal given Michel Vorm suffered a calf strain in training on Monday and will join Hugo Lloris (elbow) on the sidelines until next month.
Mourinho has generally tended to prefer a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system. The former arguably suits the players at his disposal better and given he attempted to sign Eric Dier, the 25-year-old could be in line for a recall, especially with Tanguy Ndombele a doubt due to a hamstring problem.
Erik Lamela is unavailable because of a hamstring strain while Jan Vertonghen faces a late fitness test on a similar injury – giving another player Mourinho was previously interested in, Toby Alderweireld, a better chance of inclusion.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Mourinho will take a stand against the club’s contract rebels: Vertonghen, Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen are all in the final year of their contracts.
The pragmatist in Mourinho may give one or more a chance to prove themselves while Harry Kane spearheads the attack.
Possible Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose; Dier, Winks; Son, Alli, Eriksen; Kane.
