Ange Postecoglou has offered a scenario where both Richarlison and Dominic Solanke could start against Manchester City, in light of the injuries that he is dealing with. But should Tottenham go for it?
Who starts on the left?
The big question for Postecoglou to answer is who starts on the left, with Heung-min Son and Wilson Odobert still out of action.
Mikey Moore has started Tottenham’s last two games against Crystal Palace and AZ Alkmaar, but it has been suggested that the 17-year-old is now expected to drop back to the bench.
This claim was made by GiveMeSport, who reported on Tuesday that Timo Werner is expected to return to the lineup against Man City despite his recent struggles.
Ange Postecoglou has suggested an alternative option
Postecoglou said this week that he is also open to the option of starting Richarlison on the left rather than through the middle, pointing out that the former Everton man has played in that position plenty of times in his career.
The Tottenham head coach said in his pre-match press conference (via Football.London): “I think Richy has played a lot of his football on the left and he’s definitely an option there for us. He’s an option through the middle as well.
“Again, he’s getting some good match minutes now and hopefully with the next couple of weeks, with a good game schedule. He is only just getting his season started and the more we can expose him without overburdening him in these early stages, he’ll be able to contribute even more.”
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Should both Richarlison and Solanke start?
It would be quite surprising if Ange decides to play Richarlison on the left and names Dominic Solanke to lead the line. The Australian has made it clear that he wants to manage the minutes of his key players, which is why one would expect the English centre-forward to be on the bench for this evening’s clash.
However, I believe that Richarlison on the left and Solanke down the middle is perhaps the best of a bad bunch when it comes to options for this evening. Mikey Moore has started the last two matches and Postecoglou won’t want to burn him out, while both Son and Odobert are unavailable through injury. Timo Werner is an option, but he has hardly set the world alight in recent weeks.
Richarlison not only provides a direct threat from the left, but also offers something a little different in the box. Pedro Porro crossing in from the right to two strikers in the Man City box is a whole lot better than one. Not to mention the fact that getting Richarlison’s fitness up will be a huge boost to Spurs regardless of the result tonight.
If I were Ange Postecoglou, I would start with a front three of Richarlison, Solanke, and Johnson, with at least one of Maddison or Kulusevski in midfield too. It seems unlikely both creative midfielders will start this evening, and maybe that is a good thing because Spurs need all the solidity they can get in that engine room against Man City.