Tottenham is eager to make a lasting impression in this season’s FA Cup following a string of disappointing performances in the competition in recent years.
The club’s last victory in the prestigious tournament dates back 33 years, and it has witnessed frustrating exits in earlier rounds, often fielding heavily rotated sides, especially against Championship clubs. As they prepare to host newly promoted Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday night, manager Ange Postecoglou faces the task of assembling his team for the upcoming fixture.
Postecoglou has openly acknowledged the challenges posed by fatigue within his squad, attributing it to the limited pool of available players. However, previous alterations made for the Carabao Cup third-round encounter at Fulham resulted in an untimely exit from the competition, as Spurs succumbed to a penalty shootout defeat at Craven Cottage in August.
The return of Dejan Kulusevski following suspension has provided a boost, but the absence of key players such as captain Son Heung-min, Yves Bissouma, and Pape Matar Sarr, participating in continental tournaments, presents a significant challenge. Additionally, the fitness of center-back Micky van de Ven remains a point of caution for Postecoglou, who aims to handle the young Dutchman’s reintegration into the squad carefully.
Injury concerns have sidelined Alejo Veliz for a couple of months, although young striker Dane Scarlett’s premature return from a loan spell at Ipswich offers a potential resurgence within the squad. Meanwhile, the return of loaned players Sergio Reguilon and Djed Spence from Manchester United and Leeds respectively presents its own set of considerations, as their usage in this match would restrict their ability to transfer to another club during the January window.
Anticipating the starting lineup, several changes are expected, with Fraser Forster likely to receive the nod in goal, potentially marking the beginning of his cup appearances this season, despite the desire for Vicario to continue as the first-choice goalkeeper. The continued presence of Pedro Porro at right-back, known for his creativity, and Emerson Royal in the center-back position are anticipated, as Postecoglou seeks to maintain defensive cohesion.
Ben Davies is expected to assume an influential role, potentially donning the captain’s armband in Son’s absence, while Destiny Udogie is likely to feature at left-back, provided his fitness permits. Postecoglou’s strategic choices for this crucial FA Cup encounter aim to address team fatigue while preparing for a formidable performance against Burnley, as Tottenham seeks to rekindle their legacy in the competition.