JOSE MOURINHO could ring the changes for Tottenham’s Thursday night Europa League trip to Lokomotiv Plovdiv – starting with axing Dele Alli.
The mercurial attacking midfielder was hooked at half-time on Sunday as Tottenham slumped to a dismal 1-0 defeat against Everton in North London.
How Spurs could line up against Lokomotiv Plovdiv
Dele Alli had a disappointing season-opener against EvertonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
An according to ex-England international Gabriel Agbonlahor, Mourinho and Alli, 24, had fallen out even before the match.
The former Aston Villa star-turned-talkSPORT pundit said: “I feel like they need a No 10 as well because I’m hearing from a good source that Dele Alli and Mourinho have fallen out.”
Mourinho, 57, is determined to treat each competition with respect, but is likely to make wholesale changes given that with progression to the next round Spurs could face a gruelling nine games in just 24 days.
He said: “If we decide that one of these competitions is not important for us, we go against the nature of the club, we go against our own nature, we go against our ambitions because in the Europa League and the League Cup, we have our ambitions.”
Paulo Gazzaniga appears to have been harshly ousted as No2 goalkeeper, with Joe Hart having featured on the bench as Hugo Lloris’ back-up on Sunday – and the former England stopper could be handed his competitive Spurs debut in Bulgaria.
Serge Aurier remains at the club despite having been linked with a move away, and could make his first outing of the season at right-back.
With Japhet Tanganga injured and Juan Foyth out-of-favour, Eric Dier could continue at centre-back – with Davinson Sanchez recalled in place of Toby Alderweireld.
Danny Rose has not even been issued a squad number, so youngster Ryan Sessegnon may get some rare game time at left-back if Ben Davies is deemed to require a rest.
Joe Hart could be handed a competitive Spurs debutCredit: PA:Press Association
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be given another outing in midfieldCredit: Getty Images – Getty
New signing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could be retained and given another chance to shine after an underwhelming debut, with Moussa Sissoko also reinstated after coming on at half-time against the Toffees.
Record-signing Tanguy Ndombele may be given a chance to shine as a third member of the midfield, although Mourinho may choose to opt for January-signing Gedson Fernandes instead.
Giovani Lo Celso is likely to miss out through injury, but could return at the weekend.
With the Spurs boss having not yet acquired a new striker, the burden of deputising for a rested Harry Kane could fall on the shoulders of Lucas Moura, with Steven Bergwijn and Erik Lamela offering creativity from the flanks.
Lucas Moura may be given another go up front with Harry Kane restedCredit: EPA
Jose Mourinho blames a disrupted pre-season for opening Spurs Premier League defeat
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
