Tottenham will take on Inter Milan at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on Friday afternoon. The North London team have struggled this preseason to really get going, having been beaten by both Juventus and Atletico Madrid in the recently concluded International Champions Cup in Australia. The match against Roberto Mancini’s men will be Pochettino last chance to sort his team before they kick off their Premier League campaign on August 13th against Everton. Tottenham fans were left frustrated last season, as an end of season slump not only ended their title ambitions but also saw them finish below their arch-rivals Arsenal.
With Champions League football next season, depth in the squad is very necessary. Pochetino has done well this summer in that regard, bringing in Victor Wanyama and Vincent Janssen, two quality players who will definitely improve the team. The return of Eric Dier, Harry Kane and Dele Alli for preseason training this week, will definitely boost the Spurs squad even further. Next season will be very crucial for Tottenham, as they look to cement their place amongst the best clubs in the world. Here is the expected Spurs that starting XI that might start against the Serie A giants.
Goalkeeper: Hugo Lloris
With the Premier League season just a few days, Pochettino will be expected to name a strong starting XI. Lloris returned for preseason training this week and should start ahead of Vorm for the match against Milan. He captained the French team that reached the final of the recently concluded European Championship.
Defenders: Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Toby Alderweireld and Kevin Wimmer.
With his Belgian and English contingent back in training, Pochettino will be keen to give some playing time to the players who are likely to start on 13th August against Everton. Therefore, Rose is likely to start on the left, while compatriot Walker will slot in at right-back. Kevin did well last season, whenever he was called on to cover for the injured Jan Vertonghen. He is likely to start in central defence alongside Vertonghen international teammate Alderweireld.
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Victor Wanyama, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Eric Lamela
Eric Dier should slot in effortlessly in central midfielder alongside new summer signing Wanyama. The former Southampton player has done well in the last couple of matches and truly deserves his place in the starting XI that starts against Everton. Eriksen looked a little rusty against Madrid, therefore Pochettino will be keen to give some game time on Friday. He will most likely start on the left wing, while Argentine international Lamela will come in on the right wing. Dele Alli returned for preseason training this week and should slot straight back into that number 10 role, as he looks to get some crucial minutes under his belt before the season kicks off.
Striker: Harry Kane
Kane was hugely disappointing in what was a disastrous European campaign for the Three Lions. There were doubts regarding his fitness, which is why the England international will be keen to return to the field, in order to prove his doubters wrong. He will start up front with Janssen on the bench as a cover.