Tottenham Hotspur play hosts to Barnsley in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Wembley on Tuesday night, and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino may see it as an opportunity to play some of his fringe players.
The clash against Swansea City at Wembley on Saturday was the first of five fixtures in 14 days for the north London outfit, and while Pochettino will want to progress in the League Cup he will also know that a match at home with Championship opposition is the perfect chance to rest some of his key players.
With five new signings arriving before the transfer window slammed shut the squad is certainly there to be utilised, and there are a number of individuals that will be desperate for first team minutes so that they can prove that they are ready to fight for a regular spot in the starting line-up.
Here are three fringe Tottenham players that must start against Barnsley…
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou
The winger has struggled to make an impression with the north London outfit after joining them from Marseille in a £11m deal last summer, and he ended the season having made just 17 appearances in all competitions – the majority of which came from the substitutes’ bench.
The 22-year-old has just returned to first-team training after suffering a foot injury during pre-season and is pushing for a recall to the squad; Mauricio Pochettino may feel that the clash against the Tykes is the perfect opportunity to give him some minutes.
Playing the left winger would allow Pochettino to rest Christian Eriksen, and that would be important with a London derby against West Ham United to come on Saturday.
Harry Winks
Despite enjoying a breakthrough 2016/17 campaign with Tottenham and having made 33 appearances in all competitions – albeit with most of those coming from the bench – Winks would’ve had high hopes that he could make even more of an impact this season.
However, the ankle injury he suffered towards the end of the previous campaign looks to have affected his chances this term, having played just 14 minutes of Premier League football.
Pochettino is a big fan of the talented midfielder though and he may want to start the 21-year-old against Barnsley as it will allow him to give players like Mousa Dembele, Christian Eriksen or Dele Alli a rest.
Marcus Edwards
The 18-year-old winger is yet to make a first-team start for Tottenham, but it looks to be getting closer and closer following some impressive performances for the Under-23 and Under-19 sides this season.
He also showed his ability for the latter when they faced Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Youth League prior to the senior team beating the Bundesliga giants 3-1 at Wembley, scoring a brace in a 4-0 victory.
The skipper gave his team the lead from the penalty spot and he completed his brace on the hour-mark with a brilliant individual goal.
Pochettino will be cautious about throwing the exciting teenager in at the deep end, but he may feel that a cup clash at home to Championship opposition is the perfect opportunity for him to showcase his talents.
Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.
