OPINION
Tottenham welcome Chelsea to Wembley on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup semi-final in the hope of edging one step closer to a much sought-after trophy.
Spurs’ confidence is no doubt sky-high after thumping Tranmere Rovers 7-0 in the FA Cup third round on Friday, with goals coming courtesy of Fernando Llorente, Son Heung-Min, Harry Kane and Serge Aurier.
Mauricio Pochettino will need to make a total of eight changes to the side that destroyed their League Two opponents a few days ago, as Chelsea obviously pose a much tougher test on Tuesday.
In goal, Hugo Lloris must step in as number one goalkeeper in the place of Paulo Gazzaniga.
The next three changes must come to the back four that made the starting XI on Friday, with Kieran Trippier – who is on £40,000-a-week [Spotrac] – coming in for Serge Aurier at right-back, who scored a brace against Tranmere.
Despite the fact that Juan Foyth is having a relatively good season, keeping a clean sheet against Tranmere is hardly the greatest of achievements – so he must be axed in favour of Toby Alderweireld, who should play alongside Davinson Sanchez.
Danny Rose should come in for Ben Davies at left-back due to his ability to get stuck in with the attack, as well as his solid defensive attributes.
Moussa Sissoko has had a blinder of a season so far, so there is no doubt that he should make the starting XI on Tuesday, but this must mean that young dazzler Oliver Skipp must be axed in order to accommodate him.
Harry Winks must also come into the midfield, especially after the number of astonishing displays he has had.
There is no doubting Christian Eriksen’s form at this moment in time, so Pochettino must not have to think twice about starting him in the place of Lucas Moura against the Blues.
While Fernando Llorente achieved a hat-trick against Tranmere, that does not mean he is capable of facing Chelsea on Tuesday – Harry Kane must lead the line to maximise Spurs’ threat even further.
If Pochettino makes the right calls regarding the starting XI for Tuesday, then there is no doubt that he team would be able to blitz Chelsea and reach the final of the Carabao Cup.
