Ange Postecoglou to consider double Tottenham switch to Sheffield Utd amid Micky van de Ven appeal

Tottenham are just one point short of needing to finish the 2023/24 Premier League season in fifth place and secure the Europa League spot that comes with it. Confirmed to return to Europe next season after Newcastle United’s defeat at Manchester United on Wednesday night, all that remains to be determined now is whether Spurs finish their tenure in fifth or Chelsea overtake them and instead finish sixth.

Heading into Sunday’s final Premier League game of the campaign against Sheffield United, Tottenham are firm favorites to stay ahead of their London rivals, having only needed a point away at the bottom Premier League club. The Blades have endured a nightmare campaign back in the top flight and have won just three of their 37 Championship games, conceding 101 goals in the process.

After some poor form recently, Tottenham looked much better in their midweek defeat against Man City and on another day they may have come away with something from the game. So could Postecoglou make a few changes here and there to his Tottenham XI to take on Chris Wilder’s side? football.london take a look below.

Oliver Skipp/Emerson Royal for Radu Dragusin

The first decision Postecoglou has to make revolves around Micky van de Ven. After being used at left-back in the closing stages of the Burnley game and still scoring the winner, the Dutchman played the full 90 minutes at full-back in the defeat to Man City.

Although he has experience of playing at left-back in the past, Van de Ven had quite the task on his hands trying to get to grips with Postecoglou’s system and also trying to stop Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva in his side. step. It was a position that did not bring out the best, although a big positive that came from the match was the performance of Radu Drăgușin at central defender.

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Van de Ven clearly operates better at centre-back for Tottenham and the head coach must decide whether the former Wolfsburg man will move alongside Cristian Romero for the Sheffield United game. If that is indeed the case, Drăgușin could unfortunately find himself on the bench despite putting in such an impressive performance.

If Romero and Van de Ven resume their partnership in the middle of defence, it could be one of Emerson Royal or Oliver Skipp, who come in at left-back for South Yorkshire.

Dejan Kulusevski for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Dejan Kulusevski dropped to the bench to face Man City but made an impact on proceedings when he was introduced early in the second half. Swinging in a lovely ball that unfortunately led to Ederson eventually going off the pitch after Romero tried to convert at the back post, the Swede also came close with a couple of efforts on goal.

After operating with what appeared to be a false nine in the City defeat with Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison alternating at times, Postecoglou may feel the time is right to bring Kulusevski into the XI and switch with Son Heung- min through the middle once more. . The head coach tweaked his formation at home to Man City and may opt to revert to his previous set-up and bring in an extra striker against Sheffield United.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who performed well in midweek, could be the player to leave the squad if that is the case, seeing Spurs start Rodrigo Bentancur, Sarr and Maddison in midfield.

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