Combined Spurs Manchester City XI: Heung-min Son and Foden miss out
The highlight of the weekend as the Premier League returns has to be one of the most chaotic fixtures in English football. So, here is a Spurs Manchester City combined XI with hopefully some quintessential chaotic choices.
Who makes the Spurs Manchester City combined XI?
Small caveat. When picking a combined XI, it makes most sense to decide who this amalgamation is playing for and how they will play. This is going to be an Ange Postecoglou combined XI when everyone is fully fit, so take that into consideration.
Guglielmo Vicario: Ederson is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world with the ball at his feet. However, Vicario is a statistically better shot-stopper and is still calm when playing out from the back.
Pedro Porro: Rico Lewis is an underappreciated player who could play in most teams, but so is Pedro Porro. His passing range makes him an incredible asset, and few other fullbacks have the confidence or awareness to play as essentially a number 10 in possession.
John Stones: It is hard to find a centre-back with the level of technical quality that John Stones possesses. Postecoglou’s build-up requires highly technically skilled players and while Romero is a top progressive passer, Stones’ ability to pass, carry and comfortably play in midfield edges him into the team.
Micky van de Ven: There is no centre-back in the world more suitable for playing a defensive high line than Micky van de Ven. His unparalleled speed allows the team to play with greater risk and confidence that if the opponents counter, he can stop it.
Josko Gvardiol: This was close as both Gvardiol and Udogie have excellent athletic and defensive qualities. They are both excellent at carrying the ball, but Gvardiol just gets the nod with his better passing range and goalscoring instincts.
Rodri: It feels odd to pick Rodri when he is set to miss almost all of the season with injury, but there is a reason he won the Ballon d’Or. He is the reason that Manchester City’s defensive structure works so well and is less effective without him. The best in his position on and off the ball.
Bernardo Silva: A criticism of Tottenham has been their inability to hold onto the ball for extended periods in the opponents’ final third. Silva is capable of keeping the ball under pressure, maintaining attacks, rotating out of position into wide areas and carrying the ball.
Dejan Kulusevski: Many would still pick Kevin de Bruyne who has been one of the Premier League’s greatest players. However, in an increasingly transitional league, a player who can run all game is highly valuable. In De Bruyne’s absence, Kulusevski now leads the Premier League in many attacking stats and is on a path to only get better.
Savio: Postecoglou’s attack works so much better when there is a winger who can consistently take on their defender. Tottenham are still lacking this. Doku could have also made this team, but Savio edges it on current form.
Erling Haaland: While Dominic Solanke was signed as a perfect striker for Postecoglou’s system, it’s not possible to overlook Haaland. Physically capable of constant pressing as well as raw athleticism and an ability to finish chances from just about anywhere, Haaland is the choice.
Brennan Johnson: Ok, Son or Foden should maybe be here instead, but listen. With a winger on the other side who can beat their fullback and pass across the box or cut back, you need a player who knows where they need to be to get a shot away. On the counter, Johnson is racking up the goals. If you are trying to round out this combined XI, you need another box presence and you should look no further than Brennan ‘Back-post Batistuta’ Johnson
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