Mauricio Pochettino takes his Tottenham side for their final game of the group stage against Monaco knowing that a draw is necessary for his team to claim the top spot in their group. The win against Qarabag was enough to ensure they make it out to the knockout round and have made it into the next round seven out of eight times in the Europa League and UEFA Cup avatars of the competition.
Tottenham are riding high in the Premier League and face Newcastle on Sunday at White Hart Lane, the need for Spurs to win the game would be of the highest priority as they chase a top four place and the team are undefeated since the first day of the season.
With a list of Christmas fixtures also coming up, we look at three players who should be rested by Spurs in their game against Monaco on Thursday in the Europa League.
Hugo Lloris
The French goalkeeper hasn’t had much rest this season and has been in top form since, well since he joined Tottenham. Lloris is one of the best goalkeepers in the league, but Tottenham do have another great goalkeeper in Michel Vorm who hasn’t seen much game time since joining the club from Swansea. Vorm could well be charged up to show Pochettino that he can take over the gloves from Lloris if there is a need to replace the French goalkeeper at some point in the season. Vorm was one of the best goalkeepers during his time at Swansea and this should be one game where he could be allowed to show what he is capable of doing.
Harry Kane
With Kane finding his scoring boots once again, playing him in this tie doesn’t really make much sense. The English attacker would be disappointed at not starting the game but that would be for his own benefit as he would be fit and 100% to face Newcastle during the weekend. Son could well get a start to show what he can do in attack for Spurs and the rest would do a world of good to the England international as Spurs are quite thin in the striker department.
Toby Alderweireld
One of the best defenders in the league at the moment, Alderweireld doesn’t need to be risked in this game. Tottenham have more than enough players to cover the centre-back’s role against Monaco. Pochettino should give the Belgian a rest for Newcastle and could well give a chance to Federico Fazio who hasn’t played too many minutes this season. Alderweireld would have to be fresh to face a rejuvenated Newcastle team and this could be one of the few games where Pochettino can afford to rest a few of his stars.