Bissouma returns, Romero missing- Tottenham predicted XI v Newcastle
Tottenham are set to take on Newcastle in a pre-season friendly in South Korea on Sunday.
Spurs have travelled to Asia for the second year in a row as part of their pre-season preparations, and will play the Geordies after an impressive 1-0 win against Arsenal in Hong Kong on Thursday (31 July).
It was the first North London derby contested on foreign soil, and presented Thomas Frank’s squad with their first real test after facing three League One sides in pre-season.
Frank will continue to assess his squad and could shake things up against Newcastle (3 August), as Tottenham News predicts how the Lilywhites could line up.
Yves Bissouma returns to replace Rodrigo Bentancur
Rodrigo Bentancur recovered from an illness to start against Arsenal.
The Uruguayan played 85 minutes in the win, but could be rested for Tottenham‘s next outing against another Premier League opponent.
Spurs will be eager not to push their players too far over preseason, and therefore, Yves Bissouma could get an opportunity against Newcastle.
The Mali international’s Tottenham future has been up in the air this summer, and the friendly could be an opportunity for him to make Frank rethink his plans in the transfer window.
Pape Matar Sarr’s continuing fine form will likely see him resume his position as a makeshift attacking midfielder.
Wilson Odobert started the game against the Gunners, but with Mathys Tel bound to be ahead of him in the pecking order, the Frenchman could be out of the side on Sunday.
Tel has been getting up to speed after making his loan move from Bayern Munich permanent, and he could be given more of a chance to show his capabilities.
Predicted lineup
Predicted XI: Guglilemo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky Van de ven, Djed Spence, Bissouma, Sarr, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Tel, Richarlison
Romero to miss out
Cristian Romero has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid this summer.
The Argentine has been a rock at the back for Spurs and was again solid when he started their friendly against Arsenal.
Romero played 60 minutes in the 1-0 win, and though Frank won’t be concerned about a potential move away from the defender, he will be concerned about his injury record.
Frank will be keen not to replicate Tottenham’s awful injury record last season; therefore, Romero could feature from the bench in their friendly against Newcastle.
Given the Lilywhites’ lack of strikers, it is expected that Richarlison will continue to be trusted up front, though Randall Kolo Muani’s potential incoming could throw the Brazilian’s future in doubt.
Sign up for the daily Tottenham News newsletter on Substack and our new WhatsApp channel to have all the latest, breaking Tottenham Hotspur news sent straight to your phone.