James Maddison and Mikey Moore could be named in the Tottenham team to face AZ

Maddison starts, Moore unleashed, Bergvall sub - The Tottenham team Postecoglou must select vs AZ

23 Oct 2024, 06:00 by Rob Guest, Lee Wilmot · football.london

The Europa League is once again on the agenda for Ange Postecoglou and his Tottenham team as they return to European action on Thursday evening. Following successive victors against Qarabag and Ferencvaros in their opening two league phase games, Spurs host AZ Alkmaar at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The game will see the return of a familiar face as Troy Parrott makes his return for the first time since leaving the club on a permanent basis in the summer. Tottenham supporters will certainly be keeping close tabs on the striker as AZ look to return to winning ways after losing their last four fixtures in all competitions.

Postecoglou has so far switched things up in the Europa League and he once again looks set to make a host of alterations. But who exactly should he pick in his Tottenham XI to take on the Eredivisie side? Our Tottenham writers have had their say below.

Rob Guest - Football writer

Ange Postecoglou has made alterations to his Tottenham team in Europe but he hasn't gone completely overboard by changing his full XI. It will once again be a case of the same as AZ are going to be a tough proposition.

Guglielmo Vicario continues in goal as the boss makes two changes to his backline. Radu Dragusin comes back into the side to partner Micky van de Ven, with Cristian Romero given a breather following a hectic few days in terms of playing for Argentina, travelling back from South America and then starting against West Ham.

The only change at full-back sees Archie Gray given the nod on the left as Destiny Udogie drops down to the bench. Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr need to start after their substitute roles last weekend and it would make sense for James Maddison to start again after his half-time exit in the West Ham fixture, thus seeing Lucas Bergvall unfortunately make do with a spot on the bench.

Mikey Moore is once again unleashed in Europe and Timo Werner comes back into the team as he really could do with a confidence boost in front of goal. Richarlison should also start following his return from injury, although it would be wise to manage his fitness and give him 60-70 minutes as he only made his comeback last weekend.

Guest's team: Vicario; Porro, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Gray; Bentancur, Sarr, Maddison; Moore, Richarlison, Werner.

Lee Wilmot - Head of Football

It's the Europa League so there are bound to be changes and I would be inclined to make some, if not too many.

Guglielmo Vicario starts in goal and I'd change one of the centre-backs and full-backs, but not all. I think I'd keep Pedro Porro in there, with Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin in the centre, with Ben Davies at left-back.

Ahead of them I'd like to see Archie Gray given a runout in his preferred midfield position, alongside Pape Matar Sarr after his fine second half performance against West Ham. James Maddison plays in the attacking midfield role after only 45 minutes against the Hammers.

Then up front, I'd like to see Brennan Johnson start, with Mikey Moore on the other side and Richarlison through the middle now he's back from injury and a different option to Dominic Solanke. He needs minutes in his legs and this is a perfect opportunity.

Wilmot's team: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Davies; Gray, Sarr, Maddison; Johnson, Richarlison, Moore.

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