Three players involved in Tottenham’s squad for their first match in UEFA’s new European competition could prove key to Nuno Espirito Santo.
Nuno Espirito admitted that not all players who started in the Premier League victory over Man City will face Pacos de Ferreira on Thursday night. Therefore, Espirito will be able to call upon three very versatile players to help shape his Hotspur team as he has taken a very different squad to Portugal for their first play-off leg in the inaugural Europa Conference League.
On top of that Harry Kane has remained at home to continue training, Joe Rodon has a thigh injury, Tanguy Ndombele and Serge Aurier were not registered in the squad for the two play-off matches and Moussa Sissoko was not involved in training on Wednesday.
That leaves Espirito with a squad mixed with a core of senior players needing minutes, his three new signings in Cristian Romero, Bryan Gil and Pierluigi Gollini and a large number of young academy players.
The Portuguese Spurs boss knows Pacos de Ferreira cannot be taken for granted and on Thursday evening three of his Tottenham players will likely provide the versatility that helps him shape a very different team.
Davies can play as a conventional left-back or as a left-sided centre-back, or he can operate on the left side of a back three or even as a wing-back with others in the back three.
In front of him is the almost as versatile Ryan Sessegnon who can be employed either as a left-back, a left wing-back. Also, if Davies is to be played at left-back then the England U21 international can be pushed further up the field into an attacking left wing role in a front three.
In the midfield, Espirito Santo also has the versatile Giovani Lo Celso. The 25-year-old can be employed in a deeper central midfield role, which would allow Jack Clarke to potentially come in further up the pitch as a winger.
Alternatively, Lo Celso can play anywhere in the three behind the striker, who will be Dane Scarlett on Thursday evening.
That option would allow a younger player like Nile John or Harvey White to come into the center of midfield to partner Harry Winks. Lo Celso can also take up the left-sided role in a midfield three, as he did effectively for Argentina at times during their run to win the Copa America.
New signing Gil can equally play on either side of the pitch or behind the striker, which will help the head coach’s decision-making.
Even though Espirito Santo may be short on Premier League players, those he have will give him plenty of flexibility in a match Spurs would feel proud if they win.