Jose Mourinho has named five centre-backs in the Tottenham lineup to face Burnley in the Premier League at Turf Moor this evening.
Japhet Tanganga, Toby Alderweireld, Davinson Sanchez, Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier all start against the 14th best attack in the division.
Injuries to several offensive players obviously limit Mourinho’s options, and the Portuguese is also trying to pull off a difficult balancing act by resting Giovani Lo Celso and Lucas Moura for Tuesday’s trip to RB Leipzig.
But five centre-backs against Burnley seems excessive, and that is exactly the sentiment taken by these disbelieving Spurs fans on Twitter.
We trying to play Burnley at their own game?
— Liam (@DeleMode) March 7, 2020
We’re actually playing 5 centre backs 😂 😭
— ⭐️sonaldo⭐️ (@SonTwoThree) March 7, 2020
5 centre backs and no Lo Celso, this should be fun 😂
— Kerry 💙⚽️ (@KerryCOYS) March 7, 2020
A 5 man back line with no natural wing backs seems unwise
— RMacs (@PhillyHotspur) March 7, 2020
5 at the back😅😅 Seriously
— ᕙ(▀̿̿Ĺ̯̿̿▀̿ ̿) ᕗ (@LMorapid) March 7, 2020
5 Centre backs. Banter
— Graham O'hare (@GrahamOhare) March 7, 2020
5 CENTRE BACKS AGAINST BURNLEY pic.twitter.com/FSqlqAkIPt
— Tøm (@TomCOYS) March 7, 2020
Looking at that bench, Gedson Fernandes and Ryan Sessegnon would be the fresh legs Mourinho could have used to make the lineup less defensive.
Elsewhere, Oliver Skipp makes his first top-flight start of the season, while Hugo Lloris, Tanguy Ndombele and Erik Lamela are all recalled as starters.
