With one eye on the Champions League game in a few days time, plus the added bonus of a few faces back from the physio room, it’s possible that José will employ a barely detectable juggle.
In recent away games against Southampton and Watford, the gaffer preferred to play with more or less a 3 at the back – as Aurier went up the right side, which would give us Toby, Sanchez and Serge this afternoon.
Winks and Ndombele isn’t ideal, but again, when under attack, either Serge or Japhet can slot in to make young Harry a bit more convincing, defensively.
This 4141 I’m suggesting, like most Mourinho formations, is very fluid. It has to be, and as per the tactical video we looked at yesterday, what José is doing is precisely what Levy has asked him to. AKA, the best with what he’s got.
Attack wise, we suddenly have a far more convincing offering. Little Stevie, Lo Celso and Sonny are all capable of springing surprises. It will be down to Bergwijn and Moura in particular to make sure that neither of them over-commit to far up-field.
This obviously rests both Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli.