Advertisement

Tottenham confirmed team vs AZ Alkmaar - Moore, Forster and Richarlison start, Odobert sub

Mikey Moore in action for Tottenham during their Europa League game against Ferencvaros
-Credit: (Image: David Balogh/Getty Images)


Ange Postecoglou has shuffled his pack for Tottenham's Europa League game against AZ Alkmaar. Fresh from last Saturday's 4-1 win over West Ham, the Spurs boss has made multiple changes to his team to take on their Dutch opponents.

The Lilywhites have made an excellent start to the Europa League league phase and another three points this evening will make it three wins from three games. However, AZ, who have former Spurs man Troy Parrott in their team, will be tough opposition despite coming into the European tie in poor form.

As has been the case in Europe so far this season, Postecoglou has opted to switch things about and give some of his first-team regulars a much-needed breather. The head coach has made nine changes from the West Ham game, with Destiny Udogie and James Maddison the only two players to keep their place in the team.

Fraser Forster, Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Ben Davies, Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall come into the side, with Mikey Moore, Richarlison and Timo Werner forming the front three. Wilson Odobert returns to the squad following his recent hamstring injury.

Son Heung-min is not in the Tottenham squad for this evening's clash against AZ. The South Korean ace was missing in training at Hotspur Way on Wednesday morning and Postecoglou revealed in his post-match press conference that his captain was "a bit sore" after the weekend and he was never going to be involved against AZ regardless.

READ MORE: Every word Ange Postecoglou said on Son absence, Odobert fitness, Parrott, FA fine and high line

READ MORE: Odobert returns, missing players, Richarlison wrestling - 4 things spotted in Tottenham training

Postecoglou knows all about tonight's visitors having come up against them during his time as Celtic boss. He was asked about them when speaking to the media at Hotspur Way and he revealed that he's always followed Dutch football.

"I think I know more about Dutch football than Micky [van de Ven], who was in Germany," joked the 59-year-old in his press conference. "I know AZ really well, I know Dutch football really well. Australia's always had a strong connection with Dutch football so I've always followed it very closely.

"We played AZ when I was at Celtic in the Europa League a couple of years back. Always a good side, really good at identifying young talent. There's also a Japanese connection there. When we played them last time, [Yukinari] Sugawara was there, now he's in the Premier League. They've got [Seiya] Maikuma there now. So I've always followed Dutch football and AZ, so we know the information we need."

Here is the Tottenham starting XI Postecoglou has selected to face AZ:

Confirmed Tottenham XI: Forster; Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall, Maddison; Moore, Richarlison, Werner.

Substitutes: Vicario, Austin, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Sarr, Bissouma, Kulusevski, Odobert, Johnson, Solanke, Lankshear.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham! Click here for in-depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Want breaking and top Tottenham stories sent straight to you? Join our Spurs WhatsApp community by clicking this link. If you're curious you can check out our privacy policy here.