Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur ideal XI for 2019/20

Defenders

Vertonghen and Alderweireld could recreate the solid partnership they had, but Sanchez is likely to see his share of action as well

Regardless of whether Spurs play with a back four or back three (back five), they have some solid centre-backs to rely on.

Sanchez and Vertonghen may be the starting pair in a back four for them this season. Alderweireld has been a strong partner for Vertonghen in the past, but seems unsettled this summer and was linked with a move away early on this season. He could yet play a major role in Spurs' backline, but Sanchez and Vertonghen could be the ones starting the season.

A back three could see all three of them start together and it also allows them the flexibility to switch to a back four mid-game, with Vertonghen playing at left-back. Eric Dier is another variable to consider in a three-man backline. The English international has been deployed both in midfield and at the back by Pochettino, most commonly in a back three, again, providing an easy way to change systems in the game.

Juan Foyth may have been in line for a breakthrough season at Spurs alternating between the centre-back position and an option at right-back, however, the pre-season injury has put him out of the running for most of the season. This could see youngster, Kyle Walker-Peters take precedence in the right-back position.

Spurs have also signed Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon which will be interesting, to see how Spurs function with three left-backs in Danny Rose, Ben Davies, and Sessegnon.

Rose will be expected to be the starting left-back, but a question mark still hangs over right-back and we'll have to wait and see if Pochettino will deploy one of the other two options in a right-back position or persist with Walker-Peters.