Tottenham Hotspur are back in Europa League action on Thursday night, as they host Ludogorets in a crucial game.
Spurs beat the Bulgarian side last time out, picking up a 3-1 win on the road, but still need wins having lost to Royal Antwerp last month.
Jose Mourinho has been dealt a blow ahead of the game, as defender Toby Alderweireld looks set to miss out having picked up an injury in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Manchester City.
That means Mourinho faces a reshuffle at the back, and with Joe Rodon ineligible, this may well be a huge night for Davinson Sanchez.
The Colombian – who cost £42million in 2017 – has been out of the side recently, and wasn’t even on the bench against City as Mourinho seemingly prefers Rodon already.
Sanchez has had his mishaps; giving away an early penalty against Manchester United, scoring an own goal in West Ham’s stunning comeback, and it now means he looks to be fourth choice centre back.
He needs a big performance against Ludogorets to prove that he should be given the nod over Rodon moving forward, as the two appear to be battling for Alderweireld’s spot.
Rodon being trusted as Mourinho’s first-choice substitute in that area was a real statement, and Football.London claim that Mourinho has been impressed with the Welshman in training.
In order to ensure he is picked ahead of Rodon for this weekend’s huge game against Chelsea, Sanchez needs to get back to his best in Bulgaria on Thursday night – and that won’t be easy.
He hasn’t played a league game since that West Ham collapse, and his last appearance came in that defeat to Royal Antwerp, meaning he is short of match practice.
If Rodon walks into the side against Chelsea, Sanchez may well be in trouble at Tottenham, with his future far from secure right now.
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