Davinson Sanchez is available again for Tottenham Hotspur after serving his three-match suspension.
Davinson Sanchez is back in the Tottenham Hotspur fold this weekend against Burnley after missing three matches through suspension.
The Colombian defender sat out of the wins over Stoke City and Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as last Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, following his red card against Watford.
His return gives Mauricio Pochettino the option of reverting to the three-at-the-back formation which Spurs have used for much of this season.
That system has been the foundation of Tottenham’s best performances, and results, of the campaign – against Real Madrid, twice, and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Without Sanchez and the injured Toby Alderweireld, Pochettino had little choice but to go 4-2-3-1 against City, and Spurs were left vulnerable.
However, a back three is not as necessary against teams who are going to sit off and Burnley, despite their standing above Spurs in the table, will do exactly that at Turf Moor on Saturday.
The 4-2-3-1 formation allows Pochettino to play the extra attacker in Son Heung-min, who is in great form having scored four goals in his last five games.
Central midfield was the problem area for Tottenham at the Etihad and maintaining a flat back four would allow Eric Dier to move forward from central defence.
With Victor Wanyama still injuryed, Mousa Dembele on the wane and Harry Winks suffering a dip in form, Spurs need Dier’s influence in the middle of the park.
That would mean Sanchez slotting in for Dier in a continuation of the back four as the Lilywhites look to leapfrog the Clarets in the Premier League table.
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