Tottenham Unleashes New Signings Palhinha and Kudus in High-Stakes PSG Showdown
Tottenham Hotspur are gearing up for their maiden UEFA Super Cup appearance, facing what could be their toughest test yet under Thomas Frank's guidance in Udine.
Brennan Johnson's decisive contribution and their breakthrough in ending a 17-year silverware wait has earned Spurs a place in Wednesday's prestigious showdown against Champions League victors Paris Saint-Germain.
Significant changes have occurred since their memorable evening in Bilbao, with Frank taking over from Ange Postecoglou and Son Heung-min departing the club during the summer transfer window. While the Tottenham roster remains largely unchanged with just a handful of new signings, the fresh manager may acquire several new assets before the transfer deadline arrives.
Here's the potential Tottenham formation for the 2025 UEFA Super Cup encounter.
Tottenham Expected Formation vs. PSG (4-2-3-1)
GK: Guglielmo Vicario—The Italian goalkeeper will begin the 2025–26 campaign as Tottenham's first-choice keeper for his third straight season, anticipating a pleasant return to familiar territory on Wednesday night. Vicario hails from Udine.
RB: Pedro Porro—Porro has been a standout performer during the preseason period, appearing set for a significant role as an attacking fullback under Frank's system. He'll face a stern test against Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
CB: Cristian Romero—Expected to assume Tottenham's captaincy, Romero played a crucial part in the club's Europa League triumph last season and won't be intimidated by the quality of opposition they're facing.
CB: Micky van de Ven—The Dutch defender's fitness concerns should be better managed under Frank's regime, though he may still have an intensive role in their high-pressing system.
LB: Djed Spence—Destiny Udogie has joined the traveling party after sitting out the summer tour and the subsequent loss to Bayern Munich due to injury. Nevertheless, Spence provides reliable cover, and Frank will probably stick with the English defender if Udogie isn't fully recovered. The Italian fullback moved to Spurs from Udinese in 2023.
CM: João Palhinha—The latest signing endured a challenging 45-minute debut in Munich last week and faces another stern examination in his first official match for the club.
CM: Rodrigo Bentancur—Spurs possess several dynamic midfield options who could partner Palhinha, with the seasoned Bentancur appearing to be the current favorite for this role.
RW: Mohammed Kudus—The former West Ham star has made a strong impression in his early Spurs tenure. He stood out as one of the few bright spots in the Bayern defeat and will be crucial in driving his team forward in Udine.
AM: Pape Matar Sarr—Sarr has been outstanding throughout the summer, with Frank utilizing him in a more attacking position following James Maddison's injury setback. The Senegalese midfielder poses a genuine threat when pressing high.
LW: Wilson Odobert—It became evident that this Spurs side needed more creativity during their recent Munich friendly, and Odobert brings technical skill from the left flank along with strong individual dribbling ability.
ST: Dominic Solanke—Assuming Solanke is reasonably fit, his inclusion is essential. The English striker is vital to this Tottenham setup, particularly under Frank's more direct tactical approach.