Starting a new era under head coach Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur kick off their 2023-24 campaign without captain and talisman Harry Kane, whose exit for Bayern Munich has now been confirmed.
While the England captain's departure for Bavaria sends a shudder through Spurs' foundations, Postecoglou has quietly recruited James Maddison, Manor Solomon, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and centre-back Micky van de Ven this summer, with Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro also completing deals agreed earlier this year.
The latter pair could feature in the full-back positions on Sunday afternoon, when Tottenham visit Brentford in their Premier League opener, but Van de Ven remains short of match fitness and may have to settle for a place on the bench; leaving Eric Dier, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies to battle it out for selection in central defence.
Ex-Empoli keeper Vicario replaces long-serving captain Hugo Lloris in goal, with Fraser Forster still hampered by a back problem. The latter joins Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring), Bryan Gil - who recently underwent surgery on a groin injury - and Rodrigo Bentancur (ACL) on the sidelines this weekend.
French midfielder Tanguy Ndombele has returned to the club from a loan spell at Napoli, but is unlikely to be considered for selection due to a lack of fitness. Sergio Reguilon is a doubt, having picked up a knock in midweek, so Udogie could be picked at left-back - Emerson Royal competes with Porro for a place on the right.
In Kane's absence, Richarlison leads the line up front, providing the focal point of a probable front four also featuring Maddison, new captain Heung-min Son and Dejan Kulusevski. Ivan Perisic may therefore miss out.
Oliver Skipp scored twice against Barcelona in Tuesday's final pre-season friendly, so is in pole position to partner Yves Bissouma in central midfield. However, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg could yet be preferred by Postecoglou, and either Pape Sarr or Giovani Lo Celso could even come into the Australian's thinking.
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup: Vicario; Emerson, Romero, Davies, Udogie; Bissouma, Skipp; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Richarlison
Jonathan O'Shea
