Tottenham Hotspur team news: How Spurs could line-up with and without Harry Kane in the Champions League final

The Champions League final is the biggest football match in Tottenham Hotspur history and Harry Kane is doing all he can to be fit for it.

England captain Kane, 25, has been incredible for Spurs since his breakthrough in 2014 and represents just how far the club has come in those five years.

Harry Kane lays injured after a challenge on Fabian Delph

An ankle injury against Manchester City in the same competition in early April saw him miss the end of the Premier League season but now he might come back for the clash with Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

It’s touch and go with manager Mauricio Pochettino coy on his star man’s fitness, while Kane himself reckons he’s ready and raring to go.

TUNE IN! Listen to LIVE commentary of the Champions League final on talkSPORT

“I feel good,” said the striker.

“I started to feel my way back with the team at the end of last week and there have been no problems so far.

“For me this week now is to get the fitness as high as possible.

“Then it’s down to the manager. Like I said, I feel good. The manager will assess it and decide whether I’m ready to go or not. But so far, I feel good and ready.

“I did a lot of work on my own to get me into a good place to go back with the team.

Mauricio Pochettino has a big decision to make ahead of the Champions League final

“Since I’ve been with them, I’ve been full training, doing everything.

“I’m at a place now where I’m ready to go for any game but again, it’s down to the manager.”

But how will Tottenham look on Saturday night if Kane is named in the first XI?

Is this how Spurs could look on Saturday?

In the two clubs’ first meeting this season, Pochettino favoured a diamond formation and while Liverpool won, and could have scored more had it not been for Michel Vorm, it’s something he could go for again as it allows his team to be flexible in and out of possession.

With Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko in central midfield, Spurs can get full-backs Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose high up the pitch while keeping four players deep, with Dele Alli also driving into space further forward, while Heung-Min Son and Kane will stretch the Liverpool backline by shifting slightly wider.

Lucas Moura celebrates scoring his incredible tie-winner against Ajax

In defensive phases, the formation allows Tottenham to protect their back-four but also get Sissoko and Alli pressing opponents and helping the full-backs out with extra cover while keeping two men in the centre of the pitch, with Eriksen filling in where needed. Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane can both lend a hand or stay forward, keeping the Liverpool midfield and defence on their toes.

But what happens without Kane, if he’s only fit for the bench?

Is this how Tottenham will look if Kane doesn’t start?

In this case we could see Spurs go with a back-three, which is bold against Liverpool.

It will help ease pressure when they have possession and give more protection against counter-attacks, especially with the quick Colombian Davinson Sanchez in the middle.

Meanwhile, in defensive phases it will allow the wing-backs and the right and left centre-backs to stymie Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, with Sissoko and Eriksen covering the centre of the park.

Can Spurs stifle Mohamed Salah in Madrid?

Lucas, Spurs’ hero in Amsterdam, would come in up top alongside Heung-Min Son, with Dele Alli providing probing runs between them, which should be enough to worry the Liverpool defence and keep them on their toes with their pace and pressing.

It’s never going to be easy against Liverpool but Tottenham’s never say die attitude in the Champions League shows they’re not going to go down without a fight – with or without Harry Kane.

Tune into talkSPORT for LIVE commentary of Liverpool vs Tottenham in the Champions League final – FULL DETAILS HERE

Mourinho left as the most successful manager in Chelsea's history, having won six trophies for the club in three years. He was also undefeated in all home league games. Avram Grant succeeded Mourinho as Chelsea manager but failed to win any trophies in his year in charge and would be sacked at the end of the 2007-08 season.

Friday, 12 April 2019 Ralph Krueger will leave his role as Southampton chairman, the club have confirmed. The Canadian-born German former professional ice hockey coach, who joined in 2014 and helped stabilise the club in the Premier League, will depart on 30 June when his contract expires.
Chairman Ralph Krueger leaves Southampton - ProSoccerTalk

Phil Foden of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur - Getty Images Europe

Leicester players pay tribute to owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha vowed to "honour" Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha after his death was City vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news,
Leicester pay tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in final

How Arsenal can qualify for Champions League despite missing

Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa has been banned for eight matches by the Spanish Football Federation after verbally abusing the referee during Saturday's defeat to Barcelona.
Diego Costa: Atletico Madrid striker gets eight-game ban for

November 8: United are served with a second winding-up petition from HMRC, while Karl Robinson described the appointment of Erick Thohir to the board as a "game-changer". He said: "You've

Chelsea star Eden Hazard is reportedly considering handing in a transfer request to facilitate his move to Real Madrid. According to Spanish outlet AS, the transfer may have hit a snag due to the amount of money the Premier League club want for the 28-year-old Belgian.
'Jovic to Real Madrid is a real possibility' - One News Page

Liverpool's run-in leaves them as favourites, just, but should City get revenge on Tottenham Hotspur, the ball would firmly be in Pep Guardiola's court. The Reds and the Anfield faithful, though, may fear the team Spurs might turn out on Saturday afternoon as they possibly rotate.
The teams Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and Man City could face

News and information on the management situation at Chelsea. Rumours on Maurizio Sarri's job security, team form and results and the next Chelsea manager betting odds Bet £5 Get £30 Deposit via Credit/Debit card only and bet £5 @ odds 2.0+ within 7 days of registering; Cashed out bets excluded.

Barcelona 3-0 Manchester United: Philippe Coutinho, Blaugrana worries, and what else we learnt The Spanish giants might just be 'walking to victory' as Ernesto Valverde has the last laugh over his
Philippe Coutinho, Blaugrana worries, and what else we learnt
fussboll.com/2019/04/17/philippe-coutinho-blaugrana-worries-and-what-else-we-learnt/
Barcelona progressed to their first Champions League semi-final since 2016 thanks to a 3-0 win over Manchester United. The result left the Premier League side nursing a 4-0 defeat on aggregate as Lionel Messi struck twice and former Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho finished them off in style.
Philippe Coutinho And Barcelona Might Yet Have A Happy Ending

Bournemouth vs Tottenham teams: Spurs make three changes as Mauricio Pochettino names strong XI. About Tottenham Tottenham is a district of North London, England, in the London Borough of Haringey. It is 5.9 miles (9.5 km) north-north-east of Charing Cross. 1 Heung-Min Son celebrates scoring for Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs fans furious with Son & Foyth vs Bournemouth

Tottenham Hotspur fans face one last trip to Wembley before their brand new stadium opens next season. It's been tough for Spurs fans travelling to north west London every other week to sit in a
J'Neil Bennett hits first goal in new Spurs Stadium as

Liverpool vs. Tottenham results: Salah, Origi key Liverpool to Champions League win an ankle injury against Manchester City in the Champions League quarterfinal. second leg of the
Key Battles: Manchester City vs Tottenham - msn.com

The Premier League has continuously boasted a wealth of talent and it's growing every season. Touted as the best, most difficult, most attractive and most entertaining league in the world, England's t

Pages

FIFA Premium Football Live

Labels