Coming up this weekend is a Premier League clash that should leave you salivating at the mouth (where else would you salivate from) and desperate for more.
Indeed, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City’s first meeting of the season back in October was about as entertaining and energetic as it gets, as Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs brought their high-pressing game to a whole new level against a Pep Guardiola side desperate to play it out of the back.
We’re expecting the reverse this weekend – Football FanCast’s Fixture in Focus – to live up to the 2-0 at White Hart Lane, with the sides now separated by just three points and three places in the Premier League table heading into the 5.30pm kickoff at the Etihad Stadium.
In fact, there’s so little to choose between City and Spurs these days that we felt compelled to ask Sky-Blues supporters an intriguing question earlier this week; which Spurs stars would you love to poach from Pochettino’s pocket?
Well, the results are now in and FFC can exclusively reveal the top five which, surprisingly enough, doesn’t include Tottenham’s habitual headline grabbers Harry Kane and Dele Alli. So who did the City fans pick instead?
5. Kieran Trippier
We expected full-backs to be a common theme amongst Man City fans’ selections, simply due to the fact the Citizens are in dire need of an overhaul on both defensive flanks. Nonetheless, understudy right-back Kieran Tripper making the top five certainly comes as some surprise to Football FanCast. To give credit where it’s due, however, the 26-year-old, who learned his trade in the City youth ranks, is a talented player – just one unfortunate enough to find himself trying to push Kyle Walker out of the starting XI.
4. Danny Rose
From one side of the pitch to the other, Manchester City fans have clearly taken note of Danny Rose’s impressive rise over the last few seasons. The one-time Spurs misfit is now England’s undisputed choice at No.3 and widely revered as one of the best left-backs in Europe, boasting tenacity off the ball, decent output at the other end and the relentless energy to tie it all together. The idea of Rose joining Pep Guardiola’s City revolution is nothing new, the latest reports coming from ESPN, and it appears City supporters would back such a swoop.
3. Christian Eriksen
Few teams in Europe rival City’s quality across the attacking midfield berth but nonetheless, supporters appear keen to find some room for the in-form Christian Eriksen. The Danish ace has consistently demonstrated his talent since arriving in the Premier League in summer 2013 but there’s been something almost talismanic about his performances of late, conjuring up five goals and six assists in his last ten appearances across all competitions. The 24-year-old is steadily moving towards his footballing peak and City fans seem eager to snap him up for his best years.
2. Toby Alderweireld
One can only imagine the soothing effect Toby Alderweireld, one of the coolest customers in the Premier League, would have on Manchester City’s ever-chaotic backline. Indeed, in addition to being arguably the division’s top defender, combining physicality and aerial prowess with Pep Guardiola-favoured quality on the ball, he’s also undoubtedly the most composed, always making the right call when it comes down to playing out of trouble or simply hoofing clear. He’d be the ideal presence alongside John Stones but after signing him only two summers ago, Spurs certainly aren’t in the mood to sell.
1. Kyle Walker
It always seemed inevitable Kyle Walker would take a place in this top five after already mentioning Danny Rose and Kieran Trippier and the England international will be delighted to discover he claimed top spot in our poll. Once again, that’s not much of a surprise – City desperately require fresh blood at full-back and the former Sheffield United youngster has been the Premier League’s best this season, particularly impressing in his new-found right wing-back role. Some still query his consistency at the other end but a return of five goals in 20 outings already this season is hard to argue with.
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Results
