Tottenham Hotspur’s first summer signing of the transfer window is now a full fledged member of the squad after receiving a work permit to play in the UK, and according to Spurs’ social media channels is now available for selection for tomorrow’s match against Burnley.
Work permit ✅
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 26, 2017
International clearance ✅@daosanchez26 is available for tomorrow's game v Burnley. #WelcomeSanchez pic.twitter.com/VqTZvyKcM2
That’s fantastic news for Spurs! But it doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll play. In fact, I’d be very surprised if Sanchez is in the starting XI for tomorrow’s match against Burnley, though I would not at all be surprised if he makes the bench.
Sanchez has only had, what, maybe three training sessions with Spurs? That’s not a lot of time to adjust to a new tactical system and complete the Vulcan mind meld with Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. I can possibly see Sanchez making his debut as a late substitute if Spurs have a comfortable lead late in the match, but it seems like throwing him into the fire straight away without really getting to know his teammates and the way they play isn’t something Pochettino would do.
Still, Sanchez’s presence means that more than likely a consistent back three formation is coming, and that’s pretty fun!
The rest of the team news is pretty much as expected. Danny Rose, Erik Lamela, and Georges-Kevin N’Koudou are all still out with various injuries, though Spurs noted on their website that Lamela is now doing “outside work” and Rose has an expected return date of early next month.