Tottenham fans used to ridicule me – now I could dent their European hopes

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Tottenham Hotspur are facing a tricky away trip to Turkey on Thursday as they enter the lion’s den to face Galatasaray in the Europa League.

Ange Postecoglou’s team have so far made a perfect start to the Europa League winning three from three and sat second in the group phase. However, an away trip to Istanbul will be a real test for Tottenham with the team having struggled on their travels so far this season.

Postecoglou is expected to make plenty of changes to his side following a busy week which saw them beat Manchester City and Aston Villa. Now, their second-string team is facing its toughest test so far as they head to Turkey where one of their former players will be desperate to cause an upset.

Davinson Sanchez ready to prove Tottenham wrong in the Europa League

Davinson Sanchez’s time at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was far from ideal following his £42 million move from Ajax and a large part of his spell at the North London club saw him ridiculed by supporters.

The Colombian international showed a great deal of promise when he first arrived and was playing alongside Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld. But as the Belgian duo faded away and he became one of the club’s first-choice centre-backs, he struggled to hold his own and his performance levels took a real dip.

Postecoglou was the manager who sold him to Galatasaray for a fee of around £12.8 million in the summer of 2023. Sanchez is now thriving in Turkey and has been a real success for Galatasaray having won the league and super cup double last season.

The defender is expected to line up against his former club on Thursday and will certainly feel he has a point to prove to Spurs and Postecoglou when they arrive at the RAMS Park.

Can Tottenham afford a slip-up in Turkey?

Tottenham travel to Turkey sat in second place in the Europa League group and are just one of three teams to have taken nine points from nine. Lazio and Anderlecht are the other two sides who have also made perfect starts.

Spurs must finish within the top eight of the group to automatically qualify for the knockout stages and avoid entering the play-offs.

Postecoglou will want his team’s momentum to continue with another win on Thursday, however, with rotation required and given their current points situation, Spurs have leeway for an away day falter.

After Galatasaray, their next three games in the competition see them host AS Roma before travelling away to Rangers and Hoffenheim.