Bentalab and co. could feature in final Europa League group matches.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas says he will play some of the club’s talented youngsters in the final Europa League group matches if the team can secure qualification against Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday night.
A win over the Moldovans at White Hart Lane will guarantee Spurs’ progress with two group games remaining against Tromso and Anzhi Makhachkala.
Villas-Boas has so far played a strong squad in the Europa League, with the likes of Jan Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen and club-record signing Erik Lamela all starting in the away leg against Sheriff last month.
But the Portuguese says he will try to include some youngsters once progress to the last-32 is secured.
“Would we look to play some of the young players? There is that possibility, yes, and, if we ensure qualification, first place, we will probably do that,” Villas-Boas told reporters.
“I don’t want to step too far ahead because we need to push the boys for that deserved start but, as soon as we achieve it, we can look at it as an opportunity to throw them in to a senior game.”
Asked if 18-year-old midfielder Nabil Bentaleb, who was named on the bench during Wednesday’s Capital One Cup win over Hull City, could feature in the Europa League, Villas-Boas was optimistic.
“Nabil, definitely, is training so well that he is always in contention to break in to the team,” he enthused.
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