Premier League: 5 questions Tottenham Hotspur must answer in their last 9 matches

Tottenham question No. 1: Which defenders are worth keeping?

Mourinho’s arrival was supposed to solidify Tottenham’s back line. It’s safe to say he hasn’t achieved that objective. Spurs have been a mess in front of goal this season.

The back line will almost certainly be the focus of any summer spending. That doesn’t mean Mourinho can afford to turn the entire group over. He needs to spend the next nine matches determining which players on his current squad he’s willing to work with moving forward.

The aforementioned Aurier is his only realistic option at right back. The same can be said for Ben Davies on the left. Ryan Sessegnon may ultimately challenge him for playing time there, but he seems to be ticketed for a future in attack. That still leaves Mourinho with decision to make at centre back.

Toby Alderweireld seems well positioned to keep his place at one of the starting spots. He may not be in his athletic prime any longer, but he’s still an above average Premier League starter. The identity of his partner in central defence is where the real issue lies.

Jan Vertonghen will finish the season with Tottenham but seems destined to leave the club in the summer. Japhet Tanganga and Eric Dier both want to take his place in the starting XI. Spurs fans should expect to see both players get extended looks to partner with Alderweireld over the next nine matches.

If neither shows they can handle the job, look for Mourinho to push for a big-money signing to bolster his defence this summer. In many ways, this is the most important squad decision Tottenham have to face down the stretch.