Postecoglou faces major Spurs dilemma as nightmare fixture scenario confirmed
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou will soon confront a series of complex decisions following the confirmation of a key fixture. Tottenham has shown remarkable form recently, securing nine wins in their last eleven matches across three competitions.
This impressive run includes victories over Manchester City and Aston Villa in both the Carabao Cup and Premier League, and they aim to maintain their unbeaten record in the Europa League against Galatasaray.
However, their momentum has come at a cost, with three major injury setbacks affecting the squad. Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Richarlison have all faced recent injuries, posing significant challenges to Postecoglou’s lineup options.
Van de Ven will miss the upcoming clash in Turkey due to a hamstring injury, and Postecoglou has provided updates on the conditions of Romero and Richarlison.
He noted that Richarlison suffered a hamstring injury likely to sideline him for an extended period, while Romero’s issue seems less severe, with the possibility he may return by the weekend.
Adding to the list of setbacks, Timo Werner has been managing a groin issue, which prevented him from traveling, and Mikey Moore, affected by a virus, also remained at home.
Consequently, Spurs will go into the Galatasaray match without two central defenders and several offensive options, particularly on the left wing.
This spate of injuries will require Postecoglou to rely on the depth of his squad to navigate the demands of playing twice a week over the coming months. In central defense and on the wings, however, he faces limited choices.
Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, and Son Heung-min currently stand as the only natural fits for these positions. Son, despite recently returning from injury and playing 55 minutes last weekend, is expected to start against Galatasaray due to the lack of alternatives.
These immediate challenges are only the beginning for Postecoglou. An upcoming fixture announcement has added to his considerations, setting up a critical stretch in December.
On December 19, Spurs will meet Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, followed by a Premier League encounter with Liverpool just three days later. This quick succession of high-stakes matches will likely force Postecoglou to weigh his priorities carefully.
While the pursuit of a trophy makes the Carabao Cup an appealing target, the league remains Tottenham’s primary objective. This balancing act could influence his approach to squad rotation as he manages the team’s fitness through a packed schedule.
As these demanding fixtures approach, Postecoglou hopes the injury situation improves, allowing him to distribute minutes more strategically.
Before the intense holiday period around Boxing Day and the New Year, Spurs are set to play seven games, underscoring the need for meticulous management of both player availability and match fitness.
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