Lilywhite Rose: Tottenham medical staff ‘not fit for purpose’ after star player injury reveal
Tottenham Hotspur’s injury crisis this season has reached such alarming levels that questions are now being raised about the competence of the club’s medical team.
The situation has become so dire that it could potentially cost Ange Postecoglou his job, with the manager’s future hanging in the balance due to the sheer volume of fitness issues plaguing the squad.
While Postecoglou himself has been accused of overriding medical advice to play certain players earlier in the season, the spotlight has now shifted to the backroom staff, whose handling of injuries has come under intense scrutiny.
The latest incident involving Cristian Romero has only added fuel to the fire. The Argentine defender, who recently returned from a long-term injury in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, took to Instagram to express his gratitude—but not to Spurs’ medical team.
Instead, Romero thanked the physiotherapists of the Argentine national team for helping him recover and getting him back on the pitch. His post read: “After a difficult period full of things that happened in the middle, I am back with the group and happy to be able to help the team.
There is certainly a lot to correct and work on, but we are together and eager to turn this situation around. See you on Thursday, we will come back stronger than ever, all together Spurs. Thankful to the physiotherapists of Argentina for getting me out of a bad moment and for putting me back on the field where I am so happy. Thank you all for the support always.”
Romero’s comments have sparked a wave of criticism aimed at Tottenham’s medical staff, with many fans and pundits questioning their ability to manage player fitness effectively. John Wenham, owner of Lilywhite Rose, has been particularly vocal about the issue.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Wenham didn’t mince words: “It really isn’t a great look for Spurs’ medical staff. We’ve had all of these injury issues in the squad this season, and now we’re hearing that players are choosing to go elsewhere to seek help.
It really isn’t a great look at all. We’ve heard this season about new medical staff being hired, and then the job adverts which emerged on LinkedIn seeking replacements. It just continues to build into the narrative that the current staff are not fit for purpose.”
The problems within Tottenham’s medical department first came to light earlier this year, with reports suggesting internal issues and a lack of cohesion among the staff.
These concerns have only grown as the season has progressed, with key players like Romero, James Maddison, and Micky van de Ven spending significant time on the sidelines. The frequency and severity of these injuries have raised serious questions about the club’s approach to player fitness and recovery.
Romero’s case is particularly telling. The defender has missed a large chunk of the season due to injury, and his decision to credit Argentina’s physiotherapists rather than Tottenham’s medical team speaks volumes.
It suggests a lack of trust in the club’s ability to manage his recovery, a sentiment that could be shared by other players in the squad. This is not the first time Tottenham’s medical team has faced criticism, and unless significant changes are made, it’s unlikely to be the last.
The situation has left Postecoglou in a difficult position. While the manager has shown faith in his players and pushed them to play through injuries at times, he cannot be expected to succeed if the medical team fails to provide adequate support.
The Australian has every right to be frustrated with the current state of affairs, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he demanded a complete overhaul of the medical department in the near future.
For Tottenham, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The club’s ambitions of competing at the highest level are being undermined by a seemingly endless injury crisis, and the blame for this lies squarely with the medical team. If Spurs are to turn their season around and achieve their goals, they must address these issues head-on.
Whether that means hiring new staff, implementing new protocols, or both, one thing is clear: the current setup is not working, and change is urgently needed. Until then, Tottenham’s injury woes will continue to haunt them, both on and off the pitch.