Spurs Facing a Severe Defensive Crisis Ahead of Wolves Clash
Tottenham Hotspur is grappling with a severe defensive crisis as a series of injuries leave manager Ange Postecoglou with limited options in the heart of the defense. With all four senior center-backs sidelined, including Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, Spurs‘ defensive woes have deepened, leaving the team exposed ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Romero and van de Ven are long-term absentees, both injured in their first match back from injury earlier this month. This setback has resulted in the pair missing Spurs‘ last four matches across all competitions. Additionally, Ben Davies, a regular starter, has suffered another injury, keeping him out of action for at least a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, Radu Dragusin, another option in defense, was forced off during the team’s loss to Nottingham Forest, leaving his availability uncertain for the Wolves game.
Postecoglou expressed his frustration, acknowledging the challenge posed by these injuries: “It’s tough, especially with the busy fixture list. We’re getting by, but it’s clear we need to find solutions quickly,” he said. The manager also hinted at the possibility of relying on unorthodox choices, with midfielder Yves Bissouma filling in at center-back during the Forest match.
Who Could Step In?
With Dragusin’s fitness in doubt, Spurs may be forced to field an untested center-back pairing. Youngsters like 18-year-old Archie Gray, a midfielder who has been filling in at the back, may be called upon once again. Gray has started the last five matches at center-back, while 19-year-old Alfie Dorrington could be handed his Premier League debut if Dragusin is unavailable.
Bissouma’s emergency role in defense against Forest raised questions about whether he could feature in a starting position against Wolves, though Postecoglou remains uncertain. The lack of established options at center-back is a major concern as Spurs struggle to maintain their defensive integrity in the absence of their senior players.
Additional Absentees and Squad Challenges
Spurs will also be missing key players elsewhere in the squad. Full-back Djed Spence is suspended for one match following an accumulation of yellow cards. In addition, first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is sidelined until February, further complicating the team’s injury troubles. Up the field, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, and Mikey Moore are also unavailable, placing further strain on Postecoglou’s already depleted squad.
The Impact of the Injury Crisis
The absence of key defenders has had a noticeable impact on Spurs‘ results. Since Romero and van de Ven’s injuries, Tottenham has conceded in nearly every match they’ve played without the pair. The team’s defensive instability was evident in their 4-3 defeat to Chelsea, where they lost control of the game after Romero’s early exit.
Spurs’ current tally of 23 points from 18 games marks their worst performance at this stage of the season in 16 years. Their position in the table is precarious, closer to the relegation zone than to the top four, and they now face an uphill battle to turn their fortunes around.
Can Spurs Reinforce Their Squad in January?
Looking ahead, Postecoglou is optimistic about bolstering the squad during the upcoming January transfer window. “We’ll look to add quality where we can,” Postecoglou stated, recognizing the need to strengthen the squad despite the challenges of securing deals in the mid-season market. With a crucial second half of the season ahead, Spurs will be hoping to bring in reinforcements to navigate this injury crisis and remain competitive across all competitions, including the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and Europa League.
