Spurs injury update as Ange Postecoglou prepares for his first north London derby with an almost completely fit Spurs side.
Tottenham are in top form heading into next week’s North London Derby. In the league, they are on a four-match winning streak, scoring goals and playing entertaining football.
After five games, they are one of four teams – the current top four – to remain unbeaten in the league, and only two teams have scored more goals than them. Spurs are the side playing the superior game so far as one of the most anticipated derby days in recent history approaches.
To make matters even better for Ange Postecoglou, who appears to have done nothing wrong in charge thus far, he is working with a nearly totally fit group and, barring any late training concerns, will be able to deploy his best team once more. It is a source of pride for the Spurs that they have rarely needed to rotate this season.
New signee To accomodate, Manor Solomon has worked his way into the side, while Son Heung-min has taken on a central position. Dejan Kulusevski‘s fitness and availability, after missing so much of last season with niggles, is one of the major positives, allowing for some of the best attacking play to flow through him.
Despite getting kicked repeatedly for club and country – he is the equal third most fouled player in the league – James Maddison has remained strong and in form. Richarlison‘s ability to play from the bench after returning from international duty with Brazil is an homage to the depth available at this moment. He was widely expected to have to replace Harry Kane outright.
Spurs have no immediate concerns following their match against Sheffield United. Giovani Lo Celso did not play on Saturday after being ruled out by Postecoglou, but everyone else who has played this season was in contention.
“[Giovani Lo Celso] is unable to perform this weekend.” He trained with us yesterday, but we’ll give it a week,” he stated on Friday. At the same time, new signing Alejo Veliz was made available for the first time since joining the club in the summer.
“Alejo is finally on the pitch, which is great,” Postecoglou added. “His first session was yesterday [Thursday].” He’s been impatiently waiting to begin. It was great to have him on board yesterday, and he’ll be available from now on.”
Veliz was not named to the matchday squad for the encounter with the Blades, but his availability gives another layer of depth to the squad, although with inexperience. His South American teammate Rodrigo Bentancur is also making progress towards a long-awaited return, although he will be out for at least another six weeks.
He warmed up on the turf at Hotspur Way for the first time since sustaining a serious knee injury in February, which was a significant boost for the important midfielder, but he wasn’t part of the main training group. As his rehabilitation progresses, Bentancur will have to settle for more solo workouts.
Postecoglou, on the other hand, is praising his enthusiasm to return. “The most difficult part is rehab.” Talk to any player; it’s not just the work, but the lone component of it. He was buzzing yesterday, but that is a good thing.
“It’s fair to say he has a lot of work to do, and it’s great to have him involved.” Of course, he was disappointed when we had to pull him out after half an hour.”
Ryan Sessegnon and Bryan Gil are the only other players who are unlikely to be available because they are also working towards a return. Barring any hiccups this week, it’s going to be a cracker at the Emirates Stadium next Sunday, with two fluid teams squabbling it out.
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