Jan Vertonghen will miss Tottenham’s crucial Champions League clash against Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday – and won’t play until after the international break because of a hamstring problem.
The Belgian defender has endured a stop-start season and hasn’t featured since the home leg against the Serbian’s. Vertonghen was an unused substitute for Spurs’ Premier League defeat at Liverpool last weekend and then seemingly suffered the injury in training which caused him to miss the draw with Everton on Sunday.
Prior to Mauricio Pochettino’s press conference in Belgrade, Tottenham confirmed Vertonghen’s absence and also revealed that Erik Lamela will miss the European tie with the same problem, although the Argentine could return for the game against Sheffield United on Saturday.
TEAM NEWS: @HKane (virus): travelled with team & back in training@ErikLamela (hamstring): unavailable, being assessed for Sheff Utd
Hugo Lloris (elbow): continuing assessment & rehab @JanVertonghen (hamstring): unavailable until after international break #UCL ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/3h4k87GhT8
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 5, 2019
Vertonghen’s injury means that Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez will be expected to continue at the heart of the Spurs defence, although Juan Foyth will be hoping to earn just his second start of the campaign and first since the Carabao Cup defeat to Colchester United.
Please. Tighten up. The. Defence &. Change. Substitute. With. Half a hour. Left. &. Allow. Player. To. Settle down. &. Ple. Sell. Rose. BECAUSE. He is. Slow. &. He is. Short. As. Well.
Try using a different strategy that has not been seen by teams before, eg:
Three central defenders with four midfield and a diamond of Alli, Son, and Kane rotating. Yes you played that way two seasons ago and instead of using Eriksen who cannot and at present does not defend, LoCelso, Ndombele Sissoko and Davies in midfield, the latter two pivoting between full back and wing.
Believe me it can work if they are trying and Davies deserves that recognition. When they are tiring after say, 65 minutes, launch two subs on, say Parrott for Alli or Son and Sessegnon for either Davies or Foyth, switching Sissoko to central midfield and LoCelso to attacking wingback. He has played in this role for Real Betis before and created havoc.
Why is Harry Winks not playing I think he is one of the best