Spurs suffered a blow today as it was announced that Jan Vertonghen damaged a medial knee ligament in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Vertonghen’s partnership with Toby Alderweireld has been key to the improvement by Tottenham this season, so how does Mauricio Pochettino cope without him? We’ve got three possible solutions.
1. Put faith in Wimmer
Kevin Wimmer has been given relatively few opportunities to prove himself since joining Tottenham, but could now have the chance to shine in Vertinghen’s absence.
Wimmer has only played five times this season, prompting rumours of a return to the Bundesliga. The question is whether these lack of games are a symptom of Pochettino’s desire to keep a settled defence, or a lack of faith in the Austrian.
One assumes it’s the former. With the club having been drawn in a relatively tough Europa League group, Pochettino has often elected to play his strongest side in the very competition that he might have been expected to give Wimmer experience.
When called upon, Wimmer has looked solid and as a left-sided central defender looks the likeliest candidate to play in Vertonghen’s absence.
2. Drop Dier back, shake up the midfield
Another option at centre-back is Eric Dier. Unlike Wimmer, the 22-year old has built up plenty of experience in the Premier League and could be a more reliable option.
The problem this would create is in midfield, where Dier has excelled in a deep-lying role this season. There are other options, but the doubt is whether Pochettino will trust them to protect the back four as effectively as Dier.
Pochettino has seemed reluctant to play Nabil Bentaleb instead of Dier. Is this because of his lack of fitness after injury, or a verdict on his lack of defensive nous?
The other option is Mousa Dembele, who played well in this role against Liverpool at White Hart Lane this season.
3. Enter the transfer market
It seems unlikely that Spurs will buy a central defender considering that Pochettino doesn’t like to rotate in these positions, has Wimmer and Dier as options and the impressive youngster Cameron Carter-Vickers in reserve.
Yet a move for a midfielder that could end the reliance on Dier, should not be ruled out. Tottenham look far more difficult to break down since Dier replaced Bentaleb in the side and if Pochettino doesn’t think the Algerian can perform the role, then some back up will be needed sooner rather than later.
The link to the Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama has resurfaced and he or another defensive midfielder could be added in January.
Really lazy writing. The only thing Poch will do is to play Wimmer who will without doubt, excel in place of Vertonghen.
Silly article, hope they improve.
COYS
This is not silly, you are Mr something. How dare you, how rude.
I tink we will buy a cm and push Dier back into cb. Kante of Leicester will do nice.
Thank you England for all the dss benefits you give me and my family, lots of money for free. Thank you.
Dier plays right side, Verts plays left side. Dier could cover for Toby but isn’t an ideal replacement for Verts. Wimmer was brought in to cover for Verts and has already had several games.
Well, let’s just hope that Wimmer stays fit.
Also, this seems the ideal time to get Fazio
fully involved in Poch’s plans. He has something
to prove, so keep him and hope he proves worthy
of THFC. It’s a blow losing Verts …but not a
disaster. Keep the pressure on teams in the final
third by high pressing, and we should still get top
four. That means another striker, and possibly
winger this January.
Verts left footed CB, replaced by Wimmer left foote CB, Wimmer may not be 100% Verts in disguise but he is very nearly there and in the Europa spends most of his time bailing out Fazio. Fazio needs to be on a flight to anywhere and sharpish. I would pay for the flight myself unfortunately I am borassic as most of my wages seems to be going to lazy arsed foreigners who scrounge off GB and think it’s amusing.
Thank you TH you are very kind, I feel good spending your money. I can buy lots and lots, I am planning on getting some plane tickets for more of my family to come over and also let them enjoy the benefit benefits in the UK. You are soo kind.
I think it’s a no brainer that Wimmer will replace Verts, what little I’ve seen of him he’s looked steady beside Toby and hopefully that will continue. Terrible thing to say but I’d be more concerned if Toby was crocked. If we enter the transfer window it needs to be for a striker first and foremost in case the same thing happens to Kane, we don’t look very threatening playing the false no.9 tactic.
If push comes to shove, we could also use Davies as left CB as he plays there for Wales.
Just hope that THFC dont do there last minit “offer” and miss out on whatever player they want before the window closes!
Wimmer all the way for me. Dier could always sit a little deeper to offer more protection, essentially playing a back 3. I’m confident we got this covered. COYS!