Tottenham Crisis Is Getting Worse, Forced To Play Injured Players

JAKARTA - Tottenham Hotspur's injury crisis forced Ange Postecoglou's manager to say he was forced to field Radu Dragusin against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, December 29, 2024, although the defender was battling an ankle injury.

Speaking after a 2-2 draw in the match, Postecoglou described the gloomy club situation with left-back Destiny Udogie as the last victim.

"Well, we have no choice. If Radu doesn't play, I don't know who will play."

"He's not 100 percent in shape, but he feels he can defend with his ankle," Postecoglou told reporters.

Dragusin, who picked up an injury against Nottingham Forest on Thursday, December 26, 2024, is currently the only centre-back available at the club considering Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Ben Davies are all injured and are still in a few weeks to return to play.

"There is no other choice, but it is not a risk. I mean, it is a decision that must be taken."

"It's not a muscle injury, it's a collision on his ankle. However, yes, we are making a decision."

"We have no other choice but to field players aged 18 or 17 years. That's the only fit player we have," said Postecoglou.

Tottenham will also lose players such as striker Richarlison, winger Wilson Odobert, and first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

It is likely that Spurs will also play without midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur for the home game against Newcastle United on January 4, 2025.

Bentancur menerima kartu kuning kelima musim ini yang memicu larangan bermain satu pertandingan.

Udogie also left the field in the 50th minute of the match against Wolves with a muscle injury, which added to Postecoglou's suffering.

"I think it's a hamstring injury. Once again, we rely on a group of core players because we don't have the ability to rotate."

"So, one day the injury will happen to us. Unfortunately, it will happen to Destiny Udogie," said Postecoglou.

Tottenham have now won only once in the last seven Premier League games. They are now ranked 11th in the standings, the lowest position since finishing in that place in the 2008/2009 season.

They conceded early against Wolves, marking the 15th time this year they have fallen behind at home in the Inggris League game.

However, goals from Rodrigo Bentancur and total Johnson had put them ahead in the first half. Unfortunately, the goal of Norwegian substitute Jorgen Strand Larsen, at the end of the match thwarted Spurs' much-needed victory.

"This is a disappointing result. Obviously we were one goal behind, but after that I felt we were in control of the game."

"It's not always easy to get chances, but we seem quite threatening every time we move forward," said Postecoglou.