Tottenham Hotspur’s first-choice goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering a fractured ankle during Spurs’ emphatic 4-0 victory over Manchester City. Manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed that the 28-year-old will be out for “months, not weeks” following surgery to address the injury.
Vicario, who sustained the fracture during a collision with City winger Savinho, showcased remarkable resilience by playing through the pain for over an hour. His performance drew high praise from Postecoglou, who described it as “quite outstanding” and “one for the record books.” Despite the setback, the Australian manager remains confident in the squad’s ability to navigate this challenging period.
“It’s a blow, but we’ve dealt with setbacks before and we’ll deal with this one.”
Fraser Forster Steps Up as Tottenham’s Reliable Backup
With Vicario sidelined, Tottenham will rely on experienced backup Fraser Forster to guard the net. The 36-year-old has previously deputized in four matches this season, including a Carabao Cup win over Coventry and Europa League outings against AZ Alkmaar and Galatasaray. Postecoglou expressed full confidence in Forster, emphasizing his strong character and readiness to step up.
“Fraser, I’ve known for a long time. He’s such a strong character in the group and always ready to play,” Postecoglou said via BBC, ruling out the possibility of signing a free-agent goalkeeper as a stopgap measure. Additionally, the Spurs manager confirmed that the injury would not alter the club’s plans for the January transfer window.
As Tottenham sit fifth in the Premier League, the loss of Vicario will test their defensive stability during a busy period. Spurs are set to host Roma in the Europa League on Thursday before returning to domestic action against Fulham on Sunday. Forster’s experience will be pivotal as Tottenham aims to maintain their momentum in both competitions.
While Forster’s experience offers some reassurance, his ability to match Vicario’s level of performance will be critical during this period. After all the Italian held his own against Manchester City despite his injury mid-game, the standards set are already very high.