Tottenham Hotspur’s plans for the season have been thrown into turmoil after goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was ruled out for months with a fractured ankle.
With the Italian now set to miss a significant part of the season, Spurs may be forced to accelerate their plans to strengthen their goalkeeper department in the January transfer window.
A blow to Tottenham and Guglielmo Vicario
Tottenham’s goalkeeper department has been shaken to its core, with Guglielmo Vicario set to be sidelined for months after undergoing surgery for a fractured ankle.
The injury, sustained during Tottenham’s remarkable 4-0 victory over Manchester City, has sent shockwaves through the squad and management alike.
Vicario, who has been a key part of Spurs’ defence this season, played on despite the injury, unknowingly exacerbating the problem as he continued to perform at the Etihad.
It wasn’t until after the game that Vicario and the club were informed of the severity of the issue: a fractured right ankle that required surgery.
While the club has not placed a specific return date on Vicario’s return, many experts suggest that the goalkeeper is set to spend significant time on the touchline.
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Guglielmo Vicario setback and the January dilemma
Following the revelation of Vicario’s injury, the club is now exploring solutions, including entering the transfer market.
The Telegraph reports that Tottenham had initially planned to reinforce their goalkeeper department at the end of the season, but Vicario’s expected absence for months rather than weeks may force them to accelerate those plans.
In the meantime, head coach Ange Postecoglou will need to rely on 36-year-old Fraser Forster as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper.
While Forster has stepped in on several occasions this season, including in the Carabao Cup and Europa League, the 36-year-old is far from a long-term solution.
What next for Spurs as they navigate a difficult spell in their season?
The timing of Vicario’s injury couldn’t be worse, with Spurs set to face a packed schedule in the coming months, including high-stakes league fixtures against Fulham, Chelsea, and Liverpool, as well as a crucial Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.
With these games looming, the absence of Vicario could be very costly – many will only begin to wonder why the club did not go for a backup in the earlier summer transfer window.
Despite this, we will have to hope that Vicario’s recovery goes smoothly and that the goalkeeper department is adequately reinforced in the January window.