Tottenham Hotspur are facing a growing injury list as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, including their Europa League match against Galatasaray. Despite a strong run of results, with a Carabao Cup win over Manchester City and a dominant 4-1 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League, Spurs’ injury woes are mounting. Manager Ange Postecoglou is now contending with several key players sidelined, and the team’s fitness concerns could impact their chances in the weeks ahead.
Cristian Romero, one of Spurs’ most influential defenders, was forced off during the Villa match after injuring his right foot in a challenge with Morgan Rogers. Postecoglou described Romero as a “tough cookie,” indicating the injury was significant enough to make him leave the pitch. Reports from Argentina suggest that Romero could be out for around a week due to damage to his right toe. This would likely rule him out for Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Galatasaray and their Premier League match against Ipswich before the international break. The potential return for Romero is expected in late November, though Spurs will continue to assess his condition.
Micky van de Ven, Romero’s partner in central defence, has also been struggling with an injury. He was forced off in tears during the win over Manchester City after suffering a hamstring strain. Postecoglou confirmed that the injury wasn’t severe but that van de Ven would likely miss Tottenham’s matches until after the international break. The Dutchman is expected to return to action in early December, depending on his recovery.
Richarlison, who has had an injury-plagued season so far, added to the list of concerns when he sustained a knock during the Aston Villa match. The Brazilian forward had come on as a substitute and set up Dominic Solanke’s second goal before feeling a strain in his hamstring. Postecoglou confirmed that Richarlison is being assessed, but there is no set date for his return. His absence could further hinder Spurs’ attacking options, with the forward having already struggled to find his best form this season.
In addition to the aforementioned injuries, Wilson Odobert, the 19-year-old winger, has encountered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury. After returning to action in late October following a month-long absence, Odobert appears to have suffered a more serious issue. Postecoglou expressed disappointment at the setback and indicated that the winger would be out for an indefinite period. This is a blow for Odobert, who joined Spurs from Burnley for £25 million in the summer but has made only five appearances for the club.
Djed Spence, another player who has been affected by injury, is recovering from a groin strain sustained in training. The right-back, who recently signed a new contract with Tottenham, had been expected to return to full training soon. However, he missed both the wins over City and Villa. Postecoglou suggested that Spence could be back in training by next week, although no specific timeline has been given for his return to match action
With a number of key players sidelined, Postecoglou will be hoping that his remaining squad members can maintain their momentum in what has been a promising period for the club. Tottenham are currently just two points off the top four, and with matches coming thick and fast, the injuries could complicate their push for European qualification. The team’s ability to cope without these important players will be tested in the coming weeks, and Spurs fans will be hoping for quick recoveries and minimal disruption to the team’s form.
