LONDON • Such was Mauricio Pochettino's confidence in Dele Alli adapting to a "false nine" role that Tottenham were not going to reinforce their front line, even after the ankle injury suffered by Harry Kane and Son Heung-min's absence due to the Asian Cup.
However, the Spurs manager's plans not to spend in the January transfer market were thrown into disarray on Tuesday night after scans confirmed his worst fears.
Alli suffered a hamstring injury during last Sunday's 2-1 Premier League win at Fulham and the club revealed he would now undergo rehabilitation and is expected to return to training in early March.
The midfielder, who is set to miss a host of key games including the the Champions League last-16 first leg against Borussia Dortmund and a league match at Chelsea, tweeted he was "gutted" with the diagnosis.
He said: "I will do everything in my power to return as quick as possible. Thank you for the messages."
The 22-year-old's six-week spell on the sidelines comes at the worst time for Spurs, with the club looking to defend their one-goal lead going into today's second leg of their League Cup semi-final with Chelsea.
They will travel to Stamford Bridge without Kane, who is out till March, Son and Alli, and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson felt now was "a good time" to play Tottenham.
He told Sky: "If you could say before the game that you can pull out three players from that team, then it would be Kane, Alli and Son."
But Eric Dier insisted Spurs could not feel "sorry for ourselves" and it would not be an excuse if Pochettino's men fail in their attempt to lift their first piece of silverware since 2008.
Insisting the team were not "sulking about it", the midfielder said: "Every team gets injuries, we have to deal with it."
There was better news as they bid to reach their first final in four years while exacting a measure of revenge against the team that beat them in the 2015 League Cup final.
Moussa Sissoko and Victor Wanyama have returned to training along with Lucas Moura who, after a three-game absence, is expected to feature in Alli's absence.
There were also reports of unrest in their London rivals' dressing room.
Manager Maurizio Sarri publicly questioned his men's mental strength and revealed it was "extremely difficult" to motivate them in the wake of last Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal.
While Sky pundit Gary Neville said on his weekend podcast it was now "inevitable that Sarri would get the sack at some point", Marcos Alonso has backed his boss and challenged his teammates to prove they have what it takes to arrest their slide, starting with Spurs.
Amid suggestions that several players are unhappy with his tactics, including playing N'Golo Kante and Eden Hazard out of position while favouring Jorginho, Alonso claimed the Blues manager's criticism was justified.
The Spain defender said: "When you lose, you learn. We have to perform again (against Spurs)."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
CHELSEA V TOTTENHAM
Singtel TV Ch111 & StarHub Ch202, tomorrow, 3.45am
Manchester United will have to settle for Europa League football next season after being held by a Huddersfield side who were relegated in March. Man Utd miss out on top four after draw at
Top-four spot slips out of reach for Manchester United after
Klopp excited by Premier League title fight Ad "The only chance to improve our position, even though it is a good position, is by winning football games." Just over a week ago Liverpool had
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp excited by Premier League
BRIGHTON, England (REUTERS) - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored the goal as Southampton withstood a second-half onslaught from Brighton & Hove Albion to secure a vital 1-0 Premier League victory on
Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton 1-0 win at Brighton - Daily
Cesc Fabregas has reunited with former Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry after joining Monaco from Chelsea. The former Gunners midfielder leaves English football after 501 matches. The 31-year-old
Cesc Fabregas Completes Move From Chelsea To Monaco, Reunites
"First and goal, ball on the two yard-line, Kapatos letting the playclock wind-down before hiking the ball. The Lions are in their goal-line formation, with an extra lineman as an eligible receiver.
NICOSIA (REUTERS) - Eden Hazard marked his 100th cap with an early goal to set Belgium on their way to a comfortable 2-0 away win over Cyprus in their Euro 2020 qualifier on Sunday (March 24)..
Hazard marks milestone with early goal to help Belgium win
Jose Mourinho hinted Manchester United's players are simply not good enough to compete with Liverpool after being brushed aside 3-1 at Anfield on Sunday by the Premier League leaders. Mourinho
Mourinho concedes Man Utd incapable of living with Liverpool
Davinson Sanchez is confident Tottenham's squad is strong enough to mount a Premier League title challenge despite injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Spurs squad can cope without Kane and
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope without Kane and Alli - Sportstar
LONDON: Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane is making a "fantastic" recovery and could be back in action ahead of schedule following the ankle injury he suffered last month against Manchester United. Kane was initially ruled out until March, but Spurs boss Pochettino said the England captain
Kane Making 'Fantastic' Recovery, Says Spurs Boss Pochettino
Zinedine Zidane allays fears over Cristiano Ronaldo injury final later this month.The club's all-time record goalscorer was replaced at half-time during Sunday's 2-2 Clasico draw with
Cristiano Ronaldo provides injury update after limping out of
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours AFP January 12, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Willian insisted he had no intention of leaving Chelsea after his superb goal sealed a 2-1 win at home to Newcastle on Saturday.
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours
Pele remains under "observation" in a Brazilian hospital, his doctors said Thursday, describing the three-time World Cup winner as "clinically stable". The latest update on the Brazilian football
Pele remains under 'observation' in Brazil hospital: doctors
The 2019 Women's World Cup kicked off Friday with France beating South Korea 4-0. France came into the tournament as one of the heavy favorites to win the championship --and for good reason. The
Rampant France thrash Korea in World Cup opener - oann.com
Barca display solid defence, Football News & Top Stories
Everton ease past Burnley to keep Europa League dream alive 2 Min Read May 3, Reuters - Everton bolstered their chances of qualifying for next season's Europa League with a 2-0 win over Burnley
Everton ease past Burnley to keep Europa League dream alive
0 comments:
Post a Comment