Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero will miss five weeks of action through injury, manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed.
Worsening selection issues for the north London side, the Australian manager confirmed the defender ‘had a scan’ and picked up ‘a hamstring strain’ in Spurs’ 2-1 win against Everton on Saturday.
The defender only just returned from a three-match ban on 7 December.
And losing the centre-half again when other first-choice defender Micky van de Ven remains injured may force Spurs into the January market.
Tottenham have been dealt a hammer blow with Cristian Romero set to miss the next few weeks through injury
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It arguably couldn’t have come at a worse time for Tottenham, where playmaker James Maddison remains sidelined alongside the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon and Ivan Perišić.
To compound Tottenham's woes, Spurs will lose Heung Min Son to South Korea in the Asian Cup in January for up to five Premier League matches, as well as Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr for AFCON.
This means Tottenham are now facing a crisis, one they'll want to avoid as they look to maintain their pursuit of Champions League football.
Before looking to the market, Spurs will be looking to the youngsters to step up.
Argentine striker Alejo Veliz joined in the summer and has only featured in the final minutes of some games this campaign.
With Son out, Veliz may be trusted to start some games next month which includes a home FA cup fixture against Burnley.
The club recalled 19-year-old striker Dane Scarlett from Ipswich but, having failed to score across the entire loan spell at Portman Road, it’s unlikely to see the player trusted.
Spurs also signed Blackburn youngster Ashley Phillips in the summer window and, with the core of Spurs’ defence out, the 18-year-old may be called upon for cover or as a substitution more often next year.
The 6ft 4in pacey centre-back was praised heavily by former Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray who labelled the Welsh defender ‘phenomenal’.
As of yet, however, Phillips is yet to make an appearance with Postecoglou alluding to strengthening in January externally.
Spurs outcasts Bryan Gil and Giovani Lo Celso have been called upon recently, but only the latter has made an impact in the attacking midfield role, and with nowhere else to look, Tottenham will likely be looking for external additions.
According to The Evening Standard, Spurs have entered talks with OGC Nice over 23-year-old right-sided centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.
The Nice defender is said to be valued at £35 million, and with confident ball-playing attributes, and playing for a high-flying Ligue 1 side that has conceded the least goals (9) so far, it is clear why Spurs are keen.
Closer to home, Spurs have a long-standing interest in Bournemouth centre-half Lloyd Kelly, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reporting on Tottenham’s pursuit in the summer window.
It could be viable that Spurs try again for the left-footed centre-back, who like Tobido has strong passing ability for his position.
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Reports have also talked up Spurs’ interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi, who finds himself in Premier League’s top 20 for completed passes this campaign (789) despite playing for a Palace team that averages 44.7 per cent possession.
Moving to the middle of the pitch, The Athletic have reported Spurs’ interest in Chelsea and England international Conor Gallagher.
The valuation difference was the main reason for transfer to fail in the summer, but with rumours of Pierre-Emile Hjojbjerg asking for a January move after falling out of favour in north London, Spurs may pay the £45 million asking price.
Out of favour Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips will be seeking game time ahead of Euro 2024, and with the Daily Telegraph reporting a move is possible due to Spurs’ technical director, Johan Lange, being a big fan, the player could revive his career in north London.
In attack with in-form Richarlison, and the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson and Veliz all ready to go, this is an area Spurs will probably look to the least.
Tottenham could swoop for Jean-Clair Tobido when the transfer window opens in January
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However, Spurs have always had a fascination with wingers so it is no surprise to see Tottenham linked with former Celtic winger, Jota, who may reunite with Postecoglou in north London.
The Benfica academy graduate has had a nightmare start to life in Saudi Arabia as Al-Ittihad decided not to register him for their Saudi Pro League squad, making a move away likely.
Wolves are also reportedly interested.
Tottenham have had a fantastic start to life under Ange Postecoglou, but with reoccurring injury issues, the January window may be crucial for the hopes of a trophy or European football.