Tottenham Suffer Another Injury
Following yesterday’s 1-1 draw between Fiorentina and Tottenham in the Europa League. Tom Carroll was subbed off at half-time in a like-for-like move. But it appears Carroll was replaced due to injury.
For the next seven to 10 days, Tom Carroll will be nursing an achilles injury according to Sky Sports. This latest injury should be a concern since Carroll has been in fine form this season. Helping Tottenham as a starter or coming on as a substitute.
But when looking at Tottenham’s upcoming matches, Tom Carroll’s injury isn’t exactly serious. Sure, a fifth round FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace and the return leg against Fiorentina in the Europa League are two big games. Not to mention a Premier League match against Swansea City to wrap up the month of February.
But Spurs have plenty of central midfielders to get the job done.
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How Carroll actually suffered his injury against Fiorentina is unknown. The only thing that Mauricio Pochettino said was that the injury involved a cut on Carroll’s achilles and that he would be out for seven to 10 days to recover.
“Tom got a cut in his Achilles. We hope that in seven to 10 days he will be available again.” said Pochettino.
“Hugo is out for Sunday, but we hope for next Thursday he will be available. Jan Vertonghen and Clinton N’jie are still recovering from their injuries.”
Again, seven to 10 days is a minor knock and while Pochettino didn’t divulge in how bad the cut was, it all points to Tottenham being fine even though another player just picked up an injury.
The only game where Carroll would have been needed would be the second leg in the Europa League against Fiorentina, as Spurs had difficulty penetrating through a stingy defense. Granted, Tom Carroll started the game and the entire team found it difficult to breakdown the Viola’s bend but don’t break defensive gameplan.
Other than that, Tottenham will be fine as Pochettino has already found a replacement for these two upcoming games: Ryan Mason.
The 24-year-old Ryan Mason will easily slot into the 18-man matchday squad and could actually get a second consecutive start against Crystal Palace. Seeing as how he’s fit once again and even captained the team last night in his first appearance since November 29.
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“It was special for him and he deserved to be nominated. He is a great man and great professional,” Pochettino added.
“We are happy that he is back because he is someone who can help the team.”
With Mason potentially starting, this makes Mousa Dembélé the backup and still gives Tottenham more than enough to down the Eagles and reach the sixth round of the FA Cup.
Of course, another option at central midfield is Harry Winks. Although the 20-year-old has been a non-factor this season in Pochettino’s plans so far, unfortunately.
But generally speaking, Tottenham boasts plenty of central midfielders on the squad so they can afford a minor injury to Tom Carroll despite the form that he’s been in. Now even though Alli is the team’s attacking midfielder, Carroll is injured, and Winks is nowhere to be found, Mason and Dembélé can hold down the fort in these two upcoming matches.
Besides, all this really does is help Mason — who was robbed of playing time due to injuries — to re-establish himself as a part of this squad and only improves the depth that Mauricio Pochettino has even more. If Mason gets back to his early season form then this ultimately gives Spurs a three-man central midfield rotation, which not many clubs in the Premier League could say they boast.
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Had Mason not been fully fit, then this latest injury would be a major setback as Mousa Dembélé wouldn’t have a backup behind him with Tom Carroll out. Unless Mauricio Pochettino gave that opportunity to Nabil Bentaleb who has seen his form waver with minimal appearances this season.
In any event, so long as this isn’t a long-term injury, the only negative would be Tom Carroll’s form since he will be missing some time. Otherwise, Tottenham should still be able to navigate through three competitions to close out the month of February with only two healthy central midfielders playing two games within a span of five days.