Dele Alli hamstring injury a long-term concern for Tottenham

Dele Alli suffered a hamstring strain in training and has been ruled out of Tottenham’s Premier League opener, an injury that could have grave consequences for club and player. 

This injury is thought to be a minor one, but it has raises concerns about the susceptibility and vulnerability of his hamstrings.

Dele, still only 23 years old, has suffered four hamstring injuries since November 2017. Last season he missed two months with a hamstring problem. Like so many greats before him, repeat muscle injuries, particularly when concerning the hamstring, groin or quad, compound the tension on the muscle and weaken it with each successive tweak, shrouding doubt on the player’s capacity to excel at the top level for the long term.

To have such a rash of injuries on the same hamstring in short succession raises questions about the long-term future of the dynamic midfielder. Like Harry Kane, the repetitive nature of Dele’s injuries are what concerns Mauricio Pochettino most, who commented in the aftermath of the midfielder’s latest setback.

"‘I don’t know if the club communicate the time but I don’t believe he’s going to be ready for the start of the season,’ he said. ‘It’s the same area [hamstring]. Yes, of course we are worried. He’s still so young. Just 23-years-old and many, many hamstring problems in the last few years. ‘It’s to pay attention to what is going on in his body, but we are here to try to help him. [We] Think minor injury. Only a few weeks before he can be available again and be with the group.’"

Expect Tottenham to err on the side of caution with Dele’s latest injury, especially considering the timing. To suffer a strain so early on is even more disconcerting, as fatigue due to wear and tear isn’t to blame.

This particular injury is expected to keep him out between two weeks and a month.

The injury also highlights Tottenham’s lack of depth, further reinforcing the need to bring in top tier additions before the Aug. 8 deadline. Juan Foyth sustained an ankle injury against Bayern Munich, also ruling him out of the opener.

Who knows if Kane’s ankle will hold up, while Victor Wanyama, who is expected to be sold soon, is also out, his knee keeping excluding him from contention.