Frustration mounts as key Tottenham players set to miss date on Tyneside

Frustration mounts as Tottenham prepare for life without key members of the squad for the trip to Newcastle next weekend. 

Cristian Romero, Giovanni Lo Celso, Davinson Sanchez and Emerson Royal are on international duty in South America, all of whom are scheduled to play qualifiers on Thursday evening, just over two days shy of Spurs’ pivotal trip to Tyneside.

There is no way, if the quartet are obliged to take part — which they almost certainly are — that we will see any of the aforementioned names on Nuno’s starting team sheet.

While I’m not questioning the importance of suiting up for your nation in meaningful World Cup qualifiers, I take issue when international commitments prevent players from upholding their domestic responsibilities.

Tottenham are doing their utmost in an attempt to convince the football associations of Brazil, Argentina and Colombia to allow their assets to fly back to England early. However, don’t expect any of the three aforementioned associations to budge or make any concessions.

The South American football associations can’t be blamed for not wanting to releasee players who might be influential in their quest to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. So who is to blame for the schedule conflict?

Surely CONMEBOL is responsible for creating such an unforgiving schedule, making it impossible for Premier League players to ensure their club commitments are upheld.

Considering the distance of travel and abbreviated timespan available, there’s no simple solution. But keeping players from competing with their club teams isn’t the answer. Spurs will miss dearly Romero and Royal’s presence in defence, while Lo Celso is a key member of Nuno’s midfield. Even if Lo Celso isn’t scheduled to start, he’s always one of Nuno’s primary options coming off the bench.

Even if this aggravating scheduling conflict doesn’t prevent Spurs from taking all three points at Tyneside, something has to be done about this outrageous scheduling demand on players.

While many will say country has always taken precedence over club, I’d counter by arguing that each club, by forking out millions on player salaries, are entitled to seek guarantees, ensuring their assets are forever available for domestic responsibilities.