Injured Tottenham stars recovering but not in time for Carabao Cup semi

Antonio Conte indicated that Tottenham Hotspur stars Steven Bergwijn, Cristian Romero, and Eric Dier are close to recovery but will not be available against Chelsea. 

It is kind of good news on the Tottenham Hotspur injury front ahead of the second-leg match with Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. The good news is that there were no new injuries suffered in the midweek FA Cup clash with Morecambe so there are no new holes to fill. The bad news is that the players that were missing in the first leg will likely continue to be out.

Romero’s long-term Tottenham absence

Cristian Romero last played for Tottenham Hotspur on 7 November 2021 in a 0-0 draw at Everton, more than 60 days ago. For some perspective that was Antonio Conte’s first Premier League match in charge of Spurs.

Romero had also started – and received a red from two yellow cards – against Vitesse in Europe for Conte but that has been it. Davinson Sanchez has performed well in Romero’s absence, clearly growing as a footballer, although the same probably cannot be said about Japhet Tanganga. Regardless getting Romero, who was Fabio Paratici’s big summer signing back will be huge for the club.

According to Conte Romero has participated in some limited sessions now with the first team and will hopefully return soon. Having Romero’s, size, skill, and confidence back can only further enhance this team’s drive for a top-four finish.

Having Romero out was particularly difficult in the first leg against Chelsea because Eric Dier was out as well.

Dier and Bergwijn are close but unlikely to be risked against Chelsea

Conte indicated that there was the possibility that some players – namely Eric Dier and Steven Bergwijn – could be rushed back into contention for Chelsea on Wednesday. The more prudent move, however, and the more likely move according to Conte is that neither play.

Conte talked about not wanting to risk further injury. This likely is an especially difficult decision with Dier, who the team badly needs without Romero. However, despite the fact that the Cup Final is up for grabs, losing Dier for any further time would likely be an even worse result with three critical still to come this month after the semi-final.

Ultimately, the same is true of Steven Bergwijn, who Conte indicated was part of his plans despite reports about a potential move. Conte mentioned about Bergwijn can play any forward role and brings something that none of his other forwards does. Conte did not specify what that something is but he did make it clear that it exists.

Ideally, all three players, Romero, Dier, and Bergwijn would be available for Chelsea but the big picture is more important, particularly starting from a two-goal deficit. All three would be nice to have Wednesday but are must-haves for the rest of the season, so prudence prevails.