The Tottenham manager has shared an encouraging update on the fitness of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, hinting that a return is imminent.
Tottenham’s defensive crisis explained
This season has been a testing one for Tottenham Hotspur, particularly in the defensive department, with Ange Postecoglou’s side facing a litany of injuries that have severely hampered their performances.
Virtually all of the club’s senior defenders have spent time on the sidelines, with Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, and Destiny Udogie all grappling with fitness issues that have stretched the squad to its limits.
As a result, Tottenham have had no choice but to rely on less experienced players such as Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray as their central defensive partnership.
This makeshift backline, while giving these younger players valuable minutes, has struggled to provide the solidity required, and the results have reflected this.
Since Van de Ven and Romero were sidelined, Spurs have conceded 13 goals across six matches in the league, winning only one of their last six Premier League games.
The lack of defensive stability has exposed a pressing need for reinforcements, whether through the transfer market or the return of injured players.
Ange Postecoglou shares promising update on Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero
In a timely boost for the club, Ange Postecoglou has provided an update that could spell the end of Tottenham’s defensive woes.
As relayed by Nizaar Kinsella a football journalist for BBC Sport on X, the Australian manager delivered some good news regarding the fitness of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, confirming their potential Tottenham return in the near future.
“In the next couple of weeks Romero and Van De Ven will be back,” said Postecoglou.
What this means for Tottenham’s season
For Tottenham fans, the news could not have come at a better time. The Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool looms large, and while Postecoglou has not provided an exact date for the defenders’ return, reports suggest they could be back in action by late January.
This timeline places them well within contention for that key fixture, potentially giving Spurs a much-needed edge.
They are not the only ones coming back to full fitness as the manager has also hinted that Ben Davies is set to be involved this weekend. Hopefully, their return can give a brief respite to the team.