Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino will be without a recognised right back for the 2017/18 season opener. Spurs are away to newly promoted Newcastle United on Sunday but Kieran Trippier is likely to miss the match with an ankle injury.
The England international sustained the injury in the final pre-season friendly, against Juventus last weekend, which we won 2-0. Tottenham were hopeful that wouldn’t be a serious one but there are concerns that he could be out for a number of weeks.
What looks certain now is that Trippier would be out of contention for the trip to Newcastle, as reported by The Telegraph. The former Burnley defender’s form saw him sign a long-term deal with the club early this summer which hastened the exit of Kyle Walker.
Walker has joined Manchester City in a £50million deal, leaving Pochettino only with Kyle Walker-Peters as the backup option on the right. But, the manager has already indicated that the 20-year-old is not yet ready to deputise in the Premier League (Sun).
Will This Push Pochettino To Sign A Right-back?
The 26-year-old is not optimistic of being fit for the opening match and the club is anxious to find out the length of time he would be out for. Depending on the extent, Spurs may be forced to move into the market for a right-back.
Irrespective of this injury, the club was linked with moves for Valencia right-back Joao Cancelo and Porto full-back Ricardo Pereira. However, these are still in the rumours stage. Even if we hasten our interest in either of the two and press for a deal, it is certain that there won’t be any new arrivals before this weekend game, leaving Pochettino short of a genuine right-back.
A Bad Time To Get Injured?
There is never a good time to get injured but the timing of Trippier’s injury couldn’t have been worse. With just days left before the new season to kick off, Pochettino will have to look at viable alternatives.
Eric Dier has experience playing in that position last summer while Moussa Sissoko was employed as a right wing-back at the weekend against Juventus, although that’s one name the fans wouldn’t want on the team sheet. In all probability, it looks likely that Dier will replace Trippier.
What do you think? Will Trippier’s absence cost us in the short and long run?
