Antonio Conte voices frustration at Tottenham Hotspur star Lucas Moura’s injury problems
Antonio Conte has rarely used Lucas Moura this season, and it is largely down to the Tottenham Hotspur attacker’s injury troubles.
A calf injury ruled out the Brazilian forward for the majority of the first half of this season. When it looked like a return was possible in due time, there were setbacks in training.
He made his return as a last-minute substitute in our 2-0 league win against Everton on 15 October. Since then, he has made five successive substitute appearances. In fact, all eight of his Premier League appearances this campaign have been as a sub.
Most of them have been in the closing stages of the game, suggesting that perhaps Conte isn’t risking losing the former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) winger again by risking his injury.
It’s a vicious cycle. Injuries keep him out, and that prevents him from getting accustomed to the team’s playing style and getting in the groove.
Are Lucas’ best days behind him?
If that doesn’t happen, he won’t be a shoo-in for first-team starts when he is actually fit. Conte has voiced his frustration at Lucas’ injury issues at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Premier League clash against Brentford on Boxing day. He said (h/t Football.London):
“About Lucas Moura, we didn’t have him from the start of the season. And we are continuing to not have him. He has this problem, he is struggling a lot to find a solution. For sure it’s a difficult situation.”
“Because I have a good player in my squad, but he’s never available. It’s like you don’t have him… don’t know, I don’t know what in the future happens about him.
These are the words of a manager that perhaps doesn’t see the 30-year-old in his plans. His irritation is warranted because Lucas is indeed a good player but he just doesn’t seem to be fit for a long time under Conte.
At times this season, the former Inter Milan manager went with just Harry Kane and Son Heung-min in attack despite having Lucas on the bench. Whether he wasn’t sure about his fitness or just wasn’t happy with what he brought to the table is anyone’s guess.
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Lucas is in the final 18 months of his contract in a week’s time (Transfermarkt). It’s best that we look to move him on before we lose him for nothing and bring in a player who is as versatile and proven as him but is of a fitness level that Conte appreciates.
