Tottenham have suffered a big blow after Guglielmo Vicario was ruled out for months following ankle surgery
Tottenham Hotspur have had an underwhelming start to the season. They have produced a few incredible performances but have also suffered some shocking defeats.
Ange Postecoglou is doing everything in his powers to restore the club’s lost glory, but injuries have not helped him. The Greek-Australian tactician has had to make do without several players since the start of the season and that has cost his side dearly.
Spurs’ No.1 Guglielmo Vicario is the latest entrant in the treatment room. He suffered an ankle fracture in the 4-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last weekend but showed great resilience to carry and complete the entire game. On Monday, the Italian underwent surgery on a broken ankle, ruling him out for months.
Losing your first-choice goalkeeper is a big blow and that would affect the team’s dynamics, but Postecoglou has played down the chances of getting a free agent goalkeeper in to replace the injured Vicario. The Tottenham coach suggested he was happy to play Fraser Forster when asked about the possibility of a new face coming in.
Football commentator and pundit Ian Darke has urged Spurs to sign a new goalkeeper rather than relying on Forster to replace Vicario. Forster is now the stand-by shot-stopper until Vicario heals fully, but Darke has advised the North London club to strengthen their goalkeeping unit when the transfer window reopens in the New Year.
“I’d have thought in the situation they’re in that they’d want to get a top-level goalkeeper on board and keep Forster as the number two,” Darke exclusively told Tottenham News.
“I think keeping Forster in while Vicario recovers might raise a few eyebrows among the fans. Vicario probably is the justified number one although he’s not blemish-free.
“It’s probably world knowledge that he isn’t great from crosses, and maybe there are certain attributes where Forster might come in stronger, but Ange Postecoglou might have some thinking to do.”
Vicario has been a key part of the Lilywhites’ backline since he arrived at N17 from Empoli in June 2023. He is not just an excellent shot-stopper but is also crucial to the way Tottenham play out from the back under Big Ange. However, Spurs’ goalkeeping unit is more than just the Italy international, and we saw a glimpse of his backup Foster in midweek.
Forster started between the sticks in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with AS Roma in the Europa League. The veteran glovesman performed extremely well, making a string of key saves in both halves of the game.
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Big Ange has expressed full faith in the experienced Forster to do well until Vicario returns from injury. The former Southampton and Celtic star now has the chance to prove himself again and subsequently stop the Lilywhites from spending on a new shot-stopper—either now or in January.
That said, however, Spurs are one injury away from crisis if Forster sustains an issue which would leave our gaffer to rely on rookie goalkeepers. So, we agree with Darke’s views about signing a goalkeeper in January.
