Reputed journalist reveals concerning post-match sight of Tottenham star.
Tottenham Hotspur’s injury list grew on Saturday after Pedro Porro seemingly suffered a hamstring injury, forcing him off the pitch in the first half against Aston Villa.
The 27-year-old, who had already missed the Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool due to a minor muscle injury, lasted only 19 minutes against Aston Villa before being substituted for youngster Archie Gray. As expected, Porro has since withdrawn from the Spanish national team squad for the games in the international break.
However, it looks like Porro isn’t the only Tottenham player who got injured during the defeat to Villa.
Alasdair Gold reveals concerning update on Tottenham star
Dominic Solanke started the game against Aston Villa, tasked with leading the Tottenham attack. The England international struggled to make a real impact in the game and was subbed off in the 65th minute.
Reputed journalist Alasdair Gold has now revealed that Dominic Solanke was moving gingerly after the Villa game, and suggested that the striker could still be carrying a niggle or is short of his peak physical condition.
“He looks unfit, lacking in sharpness, and worryingly, the sight of him limping, or at the least shuffling awkwardly, out of the dugout and onto the turf after the final whistle does not breed confidence in a striker who appears to have none in himself. Hopefully he was just a bit stiff or had taken a little whack that was aching, but it was a concerning image,” Alasdair Gold wrote in Football London.
“His day was summed up during that early double Savio chance. Tonali’s initial ball reached him first, but the striker had no anticipation or awareness that it was going to do so, and it simply bobbled off him and into the Brazilian’s path instead.
“Solanke made a couple of defensive contributions, but mostly he looked like a lumbering tree with legs rather than the hold-up man with the skill to dribble past a defender that he once was. Whether it’s simply a lack of fitness – although he’s been back now for almost a month – or a lingering injury, perhaps that troublesome ankle that continues to dog him, De Zerbi needs much better.”
De Zerbi demands more from Dominic Solanke
De Zerbi has previously shown his full support to Solanke, insisting the striker will rediscover his clinical edge despite a difficult start to life at Tottenham. The 29-year-old has struggled to find the net recently, as Spurs have managed to score only twice in their five Premier League outings.
However, after the Villa defeat, the Spurs boss singled out the £65 million star for criticism. He carped about the physical condition of Solanke and acknowledged Tottenham need more from him. The centre-forward clearly needs to improve his physical condition to regain his confidence.
Gold’s revelation on Solanke should immediately concern the fans, who haven’t seen the best of the ex-Bournemouth star for a long time.
