Ange Postecoglou is facing a striker headache against Everton on Saturday after Tottenham’s club-record signing, Dominic Solanke, was ruled out with an ankle injury picked up on debut.
Solanke played the entirety of the 1-1 draw against Leicester on Monday night but is now battling to return before September’s international break. Having struggled with injuries throughout the summer, Richarlison missed the whole of pre-season and only came off the bench for one minute against Leicester. Postecoglou confirmed the Brazilian is fit to start on Saturday but would not be able to last 90 minutes, presenting the manager with the dilemma of whether to instead opt for Dejan Kulusevksi or Son Heung-min in his team’s central striking role.
“It’s not serious enough to keep him out for five weeks,” said Postecoglou of Solanke, whom Spurs signed from Bournemouth for an initial £55m this month. “He’s still a chance for the Newcastle game [on 1 September]. It’s just about how quickly he recovers.
“Every story is written differently. They’re not all fairytales where you come, make your debut and score a hat-trick. He was very good for us at Leicester and we’re disappointed because it was really exciting to see that he is going to fit in really well with what we’re doing. I’ve no doubt about that. It’s just a small hiccup. He misses a game or two. It’s game one of 50-plus games.”
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Postecoglu full of praise as Romero reaches century
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Ange Postecoglou, was full of praise for the “outstanding” Cristian Romero ahead of the defender making his 100th appearance for Tottenham against Everton on Saturday.
Romero has become a pivotal figure for Spurs since joining the club, initially on loan, from Atalanta in 2021, with the Argentina international taking on more of a leadership role under Postecoglou. The Australian made Romero his vice-captain last season.
“He is an absolute winner in everything he does,” said the Spurs manager when asked about the 26-year-old. “He has won the World Cup and the Copa America, so he’s part of a successful team and I think he’s a really strong influence in the group.
“Before I got here I thought he was going to be really important to me because he’s a fantastic centre-back but being here, watching the way he trains and plays, unbelievably strong mindset. It’s great he plays his 100th game tomorrow. I know he’ll perform at the level he normally does and hopefully we’ll make it a special day for him.” Sheldon Dragwidge
Asked whether the former Bournemouth man required picking up after suffering a blow so early in his Spurs career, Postecoglou joked: “Think of the poor old manager. Forget the player, what about me? I’ve just lost my key striker a week and a half after buying him – I need an arm around me.
“No, it’s all good. We didn’t sign Dom for one match and he knows that. He’s here hopefully for a long time to have a real impact at this club and bring success to it.”
Son was frequently deployed as Spurs’ central striker last season, while Kulusevski impressed there when filling in during pre-season. Postecoglou suggested the Swede “can do a job for us there, but I don’t think it’s his best position”.
Tottenham will also be without Rodrigo Bentancur for the Everton game as the Uruguayan recovers from the concussion he suffered against Leicester. Postecoglou confirmed Yves Bissouma is available for selection after the club imposed a one-match suspension when footage surfaced appearing to show him inhaling laughing gas. But the Australian admitted that the “bridge-building continues” after that incident.
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“You know what it’s like when you punish your child and they do everything right for the next two days?” said Postecoglou. “[Bissouma] is first in the meetings, he’s doing everything right but there’s always temptation down the road, so we’ll see.
“I’ve always believed in opportunity for redemption and learning. We’re still in that space at the moment with Biss. But obviously that door closes after a while if there’s repeated [indiscretions].”