Spurs have a number of players in action over the international break.
Tottenham Hotspur may not be in action until a week on Saturday when they take on Bournemouth, but some of their players will be playing all over the world over the coming week as part of the international break.
Mauricio Pochettino will be keeping a close eye on his players, given that so many will be away travelling and playing over the next seven days, and here are five things Spurs fans should be looking out for during the international break…
Moussa Sissoko of France
Sissoko performance
In recent weeks, midfielder Moussa Sissoko has enjoyed something of a renaissance, turning in improved performances and even scoring his first goal against Huddersfield Town last weekend. The 28-year-old now heads off to international duty with France, and will be hoping to feature under Didier Deschamps in a bid to continue his recent form. Spurs fans will be hoping for the same, and may well be keeping an eye on France’s fortunes to track Sissoko’s dispalys.
Vertonghen injury
Earlier today, La Derniere Heure in Belgium reported that Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen had missed Tuesday’s training session with Belgium, allegedly over an ankle knock. Vertonghen returned to training today ahead of Belgium’s games Bosnia and Cyprus, but Spurs supporters will now be watching Vertonghen’s fortunes closely, in the hope that he doesn’t suffer any recurrence of that ankle injury.
Players making long trips
One of the major pet peeves of managers is when their players are sent travelling around the world, only to return to England jet-lagged. A problem for Mauricio Pochettino is that a number of his players face those long trips during the international break, with Ivory Coast’s Serge Aurier poised to play in Mali, Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez facing games in Barranquilla and Peru, whilst Son Heung-min must travel with South Korea to Russia and then Switzerland for two friendlies, with Tottenham hoping they come back to North London fresh enough to play against Bournemouth.
Possible Winks debut
After an injury to Manchester City’s Fabian Delph, England decided to hand a first call-up to Spurs midfielder Harry Winks, with the 21-year-old now in line for a debut under Gareth Southgate. The youngster is highly regarded in North London, and whilst he is ultimately one for the future with England, Spurs fans would love to see him earn a first cap against either Slovenia or Lithuania.
Kane’s form and fitness
Harry Kane’s recent form is no secret, as the Tottenham hero has now scored 13 in his last eight games for club and country, including the brace he scored against Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon. Kane is set to captain England against Slovenia, and whilst fans will want him to keep up his goalscoring form, they will also be terrified of a potential Kane injury in almost dead-rubber England international games.
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