Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld is out of the second leg against Juventus – but what does that mean for their chances of progressing?
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has all but confirmed that defender Toby Alderweireld will indeed miss the club’s crucial second leg Champions League tie against Italian giants Juventus.
It is something that many Spurs fans have been anticipating for a while now, but unfortunately for them, it will not make it any less difficult to accept. For a few years now the Belgian has been considered to be their most useful tool in the back four, which makes the interest in him from other clubs even more unsurprising.
While rumours of a potential Alderweireld departure circulate, the more pressing issue right now is his impending absence in the Champions League clash with Juventus.
“He is still not participating with the group,” Pochettino told The Guardian.
“The answer is clear.”
That all but confirms the worst fears of Spurs fans, and you just know that The Old Lady will be rubbing their hands together at the prospect of facing an uncertain Tottenham defence. Thankfully, though, that probably will not be the case either way, as Davinson Sanchez has taken his opportunity in the first team with both hands alongside Jan Vertonghen.
It is likely that we will see Dier or Foyth starting at the back with the aforementioned Sanchez for the cup tie tonight, as Pochettino will want to ensure that Vertonghen is not risked ahead of key games in both the league and in Europe.
One thing you have to question, though, will be whether or not either centre back can replicate Alderweireld’s grit and tenacity against such a high profile side like Juventus.
The 28-year-old has been hyped up so much for a reason, and unfortunately, the distraction of another injury will only draw more attention to the transfer speculation as opposed to allowing him to flourish on the pitch.
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