Tottenham Hotspur will be without the centre-back until after Christmas.
Following the news that Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld will be out injured until at least January with a hamstring injury, their manager Mauricio Pochettino has some big decisions to make in terms of team selection.
Against Arsenal, the Spurs boss opted to stick with three centre-backs, playing Eric Dier alongside Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen, and the Gunners ran out 2-0 winners.
The problem for Spurs is that, on that occasion, Dier would have been much better suited in the centre of the park, with Mousa Dembele unable to stem the tide of the hosts’ attacks.
Pochettino has shown he is adept at changing his team and his formation to counter Tottenham’s opponents, however Alderweireld was key to the club’s impressive run of form with three centre-backs and one wonders if it would be better to switch to a back-four with Dier shielding them until the Belgian international returns.
Unless Tottenham opt to start Juan Foyth or Ben Davies in a back three, Dier will be relied on week in, week out in the weeks ahead, potentially weakening Spurs’ midfield in the process.
Pochettino will know what is best for his side but on Saturday’s evidence he may need a rethink, at least on occasions.
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