Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has urged football authorities to allow clubs to expand their squads to cope with the relentless fixture congestion, as his team faces a mounting injury crisis.
Spurs are grappling with the possibility of fielding a squad without any senior center-backs for their upcoming match against Wolves. The issue escalated after Radu Dragusin sustained an ankle injury during Tottenham’s Boxing Day loss to Nottingham Forest. Additionally, Ben Davies experienced a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Spurs’ Injury Concerns Deepen
Postecoglou’s options at the back are severely limited, with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero already sidelined. The injury list now includes seven senior players, compounded by Djed Spence’s suspension following a red card at the City Ground. Spurs have lost four of their last five Premier League games, highlighting the impact of their depleted squad.
“The current system of limiting clubs to 25 senior players doesn’t align with the packed fixture schedule,” Postecoglou said. “Either the calendar needs to change, which seems unlikely, or clubs should be allowed larger squads.”
Managing Physical and Mental Demands
Postecoglou emphasized that the fixture congestion affects players both physically and mentally. “It’s not just us. Last season, Newcastle struggled when they faced similar challenges while competing in the Champions League. It’s becoming a broader issue, and clubs are finding it increasingly difficult to keep their players fit.”
The Spurs boss noted that his team has been under constant pressure since August, with little respite in sight. Tottenham will finally have a brief break after their match against Wolves, leading up to their clash with Newcastle on January 4.
Hope on the Horizon
Despite the challenges, Postecoglou remains optimistic about reinforcements. Forwards Mikey Moore and Richarlison are expected to return to training next week and could be available for the Newcastle game.
“Our schedule hasn’t been kind to us,” Postecoglou said. “It feels like we’ve consistently had less recovery time than our opponents, and that takes a toll. But Mikey and Richy are close to being back, which is a big positive for us.”
Persistent Setbacks
Ben Davies, who has been out since early December, was expected to return against Wolves but suffered another setback. This pattern of players re-injuring themselves after initial recoveries has been a recurring issue for Spurs this season.
“Our biggest problem isn’t losing players initially; it’s the recurring injuries when they return,” Postecoglou explained. “Nearly all of our current cases, apart from Vic [goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario], are reoccurrences. We’re analyzing why this is happening because it’s been far too frequent this year.”
Looking Ahead
As Spurs battle through their injury crisis, Postecoglou is determined to find solutions both on and off the pitch. His call for larger squads reflects a growing concern among managers about the impact of an increasingly demanding schedule on player welfare.
