The Tottenham Hotspur injury/fitness situation remains mysterious ahead of the next fixture, a visit from West Ham United on Saturday. Son Heung-min, Richarlison de Andrade and Wilson Odobert are the team’s only injury concerns, and it remains to be seen but all three could all possibly be in contention for selection next weekend.
We’ll start with Son, who did not go away with South Korea this international break, due to the thigh injury that has forced him to miss three straight games.
Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United FYIs
Kick-off: Saturday, October 19, 12:30 pm local, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK
Google Result Probability: West Ham victory 17% Draw 18% Tottenham victory 65%
Son took to Instagram on Sunday, where he posted “Back soon.” That sounds promising, right? Expect him to resume training this week. Richarlison is a bit more complicated, given how manager Ange Postecoglou got very defensive with the media the last time he discussed the topic. He blatantly told people to stop asking for updates on his calf injury, until he himself provided further notice.
Well, Ange has been ornery with the media, at times, this season. Maybe this Richarlison situation is more complicated than had been initially suspected? however Richarlison was spotted back on the grass getting work in. This match might come too soon for him, but he should return not too further beyond it.
As for Odobert (hamstring injury), he could also be in contention here, or maybe for the next game, which will be in the Europa League. We could see him return to training this week.
Ange Postecoglou’s post-Celtic career has not yet taken off.
The Australian was beloved at Parkhead with droves of supporters following his two season stint in Glasgow where he lifted five trophies which landed him his big move to the Premier League.
It was a baptism of fire last term for Postecoglou having joined Tottenham Hotspur who had just lost Harry Kane to Bayern Munich but he managed to guide them to a respectable fifth.
Fast forward a few months, though, and his time in North London has not been as rosy this term.
The club sit ninth with three victories and as many defeats in seven fixtures and their form has had some punters questioning his future
It leaves open an intriguing possibility with the club also in the midst of a potential takeover by Amanda Staveley and her husband and business partner Mehrdad Ghodoussi who previously co-owned Newcastle United.
And that’s where the Celtic link reignites with a former managerial rival of Postecoglou’s for the Hoops job, Eddie Howe, being named by the Sun as a possible replacement option if the bid goes through.
Ange Postecoglou is under pressure at Tottenham Hotspur
Howe was desperately close to agreeing terms with the Celtic board back in May of 2021 after Neil Lennon had resigned and got so far down the line that he was attempting to pick out backroom staff members.
The board confirmed, however, that following the collapse of the move, they had indeed hoped to bring in the Englishman.
Eddie Howe was also a Celtic manager target like Postecoglou after Neil Lennon resigned
Howe and Ange’s paths have crossed more than once, then, both on and off the field and outside of the dugout and there are claims that Stavely and her team would consider reaching out to Howe’s camp should they manage the takeover.
Postecoglou has been adamant in recent weeks that he can turn things around as he demanded that reporters show him respect over his trophy haul.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers laid the groundwork for incomings this summer by initiating several sales to free up squad space.
The Irishman helped push through eight new signings for the Bhoys to replenish the group, but that wouldn’t have been possible without outgoings vacating the premises
Peripheral figures such as Hyeongyu Oh, Mikey Johnston and Benjamin Siegrist went on to new ventures. Meanwhile, Sead Haksabanovic and Tomoki Iwata followed suit.
Several others also left on loan, such as Gustaf Lagerbielke, Marco Tilio and Hyeokkyu Kwon, leaving Celtic able to push through arrivals in key areas.
Helping to fulfil one of his pledges at the club, Brendan Rodgers should be applauded for his role in proceedings.
Brendan Rodgers’ successful Celtic squad-trimming mission
Speaking last December, Rodgers admitted his ideal Celtic squad size stood at 25 players, including three goalkeepers, to provide a pathway for integration from Lennoxtown into the senior set-up.
He stated: “Ideally we’d have a squad of 25 players, 22 with three goalkeepers. In which case there will also be an opportunity for young players to come through as that’s always my first look.
Throughout my career you’ll see a whole host of young players that I’ve always put in, guys who are 17, 18, 19 or 20. I’ve always looked to that enthusiasm and rawness of a player to bring in.
“So I’ve always looked from within. If it’s not here for whatever reason then you need to bring in from the outside.”
Evaluating the Celtic first-team squad, including his trio of goalkeepers, there are exactly 25 senior players in the building, comprising a side rich in quality and competition but not large enough that complaints over minutes can become a regular focus from members.
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