Mauricio Pochettino’s side missed a chance to go to the top of the Premier League table this weekend when they managed to get just a point from their trip to the Hawthorns this weekend. They needed a late strike from Dele Alli to pick that point but that was not the most disappointing thing that happened on the night for the Spurs. Star defender Toby Alderweireld picked up a nasty injury during the game and was stretchered off the field, giving the Spurs fans a bit of a heartache. This comes just a day before England international Harry Kane is set to be back in training on Monday.
Alderweireld has been one of the most important players in the Spurs side for a couple of years now and has also become one of the most consistent players in the Premier League. He has been exceptional early this season, helping his side to a number of clean sheets but his injury means Pochettino will have to look elsewhere to fill his void in the team. This will come as a great news for one Austrian, Kevin Wimmer. The 23-year old center back who moved to White Hart Lane just last summer is yet to cement a place in the side and has managed just 10 appearances so far in his time in England. However, in the few chances that he has got, Wimmer has shown that he is capable of handling the pressure of the Premier League.
In the previous season, Jan Vertonghen missed close to a couple of months but Wimmer made sure that the Spurs never felt his absence as he took no time in adjusting to his place in the squad. At the moment, Wimmer might have to do that same, but this time in place of Alderweireld. The 23-year old is a strong and smart defender who tries to stay ahead of the game. He reads and understands the game in front of him with great confidence and is a player who is not at all easy to beat. He keeps his defending simple, yet has the attributes to provide the base of the attack for the Spurs, something that Pochettino was attracted to when spending on him.
Alderweireld’s absence might affect Pochettino’s side, given the kind of command the Belgian had on his penalty area but Wimmer is a more than capable center back who can not just provide cover for the injury but also try and plead his case for a place in the starting XI. Tottenham Hotspur are still awaiting the scan reports for Alderweireld’s injury and even if it is something serious, the Spurs fans can have some hope that he will be replaced by someone who can do a decent job at the back. Surely, the competition for places will also have Wimmer playing at his best and will surely help Spurs not just in the league but also in Europe. Do you think Kevin Wimmer can take Alderweireld’s place temporarily at the Lane?