Tottenham: Players paying the price for Ange Postecoglou revolution but history proves it produces results
Sarr, who had opened the score, was upset when he was pulled off due to a hamstring injury, but the 21-year-old has been cleared to play and will be included in Senegal’s team for the Africa Cup of Nations this month.
Alejo Veliz, a substitute, was in tears by the end of Sunday’s match, which brought Spurs to within one point of fourth-place Arsenal. The injury happened cruelly just before the young Argentine could have made his FA Cup debut against Burnley on Friday. Veliz left the stadium on crutches and with a brace on his right leg.
As many Spurs supporters cursed their luck once more, Postecoglou will have a more sobering perspective on his team’s recurring ailments.
While Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Eric Dier are among the players who have experienced shorter-term muscle strains, Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic, Cristian Romero, Richarlison, Brennan Johnson, Giovani Lo Celso, Ashley Phillips, and Bentancur are among the players who have missed a month or more of action since the season began.
It’s clear that bad luck has had a role, but injuries pile up and worsen over time; when multiple players are out at once, it puts a pressure on the remaining players and increases the likelihood of future injuriesHowever, Postecoglou is aware that the change in the club’s playing philosophy will inevitably lead to injuries as well..
