Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been ruled out for an extended period following surgery to repair an ankle fracture he sustained during the team's impressive 4-0 victory against Manchester City on Saturday. This injury comes as a significant blow to the club, especially after such a morale-boosting win, as Vicario has been a pivotal player and leader for the team during this busy period of the season.
The injury occurred during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, where Vicario remarkably completed the game despite the fracture. Following the match, the club confirmed that the Italian international required surgery to address the injury. While Tottenham has not specified a timeline for his recovery, it is anticipated that Vicario will be sidelined for a considerable duration.
Manager Ange Postecoglou is likely to rely on his backup goalkeeper, 36-year-old Fraser Forster, during Vicario's absence. Forster has already made three appearances this season, including one in the Carabao Cup and two in the Europa League.
In the wake of his surgery, Vicario took to social media to express his feelings about the situation. He shared an emotional message, stating, "Sometimes football gives you its highs, and sometimes it challenges you in ways you don't expect. I played 60 minutes at the Etihad with a broken bone in my ankle, giving absolutely everything I had for the team. Unfortunately, there was no way around this one; I needed surgery."
He also conveyed his disappointment about not being able to assist his teammates for the time being and expressed gratitude towards the medical staff for their support. "A massive thank you to the doctors and the staff. The operation went well, and from tomorrow I'll be working hard to come back stronger, fitter, and ready to give my all for you again. Thank you to the Spurs fans for all the love. See you soon on the pitch."
This injury poses a significant challenge for Postecoglou, particularly as his squad has been finding its rhythm. Although Vicario has shown some weaknesses, especially in aerial challenges, he is regarded as an outstanding shot-stopper and is part of the Italian national team setup.
In addition to Forster, Tottenham has other goalkeeping options, including Brandon Austin, a former U.S. youth international. Moreover, 21-year-old Josh Keeley is currently on loan at Leyton Orient.
Guglielmo Vicario has not missed a minute of Premier League football since joining Tottenham from Empoli in the summer of 2023, having participated in all 38 matches last season and each of the 12 league games played so far this season. Fraser Forster, who made 14 appearances in the Premier League during his debut season with the club, is expected to step in for Vicario during this challenging time.
With Vicario's absence, the Spurs will need to rally together as they navigate a crucial phase of the season, hoping for a swift recovery for their key goalkeeper. The team and fans alike remain supportive, eager to see Vicario back on the pitch as soon as possible.
Zainab Y.
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