Former Tottenham star Paul Robinson believes it would be a “big blow” for Spurs if Giovani Lo Celso misses the Premier League match against Manchester United on Friday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Robinson insisted that Lo Celso is a key component of Jose Mourinho’s side after he took up position as a deep-lying midfielder.
Earlier this month, football.london reported the Argentine is a doubt for Friday’s game against the Red Devils as he suffered a knock during training. The dribbler was touted as Christian Eriksen’s successor but ended up playing in a deeper role alongside Harry Winks before the break.
Robinson told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs: “It would be a big blow. He has been one of Spurs’ best players since he came into that holding midfield role. Playing as a deep lying midfielder has shown another side to his game.
“I thought he was more of an attacking player but he has showed that he is not afraid to put his foot in and do the hard yards. He has really found his feet. Shortly after he joined he got a hip injury on international duty but since then he has got himself fit and is adapting very quickly to English football.
“Quite often it takes players time but he has adapted pretty quickly after the injury and has been hugely important for Spurs. He would be a big miss if he is not fit.”
It is hard to argue with Robinson here, as Lo Celso has been one of the few positive talking points of an otherwise dismal campaign for Spurs. Indeed, he has worked his back into contention after recovering from a hip injury, and it is fair to say he made the most of the opportunity so far.
After arriving at Tottenham in August 2019, he has made five appearances in the Champions League for Mourinho’s side, scoring one goal, taking 1.6 shots per game, averaging 1.4 key passes, and completing two dribbles per game on average (via WhoScored).
Given his performances so far, the board decided to make his loan move from Real Betis permanent (BBC). He famously signed the contract on the same day that Christian Eriksen left for Inter Milan.
Mourinho has been plagued by injury setbacks right from the start of his reign. While Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Moussa Sissoko and Steven Bergwijn have returned from long injury layoffs, Troy Parrott has been ruled out for a number of weeks.
Thankfully, it appears that Lo Celso has recovered from this minor knock and this will surely be huge news for the Portuguese manager, as the 24-year-old was one of the Lilywhites’ best players before the season was brought to an abrupt halt in March.
Spurs are currently eighth in the table, seven points behind Chelsea, and face Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United at home on Friday.
If available, Lo Celso will need to be at his very best in a game that is a must-win for the north London club. Failure to do so would make their chances of Champions League qualification unlikely.
Tottenham fans, are you looking forward to seeing Lo Celso on the pitch later this month? Let us know in the comments below!
