Tottenham have taken a huge blow to their chances in the Premier League with ankle injuries to Harry Kane in the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.
Spurs had gone four games unbeaten after a run of poor form which saw them drop off the top of the table. Now, they have to contend with the loss of their talisman and chief creator who has started all 19 games this season.
Kane was injured in the first half and lasted until the break before being taken off for Eric Lamela, watching on from the stands as his team were picked off in the second half.
“He is injured in both ankles and he says that to cope with one pain, he probably could, but he says with both, it is very painful, very sore and both ankles are getting big in both feet,” José Mourinho told BT Sport post-match.
Mourinho went on to reveal Kane came worse off after a tackle from Thiago Alcântara, before getting a knock to the left ankle in an aerial challenge with Jordan Henderson. “Two ankles, the first was a bad tackle, it was Thiago, the second one I didn’t know well.
“But two injuries in both ankles, the second one worse than the first one – a few weeks, I don’t know.
“There are some players you can’t replace. When it happens it happens but I believe we have to fight against it, we cannot do anything else.”
Tottenham will now be sweating on the team’s hopes ahead of a meeting with Brighton at the weekend, which they cannot afford to lose after slipping four points behind Liverpool in the top four race.
An injury to Kane is predictable every season, and Mourinho has prepared adequately for this foreseen circumstance during the off-season.
Bale Time?
Mourinho indicated he had no doubts over the fitness of Gareth Bale as he played the full 90 minutes, and scored, against Wycombe on Monday night. It is time to roll out plan B and the 58-year-old would hope Bale is match-fit to play consistent Premier League football for the coming weeks.
Bale came on against Liverpool with ten minutes left and had an ineffective performance with the game already decided.
The Welshman has struggled for fitness and Premier League game time – only 169 minutes – since rejoining Spurs from Real Madrid on loan. He is the highest-paid player in the Tottenham squad and must now earn his wages in Kane’s absence.
The perfect plan B
Kane and Son have provided the deadliest duo in the Premier League this season, with Kane taking on the creative role from deep to create space for Son on the counter attack. Although that tactic has been somewhat subdued since Tottenham fell off the top of the table, it is set to be remodeled.
The duo of Kane and Son have combined for a record-equalling 13 goals this season and are only three short of the all-time record of Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard. However, Mourinho can recreate the double-act provided Bale stays fit.
Son will fill in at centre-forward and Bale on the right; this could see a similar linkup with Son dropping deep to win possession then finding defence-splitting passes on the half-turn for Bale, or utilising his direct running to carve out openings. Son and Bale have the quality and eye for goal in there, par for the course, they have 109 Premier League goals for Tottenham between them.
Harry Kane is a world class striker who has taken on an even greater threat with 11 assists (nine for Son) adding to 12 goals this season. It is impossible to replace the void left by the England captain, Spurs take on a different form in his absence, but Mourinho can tweak the system which has served them so well this season.
For that to prove successful, Bale must grab the opportunity for which he came back to North London
