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In happier times at Tottenham Hotspur — i.e. a couple of hours ago — Mauricio Pochettino gave his usual press conference ahead of this Monday’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford. And one of the biggest pieces of news to come out of that press conference is that Victor Wanyama has returned to full training with Spurs.
The club also announced it via their social media channels.
TEAM NEWS: @VictorWanyama (knee) - commenced integration into team training. @JuanMFoyth (thigh) - continuing rehabilitation. #COYS pic.twitter.com/CxpNPl1sKt
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 24, 2018
“Commenced integration into team training” is probably a fancy way of saying “he’s got a little ways to go before we see him in matches” but it’s still a pretty big development. With Big Vic out, Spurs really only have Eric Dier as a holding midfielder (though Harry Winks can also do the job). Wanyama’s return means that Spurs could potentially be a little more adventuresome with tactics — 4-1-4-1 formation, anyone? — as he gives Spurs a different look in the way he plays.
Juan Foyth is clearly still 25% (see what I did there) and it’s looking like he needs more time to get over the knee injury he sustained in preseason. That’s okay, since Spurs have Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, and Davinson Sanchez, and now that Vic’s close they could also use Eric Dier in a pinch. It would still be nice to have Foyth back before the early round cup games so we can get a better look at him this season.
Elsewhere, Mauricio Pochettino refused to be drawn into speculation about whether or not Danny Rose will play against Manchester United, basically telling reporters that it was his decision and they needed to wait.
“Look I don’t want to talk about individual players who still haven’t played. They are in the squad and they will have opportunity to play. I am not going to explain my decision. You need to talk about whether he play on Monday, or maybe not. You need to wait and see what is going to happen.”
Rose has been linked with loans to the Bundesliga and Paris St. Germain before the close of the transfer window, but as of yet nothing has been finalized.