:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63383999/GettyImages_1141535229.0.jpg)
Tottenham Hotspur took a major step towards the semifinals of the Champions League today with a 1-0 win over Manchester City at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that they are now very likely going to be without Harry Kane for the rest of the season. Kane rolled his ankle while challenging for a ball with City fullback Fabian Delph in the second half, and immediately went down the tunnel supported by two Tottenham trainers. He was subbed off for Lucas Moura.
The injury is to his left ankle, the same one he injured earlier this season, and while it didn’t look especially bad in real time he definitely rolled it, and by his reaction, he knew it was pretty bad. After the match, the news didn’t look good for his returning to the team this season, according to Mauricio Pochettino.
Mauricio Pochettino speaking about #thfc striker Harry Kane and his injury: “Maybe we are going to miss him for the rest of this season.” [BT Sport]
— Hotspur Related (@HotspurRelated) April 9, 2019
Pochettino seemed to back off the “out for the season” talk ever so slightly in his post-match interview, but acknowledged that it wasn’t great, Bob.
“If you see the action, it’s an action that he maybe twists his ankle, can really damage the ligaments. We need to check in the next few days. It’s so painful.”
Kane was then spotted by Evening Standard Spurs beat writer Dan Kilpatrick leaving the grounds on crutches.
#thfc Kane leaving the stadium on crutches and with his left ankle in a protective boot pic.twitter.com/uDtpM8SSnS
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) April 9, 2019
Losing Kane again feels slightly catastrophic, especially with Spurs still alive in the Champions League and embroiled in a dogfight for the top four that could go down to the last match of the season. However, if you’re looking for a silver lining in this grim looking cloud, it’s this: of all of Tottenham’s stars, Kane is probably the one that Spurs can most afford to lose. Son Heung-Min was a more than capable replacement for Kane in the early part of 2019 and got the winning goal against City tonight, and Spurs have plenty of winnable home games coming up towards the end of the season.
But still, as the wise philosopher said, This sucks, Beavis. Hopefully Kane can use this as an opportunity to really get a good summer of rest and rehabilitation, and he’ll come back 100% when the new season kicks off in August. And if he comes back early, let’s hope it’s as a super-substitute in the 85th minute of the Champions League final.