OPINION
Long-term Tottenham Hotspur absentee Victor Wanyama is back in full training ahead of their clash with Swansea on Tuesday, and the big Kenyan’s return is the best possible news ahead of the January transfer window.
Wanyama has only played twice this season as he has recovers from a serious knee injury, and his return will be a massively welcome boost as Spurs look to secure Champions League football again next season.
The midfield destroyer was one of the signings of the season last term, with the £11million that Spurs paid Southampton for his services looking an absolute bargain.
The 26-year-old waltzed into the Spurs midfield as if he had been there for years, and continued to boss that area for the whole season.
Wanyama even chipped in with four goals in the league in his first season, equalling his tally at Southampton that was accrued over three years.
The Kenyan was set to continue his key role for Spurs this season, but he was struck down by a serious knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines for four months now.
In that time, Spurs have been greatly inconsistent, firing their way into the knockout stages of the Champions League with wins over Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, but also labouring to several disappointing draws and a fair few damaging losses.
And it was in their most recent loss, a 4-1 defeat to leaders Manchester City, that the damage caused by Wanyama’s absence became clear for all to see.
Spurs were left brutally exposed time and time again as City ripped them apart, struggling badly to cope in midfield.
With Dier playing in defence after Davinson Sanchez’s suspension, Harry Winks was preferred in midfield alongside Dembele, but just could not handle the occasion as he put in one of his worst performances this season.
If you look at Spurs midfield options, one thing has become clear during Wanyama’s spell on the sidelines.
Winks provides pinpoint passing, Dembele provides guile, Dier provides strength, and Sissoko provides hustle, but none of them possess all four of those qualities at the same time.
There is only one man in the Spurs squad who does, and that is Wanyama.
He is also Spurs’ only true defensive midfielder, with the other three all partial to a foray forward.
When he plays, Spurs look a more complete team, and his return will transform them into a more consistent outfit in the hunt for the Champions League.
Ahead of the January window, Wanyama’s return also eases the pressure on Mauricio Pochettino and the management team to make reinforcements, and that is key.
There is always an expectation that a club will make movements in January, especially after Spurs’ inconsistent season so far.
But with Wanyama returning, the Kenyan will feel like a new signing as they enter the second half of the campaign.
And, with his selfless and determined play in midfield, he will bring a new lease of life to several other members of the squad as well.
Of course, a January addition is always welcome, but the point here is that Wanyama will ease the pressure on Pochettino if that does not happen.
With the Kenyan’s return having a positive effect both on and off the pitch, Spurs will be well-set for a strong few months and a real push for that all-important fourth place.