OPINION
Mauricio Pochettino’s determination to try and work Victor Wanyama back into his team is admirable, but Tottenham need to replace him in order to be serious title contenders next season.
The 26-year-old midfielder has spent a significant amount of time on the sidelines over the course of this campaign due to a knee injury.
Daily Nation reported on Monday that Wanyama had flown home early from international duty for Kenya after appearing to have experienced some discomfort regarding his left knee, which is the same knee that had caused him to miss so much playing time this season.
The same report shared that the 26-year-old midfielder currently requires medical checks and physiotherapy after each training session and game.
This shock update on his condition seems to be further proof of what should have been originally feared, that after suffering a serious knee injury like he did, it would always continue to give him problems.
Wanyama was medically cleared by Spurs to return to action at the start of the year, and has made 11 appearances since then.
In his outings this season the midfield enforcer has understandably not looked like his old self and has struggled to impact games like he had previously.
While Pochettino will no doubt continue to try and aid Wanyama’s recovery in order for him to be a first-team regular again, the Argentinian manager should realise that the club are facing a losing battle.
After Daily Nation’s report suggested that his old injury had flared up again, Spurs need to face the hard truth that they need to replace him in order to be title contenders next season.
Pochettino’s side may be currently 20 points off league leaders Manchester City, but their squad is clearly only one player away from being serious title contenders.
Spurs currently lack a defensive midfielder capable of shielding the side’s defence, with Wanyama previously ideal for that role, and must sign a player in the summer window in order to fill that void.
With an excelling regularly fit midfield enforcer in their team, Spurs will clearly be title contenders given the fact they have the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen in their squad.
Therefore as it stands, Pochettino’s continued faith in the fact that Wanyama will get back to his best sooner rather than later is holding Spurs back and they should look to replace the midfielder in order to be serious title contenders.