OPINION
The latest update on Victor Wanyama’s fitness is deeply worrying for Tottenham and their fans.
The midfielder who missed most of last season with knee problems and has suffered niggling issues again in the current campaign has been ruled out of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown against Inter Milan.
The official Spurs Twitter account revealed today (Tuesday) that Wanyama is undergoing rehabilitation on his knee and will not be available for selection.
The Kenya international’s knee problems appear to be so severe that they are casting major doubt over a Tottenham career that began when he was prised from Southampton by Pochettino in the summer of 2016.
The Argentine already knee the midfield colossus’ game inside out after signing him three years earlier from Celtic when he was in charge of Southampton.
TEAM NEWS: @daosanchez26 (hamstring) has commenced individual outdoor fieldwork.@trippier2 (groin) is in final stages of rehabilitation.@VictorWanyama (knee) is undergoing rehabilitation.@JuanMFoyth (ineligible) is unavailable for selection. pic.twitter.com/TuLsOcPkuM
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 27, 2018
Wanyama was a nailed-on starter in his first season at White Hart Lane when his partnership with Mousa Dembele was integral to Tottenham finishing second in the Premier League with a points haul – 85 – that would have won the title in many seasons.
But Pochettino will always select the side he believes is best equipped to win each match, and he clearly feels Wanyama is not at the level to do so.
The 27-year-old has started just one league match this season after eight league starts in 2017-18.
From main man to the fringes, can he ever regain the high levels of fitness and attitude needed to be a Tottenham regular?
Niggling injuries appear to suggest that is less and less likely.
The very troubling update from the club today suggests the writing is on the wall for the Spurs career of Wanyama.