Tottenham Hotspur defender Japhet Tanganga has been ruled out of the fixture versus Manchester United scheduled to take place this coming Friday. The 21-year-old has suffered a stress fracture to his back according to a report from the Telegraph.
The injury came about in training as Jose Mourinho’s side prepare for the Premier League restart and will come as a blow to the Portuguese coach who had turned to Tanganga in six of Spurs’ last eight league fixtures (via Transfermarkt.co.uk).
Here is how some of the club’s supporters have responded to the update regarding their player’s fitness after the news was relayed via @thespursweb on Twitter.
OH NO
— Harry C (@HazSpur92) June 15, 2020
Players getting injured and we haven’t even played yet oh boy
— Gin?? (@Lamela11i) June 15, 2020
No surprise. Hes been carrying the whole defence on his back since he started in the first team.
— N17Nomad (@N17Nomad) June 15, 2020
Has Tanganga been Spurs' best defender since breaking into the side?
Yes
No
Since breaking into the first-team, Tanganga has certainly impressed and that is evidenced by the fact he has averaged a performance rating of 7/10 for his league performances according to WhoScored.com. So far, he has been asked to play across the defence, filling in at centre-back, right-back and left-back for the Lilywhites – highlighting his versatility. Fans continued to voice their disappointment at the news.
And so it begins! ?
— gavin (@gavinspurs) June 15, 2020
He’s done for the season
— john (@OnecoJohn) June 15, 2020
Brilliant. Genuinely our best defender injured
— Oliver Allen (@admiralallen) June 15, 2020
The Telegraph say ‘there is hope Tanganga will play before the end of the season’ but there is clearly a fear amongst these fans they won’t see the promising youngster in action again this season. It is unknown whether or not Mourinho had plans to start the player on Friday but either way, his absence comes as a blow to the squad.