Medical expert Ben Dinnery isn’t surprised by Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to stay in north London during the mid-season break.
Last week The Athletic outlined how Spurs are the only team in the ‘big six’ not to be taking part in a warm-weather training camp during the ongoing World Cup.
It also mentions how the Lilywhites are one of just three sides in the whole Premier League staying in England while others head to the Middle East and further afield.
Eight of the side’s starting line-up against Leeds in their most recent fixture will be in Qatar regardless and Dinnery can see why the club have decided to stay at Hotspur Way.
He told Football Insider: “Ultimately the players may be a little bit disappointed or disheartened that some of their compatriots are off to sunny climates and they are stuck in north London with whatever the British weather presents.
“Certainly from that aspect you would always prefer to get yourself away.
“But if you look at the facilities at Tottenham Hotspur Way and the money they’ve spent, you probably look elsewhere in the world and, other than the weather, what is comparable? It’s cutting edge.
“There might be part of Antonio Conte’s thoughts that you go off to these warm weather camps and potentially, with changes of environment and time zones, you are opening players up to picking up the odd illness and virus.
“Potentially you could lose days of training for certain players. During this period every second, every minute counts, particularly when you want to keep everyone for the second half of the season.
“You can understand why that decision has been taken. Of course, there’s nobody that comes around that says you have to get yourself away. These decisions are made on an individual club basis.
“It doesn’t come as a huge surprise.”
TIF Thoughts on Dinnery’s comments…
Will Spurs finish in the top four?
Yes!
No!
The argument the injury specialist raises on potential illnesses or viruses being caught is certainly a valid argument and is a needless risk for Spurs to take.
During this unprecedented period of essentially a pre-season during the campaign, Antonio Conte will want everyone not on international duty available to work on their weaknesses from the first chunk of the term.
The state-of-the-art facilities at N17 are there to be used and they will be able to arrange friendlies at home as opposed to taking part in the Sydney Super Cup for example which Everton were involved in.