On Tuesday night, Tottenham recorded a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A late winner from Heung-Min Son was enough to give Spurs a slender lead for next week’s second leg.
The victory was marred, though, as star striker Harry Kane picked up an ankle injury in the second half after a challenge by Fabien Delph. The north London club has yet to find out the extent of the injury. However, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has already stated he fears that Kane could miss the remainder of the campaign.
Kane’s absence could be a huge one for Tottenham’s hopes of making it through to the last four of the Champions League and sealing a top-four spot too.
While Spurs have other quality players in their squad, the England striker is their talisman, who often comes up with big goals. Spurs do not have the greatest striking options either, with Spanish striker Fernando Llorente the only other out-and-out striker at the club.
Tuesday night’s goalscorer Son has played as a central striker in the past. The South Korea international has been a success in the position, but he is the sort of player that would play well in any position because he is such a dependable performer.
Tottenham host bottom club Huddersfield this Saturday, a game in which boss Pochettino is likely to rotate his squad. Spurs may rest Son and start with Llorente up front as the main striker, with the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals next week. The former Hamburg star is likely to start up front in the second leg.
Any team would miss a player of Harry Kane’s quality, even if Son is an able replacement. It seems that if Tottenham are going to be successful this season, they may have to do it without the services of their talisman.