Good evening, Tottenham fans. Here are your evening headlines for Monday, November 23.
Dier: Alderweireld injury a ‘huge blow’
Eric Dier admits the absence of defensive partner Toby Alderweireld will be a “huge blow” to Tottenham.
The Belgium international, who has formed a strong partnership with Dier, suffered a groin injury in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Manchester City.
And the news that Alderweireld could be out for a significant length of time will be a setback for Spurs.
“A huge blow," ” Dier said. "It would be a huge blow for us. We've been defending really well.
“Three clean sheets in our last four [Premier League matches] and Toby's been a big part of that.
"I thought today again he made some fantastic interceptions, tackles, blocks when he needed to. So obviously any player in this squad getting injured is a big loss for us and Toby's no different.”
Alli role in City win hints at potential return
Dele Alli’s inclusion as Tottenham’s 19th man in the 2-0 victory over Manchester City suggests Jose Mourinho could bring the midfielder back into his first-team squad.
The 24-year-old has been on the fringes this season and looked set to leave the club in January after falling out of favour under the Portuguese coach.
Alli was still forced to watch on as Spurs climbed to the top of the Premier League table, but it appears he could be edging closer to a return.
And his role as the team’s 19th man may hint at a u-turn from Mourinho, who has up to now given every indication that the England international is surplus to requirements.
Kane's changing the definition of a striker
Mourinho believes Tottenham talisman Harry Kane is “changing the way” fans view strikers.
The Spurs forward recorded his ninth assist of the season in Saturday’s win over Manchester City and has excelled in a slightly different role this term, dropping deep to create rather than score.
“He's a fantastic player,” Mourinho told Tottenham's website. “When the puzzle around him is perfect for him, he's a fantastic player.
"Maybe he will be responsible for you and fans and people that love football, maybe he will change the way people look to a striker, because the tendency is strikers, numbers, goals.
“How many goals did you score? You are as good as the number of goals you score. In fact, there is a Golden Boot for the player who scores most goals.
“But maybe Harry changes the way people look at a striker. He was man of the match, and I don't know who was responsible, but I praise the person who gave him that award because a striker can be the man of the match without scoring a goal.
"He is fantastic and he represents the spirit of the team."
