Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in a tough situation defensively, with injuries piling up and options running thin. As the Wolves match approaches, what centre-back pairing options are available for Ange Postecoglou? Let’s find out the most likely centre-back pairing for the game against Wolves.
It is often said that defence wins you titles. But what happens when a team has to frequently change its defensive pairings throughout a season?
The answer lies in Tottenham’s 2024/25 campaign, where the Lilywhites have used four different centre-back pairings in the Premier League this season.
There is no doubt that Ange Postecoglou is enduring a crisis in defence at Tottenham. Both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, typically the heart of Spurs’ defensive line, have been struggling to stay fit.
The Argentine and Dutch defenders have missed a huge chunk of Tottenham games in recent months, leaving a significant void in a backline that has been shaky all season.
Adding to Postecoglou’s challenges, Djed Spence, Ben Davies and Radu Dragusin are also sidelined, further depleting the pool of available defenders.
While the January transfer window looms, offering potential relief, Spurs must first navigate their immediate challenge—and it remains to be seen whether Postecoglou will lean on youth, experience, or creativity in his defensive selections this weekend.
Could Alfie Dorrington pair up with Archie Gray as Tottenham’s centre-back duo against Wolves? The idea seems unlikely.
At just 19 years old and with no prior Premier League starts, the youngster’s lack of experience makes him a gamble that Spurs can ill afford. Dorrington’s limited involvement this season—he has not featured in cup games either—suggests he remains far from the pecking order.
However, there has been a glimmer of opportunity for the teenager. He made his Premier League debut as a substitute against Southampton during a comfortable win, hinting at Postecoglou’s willingness to experiment.
Yet, facing a rejuvenated Wolves side is a far cry from coming on in a match that is already decided. It is hard to imagine the Spurs boss taking such a significant risk.
Another young option, Malachi Hardy, is even less likely to feature. At just 16 years old, the centre-back has only made it as far as the bench for Tottenham this season and has yet to play a single minute of first-team football.
Pairing Archie Gray, who is only 18, with Hardy in central defence would be a move that raises serious questions about Premier League quality and readiness.
Hardy’s inclusion would signal a leap of faith that seems improbable in a high-stakes environment. While the youngster’s talent is evident, it is far too early to thrust him into such a pivotal role.
The most plausible solution appears to be Yves Bissouma filling in at centre-back. The experienced midfielder was Postecoglou’s immediate choice when Radu Dragusin went off injured, and with limited alternatives, it seems likely that he will reprise this role.
While Bissouma has never played as a centre-back in his career, he has demonstrated versatility, including stints as a right-back during his time at Lille.
In three appearances as a full-back for Lille, Bissouma’s defensive record was less than stellar, with no clean sheets and six goals conceded.
Despite these unconvincing stats, his experience and composure on the ball make him the most logical option for Postecoglou.
It is not an ideal scenario, but Spurs’ current situation calls for adaptability, and Bissouma may be the steadying presence needed to weather this storm.
Amidst Tottenham’s defensive crisis, there seemed to be a glimmer of positive news. Ben Davies, who had been out with a hamstring injury since the 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, was edging closer to a return.
Ange Postecoglou provided an encouraging update: “Yeah, he’s training. Will train today [Christmas Eve] and just cannot risk any more injuries so my gut tells me that’s only two sessions with the team before Boxing Day, so probably wiser to save him for the weekend. But the plan is to have him training and potentially be available,”
However, recent reports now suggest that Davies has been ruled out and will not feature against Wolves. Who Ange will choose remains to be seen, but whoever it is must be ready to put in a shift for the team.
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