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Injured But Impactful: The Case for Keeping Elite Players in World Cup Squads.

Few decisions in international football generate as much debate as the selection of an injured superstar for a World Cup squad. Every major tournament produces at least one story involving a world-class player racing against time to recover from injury. Medical teams provide updates, managers face difficult questions, supporters follow every development anxiously, and media speculation intensifies with each passing day. The dilemma is never straightforward. Should a national team include a player who may not be fully fit, or should it prioritize healthier alternatives who can contribute immediately? The answer often depends on factors that extend far beyond medical reports and fitness assessments. The World Cup is unlike any other football competition. It arrives only once every four years, compressing years of preparation, expectation, and ambition into a few weeks of intense competition. Managers understand that opportunities to win the tournament are rare and precious. Because of th...
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Guglielmo Vicario injury: Tottenham suffers a big setback as goalkeeper undergoes surgery.

Spurs' No. 1 underwent surgery to fix a fracture and is now expected to be out for an extended period of time.

Tottenham have suffered a severe new injury blow with the revelation that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has had surgery.

Spurs revealed on Monday evening that their highly-rated No. 1 had an operation to correct a fracture in his right ankle sustained during Saturday's spectacular 4-0 Premier League triumph over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham did not provide a timetable for Vicario's return or an estimate of how much time he will now spend on the sidelines, just stating that he will be evaluated by medical personnel in the future to determine when he may rejoin training.

With the Italian international out for the foreseeable future, deputy Fraser Forster will step up and start for Ange Postecoglou's side during a hectic fixture schedule across all competitions leading up to Christmas, supported by Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman.

"We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario has today (Monday 25 November) undergone surgery for a fracture of his right ankle," according to Tottenham's statement.

"The 28-year-old sustained the injury in Saturday's Premier League triumph against Manchester City. Guglielmo will be evaluated by our medical experts to determine when he can return to training.

It remains to be seen whether Tottenham will look for a replacement goalkeeper during the January transfer window, given Vicario's likely lengthy layoff.


Spurs had already been linked with signing another goalkeeper in the New Year to provide more competition and support for the 28-year-old, who has become an invaluable member of the club since joining from Serie A side Empoli in a £17.2 million deal in the summer of 2023 on a five-year contract as the long-term replacement for former long-serving captain Hugo Lloris.

Vicario has 55 appearances for Tottenham in all competitions, including starting every Premier League game this season. He was rested for the Europa League games against Galatasaray and AZ Alkmaar, as well as the Carabao Cup third-round win against Coventry, when former England international Forster, 36, filled in.

Vicario started as usual in the historic win over City, inflicting the hosts' fifth consecutive defeat for the first time since 2006, and ended up playing the full 90 minutes despite an injury sustained in the first half, pulling off a string of fine saves to deny the likes of Erling Haaland and Ilkay Gundogan, before limping off after the game.

His absence will be felt keenly as Spurs seek much-needed consistency in their performances and results under Postecoglou, with Roma visiting north London in the Europa League on Thursday night, followed by Premier League games against Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, and Wolves to end 2024.

Former Celtic manager Postecoglou will also take his club to Ibrox to face Rangers in Europe in December, while Spurs will play Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals as they seek their first major trophy win since 2008.

Tottenham have already suffered with a number of major injuries this season, with vital captain Heung-min Son missing several weeks.

Spurs defeated City despite missing first-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, while strikers Richarlison and Wilson Odobert, as well as young wonder Mikey Moore, are currently out injured.

Vicario's departure comes only days after the Football Association (FA) issued a seven-match ban to Tottenham player Rodrigo Bentancur for provocative comments about Son, a punishment Spurs are appealing.
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