Daniel Levy must repeat £26m Tottenham solution as Ange Postecoglou faces biggest challenge yet

Just over 48 hours on from a famous victory at Manchester City, Tottenham were brutally brought back down to reality with Guglielmo Vicario undergoing surgery to repair a fractured ankle. Spurs' goalkeeper suffered the injury during a collision with Savinho midway through the first half meaning he played through the issue for 60 minutes.

For just the third time in the league this season, the Italy international kept a clean sheet with a number of saves to deny Erling Haaland made even more impressive by the fact he had a broken bone in his foot.

Confirming the injury and his subsequent operation, a Spurs club statement read. "We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario has today undergone surgery for a fracture of his right ankle. Guglielmo will be assessed by our medical staff to determine when he can return to training. We're all behind you, Vic [white heart emoji]."

Following confirmation of that major injury blow, panic among Tottenham fans is high with it now clear that Fraser Forster will likely be in between the sticks going forward. Brandon Austin is also on the club's books but he is yet to even make a senior appearance despite the fact he will soon turn 26.

Though Ange Postecoglou has had three transfer windows to improve the squad, depth in some crucial areas has not been signed. The majority of those issues have been defensive with Emerson Royal having to play at centre-back on a number of occasions while Oliver Skipp was also required at left-back last season.

The latest concern arrives in the goalkeeping department with a new shot-stopper required even before Vicario's injury. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has previously been reluctant to make mid-season signings, however as evidenced by a decision 12 months ago, his stance on exactly that may have changed.

Following lengthy absences for both Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero in late 2023, the Lilywhites signed Genoa defender Radu Dragusin in a £26.7million January deal. The Romania international has endured a mixed start to life in north London having played just 19 games, but right now his signing is proving to be very astute.

Van de Ven and Romero are both currently missing through injury and thus Dragusin has started six of the last seven games in all competitions. Based on what the 22-year-old has shown, it is certainly worth Spurs making a January addition in goal for both the short-term and long-term.

Alternatively, Tottenham could turn to the free agent market with experienced goalkeeper Keylor Navas the best bet. Not taking that route would mean Forster would likely start the next ten games with Vicario expected to miss at least six weeks.

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