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Tottenham news: Crucial star is very close to his return

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane on May 14, 2017 in London, England. Tottenham Hotspur are playing their last ever home match at White Hart Lane after their 118 year stay at the stadium. Spurs will play at Wembley Stadium next season with a move to a newly built stadium for the 2018-19 campaign. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Victor Wanyama of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his sides first goal with Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane on May 14, 2017 in London, England. Tottenham Hotspur are playing their last ever home match at White Hart Lane after their 118 year stay at the stadium. Spurs will play at Wembley Stadium next season with a move to a newly built stadium for the 2018-19 campaign. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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Victor Wanyama will rejoin the Tottenham lineup soon

Tottenham need midfield help in the worst way. Fortunately for Spurs, Victor Wanyama is close to returning to Mauricio Pochettino’s lineup. The Argentine gaffer himself revealed that his Kenyan destroyer is set to return to the first team at some point during the Christmas period.

While many Spurs fans have been lamenting the absence of Toby Alderweireld, it’s actually Wanyama’s injury that has been more troubling for Pochettino. His midfield has been a disaster as of late. Adding back a player of Wanyama’s talent and experience level could allow Spurs to control the middle of the pitch once again.

Pochettino’s troubles in midfield were on full display against Manchester City. He deployed a pairing of Mousa Dembele and Harry Winks in the double-pivot and they were overrun. Dembele looked like a player past his prime and Winks didn’t look anywhere near ready to play in that sort of match. Both players should have better days this season, but that doesn’t change the fact that they were complete disasters against Pep Guardiola’s troops.

Wanyama, at the very least, will be able to provide a lot more support to Tottenham’s defense. He excels in breaking up play in the middle of the park. Wanyama doesn’t deserve enough credit for his offensive skills either. He doesn’t choose to make marauding runs forward, but he does help keep the ball moving quickly through the midfield.

The key for Pochettino will be to remain patient with Wanyama. He shouldn’t be thrown into the deep end too quickly. Spurs will naturally want to start him as soon as possible, but an appearance or two off the bench would allow him to return to full fitness more effectively.

Next: Tottenham tactics: Pochettino must move star backwards

No matter what, it’s reasonable to expect Wanyama to be in the starting XI again sooner, rather than later. He may not be back to 100% before January, but both he and his manager will want to get him back into the fray as quickly as possible. Whenever and however he returns, he’ll be a massive boost to a Spurs midfield that’s in desperate need of his quality.

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