Tottenham are showing real signs of desperation due to midfield crisis
If Mauricio Pochettino is really thinking about cutting Josh Onomah’s loan short, it’s a clear sign that Spurs are very worried about their midfield depth.
There was a time when Josh Onomah looked like he was headed for a bright career at Tottenham. Unfortunately, a series of uninspiring loans has dimmed his star quite a bit. If Mauricio Pochettino really believes cutting his Sheffield Wednesday loan short can help Spurs this season, it’s a sign of true desperation in North London.
The ugly truth is that Onomah hasn’t been that good in the Championship this season. The 21-year-old made 11 appearances for Wednesday before succumbing to injury, but he was only able to post a modest Whoscored.com player rating average of 6.63. That sort of mark doesn’t bode well for his chances of helping Tottenham’s senior squad anytime soon.
His mediocre play for Wednesday is why it really surprised a lot of people when Pochettino admitted he was thinking of keeping Onomah at Tottenham for the remainder of the season. He’s currently undergoing rehab under the watchful eyes of Spurs physios, but the original idea was for him to return to the Championship once he was fit. Clearly, the litany of injuries that have ravaged Pochettino’s midfield options has thrown that plan into jeopardy.
In fairness to the Argentine gaffer, there are a number of question marks in his midfield. Mousa Dembele has already been sold to China. He wasn’t a big factor for Spurs this year, but there was always some glimmer of hope that he could step up and play big matches upon occasion.
No one really seems to know what’s going on with Victor Wanyama. He’s gone from an integral part of the team during his first season with the club to a complete non-factor this year. There are pretty loud whispers around the club that claim injuries have robbed him of the athleticism that made him so effective previously.
Even Moussa Sissoko, who’s been a stalwart for the club has finally fallen victim to a groin injury that will cause him to miss at least one match. In an ideal world, he’ll be given a couple of weeks to regain full fitness. Instead, the safe bet is that he’ll be rushed back into the lineup.
Fortunately, at least one midfielder seems to be close to making a full return. Eric Dier has been missing due to an emergency appendectomy, but he rejoined full training this week. He won’t start against Fulham, but it’s very possible he’ll return to Pochettino’s bench.
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That makes it very possible that you could see a midfield two of Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp against the Whites. That clearly illustrates how much Tottenham need to add another midfield option in January. Onomah just isn’t that player. Instead, Spurs need to spend some money in the transfer market to strengthen their options in the middle of the pitch.