Alious
In a significant development ahead of next week’s Carabao Cup clash, Tottenham Hotspur have received welcome news regarding Manchester City’s squad availability. Pep Guardiola has confirmed that dynamic winger Jeremy Doku will be sidelined through injury, with his recovery timeline extending beyond the upcoming international break in November.
This injury update carries double significance for Spurs, as Doku’s absence could potentially impact two crucial fixtures against the Manchester club. Beyond missing Wednesday’s Carabao Cup encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Belgian international might also be unavailable for the Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium on November 23rd, immediately following the international break.
The significance of Doku’s absence cannot be understated, particularly given his historical impact against Spurs. Despite sometimes being criticized for inconsistency, his blistering pace has proven particularly effective against Tottenham’s high defensive line. This was notably demonstrated in last May’s encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Doku, introduced as a substitute, won a decisive penalty that secured victory for City.
Adding to City’s mounting personnel concerns, Guardiola also revealed that Jack Grealish has sustained an injury ruling him out of the Southampton fixture, casting doubt over his availability for Wednesday’s cup tie. The situation has become so acute that Guardiola explicitly mentioned having only “14 or 15 players available,” expressing clear concern about his squad depth.
This scenario presents a particularly tantalizing opportunity for Tottenham, especially in light of manager Ange Postecoglou’s recent statements about his track record of securing trophies in his second season at clubs. The timing couldn’t be more opportune for Spurs to capitalize on City’s weakened state and potentially advance in a competition that could prove transformative for their season.
The situation becomes even more intriguing when considering Guardiola’s earlier statements about the Carabao Cup. Before the draw paired these teams together, the City manager had openly declared his intention to field a weakened side in the competition, stating: “I announce it now, who played less minutes, or the second team. We are not going to waste energy for this competition.” While this statement predated the draw, it provides an interesting backdrop to Wednesday’s encounter.
For Tottenham, eliminating City from the competition would represent more than just progression to the next round; it could mark a significant step toward ending their trophy drought and validating Postecoglou’s ambitious vision for the club. The absence of Doku’s pace and trickery, which has troubled Spurs’ defense in the past, could prove particularly advantageous in this context.
This confluence of circumstances – City’s injury crisis, Guardiola’s previous statements about the competition’s priority level, and Tottenham’s hunger for silverware under Postecoglou – sets the stage for what could be a pivotal moment in both clubs’ seasons.
Alious
