Nuno Espirito Santo
Nuno Espirito Santo provided an update on Harry Winks and Dele Alli in his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Tottenham’s fixture against Manchester United at the werekend. In his pre match press conference, Espirito Santo revealed that Spurs still have a few injury problems they would have to assess and deal with.
Nuno Espirito Santo said: “Bryan [Gil] we have a problem with. We are assessing. [Ryan] Sessegnon is not involved, still not in the group.”
Winks was left out of the squad against West Ham and then he was joined by Alli as they were both left out against Sean Dyche’s side during the week. Although the League Cup match was against a Premier League side, this is when the Tottenham boss rotates his side slightly and would be where these players may expect to get some match minutes so the fact they didn’t seemed to be a big statement form the Portuguese head coach. Whilst speaking to the media on Friday, Espirito Santo was asked if the two English midfielders would be included in Saturday’s squad.
Nuno Espirito Santo said: “We are working with all the players. We still have the training session then we will decide the squad for the match of tomorrow. They are our players, they are here with us. There’s nothing to be worried about. It’s a situation that we have to work, we have to improve all the players, build momentum on the performance of the players. This is what is a squad.”
Winks has only made six appearances for Tottenham in all competitions so far this season and Alli has made 11. The Portuguese head coach said it was “nothing to be worried about” but fans will inevitably be asking questions when their players, who have been in the regular line-ups in the past, are not featuring on a matchday at all. The 47-year-old was then asked more about the two absentees and about their future in north London, especially with the January transfer window only being a matter of months away.
Nuno Espirito Santo said: “Making decisions, taking advantage of the moment, the talent, what we want for the game. All the players we count. We are talking about January, so far away, so far away, we have to focus on what we do now. With all of the players, all of the personal situations of the players I address them personally. I speak, when I have to speak privately say the things, listen to things the players have to say. This is how we deal. Not here, you will never see me in a press conference addressing issues with players. I deal with it personally.”
