More good news? Maybe? Tottenham Hotspur central defenders Radu Dragusin and Kota Takai haven’t played a minute of action this season as they both recuperate from what has turned out to be long-term injuries, but both of them got critical match minutes in a Spurs U21 match this week, according to the club on social media.
Dragusin injured his ACL in the Europa League match against Elfsborg last January, had surgery, and hasn’t been seen on the pitch since, though he’s been steadily rehabbing and played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly last month during the international break. Radu has also been seen in various club videos, including one posted by James Maddison, also rehabbing from a knee injury, in support of his teammate. Takai has just been super unlucky — he picked up a nasty case of plantar fasciitis soon after his signing from Kawasaki Frontale this summer, and then sustained an injury to his thigh which has kept him out even longer. Takai was always going to be considered a depth signing with limited minutes this season, but Spurs fans haven’t watched him play even once this season.
Dragusin in particular struggled under Ange Postecoglou’s high line and progressive tactics as he isn’t particularly strong at playing out of the back, but there’s a line of thinking that he could be more of an asset under Thomas Frank when he returns to the pitch. Certainly having Radu back and healthy would be good for squad rotation with Spurs still participating in three competitions including the Champions League. Spurs are essentially running three deep at CB with Cuti Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Kevin Danso; Van de Ven was rested in yesterday’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle, and putting Radu into the mix would ease some of the strain on all three.
Takai is still an enigma. He’s super young but we have no idea how good a player he is and won’t until we actually get a chance to evaluate him. Even so, I’m going with More Players = Good until further notice.
There are plenty of matches upcoming as Spurs careen into the busy festive fixture season, so hopefully we’ll be able to see both Radu and Kota in action in the next month and beyond.