Ange Postecoglou handed major Tottenham injury concern as Richarlison runs riot in friendly rout

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been handed a major injury scare on the eve of the new Premier League season after a top midfielder limped off in the friendly win over Lion City Sailors.

Having gone a goal behind against the Singapore league outfit, Spurs bounced back to win 5-1 thanks to goals from Harry Kane, a Richarlison second-half hat-trick and another pre-season striker for a rejuvenated Giovani Lo Celso.

However, the outing could prove to be a costly one after midfielder Yves Bissouma appeared to suffer a foot injury.

The Mali international was once again one of Tottenham’s better performers in an opening half in which they struggled to break down their opponents. But, taking part in some long warm-down runs with the rest of the starters at the end of the first half, Bissouma looked to be in some discomfort after and slumped to the floor.

He then appeared to be pointing at his foot as he was treated by medical staff before limping off the pitch.

Bissouma has been tipped to be a regular starter under Postecoglou after impressing the Australian in pre-season and has been looking more like the player that saw him become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League during his time at Brighton.

Postecoglou banking on Bissouma this season

Indeed, Postecoglou has already praised Bissouma on a handful of occasions since taking on the Spurs job, including in his press conference over the weekend ahead if the cancelled Leicester clash.

“Biss has been good and I think he’s a midfielder that can play in a number of areas for us,” he said. “I don’t seem him exclusively as a number six. But he’s been really good since I’ve come here, he was one of the ones that was in in the first days so he’s had a bit longer with us than the international players from Day One.

“He’s got bags of energy, you know when he’s around and it’s great. He’s got a great personality. He’s a very, very good footballer. I’m looking forward to working with him. I think he can play a big part for us.”

Richy seals his hat-trick in style 🙌

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 26, 2023

Bissouma has now had two strong halves of action under Postecoglou, having also started the West Ham loss, and any loss of time for the former Seagulls man would be a big blow for Tottenham.

Postecoglou still has Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on his books, although the Dane continues to be linked with Atletico Madrid. But with Rodrigo Bentancur still sidelined, options are slim after that with Oliver Skipp and Pape Matar Sarr the only real central options.

READ MORE: Harry Kane: Bigger motivation for Bayern move revealed with showdown Tottenham talks due this week