Tottenham set for 'big blow' as Rodrigo Bentancur ban development emerges

Rodrigo Bentancur's potential 12-match ban would be a "big blow" for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham, Paul Robinson has said.

The midfielder's actions have already been condemned after suggesting Son Heung-Min and his cousins "all look the same" during an interview back in Uruguay in June [The Standard,13 September].

Despite apologising privately to his Spurs teammate, Bentancur is still facing a hefty ban from The FA, which would likely leave a massive hole in Postecoglou's midfield.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Robinson said: "It'd be a big blow because he's a mainstay in the midfield; it's usually him and a teammate. Postecoglou normally plays with two holding midfielders as a rule, and he's one of them.

"I think the squad is unbalanced as it's overladen by wide players and attacking midfielders, and light in other areas, and that's potentially one of them. Without Bentancur, Pape Sarr or Archie Gray could play in there.

"It's a big squad but I think it's unbalanced, so it's an area where they can't really afford to lose a key player such as Bentancur."

Rodrigo Bentancur problem emerges at Tottenham

While a potential ban for Bentancur would be a crushing blow for the manager, there is no room for racism and absolutely no excuses for his actions towards Son.

The 27-year-old has become a favourite figure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, either pairing up with Yves Bissouma or Pape Matar Sarr in the middle of the park.

Postecoglou faces the risk of 12 games without him being available [football.london], but with Bissouma, Pape Sarr, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall in the squad, he has a number of options.

It may not be too long until Bentancur is handed a ban for picking up too many yellow cards anyway, having been cautioned three times in his first four Premier League appearances of the season.

If he is banned for 12 matches, Bentancur will be ruled out until late December.

In other Tottenham News, Spurs' 'Achilles heel' was on show following the controversy v Arsenal.

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