Ange Postecoglou left with no choice but to promote Rio Kyerematen amid Tottenham injury update
Ange Postecoglou must throw Tottenham Under-21 sensation Rio Kyerematen into the deep end after an injury update was provided on Ben Davies.
Spurs have already been handed a blow at left-back by Destiny Udogie after the 21-year-old confirmed his season was over after the 4-0 defeat to Newcastle United last month.
Following the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday 28 April, Postecoglou shared, via SPURSPLAY on Wednesday (1 May), that the full-back will miss the remainder of the season through injury.
With both first-team full-backs unavailable for the trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Thursday 2 May, the Australian may have been left with no choice but to turn to 18-year-old Kyerematen.
If he were to ignore the U21 left-back, Emerson Royal could be the only other option in the position, with it highly unlikely that one of the centre-backs will be switched to fill the gap.
Although Kyerematen is inexperienced on the senior stage, he has certainly come on leaps and bounds under the guidance of Wayne Burnett and could provide a simple answer to a difficult situation.
Could Rio Kyerematen feature for Tottenham in the end-of-season run-in?
Though Kyerematen is naturally a centre-midfielder, he has been moved out to left-back this season and has fit seamlessly into the position, notching two goals and three assists in 18 Premier League 2 appearances.
The 18-year-old has faced Colchester United and Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy, and although this is nowhere near to Premier League level, it may be enough to convince Postecoglou he is ready.
Taking the manager’s first-team current situation into account, he may have his hand forced into the decision, especially with Emerson making just one start since the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday 2 March.
With Chelsea, Liverpool, Burnley, Manchester City and Sheffield United still left to play, Spurs will be keen to pip Aston Villa to the Premier League fourth spot and secure Champions League football for next season.
In other Tottenham news, James Maddison could be axed by Postecoglou against Chelsea.
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