Why Tottenham’s goalkeeper situation is a ticking time bomb – opinion
Fraser Forster had his first minutes in a Spurs shirt for over a year against Coventry City with the 36-year-old’s performance hardly a comfortable watch, emphasising that Spurs could have a big issue should Vicario get injured this season.
Tottenham’s goalkeeper roster is worryingly thin
Spurs have effectively gone all in with their decision to not sign a top-quality second-choice goalkeeper in the summer, leaving every fan anxiously waiting to see whether a potential injury to Vicario could tear their season apart.
The Athletic revealed early in the summer that Spurs weren’t looking to sign a goalkeeper in the transfer window with there being an acknowledgement that while Forster isn’t the ideal fit for Spurs’ style of play, the 36-year-old has a year left on his deal and therefore Tottenham won’t upgrade him.
A baffling revelation after Spurs renewed Forster’s contract until 2025 just six months prior to the summer transfer window, despite Postecoglou having implemented his style of play. This was highlighted even further by his woeful performance in Spurs’ shock early exit of the Carabao Cup to Fulham. (BBC Sport)
Forster and Spurs almost repeated last season’s Carabao Cup troubles in spectacular fashion this season too. The veteran keeper made a couple of routine saves before unbelievably flying out of his goal only to miss a ball that was bouncing towards his net, with Ben Davies having to heroically spare the keeper’s blushes.
It was therefore evidently clear against Coventry that Tottenham have left themselves, perhaps unnecessarily, short in goal. Forster’s calamitous performance against the Sky Blues only induced many Spurs fans’ anxieties around Vicario’s fitness this season.
Vicario’s set piece troubles only emphasise Spurs’ issue
Only amplifying the issue of not having an apt second-choice goalkeeper is Vicario’s set-piece woes so far this season, with Arsenal’s North London derby winner only resurfacing Spurs and Vicario’s weakness at dealing with set-pieces.
The corner conceded against Arsenal was Vicario’s first set-piece conceded of the season but saw a continuation of a trend that characterised his debut season in North London, despite the Italian often excelling at shot-stopping.
Gabriel’s header was the 18th set-piece Spurs conceded since Vicario and Postecoglou’s arrival, the second-worst tally in the league. Such a concerning record has started to raise questions around Vicario – although Tottenham are banking on the 27-year-old improving, and quick. (Sky Sports)
Most top sides have ensured they have the luxury of a high-calibre number two; Man City have Ortega, Arsenal have Neto, Liverpool have Kelleher, the list goes on. While not every side has an outstanding second choice, each ‘keeper can comfortably deputise their club’s primary goalie.
Spurs haven’t afforded themselves that luxury, meaning that should Vicario continue to struggle at set-pieces, and it escalates into a consistently game-defining season, Tottenham will be extremely reluctant to drop the Italian, given the vast gap in quality between Vicario and Forster.
It may not be even a luxury that Tottenham haven’t afforded themselves, but a necessity, should Vicario pick up an injury in the season. Whilst the former Empoli ‘keeper has a pretty good injury record, only missing nine games in 2022/23, Spurs seem to be taking an unnecessary risk. (TransferMarkt)
Spurs academy goalkeepers could provide a surprise solution
There is an unlikely solution to the currently precarious goalkeeper issue at Tottenham, with the club’s current and graduate academy ‘keepers an ideal fix to Postecoglou’s problem.
Brandon Austin and Luca Gunter are the primary choices should Postecoglou wish to choose a keeper other than Forster or Vicario, perhaps in the Europa League or in a favourable FA Cup draw.
Alfie Whiteman does remain on the club’s books, but it appears to be an open secret that the 25-year-old will depart N17 come the end of his contract and may be excluded from Ange’s pecking order.
Austin signed a new deal in the summer, extending the 25-year-old’s stay with Spurs until 2029 (Tottenham Hotspur). Postecoglou could call upon the academy graduate for Tottenham’s so-called ‘easier’ ties in the Europa League, impressing performances in the competition could pave the way for Austin to climb the goalkeeper pecking order.
Luca Gunter is the other option, who may be a higher risk than Austin but one that almost undoubtedly wields greater rewards.
Gunter shone extremely brightly in Tottenham’s U21’s PL2 double-winning season last campaign, with his penalty shootout heroics even booking Tottenham’s place in the semi-finals of the play-offs.
The issue is that Gunter’s chance may only come should Spurs ensure qualification before the end of their 8th Europa League, league phase – and even then, an impressive display on a stage of lesser importance may not earn the 19-year-old enough discussion to impose himself as a first-team ‘keeper.
However, should either goalkeeper perform when given the chance, however unlikely, it could kill two birds with one stone for Tottenham.
Spurs are currently trying to balance their homegrown quota, a homegrown goalkeeper to replace Forster would certainly elevate such issues, and if either goalie proves able enough to be a competitive second choice for Vicario it could save Spurs a large sum of money, they would likely have to spend this summer after Forster’s contract ends.
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