Will defensive concerns cost Tottenham next season?

Last season Tottenham clinched fourth place in the Premier League and a Champions League spot.

It was an amazing achievement by Harry Redknapp and his side considering Tottenham were in the relegation zone when Redknapp took over in 2008.

Injuries

Two of Tottenham’s key defenders Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate are injury-prone. They always have been injury-prone but the Tottenham boss is now concerned about his two England defenders.

Redknapp expressed his concerns about the pair on Sky Sports saying: “Jonathan will not be fit for the start of the season,”

“He’s in a position where he can’t train or kick a ball. Ledley has come back and his knee is not great and he has a groin problem.”

Both Woodgate and King will miss the start of the season. The pair are classy performers when fit and healthy. Unfortunately in the last few seasons neither has been able to play many games in a row to show their class.

Woodgate made just three league appearances last season and will struggle to break back into the team next season. The 30 year-old hasn’t even travelled with his teammates for their tour of the USA.

Everybody in football knows about Ledley King’s dodgy knees and that the England international can’t train like most other players. England boss Fabio Capello took a chance on taking King to the World Cup. The decision backfired as the centre-back suffered an injury and had to be taken off in England’s first group game.

Options

With King and Woodgate missing the start of the season Redknapp’s options have been reduced. They currently have three fit centre-backs in their squad, Michael Dawson, Younes Kaboul and Sebastien Bassong.

Dawson enjoyed a superb season in the absence of Woodgate last season and managed to force himself into the England squad for the World Cup after Rio Ferdinand was sent home injured, although the 26 year-old has yet to make an appearance for the Three Lions.

Bassong has made a solid start to his Tottenham career after his move from Newcastle last summer. Bassong and Dawson are a very solid centre-defensive partnership. Kaboul has yet to convince me but Redknapp is a big fan of the French defender. The 62 year-old is usually a good judge of player and Kaboul is still relatively young.

Redknapp could also start Croatian ace Vedran Corluka in the centre of defence, instead of his usual full-back position. He has proved a versatile squad player and is also a solid option. Redknapp is not short of defensive options at the moment, but if anybody else gets injured between now and the start of the season then Redknapp may need to dip into the transfer market.

Success

Tottenham coped without Woodgate and King for the majority of last season and managed to finish fourth in the Premier League.  King made just 19 appearances in the Premier League last, meaning he missed half of Spurs matches.

Their deputies are good enough to help guide Tottenham to success next season. Maybe Harry is just being clever trying to take the pressure off his players by voicing his concerns. With or without Woodgate and King Tottenham are still likely to be challenging for a place in the top four of the Premier League again next season.

However they also have the added games that the Champions League brings. I feel they currently have a good enough squad to make an impact in Europe’s elite competition but I can see Redknapp wanting to sign defensive reinforcements. And with his knack of signing players he’s bound to grab a bargain or two this summer.