top of page

Can Bryan Gil and Giovani Lo Celso slip back into Tottenham's starting lineup?

Writer's picture: Charlotte ReeceCharlotte Reece

With the amount of injuries Tottenham have currently, their usual starting lineup has been forced to change. It is time for some players, who wouldn’t usually start, to step up. Two players who were given a chance to start in the latest game against Aston Villa were Giovanni Lo Celso and Bryan Gil.

Bryan Gil is a 22-year-old Spanish left winger who joined Tottenham from Sevilla in 2021. He has been on and off the pitch with injuries and he most recently had surgery over the summer of 2023. If he hadn’t of had surgery and other injury struggles, it was said he could have left Tottenham by now.


The fact that he has stayed is great for Ange Postecoglou and the squad, especially now due to having so many players not available.


So far in the Premier League, Bryan Gil has made 16 appearances during his two years at Spurs (in between loan spells). He hasn’t got any goals as of yet but has one assist.


Against Aston Villa last week, he was in the starting lineup, which was slightly unexpected for Spurs fans due to him not playing for such an elongated period. He made two appearances as a substitute against Wolves and Crystal Palace, where he brought on some positive energy. It is hard to judge him yet because he’s not got many minutes and hasn’t played in a long time, but he seems to be more than capable of pressing forward and creating chances.


With regular starting midfielders, James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur, out with injuries until at least the new year, Gil could claim a good amount of game time. Becoming a regular starter over the next couple of months is exactly what Gil needs to slot back into the squad. When Maddison and Bentancur are back, it is likely he will get dropped back to the bench due to these two being such key players. However, I think Gil will be happy to replace them for a short period of time to build up his confidence and get him used to playing for the club again.

It would be nice if he could get more goals and contributions, he can drive forward and have shots but none of them have ended in the back of the net yet, with time this will come because he has potential.

Another player who is in a similar situation is Giovani Lo Celso. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder from Argentina joined Tottenham in 2019 on loan, before signing permanently with the club in January 2020. He has made 59 Premier League appearances and has two goals, as well as three assists. Similarly to Gil, Lo Celso has been on and off the pitch for Spurs due to injuries and loan spells. He never properly had the time to settle in and play for a long period of time.

So far this season, he has made four appearances and got himself one goal. He was back in the starting lineup for the first time in two years last weekend. He scored Tottenham’s first and only goal with a half volley from outside the box, which took a slight deflection but was a great goal nonetheless.


Ange Postecoglou said after the game that Lo Celso did well in the role he was in, was creative and always threatening. He also put in a lot of effort which is highly valued under Postecoglou. As with Gil, it is likely that Lo Celso will be a regular starter whilst Maddison and Bentancur are out.


Currently, Lo Celso looks more promising than Gil in the sense of attacking and causing the opposition problems, but it will take them both time to settle back in properly. If there was a chance for them to get more game time for the club, this is the perfect time.


With the squad depth being tested, they need to show that they are good enough to step up and make an impact. It is difficult for them knowing that once certain key players are back from injury, they may be pushed back to the bench however this is their time to show that they are good enough and fight for their places in the team.


With Tottenham taking on Man City this weekend, it would be good to see these two starting again. It is a massive game, a tough fixture which will be even more difficult with how many key players are not available. If Lo Celso and Gil perform well, it will be extremely positive for them both and their future at the club.


0 comments

Comentários


© 2022 by The Woodwork. 

bottom of page