By Martin Graham
Tottenham they prepare to restore Antonin Kinsky as their starting goalkeeper, with Guillem Vicari scheduled for hernia surgery after Sunday’s meeting with the Premier League Nottingham Forest. The Italy international has been managing the problem for several games but could still feature in this upcoming game.
The club confirmed that Vicario will undergo a minor operation next week, with the schedule deliberately aligned with the international break to minimize disruption to the team’s schedule. Tottenham expect the recovery period to be relatively short.
According to the club’s statement, Vicario will immediately begin rehabilitation under the supervision of medical staff. There is optimism that he could be back in action within a month if his recovery goes as planned.
With Vicario sidelined, Kinsky is expected to step back into the role, while a third-choice option Brandon Austin remains available. Austin, a product of the club’s academy, has made three senior appearances.
Kinsky’s difficult night in Madrid raises questions
Kinsky’s recent outing in the Champions League vs Atlético de Madrid it was a challenge as he conceded three goals in the opening phase of the match. His first mistake, a slip, allowed Marcos Llorente to open the scoring early on.
Antoine Griezmann quickly added a second, putting Tottenham under immediate pressure. The situation worsened when Kinsky lost possession, giving Julian Alvarez a direct finish for the third goal.
The 23-year-old visibly reacted to the mistakes, holding his head in frustration before being substituted in the 17th minute. Interim manager Igor Tudor’s decision to substitute him so early in the game caught the eye.
As Kinsky left the field, several teammates offered support, including Vicario. However, the goalkeeper was not recognized by Tudor and went straight down the tunnel after his withdrawal.
Criticism follows the early replacement decision
The decision to remove Kinsky so quickly caused strong reactions among observers. BBC Sport’s senior football writer Phil McNulty commented that he had rarely seen a situation like this during a match.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson also expressed concern during the comments, describing the moment as highly unusual and difficult for the player involved. He suggested the experience could be emotionally damaging to a young goalkeeper.
Robinson criticized the handling of the situation, arguing that the move did not take into account Kinsky’s trustworthiness. He also questioned the manager’s motives, suggesting the decision may have been influenced by short-term concerns.
Despite the setback in Madrid, both Kinsky and Austin have continued to feature in the squad in recent games, including a Premier League draw at Liverpool and a Champions League win over Atletico in the second leg.
