Tottenham Hotspur were hit with a huge injury blow after Antonio Conte confirmed that Cristian Romero would be out indefinitely with a serious injury until 2022.
Romero sustained a hamstring injury when he was away on international duty for Argentina in last month’s World Cup Qualifier against Brazil, and Conte confirmed he couldn’t put a specific date on his return at the beginning of December, speaking in a press conference he revealed:
“I don’t know, January, February. But for 2021, he has finished to play”
With that being said, the Italian boss could go into the transfer market and patch up the position, or he could look to his current squad, potentially saving millions in signings by utilising a player already available.
One player who could have a fantastic impact and take up the opportunity to rise up into the first team is 18 year old, Maksim Paskotsi.
Paskotsi has already gained 11 caps for his country Estonia since March 2021, playing in World Cup Qualifiers against the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Gareth Bale and Romelu Lukaku. However, the side failed to qualify, finishing fourth in their group, but the youngster would surely be grateful after building confidence in his time with the international side.
The 18-year-old centre back joined Tottenham from FC Floria in Estonia last year, bagging five goals in 19 games in the U18 Premier League, and made his senior debut for Spurs in their very first game this season, against Pacos de Ferreira in the Conference League, and could become a worthy replacement for Romero during his injury recovery.
If Conte did adapt to a system for Spurs in playing three central defenders, it could be a real opportunity for the teenager to get back into the senior team again to show the Italian manager what he is capable of, offering the team not only in Romero’s absence but for the future too.
He was hailed by popular football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who once tweeted that he is “one of the most talented players in Estonia.” The same figure has also compared him to Manchester United defender Raphael Varane which tells you all you need to know about his qualities.
Spurs fans also took to the social media platform to praise the young defender after his senior debut, with one fan tweeting the Tottenham Hotspur official Twitter account pleading for another start for the teenager:
“Need to get Maksim Paskotsi involved with first team. He’s playing for Estonia regularly. Let’s do the right thing and give him some first team involvement.”
Conte will have to make a decision about whether he takes a risk on the youngster or adds another player to the squad in the January transfer window, but it is clear that Paskotsi has a bright future ahead of him and Spurs fans seem excited about their growing prospect.
In other news: Harry Kane linked with another move away
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