Tottenham news: ‘Blame game’ over injury record

Speak to those behind the scenes at Tottenham and they will explain how injuries have been the most pertinent factor behind their recent issues.

Cristian Romero, Son Heung-min, Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and Guglielmo Vicario are among the players to have spent extended spells on the sidelines this season – many with muscular issues.

James Maddison, Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall were all unavailable in Bilbao, while Son started on the bench because he was deemed unfit having only recently returned from injury.

Multiple sources have told BBC Sport the club’s injury record has been at the centre of some friction between members of the coaching team and medical and strength and conditioning staff over the course of the season.

“It’s been the blame game,” one well-placed source said.

Richarlison’s injury-disrupted campaign has been a real bone of contention, according to sources, particularly in the aftermath of the 4-0 Carabao Cup defeat by Liverpool in February when, having only recently returned from hamstring and groin problems, the Brazil international injured a calf.

And there have been other examples this season when Ange Postecoglou’s team and the medical and fitness department have not seen eye to eye.

Read more from Mokbel on the reasons behind Postecoglou’s sacking