JUST NOW: Tottenham star player may be dropped after the incident that occurred after the match against Everton.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou will be considering dropping Guglielmo Vicario after his recent performances, according to ex-Spurs scout Bryan King.

Vicario has come under fire in recent weeks after his impressive start to life in North London following his £17.2million switch from Serie A side Empoli in the summer (Sky Sports News, 27 June 2023).

It seemed at one point as if the Italy international could do no wrong but after his part in Manchester City’s late winner in the FA Cup fourth-round clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Friday 26 January, it appears his confidence levels have taken a hit.

His ability to deal with crosses was once again called into question as Spurs drew 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday 3 February, and King has suggested the goalkeeper could now be looking over his shoulder.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, King said: “I thought the first goal was down to him, and there is a question mark over the second goal as well.

“I don’t like the way he deals with stuff under pressure, as he proved against Manchester City. He can’t seem to choose between punching or catching the ball a lot of the time.

“When you are under pressure like that there is only one option, and that is to punch the ball away.

“He makes big saves, and that is why he is Postecoglou’s number one and rightly so. However, maybe he needs to be kept on his toes and reminded that he isn’t irreplaceable.

“I believe he will still be in the team against Brighton, but if a similar issue occurs, I could see him being dropped to the bench for a game or two and Fraser Forster coming into the side. Perhaps Vicario would benefit from some time out of the spotlight.”

Concerning form

Spurs have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Friday 15 December.

In just two games this week, Vicario has been forced to pick the ball up out of the back of his net four times. Perhaps he set such high levels for himself in the early part of the season, that any little mistake the 26-year-old now makes appears catastrophic.

While he won’t be too concerned about losing his place to Forster in the long term, the shot-stopper does look like a player who could benefit from being taken out of the spotlight at the moment.

Teams will be looking to take advantage of the goalkeeper’s dip in confidence over the coming weeks, and Spurs and Vicario himself must ensure they don’t allow that to happen.

In other Tottenham news, one Under-18 Spurs sensation could follow in the footsteps of England legend Wayne Rooney.