By Martin Graham
Tottenham are preparing to restore Antonin Kinsky as their starting goalkeeper, with Guglielmo Vicario scheduled to have hernia surgery after Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest. The Italy international has been managing the issue for several matches but could still feature in that upcoming fixture.
The club confirmed Vicario will undergo what they described as a minor operation next week, with the timing deliberately aligned with the international break to reduce 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 he could return to action within a month if his recovery progresses as planned.
With Vicario sidelined, Kinsky is expected to step back into the role, while 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 against Atletico Madrid proved challenging, as he conceded three goals in the opening stages 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, gifting Julian Alvarez a straightforward finish for the third goal.
The 23-year-old reacted visibly to the errors, holding his head in frustration before being substituted in the 17th minute. The decision by interim manager Igor Tudor to replace him so early in the match drew attention.
As Kinsky left the pitch, several teammates offered support, including Vicario. However, the goalkeeper was not acknowledged by Tudor and went straight down the tunnel following his withdrawal.
Criticism follows early substitution decision
The decision to remove Kinsky so quickly sparked strong reactions from observers. BBC Sport’s chief football writer Phil McNulty remarked that he had rarely seen a situation like it during a match.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson also expressed concern during commentary, describing the moment as highly unusual and difficult for the player involved. He suggested the experience could be emotionally damaging for a young goalkeeper.
Robinson criticized the handling of the situation, arguing the move lacked consideration for Kinsky’s confidence. 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 remained part of the squad in recent fixtures, including a Premier League draw at Liverpool and a Champions League victory over Atletico in the return leg.
