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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou may be about to drive final nail into Spurs star's coffin
COMMENT: Tottenham host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend.
Ange Postecoglou could effectively make up Giovani Lo Celso's mind about forcing a Tottenham transfer exit if the Argentine is overlooked against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Lo Celso is struggling for minutes despite James Maddison's underwhelming form in attacking midfield, and there would surely be no shortage of suitors if he decides to look elsewhere.
For a 27-year-old with a half-century of Argentina caps on his CV, managing only 30 minutes of competitive action since January 5 is a sign that things may never work out for Lo Celso in north London.
Displacing Maddison was always going to be a tough ask at the start of the season, when he was arguably the most influential player in the Premier League.
Even the Brit being struck down by injury in November didn't give Lo Celso the long-term run he was looking for, despite hitting goals in successive games against Aston Villa and Manchester City, before a two-assist performance against Bournemouth on New Year's Eve.
"Gio was great," Postecogou said after the Cherries game. "He's been great the last two or three weeks. With the amount of injuries we've had and absences we've had, we've needed everyone in the group and everybody who has come in has stepped up."
Since Spurs' injury worries eased and players returned from AFCON and the Asian Cup, Lo Celso's chances have dwindled. Alarm bells will have been ringing for the player when he was left untouched on the bench until the dying embers of Tuesday's 1-1 draw with West Ham.
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Maddison struggled to make an impact in an advanced midfield role but Postecoglou opted to stick with him until the 70th minute, and brought Dejan Kulusevski on when the change was made.
Lo Celso hardly had a touch of the ball after coming on to replace Brennan Johnson at the death. If a similar story unfolds against Forest, it is difficult to see the former Paris Saint-Germain star remaining at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium beyond this summer.
With only 445 Premier League minutes under his belt this term, it is clear that Postecoglou holds other options in higher esteem - even though Lo Celso has managed to squeeze four goal contributions into that time.
Competitiveness 'missing' for Tottenham says Ange Postecoglou
The midfield maestro is approaching the final 12 months of his contract, meaning this summer will be Spurs' final opportunity to recoup a decent transfer fee. Reports indicate that the top-four chasers are ready to move Lo Celso on, with Barcelona among his previous suitors.
Another starting XI snub against Forest would only support those claims, with the Copa America winner unable to get a look in even while his competitors falter.