Major Blow!!! Tottenham stops defender from joining national team

Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin will not be linking up with the Romania national team during the forthcoming international break after Spurs made it plain they do not want him to travel.

The 23-year-old has been sidelined since January after tearing his ACL during a Europa League meeting with Elfsborg. Although he is getting closer to full fitness, he has not yet returned to competitive activity. Dragusin was “progressing nicely,” according to Spurs manager Thomas Frank, who added, “He is been on the turf for three weeks already.” He is on course. He will not be able to participate for a few weeks.

Despite his lengthy absence, Romania boss Mircea Lucescu had included Dragusin on the preliminary list of overseas players for their October fixtures against Moldova and Austria. However, after discussions with both player and club, Lucescu admitted he will not be calling him up. “I spoke with him. He was very happy for the national team comeback but I don’t think I will call him. Tottenham wasn’t so happy to let him come now at the national team. He needs one more month to play again. Radu wants to come, but others warned us it is better to let him train with Tottenham now,” the Romania coach told Fanatik.

When Dragusin joined Spurs from Genoa in January 2024 for a reported £21.5 million plus an additional £4.3 million in add-ons, he became the most expensive Romanian football player ever. He played frequently last season, making 28 appearances across all competitions prior to his injury, and made nine Premier League appearances that season.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have became Tottenham’s first-choice center-back duo in his absence. Dragusin is anticipated to contend for a spot once he is fully recovered, though it is hoped that he will be able to make a comeback by the end of October.

Meanwhile, Spurs are managing other injury concerns. Frank confirmed Romero will miss the Champions League trip to Bodo/Glimt in Norway as a precaution, while striker Dominic Solanke is set for minor ankle surgery and will be sidelined until after the international break. He added that Randal Kolo Muani is recovering well from a dead leg.