Glenn Hoddle had a unique explanation for Tottenham’s hamstring injury woes this season.
Spurs have been one of the Premier League’s worst-affected teams by injury this term, with nine members of their first-team squad currently sidelined.
Many of these are key players, including goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and centre-back Cristiano Romero, as well as attacking threats Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson and James Maddison.
One of the biggest causes of absence in Ange Postecoglou’s side has been hamstring injuries.
Wilson Odobert, Destiny Udogie and Timo Werner are all ruled out at the moment with the muscle issue, while Ben Davies has returned from it.
Meanwhile Micky van de Ven will miss tonight’s EFL Cup semi-final second against Liverpool as a precautionary measure, having only returned from the same injury last week against Elfsborg, and suffering the same injury last season.
With Spurs’ fitness struggles this season appearing to be never-ending, Postecoglou’s playing style, training methods and team selection have all been touted as possible causes.
But according to club legend Hoddle, the delay in offside calls since the introduction of VAR could be to blame for the injury crisis.
Appearing on talkSPORT Breakfast, the former Tottenham star suggested that assistant referees keeping their flags down is placing an added strain on players, particularly defenders.
When asked for a possible cause of Spurs’ woes, Hoddle said: “I think, particularly the defenders at Tottenham, let’s talk about Spurs. Other clubs actually play a high line as well.
“But nowadays, if you play a high line, there’s a lot of hamstring problems.
“Defenders, back in the day, the flag would go up and they would actually probably run less than 17 sprints than they’re having to do today.
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“[Today] the ball goes over the top, the linesmen, because of VAR rules, they keep the flag down.”
The 67-year-old went on to explain the physical impact this has on players.
He continued: “Defenders are sprinting so much more. And then the flag goes up. It’s wasted energy. And their muscles are getting more tired and put under pressure.
“So, there is a theory on that from my point of view, that there is a lot of energy used up and muscles burned, because you’re sprinting more than any generation of defenders or back-fours.”
And while Tottenham may be worst affected by recent rule changes in Hoddle’s eyes this season, he admitted other clubs will likely be hurt by this too.
The two-time FA Cup winner with Spurs added: “I think every club that wants to hold that high line is going to have to do that.
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“Unless they come up with another type of rule where there’s a slight signal that the linesman gives that he’s going to put his flag up, it’s up to you whether you don’t chase him or not, I don’t know [how to prevent injuries].
“But there’s more sprints that defenders have to make now.”
Ange Postecoglou will be hoping any further injuries to his side tonight, as they look to book their place in the Carabao Cup final.
Spurs head to Anfield with a 1-0 lead after Lucas Bergvall’s goal in the first leg, and will hope to hold onto their advantage as they bid for a first major trophy since their 2008 League Cup victory.
You can listen to Liverpool vs Tottenham in the second leg of their Carabao Cup tie live on talkSPORT.