Arsenal legend-turned-pundit Thierry Henry feels Tottenham Hotspur have been hampered severely by the absence of Victor Wanyama. The Kenya international suffered a knee injury during the 1-1 draw versus Burnley in August, and he has since been on the sidelines. In a report covered by The Express, Henry believes the former Celtic man is influential towards how the north London side play, and his absence has brought a void in central midfield which no other player has managed to fulfil.

He said, “His (Wanyama) injury had been felt by the club and there is no doubt about that. I have said it before, Wanyama and other players, who play in his position, are an integral part of any club’s success or failure because what they do is glamorous. His absence is being felt at Tottenham at the moment.”

The likes of Moussa Sissoko and Harry Winks have featured alongside Mousa Dembele in the centre of the park, but none have managed to perform with the same level of intensity as Wanyama. As a result, Henry has compared the Kenyan to the likes of Claude Makelele and N’Golo Kante, the latter who is currently outshining his opponents with Chelsea.

Despite a runner-up finish last term, many expected Spurs to fall off the cliff this campaign, and their season is resulting in a similar fashion following a dampening 4-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Spurs are currently 21 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side, and their title challenge is more or less over after just 18 games into the season.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men are currently two points adrift of the Champions League positions, and a top-four finish is likely to be their minimal aim between now and the end of the season. Pochettino has not given an exact return date for his enforcer, but Wanyama could return to first-team action by the turn of the year.