Isolating: Yves Bissouma
(Picture: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)Tottenham's pre-season preparations have been rocked after new signings Yves Bissouma and Fraser Forster tested positive for Covid in South Korea.
Under the country's rules, the pair would have to spend seven days in complete isolation at the team hotel in Seoul, ruling out even light training, and fly home separately on Tuesday after the rest of the squad returns on Sunday.
Bissouma, the £25million signing from Brighton, and Forster who joined on a free transfer from Southampton, both tested positive in the mandatory PCR tests which must be undertaken 72 hours after arrival in South Korea and missed yesterday's friendly win over a K-League XI.
The loss of the pair will frustrate head coach Antonio Conte, who has spoken of the importance of making signings early this summer so he can get his entire squad up to speed with his fitness and tactical demands.
Ivan Perisic also missed yesterday's 6-3 win at the World Cup Stadium as he recovers from a calf injury but Richarlison played over an hour on debut, as goals from Eric Dier and two apiece from star attractions Heung-min Son and Harry Kane sealed an entertaining win.
Conte said of Richarlison: "The first half he played like a number nine and the second half he played on the right, behind the striker. I think he can play in all these three positions. I think he is strong physically and a good personality, good character, good quality. For sure he is a player that gives me important options up front."
