In what was only his third pre-match press conference as Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi had plenty to say ahead of Spurs’ match against the already relegated Wolves.
We heard updates about the many players missing from Spurs’ first XI, James Maddison’s crucial role in the squad, the fight still ahead of Tottenham and De Zerbi also drops a massive hint about how he and his players really get on.
Here are the five key takeaways from Roberto De Zerbi’s press conference ahead of Wolverhampton clash.
New names on Tottenham’s never-ending injury list
Roberto De Zerbi confirmed the rumours which emerged earlier this week about Destiny Udogie’s availability for the clash at the Molineux (Tottenham Official).
“Destiny has a problem. I think he can’t play tomorrow,” said De Zerbi. “It’s a muscular injury but not so important,” De Zerbi said on the nature of the injury. The manager also mentioned that it could be a result of the fullback’s body getting used to the strain of playing after a prolonged absence.
De Zerbi also hinted at who we could potentially see tomorrow as replacement for the Italian fullback, “We have Spence, Souza is available to come with us. It’s not a big problem. I hope Udogie can be available in the next week at Villa Park.”
Pape Sarr, who missed his game against Brighton, yet is another addition to Spurs’ injury list. “Pape Matar Sarr, the shoulder. He felt pain in his shoulder and this week he didn’t work. He has not worked with the group. He’s not available to play.”
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Guglielmo Vicario is still not available after his hernia surgery but should rejoin first team training on Monday after the Wolves game.
Dejan Kulusevski is also unlikely to feature for Spurs again this season.
What role does James Maddison have in the squad?
De Zerbi also spoke about whether James Maddison had any chance to feature against Wolves on Saturday saying, “He is not available yet, especially in this week. He felt pain but not so important problem.”
But Spurs’ head coach remained adamant about James Maddison’s crucial leadership role in the current squad regardless of his injury and said that the Englishman will travel with the rest of the squad to the Midlands tomorrow.
“He is important if he plays or not it doesn’t matter. Better if he plays, for sure, but as a guy, as a leader, he is a positive guy. Inside of my dressing room I want to see nice people, positive people and this is important also for his team-mates.”
How De Zerbi will approach the final five Tottenham games
Roberto De Zerbi does not want to create too much pressure on his players for the remaining game but was also incredibly frank about the challenge still ahead of Spurs.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure, but we have to know the situation. We can’t forget the table. We can’t forget we need a win. We can’t forget that what we have done until now is not enough.”
But the Italian also acknowledged that the season is far from over and any positive performance we see at the Mollineux will have to be followed up. “If we win in Wolverhampton, it’s not finished yet. There are other four games (…) we have to be stronger and to keep playing, to keep going.”
Confidence remains key issue in the Tottenham squad
De Zerbi also spoke about the confidence issues in the Spurs squad, mentioning Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani in particular. “Kolo Muani, in the second half, in the second part of the game Mathys Tel, all can play better (…) but I think it is not a problem about the position of the pitch, but I think the confidence.”
But equally, Roberto De Zerbi remains confident that his players had bought into his ideas and that a single win could give everyone the necessary confidence to change Tottenham’s fortunes in these final stages of the season.
“They are following me and they are good guys. They believe in my words because I am able to recognise the eyes of the players. We are suffering, they are suffering because it is not easy play in Tottenham in this condition of the table, but I said they have to be stronger and they have to live to win a game. We have to live every part of the day waiting for a win and preparing for a win because I think with a win we can change this part of the season.”
In defence of Kevin Danso
De Zerbi also gave his comments regarding the abhorrent abuse Kevin Danso received when his mistake in the dying stages of Spurs’ match against Brighton led to a Seagulls goal.
“I was very annoyed by the racist insults towards Kevin, but he has to be calm. I’m proud for him. He played a fantastic game, not a good game, a fantastic game.”
Danso retains his manager’s full backing who was full of complements for his defender.
“I don’t consider one mistake so important. I consider the attitude, I consider the behaviour on the pitch, the quality in which he played that game, the personality while he played that game. He will be here next season because he’s a good guy.