Roberto De Zerbi has warned the Tottenham Hotspur squad against complacency ahead of Monday night's clash against Leeds United.
Roberto De Zerbi has been putting the Tottenham Hotspur players through their paces ahead of Monday night's clash against Leeds United. The Lilywhites have the opportunity to extend their three-game unbeaten streak and climb the Premier League when they host Daniel Farke's side in north London.
Speaking to reporters at Hotspur Way on Thursday afternoon, De Zerbi warned his squad against complacency. The Italian said: "First of all, we go to play against one of the best teams in this moment.
"In the last five, six games they won against Manchester United, they drew in Bournemouth playing well, they won at home two times, Wolves and Burnley, and for that we have a big respect.
"We can't think in a different way. We have to keep this mentality. We must remain humble - nothing changes," added De Zerbi. "Their style is very clear. They have a great organisation on the pitch, with the ball and without the ball.
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"They have a good player, because Calvert-Lewin and Okafor, Tanaka and Ampadu are all very good players not to fight for relegation, but a higher level.
"The focus is on us, not because we become arrogant, but because we have the quality enough if we play like we know, like we can, to win the game, for sure."
So, with that being said, football.london has picked out four things that you may have missed in Tottenham training this week.
Gallagher soldiers through knock
Conor Gallagher appeared to be soldiering through a minor knee injury in training at Hotspur Way this week. The 26-year-old midfielder was spotted wearing a bandage on his left knee, but it didn't stop him from getting stuck in.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, De Zerbi reflected on Gallagher's time at Tottenham. The Spurs boss said: "I'm happy, because I think from the perspective of Conor, he came in January in a difficult situation.
"He had some problems at the beginning, physical condition, environment, to come and understand a different club, different style of play, different dressing room. He's an important player, the first level of the players.
"So, I'm happy to watch him in this condition, in this confidence, with these performances. I think, and I said after the game, when Gallagher plays well, his team plays with one player more than the opponent."
Tottenham youngster catches the eye
Rio Kyerematen caught the eye during a small-sided game. The 20-year-old, who's played almost every position possible for the under-21s this season, reacted quickest to a drop ball, darting away from James Maddison and smashing the ball past Luca Gunter.
"Well done, Rio," shouted three different members of the coaching staff. Across the Premier League and the Champions League this term, Kyerematen has been named in the matchday squad five times, but he's yet to make his first-team debut.
Two other Tottenham academy stars impress
Gunter and Harry Byrne also made a good impression during a small-sided game. The 21-year-old goalkeeper and the 18-year-old left-back featured on the winning team, alongside Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, and James Maddison.
Gunter spent the second half of last season on loan at Wealdstone in the National League, where he featured 14 times. Back at Hotspur Way, the former England Under-19 international helped the Lilywhites reach the semi-finals of the Premier League 2 play-offs, but he only appeared during the league phase.
As for Byrne, he established himself as a key player for the Tottenham Under-18s, helping them finish second in the Premier League. He, too, is yet to make his debut for the Lilywhites.
Maddison steps up recovery
Maddison took another step forward on the road to recovery this week. The 29-year-old midfielder, who's only recently returned to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, was at the heart of the action at Hotspur Way this week as he continues to rebuild his fitness.
He's been an unused substitute in each of the last three Premier League games, but De Zerbi's thinking about finally giving him some minutes. Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, the Spurs boss outlined his plan to reintegrate the England international.
De Zerbi said: "I'm thinking about James Maddison, because I'm watching a top, top player, maybe he's not ready yet to play, but as a physical condition, for the rhythm, for the intensity of the game, we are playing in the Premier League, the most difficult league in terms of intensity and rhythm, but as a player, it's great.
"As a coach, watching one player like this, especially for me, because I was number 10, and I'm sensitive in number 10 players, like Xavi Simons, Maddison, [Dejan] Kulusevski, [Mohammed] Kudus - we have a lot of number 10, but I want to see.
"About [Dominic] Solanke, he's improving very quickly, I don't know for this game, I don't know if he can be available, we hope for the next game in Stamford Bridge."