'I joined Sunderland after not playing for Tottenham - now I'm out to ruin De Zerbi debut'
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi will encounter a former player of his new club during his first game in charge against Sunderland
Dennis Cirkin will be aiming to spoil Roberto De Zerbi's first match in the Tottenham dugout when they face Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday. The ex-Spurs academy prospect departed for the Stadium of Light in 2021 without featuring for the senior side at his boyhood club.
The 24-year-old was included in two Europa League matchday squads by Jose Mourinho in late 2020 but never entered the action. Cirkin was considered a promising talent within the academy and amongst Tottenham supporters, yet injury problems and the arrival of Sergio Reguilon denied him any playing time.
He subsequently joined the Black Cats before the 2021/22 campaign and played a crucial role in their ascent from League One. He sustained multiple injuries during the next season but still featured 28 times in the Championship.
Persistent muscular problems, one requiring an operation, meant Cirkin was absent for most of the 2023/24 campaign, though he returned emphatically the subsequent year as Sunderland secured Premier League promotion in thrilling circumstances at Wembley.
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His displays and Spurs' shortage of club-trained players for their Champions League comeback sparked speculation about bringing Cirkin back to north London.
West Ham United's Kyle Walker-Peters was another former academy talent linked with a return, yet neither deal came to fruition, with the buyback clause for Cirkin having expired last summer. Spurs did insert a sell-on clause into the transfer, but he stayed put at Sunderland.
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A mass squad overhaul has left Cirkin with precious little game time at the top level of English football, though he'll be hoping to make an impact against his former side this weekend.
He strung together five successive Premier League starts in January, including 59 minutes against his old club during a period when several Sunderland players were away at AFCON, yet he has managed just five minutes of action since early February.
A minor injury setback played its part in that, though he has since returned to fitness and was named among the unused substitutes for the landmark Tyne-Wear Derby victory over Newcastle United before the international break, having also come off the bench against Brighton.
Cirkin has had precious few chances to demonstrate his abilities, making it all the more significant if he does get on the pitch against his former employers this weekend.
For De Zerbi, it represents a crucial opening match as Spurs boss as the club battles to preserve their Premier League status. The Italian has had at least a fortnight to get to grips with portions of his squad, but the anticipated injury returns ahead of the trip north appear unlikely to materialise despite the extended break.