The Tottenham Hotspur head coach could have a big decision to make in the days ahead in a crucial position in his starting line-up
Roberto De Zerbi made a big statement a couple of weeks ago about his Tottenham goalkeepers and the coming days will prove just how much he meant it.
The Italian was asked the week before the draw against Leeds United whether his compatriot Guglielmo Vicario would return to his position between the sticks when the 29-year-old returned to full fitness following his absence from hernia surgery.
"Vicario is still the first goalkeeper of Tottenham, because what Vicario showed this season is enough to consider him a top player for us. But we have to consider the physical condition, the period – how many games he missed and we will see when Vicario will be good," said the Spurs boss.
This weekend the north London club released images from training which appeared to show the Italy international finally back on the pitches of Hotspur Way.
So will Vicario return immediately between the sticks as Tottenham make the trip to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night? The answer will likely be decided by two 'problems'.
The first is just how fit Vicario actually is. He has been out for longer than he or Spurs expected. The club announced that he should be back within the month after his surgery at the end of March. However, approaching two months later and the stopper's return to training has been later than planned.
The other problem for Vicario is a certain Antonin Kinsky. The 23-year-old has been on top form since stepping into the breach, putting that nightmare evening in Madrid far in the rearview mirror.
The Czech had already made a top save at Wolves to stop Joao Gomes' free-kick in the 98th minute and just days after De Zerbi's comments about Vicario, Kinsky made two fantastic stops against Leeds. The first was to prevent Joe Rodon's header from crossing the goal line and then at the end of the game the young keeper reacted superbly to deflect Sean Longstaff's powerful close range effort on to the crossbar and away.
"He's improving a lot. He’s a good goalkeeper," De Zerbi said after Kinsky's latest display. "I had no doubt in my first days in Tottenham because I knew him before coming here. He played in Madrid, he made that mistake, and it was tough for him. He has great personality, strong character and he deserves to play a game like today."
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Kinsky is match fit and sharp after five games in a row. After two months out, there is no opportunity for Vicario to reach anywhere near that sort of sharpness.
"But we have to consider the physical condition, the period – how many games he missed and we will see when Vicario will be good" was a key end to De Zerbi's statement on his compatriot. He could argue that Vicario is back in training but not yet "good".
Vicario does have the experience Kinsky lacks and is a vocal leader of the backline at a time when it is missing captain Cristian Romero. Many would have also said that while Kinsky is better with the ball at his feet, Vicario had the edge on Kinsky in the shotstopping stakes, but then came a string of excellent saves from the younger man in recent weeks.
It's also important to take into account that Kinsky has shown tremendous character to bounce back from that night in Spain and Spurs need that kind of battling mentality in these final two games of this campaign if they are to remain in the Premier League.
"I know myself, I know the way that my parents raised me, it doesn’t matter how difficult the moment is in life, that's the challenge, to deal with it, and it’s a nice feeling when you do that. While what happened was something that I didn’t wish for, these things happen, and it wasn't my first bad moment," he explained.
"Until the moment that I got here, when I was playing in the different divisions in Czechia, there have been moments like this. The only difference is that more people see it here. I’m not too worried about how those people feel about me. I care about how I feel about myself. I think this is why it hasn't affected me too much.
"I think for me, coming back in goal, even after something like that happens, I get confidence from the work that I put in if I know that I do the maximum every day I can. If there is a game that I’m not playing in, in the morning I do some warm-ups, and after the game I go on to the pitch because I have a lot of energy. For me, it’s another day to use wisely and get the most out of."
There is also the issue of Vicario's future at Tottenham beyond this month. He has been strongly linked with a return to Italy and Inter Milan, with reports in his homeland claiming the goalkeeper has already agreed personal terms with the Serie A giants.
It's worth noting perhaps that while De Zerbi made it clear that he "100 per cent" wants Tottenham to bring the on-loan Joao Palhinha back next season, he was unwilling to commit on Vicario's future at the club when asked about him.
"I don’t know. If you ask me if I’ve any ideas about next season, my answer is no," said the head coach. "For two reasons, one, I have no time to think about next season, and two, after two wins if I lose time thinking about next season’s squad I am being arrogant. You think after two wins, after a very tough period, you already consider yourself safe? No, no."
De Zerbi will hold his latest press conference on Monday afternoon at Hotspur Way ahead of the trip to Chelsea the following day. He will be asked about Vicario and the latest on the goalkeeper's fitness and potential selection. The Spurs head coach's response will be a crucial one.