Roberto De Zerbi has hailed Leeds United
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has hailed Leeds United for their performances of late and described the club as 'deserving' of keeping their Premier League status this season.
Leeds have long been locked in a relegation fight with Spurs and a host of other clubs including West Ham and Nottingham Forest. Daniel Farke's men head to Tottenham next Monday evening for a match that had been earmarked as crucial for both sides to stay in the division.
That scenario is no longer really a threat for Leeds, who look safe following Friday night's win at home to Burnley, which has taken the club to 43 points in the table, a total which no side has ever been relegated on during the 38-games era of the Premier League. Leeds could even be officially confirmed as safe from the drop before they travel to London next week, with a win for Arsenal on Sunday against West Ham making it impossible for the Hammers to catch Leeds.
Next Monday still remains a huge night for Spurs, however, with just one point between them and the Hammers in the league table. Looking ahead to their next match, De Zerbi has called for a new focus after guiding Tottenham to successive victories which has lifted them out the bottom three.
That call came along with praise for the job Farke has done. “We have to play another three games, starting on Monday night with Leeds," said the Spurs boss.
"Leeds are playing very well. They are deserving of staying in this position in the table. We can’t forget what the situation was before Wolverhampton.
"The crucial thing now is to keep in our heads what was the situation before the Wolverhampton game. This is the most important memory to keep in our heads because in football it's very easy to change. If you lose you are stupid, if you win you are a champion. No, we have to find the balance.
"We have to work this week because Leeds is another very tough game and to remember in ourselves what we have done in the past, in the last month."