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All the latest transfer news for Brighton and Hove Albion and across the Premier League

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Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk admitted he 'loved' watching Jan Paul van Hecke's progress under Roberto De Zerbi.

Van Hecke, 26, is expected to complete his £52m move to Tottenham in the coming hours and reunite with De Zerbi.

The Dutch defender worked with the Italian head coach across two seasons at Brighton and the central defender has since emerged as one of the best players in his position in the Premier League.

Flourished under De Zerbi

It was under De Zerbi during the 2023-24 campaign when Van Hecke started to flourish with the Seagulls. He totalled 131 appearances for Brighton, 50 of which were under De Zerbi.

Dunk had a ringside sit to watch Van Hecke's progress. They formed a formidable central defensive partnership and the skipper also witnessed Van Hecke and De Zerbi in training.

The biggest improvement

"It's the biggest improvement I've ever seen in a player since this manager arrived and I love it," said Dunk in 2024, when asked about van Hecke's rise under De Zerbi: "He will give you everything he's got, every single day."

De Zerbi has been pushing for reunion with Van Hecke as he looks to plug a leaky Spurs defence.

De Zerbi, during his time at Brighton, was asked about Van Hecke’s attitude. "We fight," said the Italian.

"We fought, but we fought in a good way.

Van Hecke’s level is high

"He is improving in an incredible way. He's actually older than his age. His level is high, higher than people think."

Spurs conceded 122 goals across the last two Premier League campaigns and De Zerbi has immediately got to work on bringing in defensive reinforcements with Van Hecke’s addition following the arrivals of left-back Andy Robertson and centre-back Marcos Senesi.

Van Hecke started his career in his homeland with NAC Breda before Brighton secured his services in 2020 for around £2m.

He will now link up with Netherlands team-mate Micky van de Ven at Tottenham.

Brighton eye Vuskovic

Brighton are expected to accelerate their pursuit of Spurs centre-back Luka Vuskovic as a potential replacement but have had two bids rejected this month.

Brighton will likely bring in a new defender this summer - possibly two. Adam Webster has also left the club and Igor Julio is also tipped to depart.

Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke is seemingly edging closer to moving to Tottenham Hotspur.

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Spurs have reportedly reached an agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Transfer journalist David Ornstein reported – on Tuesday evening (June 16) – that the North London club will pay a fee of £52m, with no add-ons. The Netherlands international is currently at the World Cup, and is thought to have already given the green light.

Ornstein, of The Athletic, added that Brighton’s pursuit of Spurs defender Luka Vuskovic, was a separate matter and that a second offer worth £35m had been rejected.

The Croatian centre-back is regarded as one of Europe's most promising young defenders – and is attracting interest from some of the continent's biggest clubs. The 19-year-old spent this season on loan at Hamburg in the Bundesliga.

Ornstein previously reported that Brighton submitted a £30m bid for Vuskovic – and that the player favours a move to the Amex Stadium as the best step for his development.

Another transfer specialist, Fabrizio Romano, subsequently reported that a deal had been agreed for Van Hecke – posting his trademark ‘here we go’ confirmation on social media.

Romano wrote: "New defender wanted by [Roberto] De Zerbi joining on £52m deal, agreement club to club done after player accepted Tottenham conditions last week."

Neither Brighton nor Tottenham had officially announced the transfer at the time of writing.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber told TalkSport that the club have turned down approaches from Spurs, while acknowledging there is widespread interest in the 26-year-old.

"There’s always going to be a lot of interest in our best players," Barber said.

"Certainly in the case of Jan Paul, again, we've been very clear that that interest has been ongoing for a while. It's coming from multiple sources.

"But yes, we have rejected a bid from Tottenham over the last week or so. And in fact, two bids."

Barber also reiterated Brighton's long-standing policy of allowing players to move on when the conditions are right for all parties.

"It is part of the model. We don't make any secret of that," he said.

"We are very clear, not only with our coaches when they come in, but also the players themselves. Players know that if they do well, they progress and bigger opportunities come for them.

"Provided it's right for us as well as for them, and the price is obviously right, then we are prepared to trade."

Brighton were determined to secure a deal that reflected Van Hecke's value and ensured that head coach Fabian Hurzeler has the strongest possible squad available.

"It has to be right for us as well as for the player," Barber added. "We have to be in a position to make the best trades to suit our model."

Sam Wallace, of The Telegraph, had suggested Tottenham faced significant competition for Van Hecke's signature, with both Liverpool and Chelsea also monitoring the Netherlands international.

However, it was reported that Spurs believe De Zerbi's close relationship with the player proved a decisive factor.

Van Hecke flourished under De Zerbi at Brighton and remained one of the first names on the teamsheet under Fabian Hurzeler.

Having broken into the side during the 2023-24 campaign, when Albion competed in the Europa League, he has since established himself as one of the Premier League's most consistent defenders. He has missed just six league matches across the past two seasons.

The defender turned 26 last week and enters the final year of his contract at the Amex Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly seen an opening bid for Jan Paul van Hecke rejected by Brighton and Hove Albion – but they are expected to return with a second offer.

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It has been widely reported that former Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi is trying to persuade the Dutch defender to make the move to Spurs.

The North London club are said to have made their first formal approach for the 25-year-old centre-back, but fell short of Brighton's valuation. Talks between the clubs are continuing.

Sam Wallace, of The Telegraph, suggested Tottenham face significant competition for Van Hecke's signature, with both Liverpool and Chelsea also monitoring the Netherlands international. However, it has been reported that Spurs believe De Zerbi's close relationship with the player could prove a decisive factor in any eventual transfer.

Van Hecke flourished under De Zerbi at Brighton and remained one of the first names on the teamsheet under Fabian Hurzeler.

Having broken into the side during the 2023-24 campaign, when Albion competed in the Europa League, he has since established himself as one of the Premier League's most consistent defenders. He has missed just six league matches across the past two seasons.

The defender turns 26 this week and enters the final year of his contract at the Amex Stadium. No new agreement has been reached, making Van Hecke a natural candidate for a summer sale if Brighton receive an offer that meets their valuation.

According to Wallace, Brighton value the defender at around £70 million and are determined to secure maximum value for one of their most prized assets.

BBC Sport's Simon Stone reports that Brighton expect Tottenham to return with an improved bid, while acknowledging that the club's hierarchy are likely to have contingency plans in place should a deal eventually be agreed.

Despite growing interest from some of the Premier League's biggest clubs, Brighton remain under no immediate pressure to sell. Van Hecke remains a key figure in Hurzeler's plans, and any transfer would have to reflect both his importance to the team and his standing as a full Netherlands international.

Van Hecke is expected to represent his country this summer at the World Cup.

The former NAC Breda man joined Brighton in 2020 for around £2m and had successful loan spells with Heerenveen and then Blackburn.

Carlos Baleba, Bart Verbruggen and van Hecke have all been linked with a summer switch to Spurs and reunite with De Zerbi.

Van Hecke will be the hardest of the three to replace. The Dutch defender – despite a couple of recent howlers – has been excellent for the last few seasons. Lewis Dunk, 34, remains for another season and Italian international Diego Coppola will return from loan at Paris FC, but is mostly untested in the Premier League.

Olivier Boscagli has impressed when the given the chance this season but he perhaps lacks the physicality of a Van Hecke and Dunk. Igor Julio and Adam Webster are also expected to leave. It’s an area Brighton have to address this summer.

For now, Tottenham have made the first move, but Brighton's response has been unequivocal: if Van Hecke is to leave the south coast this summer, it will be on Albion's terms.

Relegation threatened Tottenham Hotspur and European hopefuls Brighton & Hove Albion played out a breathless 2-2 draw in North London, with a late equaliser denying Spurs their first league win of 2026.

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A last-gasp Georginio Rutter strike earned Albion a point against a hapless Spurs side, who thought they won it through Xavi Simons’ 77th minute screamer.

Tottenham – playing their first home game under former Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi – started brightly and looked the more dangerous side in the opening stages.

Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was called into action early, racing off his line twice in quick succession to deny the lively Simons. The home side’s intensity set the tone, amid a tense backdrop, while Brighton struggled to establish a foothold against resolute defending.

There were early signs of physicality, with several fouls disrupting the rhythm.

Brighton gradually grew into the game and came agonisingly close to taking the lead around the half-hour mark. A dangerous cross from Yankuba Minteh caused chaos in the Spurs box, with Micky van de Ven inadvertently hitting his own post before Danny Welbeck was unable to force the rebound over the line. Although the flag was strangely raised, it was a major let-off for Spurs.

Despite Brighton’s improvement, it was Tottenham who struck first. Pedro Porro headed home from close range following a Simons assist, sparking wild celebrations on the touchline from the Spurs coaching staff.

However, Brighton responded before the break with a moment of real quality.

Kaoru Mitoma, who replaced the injured Diego Gomez after 20 minutes, produced a stunning volley from a deep Pascal Gross delivery to level the score, ensuring the sides went into half-time at 1–1.

The goal continued Spurs’ poor run of failing to lead at the break, now stretching to 13 consecutive matches.

The second half remained finely balanced. Both sides created chances, with Verbruggen making a key save from Joao Palhinha after a deflected effort, while Spurs were nearly caught out when the Brighton keeper hesitated in possession under pressure from Simons.

After Jan Paul van Hecke lost the ball cheaply, Simons restored Tottenham’s lead with a spectacular strike, lifting the intensity inside the stadium as Spurs looked set to claim a crucial three points. Brighton, though, refused to fold and dominated the closing stages.

Their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time. After strong hold-up play from van Hecke, Georginio Rutter rifled home a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser to silence the home crowd and secure a deserved point for the visitors.

In the end, the draw leaves Brighton in ninth place, while Tottenham remain in 18th and firmly entrenched in the relegation battle.

There was a nice moment after the final whistle as former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi applauded his old supporters.

Here are our Brighton player ratings:

Bart Verbruggen – 6: Nothing he could do about the goals really, particularly the second. He was a bit lucky not to be punished after taking too long to pass the ball and was nearly caught out by Simons. Great stop at 1-1 after Palhinha’s effort was deflected and he saved well at his near post late on. Comfortable save as Spurs’ Archie Gray gets a shot away with last kick of the game.

Mats Wieffer – 5: Booked for an accumulation of fouls. He couldn’t – fairly – handle Spurs’ lively forwards early on, especially Simons. Not able to replicate his goalscoring heroics from Turf Moor.

Jan Paul van Hecke – 7: Lost the ball cheaply before Spurs' second goal. Will be disappointed in himself for that but what a strike it was. Redeemed himself with great strength in the build up to Georginio’s goal. It shows the character of the man. What a moment of redemption.

Olivier Boscagli – 8: Did really well in Lewis Dunk’s absence again. Played some lovely passes and held his own at the back.

Ferdi Kadioglu – 6: Was run ragged at times. Was beaten by Simons who should have scored but could only find the right post. May have been offside anyway. Big chance to equalise in the third minute of injury-time but he found the side-netting.

Yasin Ayari – 6: Worked hard in the midfield and was clever at times to buy fouls and halt Spurs’ momentum. Didn’t always have control of the midfield, despite Albion having the lion’s share of possession. Spurs were able to break through the lines a few too many times.

Pascal Gross – 7: What a ball it was for Mitoma’s goal. Kept things ticking over nicely when Albion had the ball.

Diego Gomez – N/A: Such a shame to see him suffer a seemingly serious injury, after an awkward landing. That may well be his season over and his World Cup dream in tatters.

Jack Hinshelwood – 6: Must have thought he had an assist in first-half as the post saved Spurs. Struggled to cope with Spurs’ legs in midfield at times.

Yankuba Minteh – 7: Superb delivery for Hinshelwood, who did well to direct his header across goal. So unlucky it didn’t end up in the back of the net. He didn’t always pick the right option but was always trying and put in some dangerous crosses.

Danny Welbeck – 6: Looked set for a tap in after Hinshelwood’s header across goal but the ball cannoned off the post after intervention from Micky van de Ven. Wasteful free-kick at 1-1. Not a lot of other chances of note.

Substitutes:

Kaoru Mitoma – 8: Talk about pulling a rabbit out of a hat. What a goal he scored to bring Albion level before half-time. The second-half didn’t go to plan though as suffered a knock and was replaced before Spurs re-took their lead almost straight away. It really has been an injury-hit campaign for the winger. Hopefully this latest one was nothing serious.

Georginio Rutter – 9: Only on the pitch for 20 minutes and he unleashed a belter to salvage a point. What a finish it was. Hopefully that will be a spark for the Frenchman, who has struggled this season.

Charalampos Kostoulas – 6: The young striker was a bit too enthusiastic as he went in for a cross and clattered Kinksy with a high boot. Free kick given but nothing more.

Matt O’Riley – 6: The forgotten man was back in the squad and he helped add some late energy. Good decision to leave it for Georginio

Maxim De Cuyper – 6: Provided another option out wide late on. Perhaps fortunate to avoid a booking.

Tottenham vs Brighton in the Premier League from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - Saturday 5.30pm

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Roberto De Zerbi has challenged Tottenham playmaker Xavi Simons to be a difference-maker in the club’s bid to avoid relegation ahead of today clash with Brighton.

Spurs slipped into the bottom three last weekend after West Ham’s 4-0 triumph over Wolves was followed by a debut defeat for De Zerbi at Sunderland to make it 14 fixtures without a Premier League win.

Tottenham’s £52million summer signing Xavi only got a handful of minutes off the bench at Stadium of Light, which continued a worrying trend for the Dutch international who has failed to start a league game since March 1.

It has been a difficult maiden campaign for Xavi after he struggled to gain the trust of Thomas Frank before he was quickly discarded by Igor Tudor during a disastrous seven-match spell, but the 22-year-old is one of the only creative players fit and available to ex Brighton boss De Zerbi.

Below par Xavi

A tally of four goals and five assists across 39 appearances is below par, but Xavi produced a man-of-the-match display against Atletico Madrid in his last start and has started 11 of Spurs’ last 12 wins.

Ahead of Saturday’s crunch fixture at home to Brighton, De Zerbi said: “Xavi has a big personality on the pitch and I want him to play with his personality.

“I don’t want to change nothing with my players, especially in this part. Character, personality and I think he can be important for us in this moment. I don’t know if for 30 minutes or 20 minutes, but I have this opinion about him.”

Pushed on what Xavi needs to do to become a top Premier League player, De Zerbi explained: “He has to score, he has to make assists and to run without the ball. Stop. It’s enough.

We need quality from him

“I am talking with him a lot of times. I was a player and I played in that position. I know before he speaks with me, that he can feel what he needs, like confidence.

“I know he can make some mistakes but right now, we need the quality from him.”

Xavi was present this week as De Zerbi arranged a night out for his low-on-confidence players in Mayfair and the Italian is eager to create a band-of-brothers mentality.

De Zerbi added: “Some of you can make a different opinion of the players. If I say the players are good people, it’s because it’s like this.

“Now is a tough situation because they have not so much confidence in themselves and are not able to show all their qualities.

Brothers on the pitch

“What I can ask is for them to be closer on the pitch, to consider their team-mates like a brother on the pitch. If you consider your team-mate like a brother you go to help him. If he is wronged, you hug him and you kiss him and we need this in this moment.”

De Zerbi brushed off a viral clip of Crystal Palace players dancing in Florence on Thursday night ahead of their Monday match with 17th-placed West Ham but will lean into a siege mentality if required.

“We can’t lose time thinking about other teams if we are not able to win a game since 2025,” De Zerbi pointed out before being asked if neutrals want Spurs to suffer relegation.

“The other teams, people, journalists, they can think what they want. For me, nothing changed. Maybe it’s better for me. It’s one motivation more.”

Tottenham vs Brighton in the Premier League from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - Saturday, 5.30pm

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Brighton will be without key midfielder James Milner for the crunch clash at relegation threatened Tottenham.

Milner, 40, missed last Saturday's 2-0 win at Burnley with a "small issue" and the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will also arrive too soon for the former Liverpool man.

Milner has been a key figure of late and played a vital role in Albion's recent run of five wins from their last six matches. The veteran has provided a solid base at the hub of the midfielder, alongside another experienced campaigner Pascal Gross.

Sweden international Yasin Ayari started and performed well at Burnley and is expected to be involved at Tottenham too. Fellow midfielder Carlos Baleba has also been struggling for gametime of late and will hope to feature against Tottenham - although he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Adam Webster (knee) and Stefanos Tzimas (knee) are the long term absentees.

Lewis Dunk misses out as he serves the second of his two-match ban for picking up 10 bookings this season. The impressive French defender Olivier Boscagli is once again expected to fill in.

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Brighton will hope to continue their fine recent run at Tottenham this Saturday.

Albion's 2-0 win at Burnley last time out was their fifth in the last six and moved them to ninth in the Premier League.

Another three points against Roberto De Zerbi's rekegation threatened Tottenham will further strengthen Albion's last push for Europe.

Spurs are in a real mess. Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor have been and gone and former Albion boss De Zerbi has now been entrusted to prevent one of the most surprising relegations in Premier League history.

De Zerbi's first match in charge saw them lose 1-0 at Sunderland last Saturday and he now has six matches to save their season.

Brighton’s predicted XI

Bart Verbruggen - GK: The Dutch international was rotated with Jason Steele under De Zerbi but the 23-year-old has firmly established himself as Hurzeler’s No 1.

Mats Wieffer - RB: The midfielder has been successfully converted to a right back under Hurzeler and will be on a high after his two-goal blast at Burnley.

Jan Paul van Hecke - CB: Broke into the Albion first team under De Zerbi and is now one of the club’s most highly prized assets.

Olivier Boscagli - CB: Will likely step-up once again as Lewis Dunk serves the last of two match ban. A classy defender and adapting well to the PL.

Ferdi Kadioglu - LB: The Turkey international is having a fine season. He has made the left back spot his own despite competition from Maxim De Cuyper.

Yasin Ayari - CM: Came in for the injured James Milner and performed well in the 2-0 win at Burnley. Milner should be fit but Ayari should keep his place.

Pascal Gross - CM: The German was a favourite under De Zerbi and more than proving his worth for Hurzeler following his January return from Dortmund. What a player he has been for Brighton! Keeping Carlos Baleba out of the team.

Yankuba Minteh - RW: The Gambian flyer has had a mixed season but seems to be hitting top form for the final stages of the season. Needs a goal or two.

Jack Hinshelwood - No 10: De Zerbi was a big fan of Hinshelwood and handed him his first team debut. The England under-21 is impressing at the moment in the No 10 role and should keep his spot.

Diego Gomez - LW: This is another big call but the Paraguayan just about gets the nod ahead of Kaoru Mitoma on the left flank at the moment. Expect Mitoma to make an impact from the bench.

Danny Welbeck - CF: The former Arsenal striker will no doubt get a warm reception at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Don’t bet against him adding to his 11 goals this term.

Tottenham vs Brighton in the Premier League from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - Saturday 5.30pm

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Brighton will resume their push for Europe as they travel to relegation threatened Tottenham on Saturday.

The Seagulls have won five of their last six Premier League matches as they continue their late push for Europe.

Fabian Hurzeler's men are ninth in the table and arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the back of a solid 2-0 win at Burnley last time out.

Tottenham are in the mire. Their defeat at Sunderland last weekend sees them in the bottom three and they have just six matches to save themselves from relegation.

Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is the new man in the dugout and it will be his debut outing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Here's how the walking wounded are shaping up for Tottenham and Brighton.

Brighton's outs and doubts

Adam Webster - out: The experienced defender is making progress after his preseason ACL injury but unlikely to feature this term.

Stefanos Tzimas -out: The Greek striker did his ACL in the 4-3 home loss to Aston Villa earlier this season.

Lewis Dunk - out: The Brighton skipper serves the second of his two-match suspension for 10 bookings.

James Milner - doubt: The veteran midfielder was sidelined with the "small issue" and Hurzeler expects to have him back to face Tottenham

Tottenham's outs and doubts

Wilson Odobert - out: The winger remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Dejan Kulusevski - out: The winger has been a huge miss for Tottenham this season as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury.

James Maddison - out: The England midfielder has missed the entire campaign with a serious knee injury.

Rodrigo Bentancur - out: The Uruguayan midfielder has been struggling with a thigh issue. He missed the Sunderland game and Brighton could arrive too soon.

Ben Davies - out: The experienced defender underwent ankle surgery and is ruled out

Guglielmo Vicario - out: The Italian keeper had a hernia operation and missed the Sunderland match.

Mohammed Kudus - out: Another blow to their creative talents as the winger has struggled with a thigh injury.

Cristian Romero - doubt: The skipper left the pitch in tears at Sunderland having sustained a knee issue. He's a major doubt

Yves Bissouma - doubt: The former Brighton man is currently managing a muscle issue.

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Tottenham look like a “concoction of misfits” with “a set of ingredients that don’t go together” compared to other teams fighting for Premier League survival, according to pundit Gary Neville.

Leeds battled to a 2-1 win over 10-man Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday night to move six points clear of Spurs, who sit 18th.

West Ham had thumped bottom club Wolves 4-0 on Friday night to haul themselves out of the bottom three, with Nottingham Forest drawing 1-1 with Champions League chasing Aston Villa on Sunday as Spurs slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland in their first game under new boss Roberto De Zerbi.

Former United and England defender Neville believes the way Leeds set about delivering a first Premier League win at Old Trafford showed just how far away Spurs are from putting together a team which can secure top-flight survival.

“In the first half, they (Leeds) were absolutely wonderful. That is a performance I don’t think Tottenham are capable of – and that is the scary thing for Tottenham,” Neville said on his podcast for Sky Sports.

“Not the six points by the way that Leeds have gone clear of them, but the actual performance levels they put in. They (Tottenham) are nowhere near that.

“You watch Spurs against Sunderland and it is a set of ingredients that don’t go together, a concoction of misfits, yet you watch Leeds and there is a balance and a flow.”

Tottenham to regroup for Brighton

Tottenham – who are two points below West Ham – must now regroup for Saturday’s visit of Brighton, when they are expected to be without captain Cristian Romero.

Argentina defender fought back tears as he hobbled off at the Stadium of Light having been injured in a collision with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

According to reports, Romero – who was pictured on social media walking through London with a bandage around his right knee – is set to miss the rest of the season.

De Zerbi said after the Sunderland game that the extent of Romero’s injury would need to be properly assessed, acknowledging he was a “crucial player for us”.

Tottenham have yet to comment on the reports over a timescale for Romero’s recovery.

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Tottenham’s relegation battle suffered a further blow with an injury to captain Cristian Romero.

Roberto De Zerbi’s team suffered a painful 1-0 loss at Sunderland yesterday and dropped in the bottom three with just six matches to play.

The new Spurs boss will hope to have Romero available for this Saturday’s crunch clash against his former club Brighton, the Italian’s first match in charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It was a worrying moment concerning Romero, who was involved in a collision with his own goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, while defending the ball from Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey.

The tearful Tottenham captain was substituted off, while Kinsky had a bandage wrapped around his head and was able to continue.

Speaking after the match, De Zerbi was uncertain about the extent of Romero’s injury.

“We don’t know yet, we have to see in the next game, in the next days,” he said.

“I hope for us it’s not too important a problem because he’s a crucial player for us.

“He’s a good guy, good player, top player, big personality and we need him to finish this season and to achieve our goal.”

A difficult moment for De Zerbi

De Zerbi admitted Tottenham are in a “difficult moment” after the loss at Sunderland.

The Italian’s first game as Spurs boss ended in a 1-0 defeat, meaning the club finished the weekend inside the Premier League’s relegation zone.

In an open first half, Tottenham had a penalty decision overturned by VAR and had opportunities through Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.

However, Sunderland broke the deadlock in the 61st minute when Nordi Mukiele’s strike deflected off Micky van de Ven and dipped into the net, leaving Kinsky no chance.

Pedro Porro was denied twice by Robin Roefs in additional time, but the north London side ultimately slipped to a 16th league defeat of the season.

“I think we played a good game, especially in the first half, with the ball and without the ball,” said the ex-Brighton boss.

“We had three clear chances to score, one with Solanke, one with Richarlison, another with (Lucas) Bergvall.

“We played well, but we don’t play well enough to win the game because in the end, in the second half, we suffered too much. To Sunderland, we lost 20/30 metres on the pitch.

“We had another important chance with Richarlison just two minutes before conceding the goal. We can play better, we can do something more, as energy, as passion on the pitch, with more enthusiasm, yes.

“But now we are inside of a difficult moment. I would like to help the players to show what they can do on the pitch because we played a good game, but we can play much better than today.

“My job is not now to change the style of play, I did two or three things with the ball, two or three things without the ball.

“The crucial part is not with the ball or without the ball. It’s in our mentality to be positive, but to be positive just because we have the quality enough to win a game.

“When we go to win a game we can change other things.”