London Evening Standard

New boss is battling an injury crisis as he prepares for his debut

Sidelined: Mohammed Kudus, Guglielmo Vicario and Mathys Tel

London Standard

Oli Gent

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Roberto De Zerbi has taken over an injury-ravaged Tottenham side as he looks to guide the club clear of relegation.

The Italian began work at Hotspur Way last Thursday, and he welcomed his players back from their respective international duties over the weekend.

Spurs have a week to prepare for the former Brighton boss’ first game in charge, away to Sunderland on April 12, and De Zerbi will be hoping that some key players will be fit enough for a return.

Here’s all the latest Tottenham injury news and potential return dates...

Mohammed Kudus

Summer signing Kudus is slowly but surely closing in on a return after a long spell out with a hamstring problem.

The Ghanaian picked up the issue against Sunderland on January 4, but has been pictured back in team training ahead of the trip to Wearside in a big boost to De Zerbi.

Former interim boss Igor Tudor, who was sacked over the international break, said of Kudus: “Probably [be] some part of the things with the squad, maybe 10 days. I don't know, I'm not sure, we need to check.”

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While the Croat’s message may seem confusing, it has since been reported that Kudus is hoped to return within 10 days of the international break finishing.

As suchm, that would rule him out of games against Sunderland away and then Brighton at home. Spurs then face Wolves at Molineux on April 25.

Potential return date: Saturday, April 15 vs Brighton (H)

Guglielmo Vicario

First-choice goalkeeper Vicario is in his recovery stage following hernia surgery.

Spurs announced on March 20 that the operation had been “timed” for the international break in order to “have as minimal impact as possible”.

The club would like the Italian to be able to “return to action within the next month”.

However, it looks likely that his deputy, Antonin Kinsky, will start between the sticks at Sunderland, set to make his first appearance since his nightmare display against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last month.

Potential return date: Saturday, April 15 vs Brighton (H)

Dejan Kulusevski

Sweden international Kulusevski could finally be closing in on a return to action after he emphasised his objective of playing for his country at the World Cup this summer.

The forward has been out since May last year with a patella injury that has consisted of several setbacks, with the most recent being another surgical procedure which preceded his visit to Sweden’s camp ahead of their World Cup play-off victory over Poland.

He was spotted limping badly, which sparked fears that he still had some time remaining before he was to set foot on the pitch again.

However, Kulusevski allayed those fears, insisting that he has "never felt better" as he targets the World Cup.

New surgery: Dejan Kulusevski

Instagram/@dejan.k10

“I understand that people were worried [by the limping], but it was really for the wrong reason," he said. "It was really positive that I did this little procedure and that we were able to find the problem.

"Now everything should be good. It’s just a matter of slowly and surely coming back. I can see the light. It feels better now.

"I really have a positive feeling about [the] World Cup in two or three months. This is how the book and the chapter will end. I’m convinced of that … I'm very confident with where I am today."

Potential return date: Unknown

Pape Matar Sarr

Midfielder Sarr was ruled out of Senegal’s friendly against Gambia last week after playing in their 2-0 win over Peru.

The reason was a shoulder injury, with De Zerbi set to issue an update on Sarr’s condition in his first press conference as Spurs boss ahead of the trip to Sunderland.

Potential return date: Sunday, April 12 vs Sunderland (A)

Injury blow: Pape Matar Sarr

Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Mathys Tel

Tel withdrew from France’s Under-21 squad in the recent international break with a groin problem.

The young forward had hit form just at the right time after a frustrating season where he struggled for regular game time.

He had just begun to show flashes of his quality under Tudor before the Croat’s sacking, and he has now been hit with a further blow.

There is belief, however, that he could return promptly and aid Spurs’ fight against relegation.

Potential return date: Sunday, April 12 vs Sunderland (A)

Rodrigo Bentancur

Bentancur has been out since the defeat at Bournemouth back in January with a torn hamstring.

The Uruguayan required surgery, with Tudor reporting that the midfielder was “progressing” towards a comeback to action.

The midfielder has been seen with a ball at his feet in recent weeks, and the former Juventus man could be close to a return this month if things go to plan.

Potential return date: April

Sidelined: Rodrigo Bentancur

Getty Images

James Maddison

While the attacking midfielder has posted videos of himself upping his recovery on YouTube and TikTok, it still remains unlikely that he will feature at all this term after his ACL injury that he suffered in pre-season last summer.

Potential return date: June

Wilson Odobert

Another whose campaign is over is the young French forward Odobert, who also tore his ACL against Newcastle earlier this year.

He underwent surgery in February and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Potential return date: November

Ben Davies

Welsh veteran Davies is likely to have played his last game for the club after he broke his ankle against West Ham.

The defender was stretched off in the defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It could well be his final match in north London, with the 32-year-old out of contract come the end of the season.

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Roberto De Zerbi has stated that he will be Tottenham manager “no matter what” next season as he seeks to steer the club to Premier League safety.

Spurs currently sit 17th in the Premier League table and are just one point above the relegation zone, having lost six of their last seven league games.

De Zerbi joined Spurs on Tuesday, signing a five-year contract to take over from former interim manager Igor Tudor, who left the club by mutual consent after just seven games at the helm.

The Italian is Spurs’ third managerial appointment of the season, and he will take charge of his first game away to Sunderland next weekend.

Spurs were keen to make a long-term appointment when looking to replace Tudor, and speaking in his first interview since being appointed manager, De Zerbi underlined his commitment to the club.

“I signed five years of contract because for me, it is a big challenge and I will be the coach of Tottenham next season, no matter what,” he told the club’s official website.

De Zerbi arrives at Spurs with the club facing up to the prospect of being relegated to the second division for the first time in nearly 50 years.

The former Brighton boss is under no illusions about the size of the task ahead of him, acknowledging that he has inherited a tough situation, with Spurs yet to win a league game in 2026.

“I know very well it is a tough moment” De Zerbi continued.

“It is a difficult moment for everyone of Tottenham, (but) I think we have the right qualities to come out from this moment.

“I believe in the players. I think we have to remember who we are, and who the players are because we have very big players.

“We have to work in their confidence and in their qualities. They have to show what they are and what (level) they are used to playing.”

Italian has uphill battle to keep struggling Spurs in the Premier League

Big ask: Roberto De Zerbi

AFP via Getty Images

Sam Tabuteau

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Roberto De Zerbi will be under no illusions as to the size of the task he has inherited after becoming Tottenham manager.

With just seven games to go, Spurs find themselves 17th in the Premier League table, one point above the relegation zone.

They could be in the bottom three by the time they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light next Sunday, and De Zerbi will be expected to make an immediate impact.

The Italian has signed a long-term contract, but his priority will be to ensure Spurs stay in the Premier League, and there are a number of glaring issues he will need to address if he is to turn around the club’s fortunes.

Standard Sport highlights seven things De Zerbi must change to keep Spurs in the Premier League...

Sort out the leaky defence

When Igor Tudor arrived as interim manager at Tottenham in February, he did so with a reputation for attacking football.

Said attacking flair was in short supply during his disastrous seven-game spell at the helm, but it also came at the expense of any defensive solidity, with his side shipping 20 goals in all competitions.

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Attacking injuries have provided somewhat of an explanation for Spurs’ shortcomings in the final third, but their defensive issues have been structural, with a lack of organisation and responsibility colouring their recent performances.

Spurs have to go back to New Year’s Day to find the last time they kept a Premier League clean sheet, and shoring up the defence will be high on De Zerbi’s list of priorities.

Earn the trust of Romero

Cristian Romero has faced his fair share of criticism this season, having struggled to lead by example as the team’s captain.

Suspension prevented him from making much of an impact under Tudor, but he will be a key figure heading into the final weeks of the season.

De Zerbi’s fiery personality should get the right reaction from Romero, and the Argentine has shown throughout his time at Spurs that he can be a positive force from which others can gain encouragement.

Alternatively, failure to get Romero on side will see a squad already low on confidence and continually criticised for their commitment to the club’s situation continue to slide towards relegation.

Key man: Cristian Romero

Getty Images

Bring Simons in from the cold

One of several players to see his commitment brought into question in recent weeks has been Xavi Simons.

The Dutch midfielder was used sparingly by Tudor, with the Croatian appearing to question his mentality throughout his ill-fated spell in charge, leaving him on the bench in each of Spurs’ last three league games.

Simons, though, is currently Spurs’ only fit and available creative outlet, and as he demonstrated by scoring twice in the 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid, he has the attacking quality to take control of situations in the final third.

There is a place in De Zerbi’s side for Simons, and while his relationship with Tudor was strained, he has the opportunity for a fresh start under the former Brighton boss.

Get Gray and Bergvall playing alongside each other

Archie Gray has rightly received a lot of plaudits for his dutiful performances across a number of positions for Spurs this season.

The versatile Englishman has played at full-back, centre-back and in midfield as Spurs have looked for answers amid a spree of injuries this term.

Gray’s favoured position, though, remains in the centre of midfield, and his energy and application appear to complement what De Zerbi wants from his midfielders.

The future: Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray

Getty Images

The return of Lucas Bergvall from an ankle injury means De Zerbi could look to play the pair alongside each other in midfield, a decision that would prove popular with supporters.

Gray’s tenacity out of possession and Bergvall’s ability to stretch the play in behind make them an interesting partnership, which could help to remedy Spurs’ lack of balance in transition.

Put an arm around Kinsky

Guglielmo Vicario’s hernia surgery was “timed” for the international break in order to minimise the number of games he would miss, but it remains unclear exactly when he will return to action.

This means that Antonin Kinsky, who has not played since his nightmare performance away to Atletico Madrid last month, is expected to start against Sunderland next weekend and will deputise in goal until Vicario is fit again.

De Zerbi has to make a quick start to get supporters on side, and he can’t afford not to be able to rely on Kinsky.

The mental pressure on Kinsky to react to his performance against Atletico will be huge, and it is important that he feels he has the support of De Zerbi, with Spurs in desperate need of a first league win since December 28.

Restore Van de Ven’s confidence

No Spurs player has seen their performances dip more dramatically this season than Micky van de Ven.

The Dutch centre-half has routinely been touted with moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona during his time in north London, but he has looked a shadow of the player he once was and, crucially, failed to step up as vice-captain as Romero faced a four-game suspension following his sending off against Manchester United.

Reality check: Micky van de Ven

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De Zerbi needs to address Spurs’ defensive issues, and in order to do so, he needs Van de Ven and Romero to find form and confidence again.

Van de Ven is not the ball-playing defender De Zerbi typically looks for, but at his best, he remains one of the most athletically imposing defenders in the Premier League.

Temper his fiery approach

De Zerbi is a combustible character, famed for his fiery personality and no-nonsense approach.

As Tudor proved, though, tough love is not necessarily the way to conjure a reaction out of this current crop of Spurs players.

De Zerbi has a greater reputation in England than his predecessor, following a successful stint at Brighton, but he still needs to be careful with how he communicates his points.

The severity of Spurs’ situation is clear, but this is also a group of players low on confidence. De Zerbi needs to foster a sense of collective responsibility rather than the blame culture that underpinned Tudor’s reign.

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Matt Verri

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Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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One final roll of the dice for Tottenham to prevent an embarrassing season becoming an historically disastrous one.

They have dared to back Roberto De Zerbi to do what Igor Tudor - the supposed interim specialist - could not and stave off the relegation threat.

For all he has signed a five-year contract, that feels almost irrelevant. De Zerbi has managed more than 90 matches at a club only once. His scope right now is seven games.

Spurs have turned to the most fiery of characters as their firefighter. The Italian is a demanding, volatile figure.

Tottenham have appointed De Zerbi on a five-year contract

AFP via Getty Images

At Marseille, the club he left in February, he had angry clashes with players and De Zerbi previously left Brighton due to irreconcilable differences with the club’s hierarchy.

Those issues at Brighton were often around recruitment and tension with his Spurs bosses on that theme seems likely.

But those are issues for another day. More of an urgent concern is whether De Zerbi can get an instant tune out of this squad.

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Tudor tried the tough love approach and it backfired. He was an interim manager, though, who was certain to leave in the summer. The players cannot try to wait out De Zerbi.

The Italian is far more of an innovator and his training sessions will be more engaging compared to the running focus of Tudor. Within the game, few are more highly rated.

De Zerbi wants to play an aggressive style of play, taking risks in building up from the back and then attacking at pace with numbers.

It is yet another shift in philosophy from one manager to another at Spurs, again lurching between extremes.

On the pitch De Zerbi’s football will in theory be far more to the liking of the Spurs supporters. Pep Guardiola is a keen admirer and De Zerbi is perhaps the most talented coach currently available.

The major question is whether he can implement his ideas effectively in such a short period of time and with a group starved of any confidence.

De Zerbi has seven games to save Spurs from relegation to the Championship

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De Zerbi made a good start at Marseille but that was after a full pre-season. At Palermo in 2016, he was sacked within three months after winning just once in 13 games. In the 2017-18 season, De Zerbi did not win any of his first nine matches and Benevento were relegated.

Those were both jobs he took mid-season, as it was at Brighton when the Italian began with a five-match winless run.

De Zerbi asks a lot of his goalkeeper and centre-backs in inviting the press. At Tottenham, often an anxious cauldron, those demands will be even tougher to meet.

In a 2023 interview, Lewis Dunk revealed how difficult it was to adapt to De Zerbi. “The first couple of weeks were horrendous... I wouldn’t say horrendous, they were baffling,” Dunk said. “Roberto came in and it was a carnage two weeks.” At least De Zerbi’s English is now much better, removing one key obstacle.

However, he will have sections of the fanbase to win over. Several supporter groups have urged the club not to appoint De Zerbi because of his support for Mason Greenwood.

The Italian signed Greenwood for Marseille in 2024, two years after he was charged with attempted rape and assault. The Crown Prosecution Service discontinued that case.

De Zerbi said Greenwood was a “good guy” who had paid a “heavy price”. Women of the Lane said those comments raised “serious” questions over De Zerbi’s judgement and that “this is not an appointment Tottenham Hotspur should make”.

Spurs have long needed a unifying figure in the dugout to bring all sections of the club together. Mauricio Pochettino would have been that man in the summer; De Zerbi is certainly not.

His appointment is a risk on and off the pitch. Spurs’ dire situation means any decision would have been a gamble but this one must pay off.

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Backlash: Mason Greenwood and Roberto De Zerbi

Standard Sport

Matt Verri

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Tottenham are facing a backlash over their move for Roberto De Zerbi over his previous support for Mason Greenwood.

Several Spurs supporters’ groups claim De Zerbi should not be appointed because of his comments about Greenwood at Marseille.

De Zerbi is in advanced talks to take over at Spurs after being offered a five-year contract following the departure of Igor Tudor.

Spurs are increasingly confident of landing the Italian to take over immediately as they attempt to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

But their move for De Zerbi has been opposed by some Spurs fans because of the way he supported Greenwood.

De Zerbi managed Greenwood at Marseille

AFP via Getty Images

Greenwood was arrested on January 31, 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault. He was further arrested on February 1, 2022 on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill. He was charged in the October with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Greenwood had denied the charges.

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He had been due to stand trial in November 2023 but the charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service [CPS] in early February 2023.

The CPS said “a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction”.

So what did De Zerbi say about Greenwood?

Last November, De Zerbi insisted Greenwood was a “good guy” while suggesting he had paid a “heavy price” over the criticism he received after his arrest in 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault. Greater Manchester Police later dropped charges.

Greenwood’s move from Manchester United to Marseille was a major controversy in France but De Zerbi refused to criticise him during his time at the Ligue 1 club.

When asked about a proposed deal for Greenwood before he signed, De Zerbi said: “Mason is a world-class player, but we have not recruited him yet. I don’t know what happened, but I am not used to get involved in my players’ private life.

“But if he comes here, you have to know that I treat all my players like my sons. I can tell them off in private, but I would never attack them in public.”

In November, De Zerbi says he was “saddened” by how Greenwood has been portrayed in England.

Greenwood’s move to Marseille was a major controversy in France

AFP via Getty Images

“He’s a good guy, he paid a heavy price for what happened, a very heavy price,” he said.

“He has found the right environment for him. We have lent him a hand and given him affection. He’s a little bit introverted but I know him and his family.

“It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described in England.”

A number of supporter groups are opposed to the appointment of De Zerbi.

THFC Flags, a fan-led group that organises banners in the stands, have joined the “No to De Zerbi” campaign.

“Tottenham Hotspur claims to be a club that prides itself on being inclusive, supportive and safe,” the group said.

“As a group committed to promoting and amplifying this culture, in the belief this will create the best environment and atmosphere to enjoy football, we’re extremely disappointed and dismayed by the publicised pursuit of Roberto De Zerbi... De Zerbi is not the kind of person we want associated with our club or representing us. No to De Zerbi.”

Proud Lilywhites, Spurs’ official LGBTQ+ fans’ group, added: “When someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, it matters, not just in isolation but in what it signals.”

Women of the Lane, whose stated aim is to eradicate sexism and misogyny in football, said De Zerbi’s comments raised “serious questions about judgement and leadership”.

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That result has left Spurs one place and a solitary point above the bottom three with seven matches left to play.

According to Opta, the likelihood of Tottenham being relegated this season is 25.87 per cent, which works out to be just under 75 per cent with regards to survival.

The report is calculated by simulating each team’s remaining fixtures and the outcome spells bad news for West Ham as they are tipped to go down along with Burnley and Wolves.

Tottenham’s final seven matches are against Sunderland, Brighton, Wolves, Aston Villa, Leeds, Chelsea and Everton. Three of which are at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, though Spurs have won just twice at home in the Premier League all season.

West Ham, meanwhile, have a tricky run-in, with home games against Arsenal and Everton plus short trips to Crystal Palace and Brentford, and a journey to Newcastle on the penultimate weekend of the season.

Opta believe Wolves are guaranteed for the drop, with a 99.92 per cent chance of going down, with Burnley not much better at 99.87 per cent.

Forest, who are currently 17th in the table, have been given a 8.93 per cent chance of being relegated, with Leeds also given favourable odds of 6.78 per cent of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship.

Tottenham are on the market for a new manager once again after parting ways with Igor Tudor.

Tudor only signed a short-term deal in February to become Tottenham interim head coach until the end of the season, replacing Thomas Frank after he was sacked following the 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle.

The appointment of Tudor was designed to "to improve performances and deliver results" as Tottenham sought to pull away from the relegation zone and go as far as possible in the Champions League.

Given Tudor’s experience of managing in several top European leagues, he was to be viewed as a serious candidate for the full-time role if he did well during his spell in charge.

However, the Croat departs north London after just 44 days having overseen five defeats in seven matches in all competitions, winning just once which was ultimately in vain against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Spurs are now searching for their third manager of the season and amid links to Sean Dyche, Roberto De Zerbi and Marco Silva.

With seven games to save Tottenham’s season and preserve their status as a Premier League team, it is clear that the next Spurs manager must get off to a fast start.

As communicated in the official club statement, “an update on a new Head Coach will be provided in due course”.

Bruno Saltor will lead training for the players not currently away on international duty and Spurs plan to appoint a new head coach in the coming days, so someone is in place for when the players return from international duty.

With Spurs not in FA Cup action next weekend, it means the new head coach’s first game will be against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on April 12.

The new head coach’s first home game in charge comes six days later against a Brighton side who are in contention to qualify for Europe.

We've already mentioned the first two, but it is important the next Spurs head coach gets off to a flying start as they end the month with trip to Wolves and then begin May by facing Aston Villa away from home.

Tottenham’s penultimate home game of the season is shaping up to be a relegation six-pointer against Leeds on May 9.

Things don't get any easier after that as Tottenham battle London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their final away game of the campaign before wrapping up the season at home to an Everton side who have been impressive on the road.