Football London

Every word Roberto De Zerbi said on special Tottenham meeting, Maddison injury, Fernandes and Tel  Football London

Gary Neville on Palmer: "He's asking for trouble. That's not great from Cole Palmer. No idea why he's doing that."

Neville added: "I think that could be a red."

Expert football tipster Mark O'Haire has insisted Joao Pedro is the best Premier League Golden Boot pick if you're going against Erling Haaland. Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, he said: “Erling Haaland at 3/10 is usually unstoppable in this market and is naturally priced very short for a long-term bet. The problem with backing him is the risk of injury or missing time through other circumstances. I’d normally prefer to take a chance on bigger prices in this market.

“Joao Pedro (7/1) and Alexander Isak (8/1) are two very good alternatives. I’d probably favour Joao Pedro, given that Isak has struggled to get consistent minutes since moving to Liverpool. Chelsea also have no European football, so João Pedro and Cole Palmer should be well-rested and ready to perform each weekend. If you back either of those players, they could offer the best-value alternatives to Haaland.

“In truth, though, it will be difficult to stop Haaland. The issue with Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer is that neither is an obvious standout candidate, and they could share the goals between them, which is a negative. The boring answer is Haaland, but if you’re looking to back an alternative, João Pedro is probably the one I’d choose.”

Xabi Alonso will lean on the experience of veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson for Saturday evening's fierce London derby between Chelsea and Tottenham.

The Blues saw eight players shown the red card in the 2025/26 Premier League season but since Alonso took the reins in the summer, his team have been able to keep 11 men on the pitch at all times.

The likes of Henderson, 36, Danny Welbeck, 35, and Emiliano Martinez, 34, were all signed in the summer transfer window as Alonso aimed to change the culture at Stamford Bridge.

Read more here.

Tottenham won 2-0 at Chelsea on Saturday night in the Premier League and here are our Spurs player ratings from the big victory at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs had won just once in their previous 41 matches in all competitions at the Blues' home with a Dele Alli double and a Christian Eriksen effort from distance handing them their last victory at Stamford Bridge, back in April 2018.

Roberto De Zerbi gave what was only a fourth Premier League start of the season to £85million summer signing Mateus Fernandes, the 22-year-old's first start in the centre of the pitch alongside Sandro Tonali, and it proved to be a great decision with the Portuguese starring.

James Maddison made it back-to-back starts after almost 18 months previously out of the line-up while Pedro Porro was back from his hamstring injury to take his place on the bench.

The early exchanges were scrappy in the swirling wind and rain until Spurs stopper Antonin Kinsky was called upon to make a flying full-length save from Cole Palmer's curling effort inside the box 14 minutes in.

The visitors should have taken the lead just before the half hour mark. Maddison sent Andy Robertson away down the left and, after a one-two with Mathys Tel, the Scot found Omar Marmoush unmarked in the box but his first-time strike was too central and Mike Penders saved.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Spurs had looked the better side in the first half but lost Maddison just five minutes into the second period as he waved to the bench to come off. He was replaced by former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher and trudged disconsolately straight down the tunnel.

There was little quality but still plenty of fight which spilled over in the 70th minute. Van de Ven and Fernandes both fouled Chelsea players to try to stop a break after a poor Gallagher pass. Palmer then came over and barged into Fernandes off the ball as he sat on the floor.

That sparked clashes between the two benches with yellow cards dished out for Fernandes, Palmer, Van de Ven and De Zerbi as well as a Chelsea staff member.

Just minutes later Spurs took the lead. A Fernandes corner curled into the six-yard box on 77 minutes and Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders, in for the injured Emi Martinez, punched the ball behind him and over the goalline. The referee got the notification on his watch and pointed to the centre circle.

Matters got worse for the hosts three minutes later when Palmer, already on a booking for barging into Fernandes, caught Tonali late on the edge of the Chelsea box. The referee Chris Kavanagh brandished a second yellow card and then the red.

Spurs wrapped up the match with a beautiful goal. Tel raced from his own half and cut inside two challenges before hitting a brilliant low shot right inside the left-hand post. The delighted De Zerbi raced down the touchline towards the Spurs fans and celebrated at them.

Here are our Spurs player ratings:

Antonin Kinsky

Saved superbly from Palmer's curling effort just before the quarter hour mark. Got himself into trouble with some poor passes that went straight to Chelsea but each time made the required saves, even if the flag went up on a couple of those occasions. Saved from Neto in the second half. Made a lot of saves but some from his own mistakes. 7

Archie Gray

Another top drawer performance, first at right-back and then at left-back before finishing the game on the left wing. Does everything asked of him and then some. 8

Jan Paul van Hecke

Dominant in the air and mostly on the deck as well. One of his best performances since joining. Forced the first goal as well. 9

Micky van de Ven

Some big challenges in key areas and mopping up when needed. A captain's performance. 9

Andy Robertson

Should have had an assist if Marmoush had put his shot anywhere but straight forward. Put in a good shift before coming off after the hour mark. 7

Mateus Fernandes

Finally starting in the centre of the pitch, he quickly grew into the game after getting caught in possession on a couple of occasions early on. Handed Chelsea an opportunity with a poor pass just after the hour mark but otherwise excellent on his return to the starting line-up. It was his corner that forced the goal. Would have been a 10 but for those couple of iffy passes but showed why he should be starting week in, week out now. 9

Sandro Tonali

Another big performance in the centre of the pitch and he's looking every inch the player that Spurs broke the bank for. 9

Mohammed Kudus

Curled an effort just wide of the left-hand post 20 minutes in. Some good defensive work and kept Chelsea on their toes. 7

James Maddison

Really bright in the first half with plenty of quick forward passes. Looked really sharp but was forced off just five minutes into the second half. 7

Mathys Tel

Got plenty of joy down the left up against Acheampong and got more and more into the game. Sealed the victory with a brilliant goal, running from his own half and firing a low shot past Penders. 9

Omar Marmoush

Should have opened the scoring 29 minutes in when free in the box from Robertson's low ball but his shot was too safe and central. Didn't see too much of the ball as the lone striker and came off 65 minutes in. 5

Subs

Conor Gallagher

Thrust into the action just five minutes into the second half. Worked hard to make up for the absence of Maddison. 7

Dominic Solanke

Gave Chelsea something more to think about at the back. 6

Pedro Porro

Made his return and got some good crosses into the box. 6

Dejan Kulusevski

More minutes late on and helped Spurs keep the ball in the Chelsea half. N/A

Ben Davies

I managed both Chelsea and Tottenham and felt zero connection towards one of them  Football London

Tottenham predicted team vs Chelsea - James Maddison decision made for derby  Football London

Roberto De Zerbi has defended Tottenham's medical staff amid the constant injury problems at the club and has explained what £85million midfielder Mateus Fernandes must do to get into his starting line-up.

Spurs' treatment room has overflowed in recent years with previous head coaches left despairing the constant muscle injuries, long-term absences and re-injuries that have regularly left the club in double figures of missing stars.

The north London outfit have taken steps to remedy the issues with performance director Dan Lewindon brought in from The City Football Group in February and undertaking a large-scale review. That led to staff changes, an overhaul of the club's gym, a focus on buying more robust players and even an independent investigation into whether the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium pitch was causing problems.

Yet De Zerbi goes into the clash at Stamford Bridge, a place where Spurs have won just once in their previous 41 visits, without summer arrivals Savio and Mykhailo Mudryk, nor Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall and long-term absentees Xavi Simons and Wilson Odober while another new arrival in Tosin Adarabioyo is a doubt.

James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski did not train with the team in the days after Monday's win against Coventry having made their first start and appearance in almost 18 months respectively but are expected to be available in some capacity for the game at Chelsea.

Pedro Porro, who rarely missed a game for Tottenham in previous seasons, has suffered a couple of hamstring issues since the World Cup but should be available to face Xabi Alonso's side, while Rodrigo Bentancur remains suspended.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

There is a belief among some that Spurs have now switched to the other extreme of being too cautious with players and not taking risks with them, which may lead to fewer long-term problems but a wider range of missing stars for De Zerbi in certain weeks.

"It’s football. I am convinced our medical staff this season is high level. I follow them. I believe in them," said the Spurs boss. "I have big confidence because I know how they are working and I think they are good enough to believe in them. We are suffering a normal situation in football."

The huge injury list from last season seeped into De Zerbi's final games of the campaign as he looked to keep Tottenham in the Premier League and he believes that international commitments have not helped since.

"I can say in the last six games [of last season] there were many, many injuries but the focus was totally different and this season we can speak about Pedro Porro's injury," he said. "Pedro played at the World Cup. He won the World Cup. He came [back] after two or three weeks, maybe with the head or the body he didn’t recover enough to start this season without the pre-season. He already suffered in the World Cup the muscular problem of the hamstring.

"He felt it in the training session and played anyway against Aston Villa because he pushed to come back before the right time, and he suffered another injury. What is the responsibility of the medical staff?

"Or Bergvall. Bergvall, the first minute at Manchester United, when he regained the ball when Solanke had the chance to score in the beginning of the game, in the tackle, he turned his knee and felt pain. He finished the game and the day after he felt pain. What is the responsibility of the medical staff? Nothing."

He went on: "Or [Andy] Robertson. Robertson played four games in a row with the national team. Every three days he played and after that felt a small problem in Manchester and didn’t play, because we took no risk with him. He played 60/65 minutes against Coventry very well, especially played very well in the first half and was fatigued. It’s normal fatigue for a player who played six games in 20 days."

On Tosin, who came off on Monday night, De Zerbi explained: "I don’t know. He’s a doubt. He felt pain in the second half against Coventry but nothing important."

Spurs have no European football this season and the free midweek should allow for fewer injuries and less of an overload on the squad.

"It is better. At the end of this season we will make the total report and analyse the situation but so far we can’t say anything bad about the medical staff," said the Italian.

One player who the fans wants to see more of is £85million summer signing Fernandes. The 22-year-old, who became a father for the first time last week, has started just three Premier League matches since arriving from West Ham.

De Zerbi was asked what the Portuguese midfielder needs to improve in order to get into his starting line-up on a regular basis.

"I think he needs to understand the club, to better understand to come inside the environment of a bigger club. Different club, but he’s a good guy. I don’t change my idea about him, like the club [don't change]. We pushed together to bring him," said the Italian.

"We are convinced of his qualities and he has to stay with a calm head and confidence and enjoy on the pitch, enjoy with the ball – show his qualities because he will be one of the most important players of Tottenham for the future; for the present and the future."

When quizzed on whether he meant the extra pressure of playing for a bigger club, De Zerbi said: "No, it’s not a pressure. It’s different habits … it’s like this for a player when they change clubs. When your step is higher, you feel more pressure. You have more expectation and maybe he has to adapt something more."

Tottenham lineups for Chelsea as James Maddison throws Roberto De Zerbi midfield curveball  Football London

Tottenham get triple injury boost despite James Maddison issue in 10-player update for Chelsea  Football London

Roberto De Zerbi had to delivery injury updates galore at his press conference on Friday ahead of Tottenham's derby at Chelsea.

Spurs finally registered their first Premier League victory of the season with the 3-1 win against Coventry on Monday night, that coming after a spirited 10-man comeback to grab a point at Manchester United the previous weekend. Now they must travel across London to Stamford Bridge on Saturday night, a location where they have had enjoyed little success over the decades.

De Zerbi faces the usual Tottenham injury issues and delivered updates at Hotspur Way on Destiny Udogie, who missed the match against Coventry on Monday, and also Andy Robertson, Tosin Adarabioyo and Omar Marmoush, who all went off during that win.

The Spurs head coach also provide the latest on Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison and the physical reaction to their first appearance and start respectively after almost 18 months.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to De Zerbi. Here's the full transcript from the press conference at Hotspur Way.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Who is out for the match tomorrow?

Pedro [Porro] is back, Robertson is available, Marmoush is good, Solanke is good. Lucas Bergvall, Savio [are out], nothing more I think. [Rodrigo] Bentancur [is suspended].

Why do you think Tottenham have such a bad record at Chelsea?

I think it's not just this negative record. There are many, many negative records, but for me it's one motivation more. For the players, I want this negative record, they give us more motivation, more mentality, more energy to win a game, to play a good game. Because we have the qualities enough to win a game, this game.

How much do you enjoy the big derby matches?

Yes, it's a derby against one very good team, very good coach, they have a clear style of play, great players, but also Tottenham players are very good. The level of the players is high, we have to show together as a team, not as an individual.

There have been many famous battles at Chelsea, on-pitch fights. Do you have to maybe warn the players not to go too far?

Yes, where is the balance? It's always very difficult to fix a balance between the energy, the spirit, the mentality, and to step inside. If you have confidence in the player, you leave the player the freedom to decide their behaviour, to decide their reaction. For sure, I prefer one too strong reaction than one player without blood, without reaction.”

You've faced Chelsea quite a few times in the Premier League, and at Tottenham you faced them in May at Stamford Bridge. Do you think there's anything you can take from that game, a bit of a different style of play that can help you prepare?

I think every game is different. We change many players, they change not too many players, but they change coach, two coach in the last two seasons. But nothing changes, you have to run, you have to fight, you have to put the same behaviour we are putting in the last two games.

And then there is the game. To play with personality, with courage, to find a way to score, to find a way to defend in the best way we can with courage. Nothing more.

Against Coventry you had a lot of possession, it will be different against Chelsea, more balanced when your team isn't on ball, what do you want to see from your players?

We kept the ball against Coventry, we didn't create too many chances, like in Manchester or Aston Villa also. But there is a reason, because when you find a low block so close, 5-4-1 or 5-3-2 or 4-4-1-1, it's still difficult.

If you watch the game Man City vs Coventry, considering Man City one of the best teams in Europe, also Man City didn't shoot too many times. Because it's a totally different game than a more open game.

I think last season, the last game with Chelsea, we could make a great result. We conceded one stupid goal, but now it's completely changed the situation.

Chelsea change tactically during games, how important is it that your players know to address these changes on the pitch, because you can't always communicate?

Against Coventry we played three at the back, we were predictable, not because we played three at the back, but because we played against one low block. We conceded only one counter-attack, I think we played a very good game in the order on the pitch, in the space we occupied. We can play tomorrow three at the back, we can play four, like the first period, nothing changed.

It depends on the game, if the game is more vertical or more in control. Also for the behaviour, for the attitude of the opponent. If the opponent comes strong in the pressure, you will play more vertical.

If they stay with the low block, if they cover the line pass, you have more time in control, but maybe you have many less spaces between the line, less spaces to do one-vs-one in dribbling. These are totally different games.

Great to see James Maddison start and Dejan Kulusevski return but how have their bodies reacted physically since the game?

I don't know, because in the first three days Maddison didn't work with us, I don't know if he's ready for tomorrow. We can play also with Mathys Tel, we can play with Marmoush, we can play with Gallagher, or we have more solutions considering Pedro Porro can play.

Like I said many times, I don't want to take risks, because if you analyse this period of European football, you can see many injuries, not [just] for Tottenham, for everyone. So if I can, I don't want to take risks to lose many players for many games.

And Kulusevski?

Kulusevski also. Kulusevski worked well, but in the first days he stayed individual.

Is Destiny Udogie available?

No, he's not available.

With his injury history, is he someone you're just going to have to always carefully manage?

With the medical staff, we are trying to find the best way for him, because managing the player is anyway work. But after Manchester United, I have not worked with him, and this is a problem. We are lucky because we have in the same position many solutions.

Robertson, Ben Davies and Micky van de Ven, if we play thee at the back. But we have to find the best for him and the best for us.

Wilson Odobert, who close is he to coming back to training?

I don't know, because he has not started yet to work with us, and I have no idea.

When you were Brighton manager, what was it like to have one club constantly signing your players?

What do you think?

Not great?

No, not at all. Yes, but they brought great players. Nothing to say. Caicedo, Joao Pedro, Welbeck now, Robert Sanchez, Colwill, but Colwill was on loan.

Make you any more motivated?

No, I am always motivated. Chelsea or another team. You know when we work in Brighton, we work to make happy your club and to make happy your club, sometimes you need to sell players and the players want or push to leave for bigger clubs and it’s football. It is a normal part of football.

Are Joao Pedro, Rogers and Palmer the best front three in Premier League?

One of the best for sure. Talent, three big talents and they have also Pedro Neto, another very good player, they have Henderson and Welbeck, Estavao, they have more than three players but these three players are in the best moment of their career.

Do you sense any fear in your players?

No.

What about the club, not players but staff?

No. I think no because I played just one game with Chelsea as Tottenham coach. Anyway, it has to be one motivation more. Not one more problem for us. What is the problem? We didn’t play in the past for Tottenham and I was not the Tottenham coach in the last seasons. It is not a problem. We have already many problems and this is not a problem.

Have you spoken to the players about it?

No. Not yet.

Do you plan to?

It can be a good motivation, like I said, but no one pressure. Just motivation.

It was a close game in May and you had Van de Ven pulled down but no penalty. Do you hope the referee is strong tomorrow in a white-hot atmosphere?

No, I don’t want to speak about the referee. No. We have to keep the focus, keep the eyes on the ball, on our game, on our plan, our mentality and our energy and stop. Nothing more.

Here's every word De Zerbi said

We've got the full transcript with everything the Tottenham boss said which you can find by heading right here or you can scroll down for some highlights.

What was it like to have Chelsea always signing his Brighton players?

What do you think? (Not great?) No, not at all. Yes, but they brought great players. Nothing to say. Caicedo, Joao Pedro, Welbeck now, Robert Sanchez, Colwill, but Colwill was on loan.

De Zerbi on Spurs' poor record at Stamford Bridge

I think it's not just this negative record. There are many, many negative records, but for me it's one motivation more. For the players, I want this negative record, they give us more motivation, more mentality, more energy to win a game, to play a good game. Because we have the qualities enough to win a game, this game.

‌

On Destiny Udogie

No, he is not available. After Manchester I have not worked with him and it’s a problem. We are lucky because in the same position we have many solutions.

De Zerbi on Maddison and Kulusevski

In the first three days Maddison didn’t work with us. I don’t know if he is available for tomorrow. We can play with Tel, with Marmoush, with Gallagher. Like I said many times, I don’t want to take risk because if you analyse this period of European football, you can see many, many injuries and not for Tottenham but everyone. Kulusevski worked well but in the first days stayed individual.

Spurs injury news

Pedro is back. Robertson is available. Marmoush is good. Solanke is good. Lucas Bergvall, Savio out, nothing more. Bentancur suspended.

‌

Not long now

The Tottenham boss will be with us shortly!

Here's the Spurs loan latest

We've got the Spurs loan latest with Souza joy finally, one Tottenham player recalled, Radu Dragusin problems, Kevin Danso nightmare, Jamie Donley's early magic, Kota Takai up and running and a few disappointing half-time substitutions for various players. You can glance over all of that by going right here.

Luka Vuskovic does not understand his Spurs move

Luka Vuskovic still does not know why Spurs didn't want him and sold him this summer and you can read his quotes right here.

‌

Kulusevski debate

Dejan Kulusevski made his emotional return for Tottenham Hotspur as a late substitute against Coventry City. This match marked the 26-year-old attacking midfielder's first competitive appearance in 526 days.

Entering the pitch in the 87th minute, Kulusevski was greeted by overwhelming applause and cheers from the home crowd. The reaction highlighted how much Tottenham supporters missed his presence on the field.

Recently, debate has emerged over whether Kulusevski should start or be eased in off the bench. In a football.london poll, 23 per cent of the 1,778 fans who voted believed the Swede should start against the Blues. 69 per cent voted he shouldn't start, while 8 per cent said they were unsure. Read more HERE.

Johan Lange has been speaking

The Spurs sporting director has been speaking about Tottenham transfers, whether he feared for his job and changes made behind the scenes at Spurs this summer. You can read that all by going right here.

Welcome to Hotspur Way

Roberto De Zerbi will be joining us shortly with plenty to discuss.

Follow Football London: