AliousTottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly considering starting a Spurs player who may recover in time from injury ahead of their trip to Sunderland this weekend.
De Zerbi faces early selection headaches
De Zerbi’s first match in charge of Tottenham comes this Sunday as they travel to the Stadium of Light, with pressure already mounting.
Spurs could drop into the relegation zone before kickoff if West Ham United defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday evening. The Italian has had just over a week to prepare and make an impact on a side that hasn’t won a league game since December.
The squad he has taken over is stretched in several key areas. Long-term injuries mean Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Wilson Odobert are all ruled out for the rest of the season.
| Tottenham’s final seven Premier League fixtures in relegation run-in | Date |
|---|---|
| Sunderland (away) | April 12 |
| Brighton (home) | April 18 |
| Wolves (away) | April 25 |
| Aston Villa (away) | May 2 |
| Leeds (home) | May 11 |
| Chelsea (away) | May 17 |
| Everton (home) | May 24 |
Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has undergone hernia surgery during the international break, meaning Czech shot-stopper Antonín Kinský is in line to start — his first outing since a tough Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid.
Spurs are dealing with several injuries ahead of their trip to Sunderland, with a number of players expected to miss out. However, Roberto De Zerbi has received a timely boost. Midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, who was recently linked with a move to Turkey, withdrew from Senegal duty due to injury but is now expected to be fit for Sunday’s game, according to Standard Sport. His return comes as a major relief given the squad’s recent struggles with depth.
There could also be good news regarding Mathys Tel, with Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge suggesting the youngster may be ready to return.
Bridge believes Tel could pass a late fitness test and start on the right wing in De Zerbi’s first lineup. The 20-year-old Frenchman has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing second half of the season. Despite recording just three goals and one assist in 31 appearances, his influence had been growing during a difficult spell under Igor Tudor.
Tel had to pull out of France Under-21 duty after suffering a thigh injury against Nottingham Forest, but he is now pushing to be fit in time to face Sunderland. If he falls short, Randal Kolo Muani is seen as a viable alternative on the flank.
Meanwhile, Xavi Simons is expected to operate in the No.10 role — a position that better suits him compared to the wider role he often played under Tudor.
De Zerbi is likely to set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall anchoring midfield.
Regardless of whether Tel or Kolo Muani starts, the objective remains clear: secure all three points, end a run of over three months without a league win, and offer early signs that a new era under De Zerbi can bring a different outlook for Spurs.
Encouragingly, early reports suggest the players are already responding positively to changes introduced by De Zerbi in training at Hotspur Way.
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