“Destiny has a problem. I think he can’t play tomorrow. I’m sorry because he played a great first-half, the second-half as well, but the first one was great (against Brighton). But we have Spence, Souza is available to come with us. It’s not a big problem. I hope Udogie can be available in the next week at Villa Park.
“It’s a muscular injury but not so important. He didn’t play for a long time and it can happen at the beginning when you start to feel something of this problem. I have a big opinion about Destiny and he’s a crucial player for us. We are lucky because we can play with Djed Spence, another important player. I think he’s playing very well this season. Another very good guy and that’s it.
“[Maddison] is not available yet, especially in this week. He felt pain but not so important problem. Tomorrow he will come with us on the bench because he is important if he plays or not it doesn’t matter. Better if he plays, for sure, but as a guy, as a leader, he is a positive guy. Inside of my dressing room I want to see nice people, positive people and this is important also for his team-mates.
“Pape Matar Sarr, the shoulder. He felt pain in his shoulder and this week he didn’t work. He has not worked with the group. He’s not available to play.”
That’s not great, but for the first time in what feels like forever Tottenham have players that can cover for the ones out with injury. Djed Spence is almost certain to start tomorrow at left back in Udogie’s place, and with Rodrigo Bentancur’s return to fitness, there are options on how to replace Pape Sarr as well.
As for Maddison — well, how can I say no to a vibes-based sub, especially one who means so much to the club as Madders? I don’t know when we’ll actually see him play minutes again, but we know he’s training on the grass and working his way back to fitness. It takes time to come back after a severe knee injury like the one he sustained, and he should be given that time. And if it means he sits on the bench to give fans and his teammates an emotional boost, well then so be it.
De Zerbi was also asked about the Premier League’s KMI report that indicated match official Rob Jones made a mistake in not sending off Brian Brobbey in the Sunderland loss a couple weeks ago.
“Can we play that game again or not? I think not.
“Yeah but it was clear but no problem. We have to move on and to prepare the next game in Wolverhampton is not an easy game for sure. The last three games at home they made a draw with Arsenal 2-2 and they won with Aston Villa and Liverpool. They are alive. It is a tough game because they have nothing to lose. It’s an important game for us for sure but we have to be able to play not too much pressure and my work from now until tomorrow is to prepare the game of my best. To prepare in the best way to play football because this players are very good players. They have important qualities and they play without too many problems in their head.”
It must be frustrating to come in as a new manager and be expected to get a tune out of squad missing a bunch of key players to injury, but De Zerbi says he’s relishing the challenge of saving Spurs from relegation.
“I am very happy. I am very happy to work here because the part of the staff I found when I came is special as a guy, as a professional and the players the same. They are following me and they are good guys. Sometimes when one team is losing too many games the rumours are not nice and behaviour and the people speak about not too much serious players, but no, it is not like this in this case. I found good players, good guys, serious players and they follow me. They believe in my words because I am able to recognise the eyes of the players. We are suffering, they are suffering because it is not easy play in Tottenham in this condition of the table, but I said they have to be stronger and they have to live to win a game. We have to live every part of the day waiting for a win and preparing for a win because I think with a win we can change this part of the season.”
Tottenham kick off against Wolves on Saturday, 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. BST. The match is not televised in the UK, but will be on USA Network in the States and streamed on nbcsports.com
