Managing the Road to Recovery
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi is navigating a complex period of squad management as his team prepares for Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest. The Italian coach has provided updates on two key playmakers, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, both of whom are at different stages of recovery from significant health setbacks.
Kulusevski, the 26-year-old Swedish international, recently returned to full training after a 477-day absence due to a complicated knee injury that required two separate surgeries. Despite the positive milestone, De Zerbi confirmed that Kulusevski experienced a “small, small problem” that forced him to miss training for a couple of days this week. De Zerbi remains optimistic, noting that such minor issues are common for players returning from long-term inactivity as the body adapts to the physical demands of regular sessions. He emphasized that there is no cause for alarm and the club is maintaining a cautious approach to his reintegration.
This report draws on information published by football.london and voiceofemirates.com.
Meanwhile, James Maddison is also unavailable for the Nottingham Forest trip. The England international suffered a shoulder injury during the season opener against Brentford. While he returned to training on Thursday, De Zerbi deemed the match against Forest “too soon” for his return, prioritizing long-term fitness over immediate availability.
Squad Reshaping and Tactical Transitions
The squad dynamics at Tottenham have been further complicated by the confirmed departure of Brazilian striker Richarlison. De Zerbi revealed that the forward has been left out of the Premier League registration list after failing to secure a move despite his stated desire to leave. The manager noted that he had hoped to extend Richarlison’s contract at the start of pre-season, but when the player expressed a desire to move and failed to accept an offer before the transfer deadline, the club decided to move on to other options, including Dominic Solanke and Omar Marmoush.
With the arrival of Mykhailo Mudryk on a loan deal from Chelsea—which includes a £75 million option to buy—De Zerbi is looking to reinvigorate the Ukrainian winger, whom he managed previously at Shakhtar Donetsk. De Zerbi praised Mudryk’s work ethic and mentality, identifying this as a critical moment in the 25-year-old’s career to demonstrate his potential in a top-flight environment.
Tactical Depth and Physicality Concerns
As Tottenham faces questions regarding the loss of physical presence in the squad—following the exits of players like Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha—De Zerbi remains confident in the collective spirit of his current group. He countered concerns about defending set pieces by pointing to the competitive drive of his current defensive core, including Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie. The manager insists that while physical structure is important, the “spirit to fight in the duels” is the deciding factor in set-piece success.
For the upcoming match against Nottingham Forest, Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush is expected to retain his starting position. De Zerbi noted that while Marmoush offers different characteristics than a traditional “big animal” striker, his movement and ability to link play will be vital for Tottenham’s attacking transitions.