If it feels like there hasn’t been much Tottenham Hotspur news to talk about lately, you’re not alone! It’s been dead dog quiet in SpursLand — we’re not even getting the usual glut of transfer rumors to discuss because so much is dependent on whether Spurs stay in the Premier League or not, which despite two wins in Tottenham’s last two matches, is still very much an open question.
However, we did get a press conference from Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi ahead of Monday’s match vs. Leeds United,
and the boss had some good news, as in an absence of bad news (which this season is good news). While Spurs are still massively injured and bare-bones, there are no new injuries to report, which is excellent. It does mean, however, that players like Guglielmo Vicario, still recovering from surgery, will not feature.
“I’m happy because we are working well with all players. Another very important week. We have no problems.
“No, Vicario is not ready yet. I don’t know what will be the plan but he’s suffering because he would like to help his teammates but he’s not available yet.
“Im thinking about James Madison because I’m watching a top, top player. Maybe he’s not ready yet to play, but as a physical condition, not for the rhythm, for the intensity of the game. We are playing in the Premier League, the most difficult league in terms of intensity and rhythm.
“But as a player, it’s great, as a coach, watching one player like this. Especially for me, because I was number 10. And I’m sensitive in number 10 players like Xavi Simons, Maddison, Kulusevski, Kudus. We have a lot of number 10, but I want to see.
“About Solanke, he’s improving very quickly. I don’t know, for this game, I don’t know if he can be available. We hope for the next game in Stamford Bridge.”
That means, of course, that Antonin Kinsky will continue his reputation rehabilitation tour on Monday evening, which is probably a good thing. After the disasterclass on the wet pitch at the Wanda earlier this season, Kinsky has put together a very nice showing, commanding his area, passing well out of the back, and making a couple of critical stops.
De Zerbi also spoke a little bit about Joao Palhinha, indicating that he would like to sign the on-loan Bayern midfielder permanently, and raving about the man of the moment, Conor Gallagher.
“100% [I’d like to sign Palhinha]. We have to start from this type of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure, but as a guy. I want to see the player with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit, the same personality, and we are lucky to have with us Palhinha.
“I’m happy because I think from the perspective of Conor, he came in January in a difficult situation. He had some problems at the beginning, his physical condition, his environment. To understand the different club, different style of play, different dressing room. But he’s an important player, the first level of the players.
“So I’m happy to watch him in this condition, in this confidence, with these performances. I think, and I said after the game, when Gallagher plays well, his team plays with one player more than the opponent.”
De Zerbi is very good at coach-speak (annoyingly so) and this strikes me as the right thing to say in this moment when directly asked about a player in a press conference. It’s obvious that he likes Palhinha quite a lot, but I’m not sure it means that Spurs are [pushes glasses up nose] ACTSHUALLY going to sign him this summer. Palhinha’s a good player, but as I said when we were first linked to him he only really makes sense if you pair him with a midfield partner who can control and pass the ball. So far we haven’t gotten that.
That said, De Zerbi is getting a tune out of players like Palhinha and Gallagher whom we (and other Spurs fans) had previously written off, so this is already a good outcome. But there’s going to be a LOT of transfer movement this summer, I suspect.
De Zerbi also had very positive things to say about Leeds United and their recent form, which has seen them go from likely relegation candidates to on the cusp of securing their place in next year’s Premier League.
“First of all, we’re going to play against one of the best teams in this moment because in the last five, six games they won against Man United. They drew in Bournemouth, playing well. They won at home two times, Wolves and Burnley. For that, we have a big respect. We can’t think in a different way. We have to keep this mentality.
“We must remain humble. Nothing changes. We have to prepare an important game. The same way we are playing. We didn’t play so well in Wolves, but in the first 30 minutes, we played okay. Against Brighton at home, we played 90 minutes and extra time very well. We have to stay focused on this type of performance. This type of attitude. This type of spirit and showing the quality of the players.
“Their style is very clear. They have a great organisation on the pitch, with the ball and without the ball. They have good players, Calvin-Lewin, Okafor, Tanaka, I think, and Ampadu are all very good players. Not to fight against relegation, but higher level. But the focus is on us. Not because we become arrogant, but because we have the quality. The quality is enough if we play like we know, like we can, to win the game, for sure.”
With rivals West Ham playing Arsenal this weekend, Spurs have a real chance to put some distance between themselves and their relegation rivals on Monday with a win over Leeds. Spurs kick off their penultimate home match of the season at 3 pm ET / 8 pm BST.
