Tottenham Hotspur's pre-season preparations are set to be disrupted by a host of key players missing the opening five matches under new manager Roberto De Zerbi. With a large squad returning to training, the club faces a challenging task in managing the fitness and availability of its players ahead of a crucial season.
The recent return of 23 players to Hotspur Way for medical and fitness assessments is a positive step, but it also highlights the challenges De Zerbi will face. Among the returning players are some high-profile signings like Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, who are yet to secure their work permits. The absence of Tonali is particularly notable, given his £100 million move from Newcastle.
The squad also includes a mix of established and emerging talent, such as Martin Dubravka, Archie Gray, James Maddison, and Dominic Solanke. However, the presence of long-term injured players like Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus, as well as Wilson Odobert, who is out until the end of the year with an ACL injury, adds to the complexity of the situation.
The real challenge lies in the management of players returning from the FIFA World Cup. Tottenham had 12 players away at the tournament, and their return dates are based on a three-week rest period after their final participation day with their respective national teams. This means that players like Andy Robertson and Rodrigo Bentancur, who exited in the group stages, will not return to pre-season training until just before the tour to New Zealand and Australia.
The most significant impact will be felt by the players involved in the semi-finals, including Cristian Romero, Marcos Senesi, Djed Spence, and Pedro Porro. These players will be competing in either the third-place match on July 18 or the final in New York on July 19. Assuming they depart international duty around July 19-21, they will return to training just in time for the two Hoffenheim games, missing the opening five matches of pre-season.
This situation presents a unique challenge for De Zerbi, who must now decide on the final returnees, including two right-backs in Porro and Spence. The double header against Hoffenheim within 24 hours is a crucial warm-up game before the Premier League opener at Brentford on August 22. The decisions made during this period will significantly impact Tottenham's performance and morale throughout the season.
In summary, Tottenham's pre-season plans are being disrupted by a combination of injuries, work permit issues, and the return of players from the World Cup. De Zerbi's ability to manage this situation will be a key factor in the club's success this season, and it remains to be seen how he will approach the challenges ahead.
