Tottenham Hotspur

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Thursday, Spurs confirmed Mohammed Kudus has been ruled out of a return this weekend, external after suffering a setback in his come back from a quad injury picked up in January which will "potentially" require surgery.

• De Zerbi also confirmed Guglielmo Vicario is "not ready" to return yet, adding: "I hope he can come back next week, but I don't know yet." Rodrigo Bentancur is "working with us" but "not completely" and remains unavailable for selection.

• Reflecting on his appointment, the Italian said: "Proud and happy to be here. Thanks to Vinai [Venkatesham] and Johan [Lange] who have shown me a big confidence. Now I have to work. Now we have to make points. I'm sure about the level of the players - many of them in the past I was close to bringing to my former teams. They are working very well. I'm not better than Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor because I consider them very good coaches. I try and bring myself, my character, my passion."

• De Zerbi was asked if he had a message to the fans: "I haven't any message. In the last game they were fantastic before the game. The message for my staff and players is we have to deserve their support because the fans are suffering like us, like the players. There is just one club, one team. The players can change team but the fans, the club is unique. We need to make the fans happy with the right football, the right spirit and behaviour on the pitch."

• On his style of football: "My style is one part about the style of play and one part about the character and personality. I want to give organisation with and without the ball. What I want to achieve immediately is the character, the right spirit and courage to play and attack because the DNA of this club and squad is to find the goal and score."

• Asked why he has he only brought two of his former coaches with him as part of his coaching team, De Zerbi responded: "It is totally different this situation because we have no time to work like in Brighton, and I don't want to put confusion inside of the players."

• On the chances of him and players staying if the club get relegated: "For sure I don't want a player if they don't want to stay. My contract is for five years. I want to say my opinion in the transfer market because I am a coach but I want to see the players happy to work in this club."

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The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.

Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.

So how are you feeling as a Spurs fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?

The league form reads: LLLLDL

The next three league fixtures are: Sunderland (a), Brighton (h) and Wolves (a)

Let us know how you're feeling here

The latest news and views on Spurs in two minutes, every weekday afternoon.

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Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent

Looking at Roberto de Zerbi's Brighton and Marseille sides, you soon notice how often they repeat certain patterns of play.

When building up, the idea is to draw opponents towards defenders on the ball before using quick passing routines to find free players facing forward. They are better positioned to play the ball up the pitch quickly into the attackers.

When it works, De Zerbi's sides turn possession in their own half into shots near the opposition's goal within a few seconds. It's an electrifying watch - but the level of potential attacking reward comes with great risk.

De Zerbi's approach requires defensive players to take responsibility with the ball - delaying actions until they have forced opponents to press them.

In a recent training clip, he was seen coaching his new players through concepts to make his tactics easier to implement. For central defenders under no pressure, the advice was to take many touches. De Zerbi's centre-backs often provoke opponents by placing their studs on top of the ball - a sort of psychological trick that causes a striker to leave their shape and engage.

Two central midfielders are usually in close proximity to the central defenders. The midfielders receiving passes are often tightly marked, and De Zerbi's advice for them this week was to take one or two touches.

The ball doesn't stay with these players long to minimise the risk of losing the ball in dangerous areas. They instead act as a wall to bounce the ball off to nearby team-mates, who have lost their marker and can play forward under less pressure.

Read more on how De Zerbi can save Spurs

Tottenham are pushing to sign Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford this summer, with the 23-year-old a key target as the club prepares for a busy transfer window. (Teamtalk, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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We asked for your views on what Roberto de Zerbi should be looking to change or introduce in order to get some quick success as Tottenham prepare to take on their final seven Premier League fixtures of the season.

As the third man to take up a managerial position at the club in 2025-26, what does the Italian boss need to do differently to his predecessors to help the club avoid relegation?

Take a look at some of the data we unearthed on the post below this one and here are some of your suggestions:

Drew: He must look forensically at videos from the last 10 to 15 league games, identify anyone not putting a shift in, and not select them for the remainder of the season because they clearly have no desire to compete. It will be fate that either keeps Spurs up or sends Spurs down to the Championship. I hope he gives some of the youngsters a chance to shine.

John: Spurs must display more focused passion while playing. The manager must drop anyone not committed to the cause, no matter how important we think they are in this relegation battle. The team and its spirit come first, always!

Kevin: He needs to improve the team's mental stability. In every position, especially in the back line, we are playing very tentatively and it's got nothing to do with the players' technical skill sets.

Frank: I agree that the players must unite and put in effort but, after reading the gossip column, it looks like Bissouma, Vicario and Romero are all looking at get out options so it's hard to believe that they, and some of the others, are truly committed to the club.

Jamie: He needs to get the fans behind the team. Spurs fans sing all too often about hating Arsenal, we all know that. We need to concentrate on Tottenham and get behind the players to give them a lift and some support.

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Roberto de Zerbi will face the glare of the cameras at Sunderland on Sunday - the third man in Tottenham's dugout this season with the task of reviving the Europa League holders as they stare down the unthinkable prospect of relegation from the Premier League.

De Zerbi has - in some quarters - already been questioned by virtue of his methods requiring time before players adjust. Time is one thing Tottenham do not have.

So where might there be quick wins for Spurs and their new leader? Such are the fine margins between success and failure at the bottom of the table, a few subtle tweaks may be all that is needed to at least fall over the safety line and create room for a wider overhaul during the summer.

Stop making mistakes

Tottenham are ranked joint-bottom for errors leading to goals this season, on 12 with Aston Villa. Spurs are out on their own as the worst side in the league for errors leading to chances on 39. So, put simply, stop the errors. Can De Zerbi influence the mindset whereby some confidence is injected, paving the way for clearer decisions and fewer mistakes?

De Zerbi's Brighton side of 2023-24 were second-worst in the league for errors leading to goals (nine) and fifth-worst for errors leading to chances.

Be more incisive

Spurs - historically viewed as a creative, flair-rich club - are blunt this season. There are mitigating circumstances with game-changing attacking options injured on the sidelines. But, through the entire campaign, data from statisticians Opta shows Tottenham have played a total of 22 through balls. That is the worst figure in the league, behind Wolves on 24. For context, Manchester City have played 105. So can De Zerbi cut out the errors leading to chances at one end while encouraging his players to embrace a bit of risk at the other? This is a time for heroes and, in most comic books, heroes score goals or play through balls.

Brighton played with a bit more risk in De Zerbi's final season - their haul of 62 through balls put them 10th in the Premier League.

Embrace the Bale memories

We all remember the sight of Gareth Bale powering down the left flank, at pace, defenders shaking in peril as a fast break overwhelms them. It is a good job Spurs fans have such memories as, this season, their mark of 14 fast breaks is a league low. Some pace and ferocity on the counter have been sorely missing. De Zerbi would be wise to introduce it.

This looks unlikely to change as in his last season at Brighton, De Zerbi's side delivered 10 fast breaks - the lowest in the Premier League.

Corner kings - keep it going

There is something in the water in north London this season given the corner joy both Arsenal and Spurs have enjoyed. This facet of Tottenham's play is bang on point and that has to remain the case. They have scored 14 times from corners, with only Arsenal bettering the tally on 16. Whatever is being coached in this area, De Zerbi must welcome with open arms.

This is a bonus for De Zerbi to inherit as his last incarnation of a Brighton side were average when it came to scoring from corners, with seven goals in 2023-24.

So from a data perspective, the stand-out areas where crucial points can be edged Tottenham's way are focused on reducing errors, adding some bravery in cutting edge, breaking with a bit more zip and continuing to deliver from dead balls.

Is there anything that has been missed? Tell us of one key thing you think De Zerbi must change.

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We asked for your views on Spurs' Premier League run-in and whether they will avoid the drop.

Here are some of your comments:

Ricky: I think it's almost a certainty that the third relegation spot will go down to the last seconds of extra time in the very last game being played in the entire Premier League season, with the fate of all four clubs - Nottingham Forest,West Ham,Leeds and Spurs - hanging on the result. My specific prediction (or is it desperate hope) is that West Ham score a late winner against Leeds that sends Leeds down, but keeps themselves, Spurs and Forest up.

Mark: If Roberto de Zerbi comes in with an immediate lift that we've been missing, then we might be OK. Four away games out of seven is definitely a positive factor... sad to say.

John: Spurs have no excuse for the situation they are in. The players must unite like never before to save their club. Nobody can do it for them - don't depend on other clubs' results!

Tottenham are considering a move for Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford, 23, as a replacement for Guglielmo Vicario, with Inter Milan interested in the 29-year-old. (Sun, external)

Spurs, along with Galatasaray and Newcastle are interested in Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte, 24. The Reds will sell the Uruguay midfielder this summer. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Turkish side Fenerbahce want to sign Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma in the summer. The 29-year-old has only played eight times this season. (TurkishFootball, external)

Meanwhile Spurs and Chelsea are both looking at signing Sporting midfielder Maxi Araujo. The 26-year-old can play as a left winger or wing-back and is a regular for Uruguay. (CaughtOffside, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

There are 21 points left up for grabs in the 2025-26 Premier League season and every one of those will matter for those near the bottom of the table.

Who will survive and who will be relegated to the Championship?

West Ham currently sit in 18th, with Tottenham one point above the drop, Nottingham Forest three ahead and Leeds four.

Here's a look at the four clubs' final seven games of the season.

West Ham face bottom club Wolves on Friday - their first of four home games in the run-in.

The Hammers then face Brentford,Everton and Newcastle, who are all chasing a European spot, and current league leaders Arsenal.

If it goes down to the wire, then the final game of the season between West Ham and Leeds could be all or nothing.

Unlike West Ham, Tottenham have more away games in their run-in.

Yet that could in fact favour Spurs given they possess the worst home record in the Premier League this season, having won just two of their 16 home games.

Roberto de Zerbi will need to make an immediate impact as they travel to Sunderland and then host his former club Brighton the following week.

Spurs host Leeds on 11 May in what could be an important game in the fight for survival, before two tricky final games against Chelsea and Everton.

Nottingham Forest and Leeds have three and four-point buffers to the drop zone respectively - but they will play more games than Tottenham and West Ham as they are both still in cup competitions.

Forest have still got to play three of the current top six, as well as European-chasing Newcastle and Bournemouth.

Should they progress to the Europa League semi-finals then both legs will have to be played either side of their trip to Stamford Bridge on 4 May.

Leeds' FA Cup semi-final - also against Chelsea - will be played three days after their visit to Bournemouth.

And it is Leeds who have to play the most teams near the bottom, with four of their seven remaining fixtures against the current bottom four.

So how are you feeling? Does it make you nervy looking at your club's and other teams' fixtures? Or do you think you have enough to beat the drop?

Get in touch with your views here

All kick-off times BST, fixture dates and times subject to change.

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

As I try to reconcile my feelings of not wanting Roberto de Zerbi at Spurs with my equally strong feelings of not wanting us to get relegated, I'm curious to see how our new manager will get the best out of the players in our remaining seven games.

A win against Sunderland is crucial for everyone concerned with the future of Tottenham Hotspur. Not only do we desperately need the points, but the performance and result will also determine the tone and direction the rest of this atrocious season takes.

After sharing the Italian's non-apology for his previous comments on Mason Greenwood – apologising for the possibility that you might have offended someone's feelings is not the same as saying sorry for what you actually said or did – the Spurs PR machine has been keen to flood the timeline with as much footage of De Zerbi on the grass with the squad as possible.

Clearly, what happens in training matters. How quickly De Zerbi is able to organise and educate his players on shape, style, roles, responsibilities and other tactics will have a direct impact on his success and the club's survival in the Premier League.

He will face the same challenges as his predecessors: a squad devoid of confidence and leadership, a significant injury list including influential players, a board that will be assessing his every move, and a fanbase that is desperate to support the team, but has run out of patience and won't be shy about expressing our disapproval if we don't like what we see.

If I was De Zerbi I would be identifying who holds the social capital in this group of players – whose sphere of influence is widest and strongest – and I would be securing their buy-in as soon as possible.

Even if the fanbase is divided over his appointment, from a purely footballing perspective the squad must believe in De Zerbi, or we will be a Championship team next season.

Actions speak louder than words. It's time to let the football do the talking.

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external

Tottenham will not entertain offers below 50m euros (£43.6m) for their captain Cristian Romero, with the Argentina defender wanted by Atletico Madrid. (Fichajes - in Spanish, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic, 19, currently on loan at Hamburg, has suggested he could return to Spurs despite interest from major clubs in Europe. (The Standard), external

Rangers winger Mikey Moore, 18, who is on loan from Tottenham, reveals he had a health scare that left him bed bound for six weeks last season. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

What I couldn't work out about Roberto de Zerbi, was this talk, the initial talk, of that he'll take the job in the summer.

I was thinking, 'no, back yourself now, get the games remaining now. Go in, get the job done, keep Tottenham up. Then you assess the squad with these closing fixtures, and you can hit the ground running for next season.'

So in many ways, I'm glad that he's done what he's done and also that he's in for the long haul. There's no clause in there. If they get relegated, he'll then bring them back from the Championship.

That is a manager who's backing himself and I was pleased about that because I just thought it was an easy way out to say he'll let somebody else take the flak if he can't keep them up.

There was talk of Spurs legends maybe coming in to try and save the day but the fact that he's done it now and there is no relegation clause means De Zerbi is in it for the long haul.

I was quite pleased about that.

Listen to Ian debate De Zerbi and more on The Commentators' View

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Tottenham's players and coaches have come in for major criticism this season.

Roberto de Zerbi has seven games left to turn things around and stave off relegation.

He will not tolerate interference and will not stand for players who won't do what he wants them to. If they fall short, they will be out.

De Zerbi's identity as a coach is about free-flowing and forward-passing football, which fits Tottenham too - it is what their fans want - but without having strong characters and a bit of well-directed leadership on the pitch, that will not count when the going gets tough.

Wherever I managed, having that kind of character in my team was always hugely important to me. I felt a sound base like that within the team gave even limited players a chance of being successful by getting results over the course of a long and demanding season.

To find out the character of these players, I would go through numerous routes to make sure the lad I was going to sign indeed had the right credentials.

Watching them in away games was a must, for example. So was speaking to their former coaches or managers - and players who had played with them.

Off the field, I'd try to put a picture together too. Did they go out a lot? Were they married? The whole process would be as thorough as I could make it. I should add that it did not always go to plan!

Spurs cannot sign anyone now to change things, so instead their players have to step up and show they have the ability to scrap it out and remain a Premier League side. If they are not up for the fight, they are going down.

I was once told by a very senior manager at a top club that my biggest challenge at a team I had just taken over would be to get everyone pulling together as one. If I could manage that, he said, I would have a great chance of success.

That applies to every manager, but with the added layers of management today, doing it has become even tougher. It has to be the target for De Zerbi and Spurs too, whatever division they are in next season.

Read more from Pulis on De Zerbi's Tottenham task

West Ham United forward Crysencio Summerville is being monitored by Tottenham, Everton, Aston Villa, Marseille and Napoli. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

As a Brighton fan, watching Roberto de Zerbi take charge of Tottenham is how I imagine it feels to drive a dependable German family car but still lust a little jealously over the wild Italian sportscar you joyfully swept along in when you were younger.

Spurs supporters can expect a brilliant, distinct style of football which is unique in terms of how risky it is. When Brighton mastered DeZerbiBall and were on form, the only team in the Premier League who could live with the Albion were Manchester City.

De Zerbi's Seagulls ended Arsenal's 2022-23 title hopes by thrashing the Gunners 3-0 at the Emirates. When Liverpool came to the Amex, Jurgen Klopp had no answers other than to stare dazed and confused into the distance as Brighton sauntered to a 3-0 win.

And no Albion fan will ever forget the 4-1 demolition job De Zerbi carried out on Chelsea, just one month after Graham Potter walked out and took the entire backroom team with him.

But De Zerbi comes with a caveat – and it is a pretty big one for a club in a relegation battle. His tactics take time for players to get their heads around. And time is something Spurs do not really have.

That victory over Chelsea was De Zerbi's first as Brighton boss. In his fifth game in charge. De Zerbi is the only manager in Albion history to have gone his first four matches without a win. A worse start than even Jeff Wood and Martin Hinshelwood.

If Spurs take six weeks and five matches to adapt to DeZerbiBall as Brighton did, they may well find themselves hosting Lincoln City and Stevenage at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season.

That is the risk Spurs are taking appointing De Zerbi at this moment in time – not to mention his combustible personality means a falling out with the board somewhere down the line seems almost inevitable.

The one thing you can say with certainty is that it whatever happens, it will not be dull. Strap yourselves in Tottenham fans – you are in for quite the ride.

Find more from Scott McCarthy at We Are Brighton, external

Image source, Getty Images

In his first interview as Tottenham head coach, Roberto de Zerbi was asked about fan concerns over comments he made during his time as Marseille boss on the signing of Mason Greenwood.

De Zerbi has said Greenwood "paid in a strong way" after leaving Manchester United for Marseille after charges against him, including attempted rape and assault, were dropped and added the forward "seems a good lad" who "I feel sad for".

Greenwood was seen as one of United's most promising young players when, at the age of 20, he was arrested in January 2022.

All charges against the former England international were dropped in February 2023.

Choosing to answer the question in Italian to ensure he is "clear" in his response, De Zerbi said: "I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women or violence against anyone more broadly.

"In my life I've always stood up for those who are more vulnerable, more fragile.

"I've consistently fought and took a stand to be on the side of those who are most at risk.

"Those of you who know me well will know I'm not the type of person who makes compromises to win more games or to win an extra title.

"I'm sorry if I offended anyone's feelings with this subject matter. I have a daughter and I'm very sensitive to these things, and I always have been.

"I hope that over time people will get to know me better and will understand that at that moment I didn't mean to take a stance."