De Zerbi backs Tottenham medical staff as Spurs face nine injury absences

De Zerbi rejects criticism of Tottenham’s medical team

Roberto De Zerbi has defended Tottenham’s medical staff as the club prepare to visit Chelsea on Saturday with a lengthy list of injury concerns. The head coach said he had “big confidence” in the department and described the situation as “normal” in football.

Pedro Porro is available again, while Andy Robertson, Omar Marmoush and Dominic Solanke were reported to be “good” despite fitness concerns. Destiny Udogie remains out and Tosin Adarabioyo is a doubt. James Maddison missed three days of training after Monday’s home win over Coventry and may not be ready. Dejan Kulusevski, recently back after playing his first minutes since May 2025, will be handled cautiously.

With longer-term absentees including Lucas Bergvall and Savio, Tottenham could be without nine players through injury. Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended.

De Zerbi argued that several setbacks had understandable causes. He said Porro had returned from the World Cup without a full pre-season, aggravated a hamstring issue after pushing to play against Aston Villa, and suffered another injury. Bergvall, he said, twisted his knee early against Manchester United but completed the match before feeling pain the next day. Robertson had played four matches in a row for Scotland before reporting a minor issue and later experiencing fatigue.

“I am convinced our medical staff this season is high level. I have big confidence because I know how they are working and they are good enough to believe in. We are suffering a normal situation in football.”

De Zerbi said the club would produce a “total report” on injuries at the end of the season, but rejected the suggestion that Tottenham’s poor record at Stamford Bridge added to the team’s problems: “We have already many problems and this is not a problem.”