Roberto De Zerbi has firmly defended Tottenham Hotspur’s medical department, dismissing external criticism as the club prepares to face arch-rivals Chelsea with a depleted squad. The Italian manager expressed unwavering confidence in his staff’s methods, stating, “I am convinced our medical staff this season is high level,” while acknowledging that the current run of injuries represents a “normal situation in football” rather than a systemic failure.
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The injury list continues to grow as Spurs travel to Stamford Bridge, with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison listed as doubts after their training was disrupted following Monday’s victory over Coventry. Destiny Udogie remains sidelined, and Tosin Adarabioyo faces a race against the clock to recover in time for the fixture. While the return of Pedro Porro offers a significant boost to the defensive line, the recurring fitness issues have plagued the squad throughout recent campaigns, raising questions about long-term squad depth.
Despite the mounting pressure, De Zerbi rejected the narrative that the medical team is at fault, emphasizing his personal observation of their daily work. “I follow them. I believe in them. I have big confidence because I know how they are working,” he said. By framing the absences as an inherent part of the sport, the manager aims to shift focus from internal scrutiny to the tactical challenge ahead, urging the team to remain resilient despite the absence of several key figures in the upcoming London derby.
Source: Yahoo Sports
