Roberto De Zerbi boosted by Tel training sighting and vows to stay at Spurs next season | OneFootball

Roberto De Zerbi received a possible injury boost ahead of Sunday’s trip to Sunderland, and he has pledged to remain at Spurs next season.

According to Sunderland Echo, Mathys Tel had been an early doubt after picking up an injury in the defeat to Nottingham Forest before the break and then withdrawing from France U21 duty, but he appeared in club footage from De Zerbi’s first session.

In his first interview, De Zerbi said the immediate focus is solely on Sunderland, with limited time meaning short-term pragmatism may be needed, while aiming to reflect Tottenham’s possession-based identity. He stressed courage, clear organisation with and without the ball, and helping talented players show their qualities.

He added that he has signed a five-year contract and will be Tottenham’s head coach next season regardless of how the relegation fight unfolds over the next seven games.

Conor Gallagher, Lucas Bergvall and Joao Palhinha were also seen in training as they work back from injuries. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is a major doubt after hernia surgery, and Pape Sarr is a fresh doubt with a shoulder problem sustained on duty with Senegal.

Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur could be in contention at the Stadium of Light after beginning individual work before the break. Ben Davies and Yves Bissouma are pushing to return this month, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski hope to be back before the end of the season, and Wilson Odobert is a long-term absentee with an ACL injury.

Source: Sunderland Echo