Tottenham Faces Defensive Challenges Ahead of Brentford Opener

Tottenham head to Brentford on Saturday evening already nursing a defensive headache, with Roberto De Zerbi confirming that Micky van de Ven will miss the Premier League opener at the G-Tech Stadium.

The Dutch centre-back has not played a single minute of pre-season and has been absent from training throughout the summer. Any lingering hope of a late inclusion was shut down by De Zerbi in his pre-match press conference, as he ruled Van de Ven out along with right-back Pedro Porro.

“Micky is not on the list tomorrow like Pedro Porro,” De Zerbi said. Simple, blunt, and a problem he could have done without before a ball is kicked.

Porro has only just rejoined the squad after lifting the World Cup with Spain and has had just a few days back on the grass. His lack of preparation leaves Spurs short on both sides of the defence, and that is not the only selection concern.

There are fitness doubts over James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie, Mateus Fernandes and Pape Matar Sarr heading into the 5.30pm kick-off. Spurs’ starting XI will carry a hint of jeopardy.

De Zerbi did at least confirm that several of those players are pushing to be involved.

“James Maddison is inside, Solanke inside, Udogie, Fernandes also,” he said. “Sarr not because he felt some pain, but nothing big.”

So Maddison, Solanke, Udogie and Fernandes are all in contention. Sarr, though, misses out, his minor issue enough for Spurs to take no risks on the opening weekend.

On Van de Ven, De Zerbi struck a more optimistic tone about the defender’s medium-term outlook, even if Saturday comes too soon.

“Today he worked with us, with the group and he is going very well,” he explained. “He suffered a problem during the pre-season of Australia, I don’t know if it was the flight, but not a big problem.”

The damage, though, is done for Brentford away. De Zerbi will instead lean on new signing Marcos Senesi and the experienced Ben Davies.

“We have Senesi, we have Ben Davies and in the right condition to play the game tomorrow,” he said, underlining his faith in the alternatives.

Transfers still on the move

While injuries complicate his first league line-up of the campaign, De Zerbi’s squad has been heavily reshaped in the transfer window.

Tottenham have already brought in Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka, a spine of new arrivals that gives the Italian far more options than his predecessors enjoyed. And he made it clear he is not finished yet.

“We have not finished in the transfer market. It’s an important part,” he said, his message as much for the boardroom as for the fans.

The headline move still to be confirmed is Savinho. Spurs are closing in on the Manchester City winger, with reports of a £75 million fee plus £10 million in add-ons agreed between the clubs. The Brazilian is expected to undergo a medical before signing a long-term deal.

De Zerbi, though, refused to be drawn into specifics.

“It’s not right to speak about players until they are official. Just to say I’m very happy,” he insisted, careful not to cross any lines while knowing exactly how significant a signing Savinho would be.

He did, however, outline what he wants from any final additions: not just talent, but personality.

“So far we have brought in some great players, great spirit and great personality,” he said. “You know better than me you don’t win the games with big names and big players, you have to deserve to win the game. To do that we have to reach the level in character, intention and value and style of play.”

That is the challenge now. A rebuilt squad, a demanding head coach, and a season that starts with key men either sidelined or short of fitness.

Brentford away will offer the first clue: are Spurs already close to that level De Zerbi demands, or is this still a work in progress dressed in expensive new colours?