Tottenham Faces Injury Setbacks Ahead of Premier League Opener
Tottenham’s Premier League opener at Brentford has been hit by a triple injury setback, with Roberto De Zerbi confirming that Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro and Pape Matar Sarr will all miss the trip to west London.
Speaking on Friday, the Spurs head coach ruled out the defensive duo and the influential midfielder on the eve of the new campaign.
“Micky is not on the list for tomorrow, like Pedro Porro,” De Zerbi said. “Pape Matar Sarr no, because he felt some pain in his hamstring today. Nothing serious, but we don’t take risks.”
Sarr’s late hamstring issue, picked up in the days leading up to Saturday’s game, strips Tottenham of one of their key midfield runners, just as the season kicks off.
Van de Ven’s situation is slightly different. The centre-back has stepped up his work and is edging back.
“Today, he worked the group, and he is going very well,” De Zerbi 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.”
Even so, he will not be involved at Brentford, leaving Spurs without both their new captain Van de Ven and first vice-captain Porro for the curtain-raiser.
De Zerbi was quick to point to the alternatives at the back. “[Marcos] Senesi, we have Ben Davies and in the right condition to play the game tomorrow,” he said, underlining the depth he will lean on.
The reshuffle does not stop there. With Van de Ven and Porro out, Tottenham’s leadership structure is stretched. Ben Davies, third in the hierarchy, is available but not expected to start. James Maddison, fourth on the list, is short of match fitness.
That opens the door for 18-year-old Archie Gray. Fifth in the pecking order and likely to fill in at right-back for Porro, the youngster could walk out wearing the armband on the first day of the season.
A makeshift back line. A patched-up midfield. A teenager potentially leading Tottenham into a new campaign. De Zerbi wanted a bold new era; he will have to launch it the hard way.
