Tottenham Hotspur face Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup second round on Wednesday evening. Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi provided a squad update ahead of the fixture.
Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro are set to be among Tottenham’s substitutes for their Carabao Cup second-round clash with Charlton Athletic.
Dominic Solanke has returned to contention, according to the Spurs manager. James Maddison, however, has picked up a shoulder problem that De Zerbi describes as minor, while Mohammed Kudus remains unavailable.
Regarding new arrival Savio, the Italian is currently uncertain whether he is match-fit. The winger only completed his move from Manchester City on Tuesday morning, less than 24 hours before Spurs contest their second game of the campaign.
Maddison joins long-term absentees Dejan Kulusevski, Kudus, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons on the treatment table. De Zerbi did not discuss Pape Matar Sarr, who sat out the Brentford fixture with a hamstring complaint.
The Spurs manager stated during Friday’s press conference that Sarr felt discomfort in his hamstring, nothing serious, but the club decided not to risk him, particularly at this stage.
Addressing the other unavailable players, he said last week that Kulusevski, Odobert and Xavi Simons are injured, while Mo Kudus is nearly ready. He described these as significant absences for the team, noting they are top-quality players and the club looks forward to seeing them return to action.
Solanke, meanwhile, has overcome the ankle problem he picked up during pre-season and is now available for his first competitive appearance since late April. When questioned about the forward, De Zerbi stated he is another key player, but the team managed to cope with Richarlison last season while Solanke was injured. He expressed affection for the striker but emphasised he must perform significantly better than he did against Brentford, acknowledging that everyone, himself included, made errors in that match. He stressed the need for the striker to retain possession when opponents press man-to-man.
De Zerbi is uncertain whether Savio will make his Tottenham debut, but commented on the former Brazil international that in one-on-one situations, he is among the finest players and can operate on either flank. He noted that the world’s best wingers typically net between 10 and 15 goals per season, and Savio possesses the necessary attributes. He mentioned it may be a matter of adjustment and getting up to speed. The club needs to improve its goal-scoring opportunities, as the best teams convert numerous chances.