Tottenham Hotspur's pre-season preparations are in full swing, with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Getafe at Hotspur Way this weekend. The Lilywhites are aiming to maintain their recent form, having secured a 2-1 victory over London rivals Chelsea in their previous match, despite being reduced to 10 men. This result marks a positive step forward for Roberto De Zerbi's side as they gear up for the upcoming Premier League season.
However, there are still some concerns for De Zerbi. The team's injury woes have persisted, and he has been cautious with certain players to avoid further setbacks. Destiny Udogie and James Maddison have yet to feature in pre-season, with the latter's hip problem potentially ruling him out of the upcoming match against Brentford. Micky van de Ven, who recently returned from the World Cup, has also been on the sidelines, while Dominic Solanke made his pre-season debut against Chelsea.
The squad is being carefully managed, especially with players like Kulusevski and Kudus, who have been out for extended periods due to injuries. Kulusevski, in particular, is being treated with caution after a long layoff, and his return to match action is still some way off. Kudus, on the other hand, is making progress and is training with the team, but his involvement against Getafe remains uncertain.
Mateus Fernandes, who has been out with a calf issue, is back in training and will be considered for the Getafe match. This friendly provides an opportunity for De Zerbi to experiment and build team cohesion, especially after a significant summer spending spree. The Italian manager will likely field a near-full-strength side, aiming to strike a balance between caution and preparation.
Looking ahead, Tottenham will face Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in a double-header of friendlies next weekend, followed by their Premier League opener against Brentford. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial in fine-tuning the team's performance and strategy for the season ahead. With the season fast approaching, De Zerbi's careful management of the squad will be pivotal in ensuring a strong start to the campaign.
