De Zerbi: Tottenham preseason focuses on fitness, recruitment, youth development

Hupu, July 26 — Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi spoke to the media following his side's 2-0 victory over Auckland FC, addressing young talent, squad fitness, and the club's preseason preparations.

On Young Players' Performances

Q: You fielded many young players early in the match. Was there anyone who particularly impressed you?

"Yes, we approached the game with great seriousness—after all, whether representing this club or working for it, we must give our all.

"The young players performed excellently, especially in the first half; they were clear in their thinking and showed the right mentality and quality.

"In the second half, we gave first-team players—such as Matheus Fernandes, Gallagher, Ben Davies, Richarlison, and Mathys Tel—30 minutes of play. The good news is that no one got injured, which is crucial for early-season preparations. Next, we will head to Australia to continue our preseason work."

On James Maddison and Udogie

Q: I haven't seen James Maddison involved with the team much lately. Is he dealing with a minor injury?

"I think he hasn't trained in the past five days, and the same goes for Udogie, but neither has anything serious. It's just a precaution to avoid any risks. As for the next friendly against Sydney, maybe we'll let Tonali or other players play—we'll have to see."

On Luca Williams-Barnett's Development

Q: Fans have high expectations for Luca Williams-Barnett. He's only 17. What does he need to do to reach the level expected of him?

"Luca is extremely talented. Although he's young, he has great potential. Malachi Hardy is also a promising prospect for the club's future. We can't overlook young players, especially considering Financial Fair Play regulations and the rules of competitions like the Champions League and Europa League.

"Additionally, we must improve the academy level to help them develop more players, as this is both necessary and important for the club."

On Archie Gray as a Role Model

Q: How important is it for young players to observe someone like Archie Gray—though he's also young—and learn how to behave like a mature professional?

"Exactly. Archie, despite his youth, shows the mentality, performance, experience, and career demeanor of a mature player. However, young players must actively seize opportunities because under my management, they have a chance to play.

"Of course, they need to prove to me that they are ready, with the necessary quality and mentality to play for this club. But when I select players or decide on the lineup, I never look at age—I only focus on the player's quality and potential."

On Archie Gray's Best Position

Q: You mentioned earlier that Gray is finding his best position. Given that Porro and Spence return late after the World Cup, he might play as a right-back in the coming weeks. Where do you think he fits best?

"For me, it's a blessing to have a player who can play multiple positions. Admittedly, settling into one best position is important, but ultimately, he needs to remain flexible to adapt to different roles on the field. He can play right-back, left-back, or midfield. For smart players, this isn't an issue.

"I believe smart players continuously improve their understanding of the game because changing positions means adjusting body posture and turning angles when receiving and passing the ball. Regardless, he is an important player for me, even if he can play multiple roles."

On Mikey Moore's Prospects

Q: Mikey Moore is a talented player from the academy. How do you see his prospects next season? Will you include him in the first-team squad?

"That depends. We need to assess the dynamics of the final stages of the transfer window—since we're trying to bring in wingers—and then communicate with him, his agent, and the club to find the best solution for all parties."

On Auckland FC

Q: How do you rate today's opponent, Auckland FC?

"They have a clear idea in possession. I know football isn't the most popular sport in New Zealand. I spoke with their coach before the match, and he told me that many of their players who participated in the World Cup didn't travel with the team today. It was a great experience for us.

"Unfortunately, we can't stay longer in this country because the atmosphere and culture here are very appealing to us. We come from another country, almost like another world; if we could stay a few more days, it would be an excellent experience."

On Fan Support and Record Attendance

Q: How do you view this event, especially considering the record attendance for a local men's football match and the great enthusiasm shown by New Zealanders for Tottenham?

"We are very happy because traveling to other countries for friendlies is an important part of our work. As a great top-level club, it's gratifying to see fans from other countries feel so close to us.

"Tottenham doesn't just belong to the UK; it belongs to the world. That's why we want to take the matches seriously and deliver good performances to repay and delight overseas fans."

On the Next Two to Three Weeks

Q: What are your thoughts on the next two or three weeks?

"First, we don't want to take any risks that could lead to injuries. We must improve our physical condition because playing requires good fitness reserves.

"We need to build up our stamina, deepen our understanding of tactical play, and help new signings integrate into our style—after all, we've brought in some very important new players.

"We also need to complete the transfer window work because the signings aren't fully finished yet. I believe that when the window closes, we'll be satisfied; I've had multiple discussions with the owner and the board, and they not only want to build a strong team this season but also aim to lay a solid foundation for the future to help the club return to glory."

On Life in New Zealand

Q: You haven't been here long, but have you done anything special—like meeting fans or finding an Italian restaurant?

"No, it's just work and sleep—or trying to sleep, because I'm struggling with jet lag.

"No restaurants, nothing else. My focus now is on preparing the players to be in the best shape for matches, while also trying to get more than three or four hours of sleep each night."

Source: football.london