Tottenham Manager Discusses Player Injuries and Poor Home Form

May 10, 2026, 21:30
EuropeSports

Introduction

Manager Roberto De Zerbi has given updates on the club's current injury problems and the team's struggle to win matches at home as they fight to avoid relegation.

Main Body

Regarding the team's performance at home, De Zerbi rejected claims that the quality of the stadium is affecting their results. He described the atmosphere as supportive and pointed to the club's impressive 25-match unbeaten record in European home games. Consequently, he believes that the lack of Premier League home wins since December 6 is simply a coincidence. However, player availability continues to be a major problem. Dejan Kulusevski has been out since May 2025 due to a knee injury and a second surgery in March; therefore, he is unlikely to play for the rest of the season or in the World Cup. De Zerbi emphasized that it is unrealistic for Kulusevski to play internationally since he has not played any competitive minutes this year. Similarly, James Maddison is still recovering from an ACL injury suffered during pre-season. In goal, Antonin Kinsky is currently playing instead of Guglielmo Vicario, who is recovering from hernia surgery. Although De Zerbi asserted that Vicario is still the first-choice goalkeeper, he confirmed that the player has not returned to training yet. Furthermore, the manager refused to discuss Vicario's future at the club, stating that the priority is staying in the Premier League. Finally, he explained that Richarlison missed a recent training session because of tiredness after the match against Aston Villa.

Conclusion

Tottenham Hotspur now prepares for their next match against Leeds United, focusing on recovering their injured players and finally winning a game at home.

Learning

🚀 The 'Logic Leap': Moving from A2 to B2

At the A2 level, you connect ideas using simple words like and, but, or because. To reach B2, you need Connectors of Consequence and Contrast. These words act like bridges, making your English sound professional and fluid rather than choppy.

⚡️ The 'Result' Bridge

Instead of saying "X happened, so Y happened," B2 speakers use formal transitions to show cause and effect.

  • Consequently →\rightarrow "...lack of Premier League home wins... is simply a coincidence. Consequently, he believes..."
  • Therefore →\rightarrow "...a second surgery in March; therefore, he is unlikely to play..."

Pro Tip: Use these at the start of a sentence to signal to the listener that a result is coming. It gives you more time to think about your grammar!

🛡️ The 'Contrast' Bridge

A2 students use but. B2 students use words that highlight a contradiction or a surprising fact.

  • However →\rightarrow Used to pivot the conversation to a new, opposite problem. ("The stadium is fine. However, player availability is a problem.")
  • Although →\rightarrow Used to acknowledge one fact while emphasizing a different one. ("Although De Zerbi asserted that Vicario is the first-choice... he has not returned to training.")

🛠️ Quick Upgrade Guide

A2 Style (Basic)B2 Style (Fluent)
And also...Furthermore,
In the same way...Similarly,
But...However,
So...Consequently,

Vocabulary Learning

relegation
the act of being demoted to a lower division in a sports league
Example:The club is fighting to avoid relegation this season.
unbeaten
not having lost a game in a series of matches
Example:They have an impressive 25‑match unbeaten record.
competitive
involving or showing competition; striving to win
Example:He has not played any competitive minutes this year.
priority
something that is considered more important than other things
Example:The priority is staying in the Premier League.
injury
damage or harm to a part of the body that affects performance
Example:The player has a knee injury.
availability
the state of being able to be used or accessed
Example:Player availability continues to be a major problem.
international
relating to or involving more than one country
Example:He is unlikely to play internationally.
ACL
anterior cruciate ligament, a ligament in the knee
Example:He is still recovering from an ACL injury.
goalkeeper
the player who guards the goal in football
Example:Vicario is still the first‑choice goalkeeper.
training
practice sessions to improve performance
Example:He has not returned to training yet.
tiredness
state of being tired
Example:Richarlison missed a training session because of tiredness.
performance
how well someone performs a task
Example:The team's performance at home has been poor.
supportive
providing encouragement or assistance
Example:The atmosphere is supportive.
impressive
evoking admiration through quality or skill
Example:They have an impressive record.
coincidence
an event that happens at the same time by chance
Example:The lack of wins since December is simply a coincidence.