{"id":263290,"date":"2026-09-18T17:40:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T17:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/18\/example-for-everyone-de-zerbi-tips-tottenham-star-for-major-impact-after-training-this-week\/"},"modified":"2026-09-18T17:40:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T17:40:11","slug":"example-for-everyone-de-zerbi-tips-tottenham-star-for-major-impact-after-training-this-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/18\/example-for-everyone-de-zerbi-tips-tottenham-star-for-major-impact-after-training-this-week\/","title":{"rendered":"“Example for everyone” – De Zerbi tips Tottenham star for major impact after training this week"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Tottenham<\/a> welcome Aston Villa to north London on Saturday knowing that something has to give between two clubs enduring miserable starts to the Premier League season.<\/p>\n

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Spurs have collected only two points from four matches and are still waiting for their first league goal under Roberto De Zerbi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Scott Heppell<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Defeats against Brentford and Newcastle were followed by goalless draws with Nottingham Forest and Everton, leaving them just above the bottom three.<\/p>\n

There have been signs of defensive improvement, but the lack of cutting edge is impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n

Tottenham have reached promising areas without making the final pass or finish count, and while Tuesday\u2019s 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat at Liverpool at least brought a goal against a Premier League<\/a> side, it did little to ease the scrutiny.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

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Match stat<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Liverpool<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Tottenham<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Possession<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

43.5%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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56.5%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Total shots<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Shots on target<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Shots off target<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Blocked shots<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Expected goals<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.25<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.26<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Big chances missed<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Corners<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Completed passes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

305<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

413<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Passing accuracy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

82.9%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

86.4%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Fouls<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Offsides<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Goalkeeper saves<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Yellow cards<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Red cards<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Saturday\u2019s 12.30pm kick-off is Spurs\u2019 final match before the international break and a first league victory would seriously change the mood around the club, amid reports that De Zerbi is already under pressure<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Villa are also searching for lift off.<\/p>\n

Unai Emery\u2019s side have taken one point from four league games and lost 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest last weekend.<\/p>\n

Their 3-1 cup win at Coventry City on Wednesday provided a timely boost, with Tammy Abraham scoring twice. However, neither side can afford to treat this meeting as anything other than a major opportunity.<\/p>\n

De Zerbi has received some welcome team news, with Pedro Porro, Sandro Tonali and James Maddison all available.<\/p>\n

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\"Omar\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Dylan Martinez<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Dejan Kulusevski<\/a> definitely won’t be rushed back for the Villa game, but his return to first-team training this week represents a major step after his lengthy knee injury.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n De Zerbi tips Dejan Kulusevski to be like ‘another new signing’ for Tottenham<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n
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\n \"dejan-kulusevski-tottenham\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Sweden international has not played since suffering the problem in May 2025.<\/p>\n

His recovery has included setbacks<\/a>, making Tottenham determined to take every possible precaution before clearing him for competitive football.<\/p>\n

De Zerbi believes a fully fit Kulusevski could have the impact of another major arrival once he is finally ready, tipping him for a major impact on the side.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe have to manage Deki in the best way we can, with the medical staff, physical staff,” he told reporters.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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“But it’s a great thing for us because he’s a good player, he’s a good guy. He deserves to play again. We have to work day by day,”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\u201cAlso, for Deki, it’s important the international break, because when he will be at the top of condition and pass over the injury, I think it’s a great signing, a new signing for us, another new signing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Kulusevski has faced an exhausting road back, but De Zerbi insists the attacker has never needed help to stay motivated.<\/p>\n

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“He doesn’t need my encouragement, because he’s strong, he has a great character, and he’s an example for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n

That praise shows how highly Kulusevski is regarded inside Tottenham, both as a footballer and as a member of the dressing room.<\/p>\n

His strength on the ball, creativity and ability to operate in several attacking roles would give De Zerbi something different.<\/p>\n

Spurs urgently need a goal and a win before the break, with Maddison\u2019s availability offering hope that their attack can finally start to click.<\/p>\n

Kulusevski will watch this one from the sidelines, but his comeback is edging closer.<\/p>\n