Spurs need one point from their last two matches to secure their Premier League survival, and they go to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday knowing the margin is now thinner after West Ham lost at Newcastle the day before. The shift leaves Roberto De Zerbi’s side close to safety, but not there yet, with Chelsea awaiting after a bruising run-in.
Guglielmo Vicario has returned to training after surgery a few weeks ago and is available for selection, while Dominic Solanke remains out after the injury he suffered against Wolves. De Zerbi said he will decide on Tuesday whether Vicario or Antonin Kinsky starts in goal, with Kinsky having deputized during the keeper’s absence. James Maddison is also available, though only as an impact substitute, after missing work earlier this week with a minor problem.
De Zerbi did not try to dress up the choice in goal. “No, it is not [a] difficult [decision on who to choose]. It is easy. Vicario is number one, but we have to consider the physical condition, the momentum and everything. I have a big relationship with Kinsky and Vicario as well, and there will be no problem,” he said. On Solanke, his message was firmer: “Solanke is not good yet. Not available. He feels something, and I don’t want to take the risk for this game. We hope for Sunday, he can be available for one part of the game.”
That leaves Spurs with a front line missing one of its main outlets and a goalkeeper call that could shape the evening before a ball is kicked. Chelsea, meanwhile, come into the match three days after a heartbreaking loss in the FA Cup final, a backdrop that adds edge to a fixture already loaded with consequence. Spurs have won just twice at Stamford Bridge since 1990, a record that underlines how hard the ground has been for them over the years.
De Zerbi, though, pointed to the last few results as evidence that the team can steady itself. “We have to play with confidence because in the last four games, the last five games with me, because we didn’t deserve to lose the game in Sunderland, but in the last four we made eight points. And if you analyze the performance, I think we could make more points than eight,” he said. That is the tension in the run-in: the points are close, the performances have improved, and yet the job is not done.
He said as much plainly enough. “Anyway, we can’t forget one month ago what was the situation. We are not safe yet, it’s tough in the Premier League,” he said. Tuesday’s match gives Spurs a chance to settle the matter themselves, rather than carry it into Sunday and the final stretch.
