Photo: TVSEI / CC BY 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi held a pre-match press conference in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday ahead of Sunday's pre-season fixture against Auckland FC at Eden Park. The match kicks off at 4am UK time.
"We are at the beginning of the pre-season, the most important thing is to play a serious game," De Zerbi said, adding that managing injury risk after a long flight was a priority. "We can't forget that the season will start in 20-25 days."
On the transfer window, De Zerbi confirmed Spurs are not done. "I think it's not finished yet, our transfer market window. We have to bring another couple of, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players," he said. He identified the attack as the primary target area, stating: "The target now is to complete the attacking positions. We want the first target, the first level."
De Zerbi was asked about midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who has been linked with a move away from the club. The Italian said he had not yet spoken with Bergvall but was direct about his expectations. "Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave," he said. "Lucas is a big, big talent. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution."
Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr were absent from the travelling squad following the World Cup. De Zerbi explained that Bentancur requested an extra week off after a difficult season, while Sarr was dealing with a personal matter. "No problem, nothing more than I said," De Zerbi added.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario remained in London with an injury, though De Zerbi described it as minor. Mohammed Kudus is close to returning to training upon the squad's arrival back in London, while Dejan Kulusevski's comeback timeline remains uncertain after a full season without playing. "We have to analyse better and better, don't take risks, first of all for him," De Zerbi said.