Seven down, Spurs wobbling: De Zerbi’s injury headache laid bare

It’s been a nightmare start for Tottenham — a 3-0 cuffing by Brentford and a full treatment room to boot, with seven first‑teamers sidelined. For a club that’s just rattled the chequebook in record style and still eyeing more business, this isn’t the launch anyone had in mind. De Zerbi’s blueprint will take time, but right now he’s patching and mending before a Carabao Cup tie with Charlton Athletic arrives on the docket.

If you’re weighing up the early-season picture — and the Cup tie odds — our guide to the best betting sites is worth a look while the squad heals up.

The injury list: who’s out and when they return

Xavi Simons (knee) — target: February 2027

An ACL rupture last season means a marathon, not a sprint. Club guidance points to February 2027 for a full return, underlining just how long-term this one is. Don’t expect him anywhere near full tilt until deep into that timeline.

Wilson Odobert (knee) — target: late November

Another ACL casualty but further along the road. The expectation is a late‑November to early‑December return if rehab continues without a hitch. Spurs will be cautious — explosiveness is his calling card and they won’t rush it.

Mohammed Kudus (quad) — target: 5 September

A stop–start Spurs spell to date, but there’s light here. De Zerbi has flagged Kudus as “almost ready,” and the plan is to have him available for Nottingham Forest on 5 September. Even 20–30 minutes of Kudus off the bench could change the feel of this frontline.

Micky van de Ven (knock) — target: 29 September

Picked up a knock during the pre-season tour in Australia. He’s been back working with the group and, by all accounts, progressing well. Barring setbacks, there’s confidence he’ll be ready around the 29 September mark.

Pedro Porro (fitness) — target: 29 September

A late return after World Cup glory with Spain meant his pre-season started behind the rest. Fitness is trending up and there’s a decent chance he’s in contention by the weekend of 29 September.

Pape Matar Sarr (hamstring) — target: 29 September

A hamstring twinge on the eve of Brentford saw the club err on the side of caution. Nothing major, per the gaffer, but no gambles this early. If training goes smoothly, he could be back in the frame by the same 29 September window.

Dejan Kulusevski (fitness) — target: TBC

A strange one. De Zerbi says he’s fit in general terms but not yet ready for match duty after a long lay-off. Spurs won’t slap a date on it — and that’s wise. Better a week late than a month early with a player of his quality.

What it means for the Carabao Cup — and beyond

Selection is a game of compromises right now. Expect a lean bench versus Charlton and careful minutes management for anyone just back on the grass. The right flank looks particularly thin until Porro is fully up to speed, while Kudus’s impending return can’t come soon enough for the attacking spark. Sarr’s availability would stabilise the midfield, and Van de Ven’s recovery would add the recovery pace Spurs sorely missed at Brentford.

Pundit’s verdict

Results shape moods, and that Brentford defeat has turned the volume up early. But this season won’t be defined in August and September. Get through this sticky spell, nurse key lads back, and De Zerbi can start coaching patterns rather than plugging gaps. Until then, it’s about resilience, clean sheets, and nicking moments at the other end. Seven down is brutal — but it’s not terminal.