Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi will cast his eye on a Spurs youngster and could hand him a shot at first-team action, but only on one crucial condition.
Spurs set for Sunderland as De Zerbi debut awaits
De Zerbi takes charge of his first ever Spurs fixture on Sunday, when Spurs travel to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light for a 2pm kick-off.
The Italian signed a lucrative five-year deal at the end of March, ending the brief and unsuccessful tenure of Igor Tudor, who managed just one point from seven matches before departing by mutual consent after 44 days in charge.
Spurs have not won a league match in 2026, picking up five draws and eight defeats in that stretch.
They currently sit 17th in the table, one point above the relegation zone, and the Sunderland trip represents De Zerbi’s first opportunity to start collecting the points his new club desperately needs.
Players returned from the Italian’s opening training session at Hotspur Way with glowing feedback, according to Alasdair Gold, with one senior squad member reportedly describing the work as “outstanding”.
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Whether that energy translates into a result in the North East remains to be seen.
De Zerbi has been clear on where his focus lies, telling the club’s media channel that he does not want to hear about any fixture beyond Sunderland — the approach is game by game.
The wider picture at Tottenham is complicated by injuries.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is sidelined with hernia surgery, compiling Spurs’ miserable player fitness luck from the last two campaigns.
Off the pitch, there is another situation developing quietly in the background, one that carries more significance depending on how the next seven games unfold.
Will Lankshear set for Tottenham chance under De Zerbi on one condition
According to SportsBoom, Tottenham are set to retain striker Will Lankshear within the club’s setup next season if they’re relegated — scrapping what would otherwise be another loan move.
The 20-year-old has spent the current campaign at Oxford United and has performed well for Matt Bloomfield’s side despite their difficult season, chipping in with 10 goals in all competitions.
Those numbers have persuaded Spurs’ coaching staff that the forward deserves the chance to prove himself at senior level should the club drop down.
As such, Lankshear will be given a ‘chance to impress’ De Zerbi at Tottenham next season, but only if their relegation is confirmed.
If De Zerbi keeps Spurs up, the plan changes.
Lankshear would be loaned out again, with a move to one of the newly promoted sides the most likely destination — giving him top-flight exposure while he continues to develop.
Born in Hertfordshire, he began his career at Arsenal before joining Sheffield United, where then-manager Paul Heckingbottom described him as having a natural “gift” for goalscoring.
Spurs, who beat Brentford to his signature, paid around £2million to bring him to north London in 2022. He has since had a stint at West Brom, alongside his current spell at Oxford, and has been capped by England at under-19 and under-20 level.
Three of his six senior appearances for Tottenham have come in Europe.
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