Tottenham Hotspur were without Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie for their Premier League fixture against Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday. Both players were absent from the matchday squad, with Archie Gray and Andy Robertson starting in defence instead.
Porro and Udogie ruled out after fitness concerns
Porro and Udogie had both started in Spurs' goalless draw away to Nottingham Forest the previous weekend. However, ahead of the Everton match, manager Roberto De Zerbi revealed that Porro had reported a muscular issue and that the club would not take any unnecessary risks with either player.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, De Zerbi said: 'Pedro Porro felt a small muscular problem, we have to see tomorrow if he's available or not but in this moment I don't want to take any risks. The same [with] Udogie.'
De Zerbi explains cautious approach
The Spurs boss also highlighted the specific circumstances surrounding each player's fitness. Porro had recently returned from a long World Cup campaign, which De Zerbi indicated could make his management more challenging. Udogie, meanwhile, had struggled with injuries in the previous season and played 60 minutes in the Nottingham Forest match.
'Pedro Porro and Udogie are similar players because one, Pedro played a World Cup, a long World Cup and we already knew after the World Cup it could be a difficult management for him,' De Zerbi added. 'For Udogie, last season [he] suffered many injuries, he played 60 minutes in Nottingham and we have to manage also Destiny in the best way we can.'
Impact on Spurs' defensive setup
The absence of both full-backs forced a change in Tottenham's back line, with Gray and Robertson stepping in to face Everton. The match marked an important test for Spurs, who were looking to build on their unbeaten start to the season.
De Zerbi's comments underscored the club's priority on player welfare over short-term results, as they aim to keep key squad members fit for the demanding Premier League campaign ahead.
