Tottenham's Fitness Hopes After Brentford Defeat

Tottenham’s season could hardly have opened in uglier fashion. A 3-0 beating at Brentford, a manager already questioning his squad’s fitness, and a lengthy injury list hanging over a club that has spent big and talked bigger.

Roberto De Zerbi did not sugar-coat it after the defeat. He said his players are not yet fit enough to compete in the Premier League. On the evidence of Saturday, it was hard to argue.

Yet this week might finally bring something different: good news.

Spurs face Charlton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before Newcastle arrive in north London for the first Premier League home game of the campaign. De Zerbi is still without seven first‑team players, but several key figures are edging back and could give a season in danger of drifting some much‑needed structure.

Here is where Tottenham stand.

Micky van de Ven – the new captain waiting to lead

Micky van de Ven has the armband. He did not have a minute on the pitch at Brentford.

The new club captain has been stuck on the sidelines after picking up an issue during pre-season, a problem De Zerbi traced back to the tour in Australia.

“He worked with the group [on Friday], he's going very well,” De Zerbi said last week. “He suffered a problem during the pre-season in Australia, I don't know, the flight, I don't know, something, not a big problem, but not right to work.”

The result is a defender playing catch‑up while his team concedes three on opening day. Spurs hope the wait is almost over.

Potential return date: Newcastle (H), August 29, 2026

Pedro Porro – vice-captain racing the clock

Pedro Porro, promoted to first vice-captain, also watched the Brentford defeat from afar. No pre-season minutes, no involvement at the Gtech Community Stadium.

His absence stems from a late return after Spain’s World Cup triumph, followed by a spell out as he worked back from that break. The right-back is now back in training and building match fitness after three weeks off.

Spurs believe he is close. With Newcastle looming, they need his energy and delivery down the flank.

Potential return date: Newcastle (H), August 29, 2026

Mohammed Kudus – “almost ready” after long lay-off

Mohammed Kudus has not played since January. For a club crying out for incision in the final third, that gap has felt even longer.

The Ghanaian returned home last week following a family bereavement but is back at Hotspur Way and training again after surgery on a quad injury.

“Kudos is almost ready, that is a big point for us,” De Zerbi said. “It's important also the management of the players, when the players have some problem, we have to stay calm, don't take risks.”

Spurs have missed his ability to break lines and unsettle defences. His comeback, if managed correctly, could change the entire feel of their autumn.

Potential return date: Nottingham Forest (A), September 5, 2026

James Maddison – fresh concern after Brentford blow

James Maddison’s season is yet to find rhythm. It might be about to hit another bump.

The midfielder came off the bench at Brentford but could not drag Spurs back into the contest as he continues to chase full fitness. To make matters worse, he landed awkwardly on his shoulder during the defeat and is now an injury doubt for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Charlton.

Any setback now slows his push to get properly up to speed. De Zerbi will give a clearer picture at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, but Spurs can ill afford to lose one of their few proven creators.

Potential return date: Newcastle (H), August 29, 2026

Pape Matar Sarr – minor hamstring, major frustration

Pape Matar Sarr’s name was missing from the teamsheet at Brentford for a simple reason: a poorly timed hamstring issue.

The midfielder, who has attracted transfer interest, featured during pre-season but then felt pain late last week, ruling him out of the opener.

De Zerbi explained on Friday: “He felt pain in his hamstring two days ago. Nothing important, but we don’t take risk with him and especially in this moment."

Spurs are calling it a “minor” problem. The timing, though, is anything but minor for a side trying to establish a midfield identity.

Potential return date: Newcastle (H), August 29, 2026

Dejan Kulusevski – long road back for “special player”

Almost 18 months. That is how long it has been since Dejan Kulusevski last played for Spurs.

The Sweden forward is finally back on the grass, working with an individual coach as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury. De Zerbi has chosen patience, knowing what a fully fit Kulusevski can bring.

“He's working, not with the group but with the individual coach,” the head coach said. “I'm observing him a lot, because first of all, he suffers too much, and as a human situation, it's been tough for him, and every one of us we are close with him for this period.

“Then he's a different player, he's a special player, if he's fit and he's available, he's a different player, like Xavi Simons."

Spurs expect him back in the first half of the season, but they will not rush him. The risk is too great. So is the potential reward.

Potential return date: Unknown

Xavi Simons – ACL recovery stretches into next year

Xavi Simons could only watch at Brentford, offering support from the stands rather than from midfield.

The Dutch star suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the end of last season and has been ruled out for around nine months. Spurs do not expect to see him on the pitch again until next year.

For a player De Zerbi openly describes as “different”, his absence strips the squad of another game-changer.

Potential return date: Early 2027

Wilson Odobert – aiming for late 2026 return

Wilson Odobert’s story mirrors Simons’s, only on a slightly earlier timeline.

He suffered the same ACL injury a few months before his team-mate and is targeting a return before the end of 2026. That leaves a long stretch where Spurs must cope without his direct running and attacking spark.

Potential return date: Late 2026

The table looks ugly after one game. The mood even worse. Yet if Van de Ven, Porro and Maddison all make it back for Newcastle, De Zerbi’s side will suddenly look very different.

The question is simple: can Spurs survive the next few weeks long enough for their walking wounded to turn this season around?