Tottenham's Double-Header Against Hoffenheim: Key Insights for De Zerbi

Tottenham face a double-header against Hoffenheim this weekend that will tell Roberto De Zerbi plenty about his squad – and remind him exactly what he’s still missing.

The Bundesliga side visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium today, with a second, behind-closed-doors game at Hotspur Way less than 24 hours later. Two matches, two different XIs. That’s the plan. De Zerbi wants minutes in as many legs as possible with the Premier League kicking off next weekend.

Those heavily involved today are expected to sit out tomorrow, with the rest of the group – including those who barely featured or not at all – getting their chance in the second fixture. Tottenham are unbeaten in pre-season, but the gloss has been dulled slightly. A 1-1 draw with Getafe in a 70-minute training-game style friendly last Saturday underlined how much sharpness is still to come.

Some of those left out of that Getafe run-out, including new signings Mateus Fernandes and Marcos Senesi, were quickly sent into an in-house friendly later the same day. De Zerbi is squeezing every possible minute out of this schedule.

Yet even with two friendlies and an internal game, there were conspicuous gaps. Several big names have not been seen at all. With the season looming, that is the cloud over an otherwise orderly pre-season.

Maddison and Van de Ven still missing

James Maddison remains the headline absentee. In the frame to inherit the captain’s armband once Cristian Romero completes his move to Atletico Madrid, he has yet to play a single minute this summer.

Tottenham are being deliberately cautious. Maddison is still working his way back from the anterior cruciate ligament injury that wiped out most of his last campaign. No risks, not now. Not with his importance to De Zerbi’s attacking structure.

On the other side of the pitch, Micky van de Ven is also yet to feature. Fresh from signing a lucrative new contract and widely viewed as another serious captaincy candidate, the defender has not been involved since returning from extended leave after the World Cup. There is no clarity on whether he is carrying a fitness issue, but De Zerbi will want him involved in some capacity across this Hoffenheim double-header. Even 30 minutes would be a step in the right direction.

Porro back to lead the right flank

There is better news at right-back. World Cup winner Pedro Porro is back in the building and very much part of the plan. He received a guard of honour from team-mates on his return to the training ground this week, a nod to his status and what is expected of him.

At 26, and having signed a new long-term deal in June, Porro is locked in as De Zerbi’s first-choice right-back. That role looks even more secure with Djed Spence on his way out. Spence is set to join Inter Milan and is not expected to feature against Hoffenheim as his move edges closer.

Romero, still club captain for now, is in the same boat. He is in Madrid for a medical ahead of his transfer to Atletico and will also be absent from both games. Two departures, two big personalities leaving the dressing room. De Zerbi’s leadership group is being reshaped on the fly.

Kudus on the brink of a long-awaited return

Amid the exits and injury management, one potential return stands out. There is genuine hope that Mohammed Kudus could play for the first time since January after stepping back into full-team training.

Kudus has been sidelined by a serious quad injury and his comeback has already been through one painful false start. De Zerbi has admitted the club rushed him back earlier in the year, only for the forward to suffer a setback in April. This time the approach is different. Measured. Controlled.

If Kudus does step onto the pitch against Hoffenheim, even briefly, it will not just be another pre-season cameo. It will be a signal that one of Tottenham’s most explosive attacking talents is finally ready to rejoin the story – just as a new Premier League season comes into view.