Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has described Mykhailo Mudryk's latest injury as "stupid" after the winger was ruled out until October. The blow comes as Spurs sit 18th in the Premier League with just one point from three games, having failed to score a single goal.
Mudryk suffered an ankle injury in training, cutting short his return to competitive action. He had just made his first appearance in 22 months, playing the final 15 minutes of the 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on September 5th, after serving a lengthy suspension for a doping violation involving meldonium.
Manager's blunt assessment
De Zerbi did not hide his frustration when addressing the media. "With Mudryk, it was a stupid injury and we hope he can come back as soon as possible. For him and for us," the manager said. The Ukrainian's absence adds to a significant injury list at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that already includes Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons.
Struggling for momentum
Despite the poor start, which includes a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle, De Zerbi insists he is not panicking. He pointed to a crippling injury crisis at the end of last season as context for the current struggles. "I think we are better than last season, especially the end of the season, many, many injuries," De Zerbi stated. "It's difficult to believe right now because we are not winning, we are not scoring, but I'm positive."
The team's form shows one win in their last five matches across all competitions. Their next challenge is a home match against Aston Villa on September 19th, a clash between the 17th and 18th-placed teams.
Looking for solutions
With attacking options severely depleted, De Zerbi must find a way to spark a goal-shy attack that has conceded five times. The recent 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Charlton Athletic offered a rare bright spot, but league consistency is urgently needed. The manager's belief in the squad's underlying quality will be tested as they prepare for Villa, with the need for points becoming critical early in the campaign. The club's current standings position shows the scale of the task.
