In a bold move to galvanize his squad for a tense Premier League relegation battle, Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi took his players for a team dinner in London's Mayfair this week. The gesture comes at a critical juncture, as Spurs face a daunting final six matches sitting precariously in 18th place.

The mood around the club was further dampened by the news that captain Cristian Romero will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury suffered in De Zerbi's debut match, a 1-0 loss to Sunderland. Losing a defensive leader is a severe blow for any team fighting for survival.

De Zerbi, however, is betting on team spirit to see them through. "The food was amazing," he joked about the dinner, before making a serious promise. "If we win, I am ready to pay every week for one dinner." His focus is squarely on forging unity for the final push, emphasizing that every player has something to lose if the club is relegated.

Despite the adversity, the new manager's message is one of defiant optimism. "I am positive, I am ready to fight and I believe to keep Premier League status," De Zerbi stated, insisting the immediate focus is simply on rediscovering the winning feeling, starting with Saturday's clash against his former club, Brighton.

There is a sliver of good news on the injury front to bolster the squad's resolve. Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is available for selection after a three-month absence, and Yves Bissouma is reported to be fully fit, offering De Zerbi crucial options in the engine room as Spurs prepare for the fight of their season.