Roberto De Zerbi's tenure at Tottenham Hotspur began with a sobering 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, a result that leaves the club in a precarious league position as the season enters its decisive phase. Compounding the frustration is a growing injury list that threatens to derail any momentum, sharpening the sense of urgency around the club.

The immediate concern centers on captain Cristian Romero, who was forced off after a heavy collision. His potential absence is a dual blow, stripping the defense of its organizational leader and aggressive edge. Manager De Zerbi did little to downplay the issue, stating, "I hope for us it’s not too important, because he’s a crucial player... a big personality and leader." While Kevin Danso filled in capably, Romero's presence is irreplaceable, and his fitness for the upcoming clash with Brighton is now a major question mark.

Further up the pitch, the situation surrounding summer signing Mohammed Kudus remains a significant frustration. A persistent quad injury has stalled his integration, and a recent setback has clouded his return timeline. Reports of potential further surgery mean Spurs could be without one of their most dynamic and creative attacking threats for the foreseeable future, a major blow to De Zerbi's offensive plans.

Amid the setbacks, there is a glimmer of positive news regarding goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. His recovery from a carefully scheduled hernia surgery is on track, with the club targeting a return within a month. A comeback against Brighton appears to be a realistic goal, which would provide a much-needed stability boost at the back for a Spurs side searching for answers on and off the pitch.