Not only is Mohammed Kudus out for the remainder of the 2025/26 Premier League season just when it seemed like he would be able to return in time for Roberto De Zerbi's first game after the March international break vs. Sunderland, but then captain Cristian Romero also went down with a serious knee injury and is done for the final weeks of the campaign.
So that takes the two biggest pillars for De Zerbi out of the equation. With Romero and Kudus down for the count, here is the best XI standing for RDZ.
GK Guglielmo Vicario
Tottenham Hotpur already know what they have in Guglielmo Vicario, and he is most likely going to leave at the end of the season to Inter Milan. But while there is a compelling case to start Antonin Kinsky, who was excellent against Sunderland, it would be a shock for anyone other than Vicario to start.
LB Destiny Udogie
No brainer. When Destiny Udogie is healthy, he is one of the best players on the team.
CB Micky van de Ven
Micky van de Ven has been the most disappointing player on a squad full of flops, but he is now even more crucial with Cristian Romero out.
CB Kevin Danso
In all honesty, Kevin Danso has been better than Van de Ven this season, and based on how poor Romero has been in 2026, too, the drop off to the big Austrian won't be that pronounced.
RB Pedro Porro
There is literally no competition at right back.
DM Archie Gray
Archie Gray has been Tottenham's best player during this embarrassing winless streak. Although Joao Palhinha is a more defensive player, he can't screen the defense or start the build up phases. Gray is excellent as a No. 6 and a deep lying playmaker, and all the good from the team emanates fro him at the base.
LCM Lucas Bergvall
Lucas Bergvall really needs to step up, but he is absolutely one of the best XI players on Tottenham.
RCM Joao Palhinha
It is much, much better to start Joao Palhinha than Conor Gallagher. At least he can run around, win the ball, snap into tackles ,and even score the occasional lucky banger.
AM Xavi Simons
If Roberto De Zerbi doesn't start Xavi Simons against Brighton, Tottenham might as well quit playing the rest of the season and buy out the Italian's contract.
LF Mathys Tel
Same with Mathys Tel. He and Archie Gray are easily Tottenham's two best players right now. The left sided forward role is practically made for him so he can roam free, drop out wide or deep to pick up the ball, take defenders on, and fire curlers after cutting in.
RF Richarlison
Unlike Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani, Richarlison has actually been scoring goals and acting like he cares about preventing Tottenham from going down to the Championship next season.
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