Tottenham fans noticed one player missing from Roberto De Zerbi’s early pre-season sessions at Hotspur Way — but the explanation turns out to be nothing serious.
As non-World Cup players reported back for fitness testing before full training resumed, De Zerbi had a strong turnout including new arrivals Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, with the latter now having finalised his paperwork following his switch from Newcastle. Established names on the training pitch included Maddison, Solanke, Gallagher, Richarlison, Gray, Udogie, Vicario, Kinsky, Tel, Solomon, Dubravka, plus several academy prospects. Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus kept working on their recoveries in the gym, and Wilson Odobert continues his long-term comeback from an ACL injury that isn’t expected to resolve until year’s end.
The one player missing from all the club’s training footage was 20-year-old Brazilian full-back Souza, which got supporters talking. The explanation is simple — he’s been dealing with an illness and hasn’t yet linked up with the squad for pre-season.
Souza joined from Santos in January for £13m and made four first-team appearances last term, drawing comparisons in Brazil to Marcelo for his defensive promise. He started twice under then-caretaker boss Igor Tudor, including one match further up the pitch amid injury and suspension-enforced reshuffles. Competition for his spot has only grown since, with Andy Robertson’s arrival adding to a left-back queue that already includes Udogie as the likely first choice and Djed Spence as further cover — which is why a summer loan is reportedly being weighed as a way to get him regular minutes elsewhere.
Thomas Frank, Spurs’ head coach at the time of the signing, had called him one of the most promising young left-backs in the game, pointing to his attacking flair, technique and ceiling.
Bottom line for Spurs fans: it’s illness, not injury, and he’s expected back with the group once he’s recovered.
