Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi says Mohammed Kudus is “very close” to making his first Premier League start since returning from a lengthy injury lay-off.
Kudus has endured a difficult spell with injuries and had not played since January. He only returned to competitive action in August after also missing Tottenham’s entire pre-season campaign.
The Ghana international has now featured from the substitutes’ bench in Tottenham’s last two Premier League matches against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest as he continues to regain his fitness.
De Zerbi believes Kudus is now close to being ready to start, potentially handing him a leading role when Tottenham host Everton on Saturday.
“I think very close to being ready to start the game. An amazing thing for me,” De Zerbi said.
The Italian manager has been a long-time admirer of Kudus and revealed that he tried to sign the Ghanaian while he was in charge of Brighton.
“I wanted Mo Kudus when I was in Brighton. I pushed a lot to bring him before he went to West Ham,” De Zerbi said.
“He can play as a winger, as a number 10 and as a striker also, and he is an amazing player.”
Kudus joined Tottenham last summer, but injuries have severely disrupted his time at the club and limited his opportunities to establish himself.
His return comes at an important time for Spurs, who are yet to score in the Premier League this season.
Tottenham lost 3-0 to Brentford on the opening weekend, suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle and then drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest.
With Mykhailo Mudryk now sidelined through injury, Kudus could be given a greater role in Tottenham’s attack.
A first Premier League start since returning from his injury problems would represent another important step in the Ghanaian’s recovery and provide him with the opportunity to remind Spurs supporters of what he can offer.
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