Roberto De Zerbi has warned Tottenham against becoming complacent after their 3-0 win at Chelsea, insisting that two consecutive Premier League victories are not enough to satisfy the club’s ambitions.
Spurs host Crystal Palace on Saturday looking for a third successive league win. Their victory at Stamford Bridge was a significant result for De Zerbi’s side, but the Italian wants his players to build on it rather than treat it as an achievement in itself.
“We have not achieved our goal. We want to make our fans happy, not now, at the end of the season,” he said.
“Now we have to push, we have to stay focused, we have to increase the spirit, the appetite to win games in a row. The step of this club is to win games in a row and to be angry day by day, game by game, win by win. One time or two times are not enough.”
De Zerbi also confirmed that James Maddison is available for the visit of Palace, although the midfielder has been managing his training workload. The manager believes Maddison offers qualities that are difficult to find elsewhere in the squad.
“James is available. He is a special player for us, a special player because he has unique characteristics, different than everyone,” he said.
The Tottenham manager also praised Mathys Tel after the forward scored in the win over Chelsea. De Zerbi said he was pleased with the progress of the young Frenchman, who has worked hard to improve his game.
“I’m proud and happy, but first of all for him, because I love working for the players, to improve the players,” he said.
“Mathys is working very hard. He’s a smart guy. He has a big, big potential. His improvement, I think, is making the decision, the last decision.”
De Zerbi has also relied on senior figures in the dressing room to maintain standards. Maddison, Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven are among those he regards as important leaders as Tottenham try to establish greater consistency.
Palace arrive in 17th place under Pierre Sage, but De Zerbi is not taking their league position as a measure of their quality. He spoke highly of his opposite number and noted the demands on a side competing in three competitions.
“I know very well Pierre Sage. He is a very good coach,” De Zerbi said. “It is not easy to play in three competitions, because they are playing in the Premier League, in the European League and in Carabao Cup.”
