Tottenham Faces Leadership Challenge in Premier League Opener

Tottenham will kick off their Premier League season without both their new captain and his deputy, after Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro were ruled out of Saturday’s trip to Brentford.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed on Friday that the defensive pair will miss the opener, with Pape Matar Sarr also sidelined after suffering a late hamstring issue in the build-up to the game.

“Micky is not on the list for tomorrow, like Pedro Porro,” De Zerbi said. “Pape Matar Sarr no, because he felt some pain in his hamstring today. Nothing serious, but we don’t take risks.”

Van de Ven’s absence is a particular blow, given his elevation to the captaincy this summer. De Zerbi, though, moved quickly to play down fears over the Dutchman’s condition.

“Today, he worked with the group, and he is going very well,” the Italian explained. “He suffered a problem during the pre-season of Australia, I don’t know if it was the flight, but not a big problem.”

Tottenham will lean on their depth at centre-back, with De Zerbi name-checking cover already in place.

“We have [Marcos] Senesi, we have Ben Davies and in the right condition to play the game tomorrow.”

The knock-on effect of Van de Ven and Porro both missing out is significant in terms of leadership. Spurs will start the campaign without their captain and first vice-captain on the pitch in west London.

Ben Davies, third in the hierarchy, is available but not expected to start. James Maddison, fourth on the leadership list, is short of match fitness and may not be ready to shoulder full responsibility from the off.

That opens the door for 18-year-old Archie Gray. Fifth in the pecking order and likely to fill in at right-back for Porro, the teenager could walk out wearing the armband on the opening day.

A reshuffled back line. A rookie potential captain. Tottenham’s season begins under early examination.