Tottenham vs Chelsea: Pedro Porro Returns to Contention as De Zerbi Faces Injury Concerns
Tottenham Hotspur have received a timely boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea, with Pedro Porro back in contention after recovering from a hamstring injury. However, Destiny Udogie remains unavailable, leaving Roberto De Zerbi with further selection decisions to make before the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Porro has been out for around a month after picking up the injury during Tottenham’s 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa. The Spanish defender used the international break to consult a specialist in Spain and is now available for selection against Chelsea.
De Zerbi opted against risking the right-back during Monday’s 3-1 victory over Coventry City, which secured Spurs’ first Premier League win of the campaign. Nevertheless, his potential return provides a significant boost to Tottenham’s defensive options.
The 26-year-old’s attacking qualities, overlapping runs and ability to create chances from wide areas could prove valuable against Chelsea. Even if he does not start, his availability gives De Zerbi another option as Tottenham look to build momentum.
Destiny Udogie Still Unavailable
While Porro’s return is encouraging, Tottenham have suffered another setback with Udogie expected to miss the Chelsea encounter.
The Italian left-back was also unavailable for the Coventry match, and De Zerbi has acknowledged the difficulties surrounding his recovery.
The Spurs manager explained that he has been working with the medical team to determine the best approach for Udogie’s rehabilitation, adding that he has not worked with the defender since the Manchester United fixture.
Tottenham will therefore need to find an alternative solution at left-back as they prepare for another demanding Premier League test.
There is, however, some positive news regarding Tosin Adarabioyo, Andy Robertson and Omar Marmoush, who are all expected to be available despite concerns following the Coventry game. Marmoush has also been pictured in training, suggesting his issue is not serious.
Tottenham Still Dealing With Several Absentees
Despite the encouraging updates, Spurs continue to have several players unavailable.
Lucas Bergvall remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Savio is also expected to miss out because of a muscular problem. Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are making progress in their respective recoveries but are not yet ready to return to action.
Mykhailo Mudryk is also working towards a return from an ankle injury. However, the winger would be ineligible to face Chelsea because of his parent-club status.
De Zerbi must also carefully manage the fitness of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. Maddison made his first competitive start since May 2025 against Coventry, while Kulusevski returned from the bench after an absence of almost 18 months.
Both players completed their comeback without any reported setbacks, but their involvement against Chelsea will depend on their fitness and readiness.
Bentancur Suspension Creates Another Problem
Tottenham will be without Rodrigo Bentancur, who is serving the second match of his three-game suspension following his red card against Manchester United.
His absence leaves De Zerbi with another midfield selection dilemma ahead of a fixture in which controlling possession and winning individual battles could prove decisive.
Spurs will need their available midfielders to provide defensive protection while supporting the attack, particularly against a Chelsea side capable of exploiting spaces between the lines.
Predicted Tottenham Starting XI vs Chelsea
Formation: 4-3-3
– Goalkeeper: Antonin Kinsky
– Defenders: Pedro Porro, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven, Andy Robertson
– Midfielders: Archie Gray, Sandro Tonali, Conor Gallagher
– Forwards: Mohammed Kudus, Dominic Solanke, Omar Marmoush
Porro’s fitness will be one of the key factors in determining Tottenham’s final defensive setup, while De Zerbi must also decide how much responsibility to place on players returning from lengthy injury absences.
Tottenham Face a Crucial Test at Stamford Bridge
Tottenham’s victory over Coventry offered some encouragement after a difficult start to their Premier League campaign, but the Chelsea match presents a significantly different challenge.
Porro’s return could strengthen the right flank, although Udogie’s continued absence and Bentancur’s suspension remain important concerns.
For De Zerbi, the priority will be to maintain the momentum gained against Coventry while finding the right balance between defensive stability and attacking threat.
Spurs now have an opportunity to demonstrate that their latest victory represents the beginning of a genuine improvement rather than a temporary recovery.
