Roberto De Zerbi: If Spurs win, I am ready to pay every week for one dinner

Spurs spent the last week in the relegation zone and De Zerbi took his 18th-placed squad out for a meal in Mayfair ahead of Saturday’s visit to Brighton.

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi says Cristian Romero’s season is over (Richard Sellers/PA)

Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed Tottenham captain Cristian Romero will not play again this season – but he remains positive the club can stay up and promised more dinners out if they beat Brighton.

Romero suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Sunderland, De Zerbi’s debut fixture in charge of Spurs, and the defender will miss the final six games of a disastrous Premier League campaign.

Tottenham have spent the last week in the relegation zone and De Zerbi took his 18th-placed squad out for a meal in Mayfair ahead of Saturday’s visit of his former club Brighton in an attempt to build relationships for a crucial final stretch of the season.

Behind the scenes at training as we prepare for Brighton 🎥 pic.twitter.com/3EblhLAWZ0

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 16, 2026

“Yes, I don’t know if we win the game for dinner. I know we eat very well. The food was amazing and if we win, I am ready to pay every week for one dinner,” De Zerbi smiled.

“I am positive, I am ready to fight and I believe to keep Premier League (status). I believe in my words that I said last week. The focus is to win one game.

“Yes, I think it is crucial to win a game not just for the table. Of course one part of the table for sure, but we have to feel again what is nice to win a game and what it can do. I have no doubts about the quality of the players.”

De Zerbi declined to confirm who would take the captain’s armband in the absence of Romero, but revealed Rodrigo Bentancur was available for Saturday’s critical fixture after a three-month lay-off with a hamstring injury.

Yves Bissouma is “100 per cent fit” after being an unused substitute at Sunderland but first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is still not ready for action after he had minor hernia surgery last month.

Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur (left) is ready for action (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“Bentancur is available to play. I don’t know if to start or not. Bissouma is available 100 per cent. Vicario, no,” De Zerbi explained.

“Romero, I am really sorry for him and his injury. Romero first of all loves Tottenham and the people have to know he is suffering for this injury and because he cant play any more for us this season, but he’s a great captain for us.

“We have to be any way positive. We have Radu Dragusin and Kevin, they are able to play and able to play well.

“We can win any way and we want to win any way.”