De Zerbi's Everton presser

• Team News: Dominic Solanke and James Maddison are available, though fitness for the starting XI is uncertain. Djed Spence (who has a broken jaw but was called up to England) is also available. De Zerbi spoke positively about Spence as “a great guy” with “a big heart.” The goalkeeper situation was joked about when asked if Vicario might start.

• Cristian Romero Absence (more here) : The captain is in Argentina for rehab on his injury and will miss the game (watching his boyhood club Belgrano). De Zerbi said Romero spoke with medical staff and the decision was accepted. He noted: “I don’t think he can change anything, whether he is in the stadium or not.” He added that “not all leaders are the same,” contrasting it with Ben Davies, who requested to stay with the squad and team hotel despite his own recovery. De Zerbi acknowledged fan frustration but said he won’t waste energy on it.

• Approach to the Game: De Zerbi emphasised playing with “blood, character, spirit,” order, and focus on counter-attacks while being wary of Everton’s “very good wingers and strikers.” He refused to change style or mentality. He described it as “like a final” and bigger than last season’s Europa League final in terms of importance for the club’s history, pride, and dignity.

• Mindset: He said he’s lived the past 50 days for Tottenham and his players, feels calm because he’s given everything, and is focused on what more he can give. “Nobody could have imagined” this situation after last season’s trophy, but “we have to fight without excuses.”