Thomas Frank has confirmed that Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, and Wilson Odobert are all fit and ready to return for Tottenham’s Premier League clash against Chelsea this Saturday.
It’s a huge boost for Spurs as they prepare to host their London rivals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in what promises to be one of the most exciting fixtures of the weekend.
Tottenham have been battling through a tough run of injuries in recent weeks, with key players like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke all sidelined.
Despite those setbacks, the team has shown resilience, and the return of three important first-team members will give Frank’s side a much-needed lift as they look to climb into second place in the league table.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Frank expressed his delight at having Romero, Udogie, and Odobert back in contention. “Yes, the positive is that Romero, Destiny, and Wilson are available for selection for the squad,” he said.
It’s a significant relief for the Tottenham boss, who has been juggling injuries across multiple competitions, including the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
Romero had been forced to sit out Tottenham’s defeat to Aston Villa two weeks ago after feeling discomfort during the warm-up. Meanwhile, Udogie has been out since the October international break, where he suffered a knee injury despite not featuring for Italy.
Odobert also missed the midweek Carabao Cup clash against Newcastle due to a side strain, but all three have recovered in time for the crucial derby against Chelsea.
Frank acknowledged that managing player fitness is a delicate process and emphasized that the final responsibility for selecting players lies with him. “I am very aware of trying to take the best possible decisions,” he explained.
“Of course, I get a lot of information from the medical and performance staff, but in the end, it’s always on me. If a player breaks down, it’s on me. I take the decisions based on the information I receive, and sometimes it’s a difficult or brave choice, but that’s part of the job.
If Romero was fit enough, he would have played on Wednesday, but now he’s ready to be involved, and we’ll see how he gets on.”
The Tottenham manager also gave an update on Dominic Solanke, who will not be rushed back from his current injury. The England striker is expected to remain out until after the November international break as he continues his recovery.
“We’re very aware of the process,” Frank said. “When we get Dom back, we want him fully fit with no setbacks. We’re doing everything the right way, but he won’t be available before the international break.”
In more positive news, young midfielder Kota Takai is close to returning to full training after suffering a quad injury, which will further strengthen Tottenham’s depth ahead of a busy run of fixtures.
When asked about the challenge of competing on multiple fronts with an injury-hit squad, Frank was candid but optimistic. “I like the challenge,” he said. “We want to compete on all fronts.
If we had beaten Newcastle in midweek, we’d still be in the Carabao Cup, and I think we weren’t far off if you look at the game. But it’s always difficult to compete across 60 matches in a season.
That’s the reality. Every team rotates in the Carabao Cup you see it everywhere. Even in the Champions League and Premier League, managers have to make adjustments. The key is finding that perfect balance.”
Frank’s comments highlight both his belief in his squad and his awareness of the demands of modern football. Tottenham have started the season strongly under his leadership, and the return of crucial players like Romero, Udogie, and Odobert will only strengthen their chances of maintaining that momentum.
As they prepare to face Chelsea, Spurs will be eager to deliver a statement performance in front of their home fans. The energy around the club remains high, and with players returning to fitness, Frank’s side will be confident of pushing for another important win in their quest to stay near the top of the Premier League table.
For Tottenham, this fixture is more than just another London derby it’s an opportunity to show their growing depth and resilience.
With key players back in the mix, Thomas Frank’s men will feel ready to face the challenge head-on and continue their impressive run this season.
