Callum Olusesi is expected to stay at Tottenham this season and challenge for minutes under Roberto De Zerbi. Standard Sport understands that Olusessi was not part of the 36-man squad that travelled to New Zealand for the club’s pre-season tour on Thursday as he continues to recover from injury.
First-team plans
The 19-year-old has, however, been told that he will be in and around De Zerbi’s squad next season, with the club having no intention of selling him. Standard Sport understands that Spurs consider Olusesi to be part of a small group of academy players that they believe can challenge for first-team minutes this season or in the future.
Centre-back Jun’ai Byfield, who has also been told he is part of De Zerbi’s plans, and forward Luca Williams-Barnett are also believed to be part of this group. It is unclear, though, whether Williams-Barnett will be part of the first team squad this season.
Previous interest
Olusesi was linked with a permanent move away from Spurs in January, with Standard Sport reporting that Hoffenheim and PSV Eindhoven had both had bids rejected for the England youth international. He made his Premier League debut off the bench during Spurs’ 1-1 draw away to Liverpool in March before making his Champions League debut three days later as Spurs beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in the second leg of their 7-5 aggregate defeat to Diego Simeone’s side.
Pre-season underway
Spurs kick-started their pre-season preparations by beating MK Dons 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Hotspur Way on Wednesday evening. They have now flown to New Zealand for the start of their pre-season tour, with friendlies scheduled against Auckland FC, Sydney FC and Chelsea.
