Roberto De Zerbi says he appreciated Pedro Porro’s honesty after the Tottenham right-back told him he did not feel ready to start against Crystal Palace.

The Spaniard only recently returned from a month out with a hamstring injury and was named in a matchday squad for the first time since September 19 against Chelsea last weekend.

The 27-year-old was expected to come into the starting lineup as Spurs beat 10-man Palace 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night.

De Zerbi, though, admitted Porro told him he did not want to take a risk, having injured his hamstring against Aston Villa after insisting he was ready to start.

“Pedro is ready [to start],” the Italian said.

“We did not take risk, speaking with him. He decided before the game, was very honest with me, and I appreciate a lot because Premier League is 38 games not one game.”

Archie Gray started and scored in Porro’s place but was replaced at half time by the Spanish international, sparking concerns that he may have suffered an injury.

De Zerbi downplayed those fears, though, and said Gray was replaced after picking up a booking in the 15th minute for a foul on Daichi Kamada.

“No, yellow card. Yellow card,” De Zerbi responded when asked why Gray made way at the interval.

“I did not want to take a risk for another yellow card. I'm sorry because he was playing very well. I explained why I took the decision, but I think it was the right decision in that moment.”

Destiny Udogie also came off the bench against Palace as Spurs made it three wins in a row for the first time since February 2025.

The Italian made his first appearance since suffering a knee injury against Manchester United, but De Zerbi says he still needs to train more consistently before he is ready to be named in the starting lineup.

“With Udogie, hopefully we can work many weeks in a row. Until now, it was not possible.”