Roberto De Zerbi's perfect message to Antonin Kinsky will only benefit Tottenham
Antonin Kinsky was in goal as Tottenham Hotspur rounded out their pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia by beating Chelsea.
Spurs were 2-1 victors over their London rivals in Sydney on Saturday.
Sandro Tonali opened the scoring in the 17th minute, but Estevao responded for the Blues as the sides went into half-time at 1-1.
Kevin Danso's red card early after the break hindered Tottenham, but Richarlison scored in the 92nd minute to seal the win.
Spurs now return to the UK to complete pre-season preparations ahead of the return of the Premier League this month.
And Kinsky, set to be Spurs' number one this season, revealed a message from Roberto De Zerbi that will only benefit Spurs.
What did Roberto De Zerbi tell Antonin Kinsky?
Kinsky's morale was badly damaged by his horror show against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last season.
That was still during the days of Igor Tudor's abysmal temporary stint in charge of Spurs after Thomas Frank was sacked.
But an injury to Guglielmo Vicario presented an opportunity to Kinsky, who played the final seven Premier League games as Spurs staved off relegation from the skin of their teeth.
Vicario is now being linked with an exit this summer and Kinsky is going to be number one bar any late movement in the window.
Speaking to the Athletic, he revealed a perfect message delivered to him by Zerbi.
"What he says to everyone, what he says to me, definitely gives me the confidence," he said.
“If you don’t feel the confidence, you might play a bit more safe. If you feel the confidence, you can play to the best of your ability. In certain situations where there is risk, it makes it easier to go closer to the edge. Sometimes, that is where the difference is made in games.
“He forces you to believe in yourself and be the best version on the pitch. For example, if I or anyone makes two bad passes, the next time maybe I make an easy pass. But under De Zerbi, no. It’s like you made two good passes. If the intention was good, it’s just about the ability.
“If you combine these two things - playing as best you can and enjoying the game - that enables you to perform at your best level. This is always his message, above all the tactics.”
Kinsky impressed for De Zerbi last season
De Zerbi's message for Kinsky could not be more ideal for how he wants his Tottenham side to play.
The Italian wants high-intensity, full-throttle football, and to do that his goalkeeper will need to be the one setting the tempo from the back.
That will need Kinsky, 23, to play with bravery, play "on the edge", and be sure that not every mistake he makes will be hammered.
Indeed, he proved last season that he can be a really useful weapon for De Zerbi.
Kinsky kept two clean sheets in the seven Premier League games he played last term, making 10 saves in total.
He made an average of 1.4 saves per 90 minutes, with eight saves from shots inside the box, and two from outside.
Kinsky showed he was comfortable on the ball, averaging 37.3 touches per game, and enjoying a 96 per cent pass accuracy in his own half.
He recovered 4.7 balls per game, and 1.4 clearances per 90 minutes.
This season, Kinsky will have an altogether more important role to play
But the message from his manager was really good, and it can absolutely have a huge benefit to Kinsky and to Tottenham this season.