Roberto De Zerbi
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Roberto De Zerbi’s first match in charge of Tottenham Hotspur ended in frustration as the team failed to secure a win against Sunderland. With only six games remaining in the season, De Zerbi is tasked with the monumental challenge of steering the club away from relegation. The Italian manager acknowledged the need to swiftly learn from this experience and implement changes to bolster the team’s confidence and performance.
Roberto De Zerbi said: “You know me as a coach, but one very important part for me, for my style of being a coach, is the mental part, is to transfer the confidence of the players, to give them what they need in terms of mentality, in terms of confidence. And for that I said we could play better because during the week they play better because they are clear with their head, and during the game it’s different for sure. And my work is to help them to show what they do during the week, on the game, during the game.”
De Zerbi’s initial observations highlighted the team’s fear and lack of character when facing setbacks, a sentiment echoed by Brentford’s Thomas Frank. Tottenham’s inability to win a match after conceding first this season underscores the urgency for De Zerbi to instill resilience and belief in his squad.
Roberto De Zerbi said: “I can be a big brother, father, they don’t need a coach. They don’t need to improve football. They can play better and they will play better once we reach a different level of confidence.”
The manager’s approach emphasizes motivation over tactical adjustments, aiming to restore the players’ self-belief. However, De Zerbi’s reluctance to utilize Xavi Simons, who has been instrumental in creating chances for Tottenham, raises questions. Despite Simons’ impressive statistics, including leading the team in through balls and expected assists, he was introduced late in the game, limiting his impact.
Roberto De Zerbi said: “Yes, why? Why? Because I changed three players, then after Romero’s injury there was on the pitch Kolo Muani and Udogie.”
De Zerbi’s decision-making will be further tested as he navigates the absence of key players like Cristian Romero and Mohammed Kudus due to injuries. The lack of leadership within the squad is another pressing issue, with potential leaders like Conor Gallagher yet to step up.
The upcoming transfer window will be crucial for De Zerbi, with an emphasis on acquiring leaders to strengthen the team. Meanwhile, he must identify existing players who can assume leadership roles to guide Tottenham through the remaining fixtures. The pressure is on De Zerbi to transform his team and secure their Premier League status.
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