The six Tottenham players set to benefit from Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment

As many as six Tottenham Hotspur players should noticeably improve as a result of Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment.

That’s the view of talkSPORT’s Inside Spurs panel, who believe the Italian’s arrival as Spurs manager will represent a fresh start for the playing squad.

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The former Brighton boss has taken over a Spurs side sitting 17th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.

De Zerbi is focused on ball-playing ability, with a system reliant on building from the back.

As a 4-2-3-1 manager he is planning to light a fire inside the Lilywhites’ squad, something that has been lacking in recent months.

With only seven games remaining for Spurs to save their season, the Italian will need his players to be adventurous and aggressive.

It will be a significant shift for a team that currently rank 14th for progressive passes so far this season.

On the most recent episode of talkSPORT’s Inside Spurs, Abbi Summers and Sonny Snelling discussed which current squad players will fit and hopefully thrive in the Italian manager’s system.

Archie Gray’s versatility

The youngster has shown his positive development this season despite the team picking up few points.

De Zerbi’s Brighton were known for high-risk, high-reward football, but they also conceded more counter-attacking goals than any other side.

When discussing whether they would move the Englishman out of position, Snelling told Summers: “What we’ve seen from him recently is that he’s been used in a defensive capacity, screening the back four and filling in.

“I back him in two regards, I trust him to push forward and create chances but I also saw that a few times when De Zerbi was at Brighton, he played Moises Caicedo at right-back. Archie Gray has that versatility.”

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Summers simply responded: “I hope not this weekend, I just want to see players in natural positions.”

The back line

De Zerbi’s Brighton side was pressed high consistently and enforced multiple sequences of passes.

Only Manchester City managed more passes than the Seagulls on a lead-up to a goal in the 2022/23 season.

The Italian likes to take the idea of attacking football to its extreme, which starts from the back with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

Snelling said: “The two centre backs are perfect because they are good with the ball at their feet and good at passing.

“I would say Romero is the best passer in the team, he has those line-breaking passes into Xavi Simons.

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Fresh start for Simons

The arrival of the former Marseille boss could be viewed as a lifeline for Simons in a Spurs shirt as the Dutchman will hopefully fit into an attacking, possession-based system which suits his technical ability.

On Simons, Snelling said: “He would be perfect in a 4-2-3-1 and De Zerbi loves the number ten role. He [De Zerbi] would love him creating chances.”

Abbi Summers replied: “This should be a fresh start for Simons, I think the formation will suit him and the playing style will fit him more.

“He will still get the same amount of time and space on the ball, he will just need to think a bit faster and be a bit stronger but this manager will suit him way more and should get the best out of Simons.

“Especially if he plays in the correct position, and for me he has to start in that ten. He will have to provide and if he is unable to under De Zerbi, his Tottenham career is over.”

Who will play right-back?

To fit his attacking style of football, De Zerbi will likely start a high-energy full-back to improve a side which has looked weak and hopeless in possession for months.

Snelling spoke on his favoured option: “I think he will pick Destiny Udogie over Djed Spence. He needs a little time out.

“Pedro Porro has not been at his best for a while but what De Zerbi wants in a full back is someone who gets up, creates chances and whips in crosses.

“On Porro’s day, he can be one of the best right backs in the Premier League.”

Seven games or bust

De Zerbi has a massive job ahead of him and the team must face a huge challenge in order to adapt to this new brand of football immediately.

Tottenham’s first game under the ex-Marseille boss is on Sunday as they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

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