Roberto De Zerbi: How new Tottenham boss could fare in first game in charge against Sunderland | Soccer News

If there’s any manager who epitomizes ‘To Dare is To Do’, it’s Roberto De Zerbi.

The front-foot head coach has now had more than a week with his new Tottenham squad and will have a clear idea of ​​how difficult it will be to ensure the club stay in the Premier League.

As we saw with the last head coach, Igor Tudor, on the outside it is a very attractive job, but on the inside the players are low on confidence and riddled with injuries.

But the highly talented De Zerbi will feel there is still enough to stave off relegation.

Sunday, April 12, 1 p.m

The Spurs players will be lifted by their arrival, with it understood that the players have enjoyed the first training sessions so far under the Italian.

That positivity will be tested on Sunday in De Zerbi’s first game in charge as Spurs travel to Sunderland, live Sky Sports.

Tottenham will be in the relegation zone from kick-off, following West Ham’s 4-0 win over Wolves. So who will De Zerbi name in his first starting XI at the Stadium of Light, where Spurs need to win to move out of the bottom three?

Goalkeeper, left back and midfield will be interesting calls

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is unavailable after undergoing hernia surgery over the international break, meaning Antonin Kinsky will start

The 23-year-old will play for the first time since his infamous 17th-minute substitution in the Champions League last 16 first leg loss at Atletico Madrid last month. De Zerbi should raise your confidence.

Ahead of him, the former Brighton boss is likely to go with a back four Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie. De Zerbi can favor his compatriot up front Djed Spence in what will be an interesting call at left back.

Another interesting decision will be the midfield pairing.

Lucas Bergvall He could benefit from De Zerbi’s appointment, with the pair together on several occasions in training, allowing the Sweden international to prove himself a key player for the former Marseille boss.

I think he will start with fellow teenager Archie Greywho was by far the best player under Tudor.

But it will not surprise me if De Zerbi chooses for the bite and experience of João Palhinha. The Bayern Munich loanee, who is top of the Premier League for most tackles this season, was described as a no-brainer permanent signing earlier in the season but has had a strange last few months.

I think De Zerbi will start Gray and Bergvall in midfield, so next is the front four in attack to complete his predicted 4-2-3-1 setup.

Simons will play a major role under De Zerbi

The curious case of Xavi Simons will enter its next chapter.

He scored two goals in the Champions League last 16 second leg win over Atletico Madrid, but was then dropped by Tudor for the 3-0 drubbing by relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.

It was a surprising decision by the Croatian, but under De Zerbi he could get a start in the No.10 role, where he is much more effective than on the left wing.

Spurs lack creativity, and with Dejan Kulusevski is expected to miss the rest of the season and James Maddison Simons, who is still recovering from his ACL injury, will play a big role under De Zerbi.

Mathys Tel will hope to shake off the injury he picked up against Forest to start on the right. If the Frenchman is not fit, Randal Kolo Muani can fill this role.

And on the opposite side, Richarlison should start there with Mohammed Kudus hurt.

So with the Brazil international wide, Dominic Solanke will start up front despite an overwhelming international break with England.

Can De Zerbi get Romero and Van de Ven focused amid speculation?

The focus is on whether De Zerbi can implement his aggressive and front-footed style of play so quickly.

But like Sky Sports News reported, De Zerbi knows he cannot overcomplicate or confuse the players in the current situation. Instead, he will simplify the game and tactics to maximize short-term returns.

So what should he do?

Well, he needs to give these players confidence – and a first league win of 2026 would go a long way towards solving that.

It is an utter shame that Spurs remain winless in the Premier League this calendar year, but there is a feeling that just one win could spark a run.

Getting defenders Romero and Van de Ven in the right frame of mind then Spurs have a great chance of putting together a run.

Both their futures have been in the spotlight this season, and just this week Romero’s father spoke of a release clause in his contract, but Sky Sports News understand it does not exist.

If De Zerbi can focus the pair on the here and now, it will be key to getting Spurs out of trouble.
Tottenham’s dire position reflects a club in crisis.

You can blame managers, board decisions and players, but the only focus at the moment has to be Premier League survival.

Achieve that, and then the investigations and reviews can begin.

Tottenham simply cannot be relegated, and it is now up to De Zerbi to prevent that.

Buckle up, it could be one hell of a ride under the passionate Italian.