Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has some big decisions to make, and Alasdair Gold has suggested he is likely to take a fancy to a player who hasn’t featured in quite some time.
De Zerbi outlines intentions in first message to Spurs fans
De Zerbi put pen to paper on a five-year deal earlier this week, being brought in as an immediate replacement for Igor Tudor, despite it previously being reported he was hesitant to take over until the summer.
In his first message to the fans, the Italian made it clear he sees his long-term future in north London, saying: “Hello to all the Tottenham fans. I am very happy to stay here with you. For me, it’s a very [big] honour and I’m very proud to be your coach.
“I want to give my best. I want to stay for a long time in this big club. See you soon.”
Spurs are willing to give De Zerbi a big say when it comes to recruitment, but the manager’s immediate priority is to keep his side in the top flight, with a trip to Sunderland up first next Sunday.
Until the summer, the 46-year-old will be forced to work with the current squad, and Alasdair Gold has suggested a player that didn’t feature under Tudor is likely to be high in the new manager’s thinking.
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Speaking in a recent YouTube, Gold stated Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been out injured since January, may be suited to De Zerbi’s style of play, saying: “I’ve got a funny feeling that he’s gonna like Rodrigo Bentancur as well.
“And I know again he’s a player that’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I think in terms of tactical and possession based football, yes he can be a little bit iffy with his passing sometimes, but actually, as someone that was used to being in the hub of that Juventus team, the three-time Serie A title winners, I think he could fit in quite well.”
The Uruguayan midfielder, who pockets £75k-a-week, has endured his fair share of injuries over the years, missing large parts of the 2022-23 campaign due to an ACL tear, and he has been absent for the last ten Premier League games as a result of a hamstring problem.
However, the 28-year-old could be set to play a crucial role in the run-in, with Tudor confirming both him and Mohammed Kudus could return to training soon, prior to his exit, saying: “We have these three big weeks after the game on Sunday. “[Kudus will return for] probably some part of things with the squad, maybe in ten days?
“I’m not sure, we need to check, but he is progressing very well, already with the ball. We hope the medical staff will make us some nice surprise. It will be very, very, very important to have them.”
It would be welcome news if Bentancur, who has ten goals and nine assists to his name in 181 appearances for Spurs, were to return soon, considering De Zerbi is light on options in midfield, with Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma also dealing with injury issues.
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The Italian is now officially Spurs’ third manager of the season.