Roberto De Zerbi called for the work to start immediately. ‘From tonight,’ said the Italian, in the afterglow of hitting Tottenham’s first target, survival. He gushed about the players who deserved praise and he namechecked eight.
He talked of creating the ‘team of his dreams’ and how winning 11 points from seven games would go down as the greatest achievement in his coaching career, ahead of reaching the Europa League with Brighton and finishing second with Marseille in France.
De Zerbi knows what he has at his fingertips after staying in the Premier League. He has the chance to launch a project at one of English football’s most illustrious clubs. Get it right and it would be the making of him. But there is work to do and no time to waste. ‘Not from 10 days, we have no time to go on holiday,’ he explained.
Below, Daily Mail Sport’s Matt Barlow dissects what Spurs need to get right – and quickly…
Who to clear out…
De Zerbi claimed he would not wholesale change but did mention two players for each position in the way managers do, and that added up to a dozen he thought he could count on. Before launching any recruitment drive in the first summer window since Daniel Levy was in the chair, he will identify those who can go if the price is right.
Front of the queue is probably Cristian Romero, who made it back to London from Argentina in time to see Spurs beat Everton and missed his boyhood team Belgrano on their big day against River Plate, but it seems to be the natural end to his time at the club.
Before launching any recruitment drive in the first summer window since Daniel Levy was in the chair, De Zerbi will identify those who can go if the price is right.
Cristian Romero wants out and Spurs have done the hard work at the end of this season without the captain
Romero wants out and Spurs have done the hard work at the end of this season without the captain, injured at Sunderland in De Zerbi’s first game. There is interest from Spain and Spurs fans who will drive him there.
Guglielmo Vicario, who started the season as one of the dressing-room leaders, is wanted by Inter Milan, who are prepared to pay £20million for the goalkeeper. It is a deal to suit all parties.
Richarlison has a year on his contract and Pedro Porro has two. Ben Davies is out of contract. Randal Kolo Muani’s loan from Paris Saint-Germain has not been a success. Richarlison was on a list of eight players he namechecked by De Zerbi after the Everton win, but so was Ben Davies. It came with a hint of those he would like to thank before he disappoints them.
One of the big post-Levy conclusions was that Spurs have to be better at selling players, maximising value and creating funds to reinvest.
Who is sticking around…
Those he mentioned started with Radu Dragusin, who has barely played for him. There was Rodrigo Bentancur for rushing back from injury and Joao Palhinha, who is at the end of a loan deal. De Zerbi appreciated Palhinha because he did not pick him for the first three games.
There was Davies for joining the team at the training ground on the eve of the Everton game and Djed Spence for knocking on the office door and telling him he wanted to play at Chelsea. There was Richarlison and Archie Gray.
Those De Zerbi mentioned he wanted to stay started with Radu Dragusin, who has barely played for him as well as Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha (both pictured above)
De Zerbi hailed Micky van de Ven as the best left-sided centre-back in the Premier League
And there was Micky van de Ven, who De Zerbi hailed as the best left-sided centre-back in the Premier League before remembering he also rated Levi Colwill, who played for him at Brighton, on loan from Chelsea.
‘We have not to change too many,’ said De Zerbi. ‘We have 10, 11, 12 players good enough to stay. And then we have to complete the squad with the first level of players.’
He is keen to keep Palhinha permanently. It would cost £30million under the terms of his loan from Bayern Munich and makes good sense. The Portugal international midfielder is not refined on the ball but his aggression and desire has shone through at the end of the season. And he scored two vital goals in 1-0 wins against Everton and Wolves.
De Zerbi also said he wanted to keep Bentancur and Conor Gallagher.
Who is incoming…
Spurs have identified the need for more leadership on the pitch and in the dressing room and are already well placed to compete for free agents such as Marcos Senesi (29) from Bournemouth and Andy Robertson (32) from Liverpool. Those two should cover the anticipated exits of Romero and Davies.
But they need more and it was notable to hear De Zerbi say those incoming should be top-top players. Ange Postecoglou said the same at the end of last season, calling for new signings with Champions League experience.
Postecoglou wasn’t around to work with them, but Spurs signed Xavi Simons and Mo Kudus for £110m plus Kolo Muani and Palhinha on loan. They seemed to be around that level but nothing really went to plan.
Wilson Odobert and Simons will not be fit for the start of next season. Who knows how long it takes Dejan Kulusevski to recapture his rhythm after more than a year out with a complicated knee issue. James Maddison should be ready to go after a more orthodox injury.
Where to focus…
As certain players were lost to injury it became clear Spurs had left themselves short of those who can pass the ball. A strange move when it is so central to the DNA of a club with legends like Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles.
De Zerbi likes his teams to have the ball, keep the ball, move the ball. Style has taken a seat behind substance over the last two months but that will change as he shapes the team of his dreams. He will want a greater command of the ball. He is a former midfield playmaker, as he often likes to remind people, and admires this sort of footballer.
Add to the wish list a new goalkeeper to replace Vicario and ideally one who is good with the ball at his feet. It would not be a complete surprise if De Zerbi had an eye on Bart Verbruggen, but there is plenty of interest in Brighton’s Dutch ‘keeper.
And a top-class centre-forward to lead the line. De Zerbi pushed for Joao Pedro to lead the line for him at the Amex Stadium.
Spurs have identified the need for more leadership on the pitch and in the dressing room and are already well placed to compete for free agents such Andy Robertson (32) from Liverpool
Add to the wish list a new goalkeeper to replace Vicario and ideally one who is good with the ball at his feet
What about at the top?
De Zerbi’s success so far will secure him a strong say in any recruitment conversation but he knows he will be part of a team including CEO Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange if they survive the inquest into what went wrong.
Rafi Moersen was appointed in January as director of football operations and there will be more change in the executive tier, including a recruitment specialist to fill the role vacated by Fabio Paratici in February.
Spurs have spoken to several candidates, including Sebastian Kehl, Dougie Freedman, Piero Ausilio, Michael Emenalo and Ramon Planes. Kehl, who left a similar role at Borussia Dortmund in March, is reported to be the leading candidate but De Zerbi’s influence will be considerable.
Who are the wasted youngsters…
De Zerbi’s words about top-top players do not bode well for the emerging young players such as Mikey Moore, Jun’ai Byfield and Luca Williams-Barnett, but the new era at Spurs must find a better way to develop elite young players and integrate them into the first team.
Unfortunately, for those coming out of the academy, the likes of Gray and Lucas Bergvall (both 20) and Mathys Tel and Odobert (both 21) are classed as young, developing players. De Zerbi does not want to pack his squad with more. As he said, he values experience this summer.
There is also the conundrum of what to do with 19-year-old centre half Luka Vuskovic, who has earned rave reviews for his season on loan at Hamburg and attracted attention from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Spurs will discuss a new, improved contract but there is no point bringing him back to sit behind players such as Van de Ven and Senesi if he arrives.
Vuskovic is on an accelerated development curve. He has no great affinity for Spurs, nor a great desire to return and play for them when his options are so broad and appealing. Perhaps De Zerbi will have the charisma to change his mind.
Unfortunately, for those coming out of the academy, the likes of Gray and Lucas Bergvall (both 20) and Mathys Tel and Odobert (both 21) are classed as young, developing players
And there’s first aid needed for the medics…
Another awful season with injuries means this remains an unsolved puzzle. It has been a headache since the first year under Postecoglou and his fellow Australian Scott Munn, chief football officer at Spurs for two years, who swept in making extensive changes behind the scenes, none of which have proved very successful.
With no Europe, De Zerbi will have time on his side. It is no coincidence to see four of the six teams wallowing just above the relegation zone when the final whistle blew on this season that were involved in European competition, now longer and more demanding than ever.
Next season, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Brighton will be juggling those problems and Spurs will be focused on domestic football. It is not the blueprint for the long term but will ease the strain as De Zerbi works with the first draft of his dream team. Starting this morning.
