After Tottenham Hotspur suffered yet another frustrating injury blow, Football London takes a look at what Roberto De Zerbi’s first Spurs team may look like
Roberto De Zerbi has been introduced to Tottenham Hotspur’s ever-growing injury crisis. Both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor tried to contend with the list of injured players in north London but failed miserably.
At Brighton and Hove Albion, De Zerbi imposed a high-pressing and intense style of play which tests the physical limits of his players as well as their tactical nous. The new Spurs boss will have to quickly get his vision across while also preserving the few players he has available.
The Italian was dealt another huge blow as Pape Matar Sarr returned from the international break with a shoulder injury. There is 11 days between now and De Zerbi’s first Premier League match, an away clash against Sunderland.
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At present, when injuries and suspensions are included, De Zerbi will not be able to call upon Sarr, first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus.
With Vicario suffering a hernia injury, it will surely be a fresh start for Antonin Kinsky, who has not featured since his nightmare evening against Atletico Madrid. Pedro Porro will slot in at right-back, as Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven lead from central defence, while Djed Spence will likely be deployed at left-back.
Midfield will then be an interesting area for De Zerbi. Tudor was guilty of constantly rotating his midfield due to his repeated alterations of Tottenham’s formation.
However, De Zerbi religiously deployed Brighton in a 4-3-3 formation and will surely do so again. Archie Gray, who has been one of Spurs’ sole bright lights this season, will be in the midfield, while Palhinha will likely be deployed in Sarr’s absence with Conor Gallagher completing the midfield tripartite.
In the forward line, Richarlison, Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons look the most likely options to lead the front line. Randal Kolo Muani will fancy his chances of forcing his way into the frontline.
Lucas Bergvall will also be waiting in the wings should a position on the wing or in central midfield open up. De Zerbi may also place his faith in young Brazilian left-back Souza, who arrived in January.
However, the Italian has little time to experiment or tinker. With Spurs just one point and one place above 18th-placed West Ham United, they cannot afford to start slowly under De Zerbi.
He has seven matches to save Spurs from a historic and disastrous relegation. After Sunderland, De Zerbi will also play host to his former side Brighton and Hove Albion on April 18 before a pivotal away clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on April 25.
After those fixtures, which all look like must-win games, Tottenham face Aston Villa at Villa Park on May 2, Leeds United at home on May 9 and Chelsea away on May 17, before a final home match against Everton on the final day of the season.
Tottenham line-up: Kinsky; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Gray, Palhinha, Gallagher; Richarlison, Solanke, Xavi Simons.
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