Roberto De Zerbi was named Tottenham head coach in the week.
The Italian succeeds Igor Tudor at the Spurs helm. He’s their third manager of what has been a disastrous season. Indeed, the north London side face the very real threat of relegation.
In this article, we’ll cover:
With seven games of the season to go, the 2025 Europa League winners sit just one point above 18th-placed West Ham. They needed a shot in the arm to boost their survival hopes.
De Zerbi’s five-year deal
First up for De Zerbi and his news Spurs squad is the trip to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland next weekend. They then return home for the welcome of Brighton later this month. The capital side see out the season with games against Wolves, Aston Villa, Leeds, Chelsea and Everton. It’ll be touch and go to determine whether they stay up.
De Zerbi, though, has penned a five-year deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. There’s reportedly no relegation clause in his contract. Like a testing marriage, he’s invested in the long term through thick and thin, or so we’re led to believe.
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One of the core reasons behind his decision to sign such a lengthy deal is that De Zerbi is believed to have greater control on matters behind the scenes. The former Marseille boss is said to have plenty of say in transfer targets. He points, the club punches. While fans have heard that tune before, that the hot-headed 46-year-old has signed a lengthy deal despite the penchant for criticising the decision-makers speaks volumes.
Why Spurs want Locatelli
And if reports are to be believed, one of De Zerbi’s primary targets is Juventus and Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli. Central midfield is a problematic position for Spurs. The club desperately lack attacking thrust from a key area of the pitch. A deep-lying playmaker has been found wanting. They rank bottom for attempted through balls (22) in the Premier League this season.
The addition of a player of Locatelli’s calibre would immediately help to boost this return. The 28-year-old ranks eighth for attempted through balls (9) in Serie A this season. Of those nine, six have been accurate. Only two players place higher than Locatelli for this metric. For context, Spurs, as a collective, have made just six accurate through balls in England’s top tier this term.
Spurs really lack the player with the eye for a defence-splitting pass. Locatelli would rectify that issue quickly. What’s more, Locatelli has created 36 chances in Serie A this season. Just one of those have come from set-piece situations. He’s capable of playing the decisive ball from open play from central areas.
Given Rodrigo Bentancur, with nine, tops this metric of central midfielders for Spurs, it’s evident that the north London side are lacking a player of Locatelli’s skill set.
Locatelli compared to Spurs midfielders
In terms of overall distribution, Locatelli also trumps Spurs’ current central midfield options. A 88.69% pass accuracy from 85 passes per 90 is an improvement on De Zerbi’s current midfielders on offer.
Admittedly, Juventus play a more dominant style of football. A 57% possession average ranks fourth in Serie A. By comparison, Spurs have been playing pragmatic football for the duration of the season. Bad habits implemented from Thomas Frank’s reign are difficult to eradicate.
Yet a player of Locatelli’s player would elevate the calibre of midfield personnel available to De Zerbi. Off the ball, too, he’s a hugely effective ball winner. Granted, few can hold a candle to possession-winning machine Joao Palhinha, the Portuguese star’s primary duty to rid opponents of the ball.
Locatelli does his best to give Palhinha a run for his money. The Italian is averaging 3.2 tackles and winning 4.8 ground duels per 90 in Serie A this season. What’s more, he’s returning a 60.91% ground duel success rate. All three metrics are second to Palhinha, and far higher than any other Spurs central midfielder.
A pipe dream signing
Of course, any move for Locatelli is dependent on Spurs consolidating a Premier League spot. Swapping Juventus for this down-and-out Spurs side would also be something of a sideways step for the player, too. However, a rumoured desire to work under De Zerbi works in the Premier League outfit’s favour.
It’s a move that seems a pipe dream for supporters. It’s one that fans hope become a reality. Locatelli would bring some much-needed attacking impetus to this Spurs side. While the likes of Adam Wharton and Angelo Stiller appear unattainable, Locatelli is one that may come to fruition. Remain in the Premier League and he should be the club’s top summer target.
