{"id":1440936,"date":"2026-04-03T13:12:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T12:12:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1440936"},"modified":"2026-04-03T13:13:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T12:13:37","slug":"tottenham-players-benefit-roberto-de-zerbi","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tottenham-players-benefit-roberto-de-zerbi\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Tottenham players who could benefit from Roberto De Zerbi’s appointment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tottenham Hotspur have announced Roberto De Zerbi as their new permanent manager.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lilywhites parted company with Igor Tudor after the Croatian managed just one win and one draw from seven games in charge, taking only a single point from five Premier League matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

De Zerbi could be a risk for Spurs, given the dreadful relegation trouble they find themselves in. There’s a strong argument to be made that the club should be focusing on short-term survival, rather than any sort of long-term plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are also serious merits to hiring De Zerbi, and if the Italian gets it right, Spurs could fly up the table in their final seven games and be planning for next season before they know it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all their struggles this season, there are plenty of quality players in the Tottenham squad to help drag them away from danger. Here, we’ve taken a look at eight who could seriously benefit under De Zerbi’s style of play, and compared them to appropriate members of the Italian’s Brighton side that finished sixth in 2022\/23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Archie Gray<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Archie Gray was arguably Tottenham’s best player under Tudor. Admittedly, the bar is set low. However, the youngster showed a level of application and maturity that should have been expected from far more senior players. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gray provided three assists across all competitions during those seven games, while he was second among Spurs players for possessions won in the middle third (18) and passes completed (182).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even at 20 years old, Gray has supreme tactical intelligence and versatility, able to play across the back four and in multiple midfield roles. His work rate and technical ability make him a plug-and-play option in numerous roles for De Zerbi, who is a big fan of this sort of ‘swiss army knife’ profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brighton comparison: <\/strong>Pascal Gro\u00df<\/p>\n\n\n

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2. Xavi Simons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It’s safe to say that Tottenham Hotspur have not seen the best of Xavi Simons so far. Signed to big fanfare in the summer, the Dutchman has registered just four goals and five assists across all competitions since, and only five of those direct goal involvements have come in the Premier League (1g\/4a).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, his phenomenal returns at RB Leipzig (22g\/24a in 78 apps) and PSV Eindhoven (22g\/11a in 48 apps) over the three years prior show exactly what sort of quality he has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simons can pick a pass, dribble and — obviously, given his Red Bull roots — press effectively, making him a perfect De Zerbi midfielder on paper. Making him slightly more withdrawn to make the most of his high footballing IQ and ability to connect different phases of play could get the most out of Simons, in a similar way to how De Zerbi deployed Alexis Mac Allister at Brighton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brighton comparison: <\/strong>Alexis Mac Allister<\/p>\n\n\n

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3. Lucas Bergvall<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of technical midfielders, Lucas Bergvall is arguably Tottenham’s biggest talent right now, at least in terms of raw ability with the ball at his feet. The 20-year-old Swede has used that ability to average 0.21 assists and 0.21 through-balls per 90 so far this season, while his 70% dribble success and just 0.53 dispossessions per 90 are very respectable, indeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those are all qualities that could make him an excellent conductor at the base of Tottenham’s midfield, drawing on the press with that ‘sole of the foot’ receive De Zerbi loves, before breaking said press with pinpoint passes or explosive bursts forward. Think Billy Gilmour as he was growing into the title winner he is now at Napoli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brighton comparison: <\/strong>Billy Gilmour<\/p>\n\n\n

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4. Destiny Udogie<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first issue with Destiny Udogie is keeping him fit. But if they can, there’s a serious talent there. The Italy international has one assist in the Premier League this season, but has averaged 0.21 big chances created per 90 and 26.7% cross success, alongside 3.42 touches in the opposition box. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s that sort of powerhouse option from full-back that De Zerbi craves, pinning back the opposition flanks and providing width and support for wingers who love to cut inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Udogie has shown those sorts of qualities in spades whenever he’s had a run in the Tottenham side, and playing under a manager who builds around his best qualities can only improve his form and application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brighton comparison: <\/strong>Pervis Estupinan<\/p>\n\n\n

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5. Yves Bissouma<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From poor errors to wayward positioning, Yves Bissouma has been well off his best for Tottenham for a while now, and this season, he’s one of many Spurs players to have fallen foul of injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it’s important to remember that Bissouma excelled in the Brighton system that De Zerbi became a part of himself, so there is plenty of overlap between both parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While not as technically gifted, Bissouma is well capable of acting as the lung-busting destroyer De Zerbi turned Caicedo into at the Amex Stadium. That would go a long way towards finally protecting Tottenham’s fragile backline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brighton comparison: <\/strong>Moises Caicedo<\/p>\n\n\n

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6. Mohammed Kudus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So much was expected of Mohammed Kudus when he arrived from West Ham in the summer, and two goals and five assists in 19 Premier League appearances are respectable numbers — even if the former column could do with a boost. However, in a familiar tale in North London this season, injury has set him back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Kudus is finally due back in action in April, and Spurs could really use his specific qualities in the games to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ghana international is first among Spurs players for successful dribbles per 90 (3.0) at a success rate of 51%, while he’s averaged 1.63 crosses and 1.34 chances created per 90.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kudus loves isolating full-backs and beating them in one-on-one duels. If he can pair that and his assists with more goals, he could fill the Kaoru Mitoma role for De Zerbi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brighton comparison: <\/strong>Kaoru Mitoma<\/p>\n\n\n

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7. Mathys Tel <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mathys Tel joined Gray in being another of the very small clutch of Spurs players to leave the Tudor era with his head held high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The French talent provided an assist in the 3-2 Champions League win against Atletico Madrid, and caused a nuisance in a number of other matches, both from the start and off the bench.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tel is at his best when given the freedom to roam across the forward line, pulling the opposition out of position with his clever movement. He’s also very dangerous when allowed to cut inside onto his right foot. Think Leandro Trossard under De Zerbi, if Spurs fans can stomach pondering on a now-Arsenal player.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brighton comparison: <\/strong>Leandro Trossard<\/p>\n\n\n

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8. Cristian Romero<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cristian Romero should be the talismanic leader of this Tottenham side, organising at the back and providing both grit and calm in the storm. However, at times, his lack of discipline, over-aggressiveness, and plain stupidity in trying to do too much with the ball have made him a liability. Eight yellow cards and two reds are frankly ridiculous, and you can see why he’s been one of the players accused of not caring enough by some Spurs fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of that said, there’s a reason why he should <\/em>be leading this side. It’s because there’s a top-class defender in there — one linked with Real Madrid very recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If De Zerbi could get into his head and just get him to simplify everything he does between now and the end of the season, Romero can be a key figure in keeping Spurs up. Block everything, organise the defence and show your passion, but keep your emotions in check and don’t worry about taking risks with the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking a leaf out of Lewis Dunk’s book under De Zerbi could overhaul Romero’s game for a short time. Whether he then moves on to a side where he can enjoy the ball again in the summer is a headache that doesn’t even need to be worried about yet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brighton comparison: <\/strong>Lewis Dunk<\/p>\n\n\n

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Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n