Alasdair Gold has reported that Roberto De Zerbi is prepared to hand an opportunity to a £75,000-a-week Tottenham player who was completely unused under Igor Tudor.
Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager faces several key decisions, and Gold believes he may favour a player who has been out of action for some time.
De Zerbi was officially appointed earlier this week on a five-year contract, stepping in immediately to replace Tudor, despite earlier suggestions he might wait until the summer before taking over.
In his first message to supporters, the Italian expressed his excitement and long-term commitment to the club, stating that he is proud to be the head coach and determined to give his best while aiming to stay for many years.
While Tottenham are prepared to back De Zerbi in recruitment decisions, his immediate focus is ensuring the team avoids relegation, starting with an upcoming trip to Sunderland next Sunday.
For now, the 46-year-old must work with the current squad, and Gold has indicated that a player overlooked under Tudor could now become important.
Speaking on YouTube, Gold suggested that Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been sidelined with injury since January, could suit De Zerbi’s possession-based approach. Although not universally admired, Bentancur’s experience operating at the heart of Juventus’ midfield during their Serie A-winning years could make him a good fit tactically.
The Uruguayan, who earns £75,000 per week, has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, including a serious ACL issue in 2022-23, and has missed Tottenham’s last ten Premier League matches due to a hamstring problem.
However, he could play a key role in the closing stages of the campaign. Before his departure, Tudor confirmed that both Bentancur and Mohammed Kudus were progressing well and could soon return to training, potentially providing a timely boost.
Bentancur’s return would be particularly valuable given Tottenham’s current midfield concerns, with Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma also dealing with injury setbacks.
