Whatever happens this season and beyond, Tottenham Hotspur are set for a turbulent and exciting journey under Roberto De Zerbi.
His former Brighton & Hove Albion captain, Lewis Dunk, once admitted that the opening weeks under the Italian were “baffling” before everything eventually fell into place. Another ex-Brighton midfielder, Adam Lallana, has also described what lies ahead for Spurs as a “rollercoaster,” even admitting a sense of jealousy that the North London side will benefit from his presence.
Regardless of opinions on his appointment, one thing is certain—life under De Zerbi will be anything but dull. His track record suggests he won’t hesitate to overhaul the squad at N17 if necessary.
Players who could be at risk this summer
Survival remains the immediate priority, but if Tottenham manage to secure their status, attention will quickly shift to a major summer rebuild. De Zerbi will be eager to shape a squad that has been pieced together by multiple managers over recent years.
Known for his constant rotation, the former Marseille boss used 49 players in just 69 games in Ligue 1. By contrast, Mauricio Pochettino used only 18 more players across 293 matches during his Spurs tenure.
Support from the club will be crucial, but De Zerbi is unlikely to shy away from significant changes. Ben Davies and Yves Bissouma could be among the first departures due to their expiring contracts. Loan players Randal Kolo Muani and João Palhinha may also leave, with the latter seemingly unsuited to a possession-heavy system.
Richarlison, now entering the final year of his deal, is another likely exit after nearly four years at the club. Meanwhile, reports suggest Guglielmo Vicario could return to Italy, with Inter Milan a possible destination.
Elsewhere, contract concerns are limited, though De Zerbi may need pre-season to properly assess injured players like Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
De Zerbi must be ruthless
Injuries have played a major role in Spurs’ struggles, but they are not the only issue. Several key players have failed to deliver consistently.
Dominic Solanke has managed just six goals this season, Pedro Porro’s form has declined significantly, and Micky van de Ven has not looked as dominant as he once did.
However, it is Cristian Romero who has drawn the most scrutiny. Signed under Nuno Espírito Santo in 2021 for around £42.5 million, the Argentine has shown flashes of brilliance but has too often been unreliable.
A World Cup winner, Romero delivered an outstanding performance in last season’s Europa League final alongside Van de Ven. He has also contributed going forward, scoring six goals this campaign.
Yet inconsistency remains a major concern. With six red cards in his Spurs career, including one in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United earlier this year, his discipline has repeatedly let the team down.
As captain, questions have been raised about his leadership. Former Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel suggested he would have struggled to manage a personality like Romero in the dressing room. Club legend Chris Waddle has also hinted that the defender may never have fully committed to the club.
With links to Atlético Madrid growing stronger, a summer exit appears increasingly likely. While Romero’s ball-playing ability could suit De Zerbi’s style, a clean break may ultimately benefit both sides.
When challenges arise, teams look to their leaders. Whether Romero fits that role at Tottenham remains in doubt.
