Let's delve into the intriguing prospect of Tottenham Hotspur's future under their new manager, Roberto De Zerbi. While the non-footballing aspects of his appointment have dominated headlines, there's more to this story than meets the eye.
De Zerbi's aggressive and intricate style of football is an intriguing fit for Spurs, but with the team's recent struggles and a looming threat of relegation, the timing couldn't be more challenging. It's a huge task to implement his tactical system with just seven matches left in the season.
Formation and Principles
De Zerbi typically favors a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation, which can adapt based on the opposition and available players. This adaptability is a key feature of his approach, as he often transforms this formation into a 4-2-4 or a lopsided setup resembling a back three. His time at Marseille saw him utilize a single pivot player, creating an unusual 3-1-3-3 buildup, which raises questions about whether this was an evolution of his tactics or a league-specific strategy.
In terms of principles, De Zerbi's tactics can be described as a unique blend of Frank's and Postecoglou's styles. He aims to bait the press, drawing out opponents with patient buildup play, and then exploiting spaces with quick, direct passes. His teams are patient and rarely resort to long balls, instead recycling possession and looking for aggressive forward avenues. This approach, combined with synchronized player movement, creates an effective and dynamic buildup play.
The 'third man' principle is central to De Zerbi's philosophy. It involves creating passing triangles to quickly move the ball forward, often by drawing defenders and then playing simple one-touch passes to free players. This creates transition opportunities and allows his teams to outnumber the opposition defense without committing excessive players forward.
Off the ball, De Zerbi employs a high press similar to Postecoglou's aggressive, man-to-man approach. However, this defensive strategy can be risky, especially for a team like Spurs that has struggled with structured pressing.
Player Profiles
De Zerbi's tactics require players with specific attributes. Positional intelligence and awareness are key, as is the ability to remain calm and patient on the ball. At the back, passing ability is crucial, which bodes well for Cristian Romero. The fullbacks, including Djed Spence, Pedro Porro, and Destiny Udogie, offer versatility with their different strengths and weaknesses, which aligns with De Zerbi's lopsided setup.
In attack, interplay between the striker and attacking midfielder is vital. Out wide, De Zerbi prefers 1v1 specialists who can either get behind defenders or cut inside and create opportunities. Dominic Solanke, Mathys Tel, and Mohammed Kudus fit this profile, with Richarlison as an alternative.
In midfield, press resistance is essential, with Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur potentially thriving in this system. Archie Gray's experience at fullback and calmness on the ball make him a good fit, while Pape Matar Sarr's poor first touch may limit his playing time. Conor Gallagher could also be a key player.
Lastly, the goalkeeper role is crucial in De Zerbi's buildup, but Guglielmo Vicario may struggle with this aspect. Antonin Kinsky, more technically gifted but limited in shot-stopping, is likely to start following Vicario's hernia surgery.
Conclusion
The appointment of De Zerbi is a bold move for Spurs, given the team's low confidence and the potential risks associated with his complex tactics. However, if implemented successfully, his aggressive style could bring an exciting new dimension to the team. The upcoming match against Sunderland will be a fascinating test of how De Zerbi's ideas translate onto the pitch.
