Roberto De Zerbi: How new Tottenham boss could line up in first game in charge against Sunderland | Football News

If there is any manager who epitomises ‘To Dare is To Do’, then it is Roberto De Zerbi.

The front-footed head coach has now had over a week with his new Tottenham squad and will have a clear idea of how hard it will be to ensure the club remain in the Premier League.

As we saw with the last head coach, Igor Tudor, on the outside, it is a very attractive job, but on the inside, the players are low on confidence and littered with injuries.

But the highly talented De Zerbi will feel there is still enough to stave off relegation.

Sunday 12th April 1:00pm


Kick off 2:00pm

The Spurs players will be lifted by his arrival, with it understood that the players have really enjoyed the first training sessions so far under the Italian.

That positivity will be tested on Sunday in De Zerbi’s first game in charge as Spurs go to Sunderland, live on Sky Sports.

Tottenham could well be in the relegation zone come kick-off if West Ham beat bottom-side Wolves at home in the Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports.

So, who will De Zerbi name in his first starting XI at the Stadium of Light, where Spurs could be needing to avoid defeat to move out of the bottom three?

Goalkeeper, left-back and midfield will be interesting calls

De Zerbi holds his first press conference on Friday, and he will update us on whether goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is fit enough to start.

Vicario underwent hernia surgery over the international break, but it was hoped he would be able to “return to action within the next month”.

That timescale, however, places him in serious doubt for Sunday, so it is likely Antonin Kinsky will start and play for the first time since his infamous 17th-minute substitution in the Champions League last 16 first-leg loss at Atletico Madrid last month. De Zerbi must lift the 23-year-old’s confidence.

In front of him, the ex-Brighton boss is likely to go with a back four of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie. De Zerbi could favour his fellow countryman ahead of Djed Spence in what will be an interesting call at left-back.

Another intriguing decision will be the midfield pairing.

Lucas Bergvall could benefit from De Zerbi’s appointment, with the pair pictured together on several occasions during training, so the Sweden international could prove to be a key player for the ex-Marseille boss.

I think he will start alongside fellow teenager Archie Gray, who was the best player under Tudor by some distance.

But it would not surprise me if De Zerbi opts for the bite and experience of Joao Palhinha. The Bayern Munich loanee, who ranks top for most tackles in the Premier League this season, was described earlier in the season as a no-brainer permanent signing, but has had a strange last few months.

I think De Zerbi will start Gray and Bergvall in midfield, so next is the front four in attack to complete his predicted 4-2-3-1 set-up.

Simons set to play huge role under De Zerbi

The curious case of Xavi Simons will enter its next chapter.

He starred in the Champions League last 16 second-leg win over Atletico Madrid with two goals, but was then dropped by Tudor for the 3-0 drubbing by relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.

It was a baffling decision by the Croatian, but under De Zerbi, he could be given a start in the No 10 role, where he is far more effective than out on the left wing.

Spurs are lacking creativity, and with Dejan Kulusevski expected to miss the rest of the season and James Maddison still recovering from his ACL injury, Simons will have a huge role under De Zerbi.

Mathys Tel will be hoping to have shaken off the injury he picked up against Forest to start on the right. If the Frenchman is not fit, then Randal Kolo Muani could fill this role.

And on the opposite side, it looks like Mohammed Kudus is still a week away from his return, so Richarlison should start there.

So with the Brazil international out wide, Dominic Solanke will start up front despite an underwhelming international break with England.

Can De Zerbi get Romero and Van de Ven focused amid speculation?

There has been a focus on whether De Zerbi can implement his aggressive and front-footed style of play so quickly.

But as Sky Sports News have reported, De Zerbi knows he cannot overcomplicate or baffle the players in the current situation. Instead, he will simplify the game and tactics to maximise returns in the short term.

So what does he need to do?

Well, he needs to give these players confidence – and a first league win of 2026 would go a long way to solving this.

It is an utter disgrace that Spurs remain winless in the Premier League this calendar year, but there is the feeling that just one victory could spark a run.

Getting defenders Romero and Van de Ven in the right frame of mind, then Spurs have a strong chance of putting a run together.

Both of their futures have been in the spotlight this season, and just this week Romero’s father has been speaking of a release clause in his contract, but Sky Sports News understands this does not exist.

If De Zerbi can get the pair focused on the here and now, then this will be key to him getting Spurs out of trouble.
Tottenham’s dire position reflects a club in crisis.

You can blame managers, board decisions and players, but the only focus right now has to be Premier League survival.

Achieve that, and then the investigations and reviews can start.

Tottenham simply cannot be relegated, and it is now up to De Zerbi to prevent this.

Strap yourselves in, this could be one hell of a ride under the passionate Italian.