The winds of change are blowing through North London once again, and the stakes have never been higher for Tottenham Hotspur.
With only seven matches remaining in the Premier League season, the club finds itself in a precarious position, hovering just a single point above the relegation zone. The departure of Igor Tudor has left a void that the leadership is desperate to fill, not with another temporary fix, but with a definitive long-term appointment. All signs currently point toward Roberto De Zerbi, the Italian tactician known for his bold and often breathtaking approach to the game. If the deal is finalized, De Zerbi will step into a high-pressure environment starting with an away trip to Sunderland on April 12.
One of the most interesting aspects of this potential move is the schedule. Because Tottenham is no longer competing in the FA Cup or European competitions, De Zerbi would actually have a rare gift: time on the training pitch. Usually, a manager coming in this late in the year is forced to play games every three days, but the Italian would have clear weeks to drill his philosophy into a squad that looks low on confidence.
His style is famous for being “ultra-attacking,” involving high-risk passing from the back and a desire to bait the opponent into pressing before slicing through them with speed. It is a brand of football that is incredibly entertaining to watch when it clicks, though many wonder if such a complex system can be installed quickly enough to win a relegation dogfight. To understand how Tottenham might look under his guidance, we have to look at the tactical setups he has favored in the past. The most likely blueprint is a 4-2-3-1 formation, which was his signature look during his successful stint at Brighton.
This would be a significant departure from the 4-4-2 system that Tudor used in his final weeks, but the current Spurs roster actually seems well-suited for it. In this setup, Guglielmo Vicario would remain the undisputed choice in goal, protected by a back four of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie. De Zerbi loves his full-backs to play high up the pitch and provide width, which plays perfectly into the strengths of both Porro and Udogie, who are naturally attack-minded defenders.
The midfield battle is where things get really interesting. While Rodrigo Bentancur is moving closer to a return, De Zerbi might initially lean on the sheer energy and defensive “bite” of Archie Gray and Joao Palhinha. This duo would provide the screen necessary to allow the creative players further forward to shine. In the attacking midfield trio, Xavi Simons could be the biggest winner of this coaching change.
After a difficult season where he hasn’t quite found his rhythm, being given the freedom of a “Number 10” role under a manager who encourages flair could be exactly what he needs to jumpstart his form. On the flanks, the pace of Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel would stretch defenses, while Dominic Solanke would lead the line. Solanke’s incredible work rate and willingness to press from the front make him an ideal fit for a De Zerbi team that wants to win the ball back high up the pitch.
However, De Zerbi is not a one-trick pony. During his recent time at Marseille, he showed a willingness to experiment with a 3-4-2-1 formation. This system offers a bit more security in the center of the defense while still maintaining an aggressive attacking intent. In this scenario, Romero and Van de Ven would likely be joined by another specialist center-back, perhaps allowing Porro and Udogie to operate as true wing-backs with even fewer defensive responsibilities.
The midfield might see a combination of Archie Gray and Conor Gallagher, providing a relentless engine room that can cover every blade of grass. Up front, the “two” behind the striker would likely feature Xavi Simons in a roaming role, partnered with someone like Mohammed Kudus. This narrow attacking shape creates chaos for opposing defenders who aren’t sure whether to stay wide or follow the attackers into central pockets of space. Of course, football is rarely predictable, and there will be times when Tottenham finds themselves trailing late in a game.
This is when we might see the most extreme version of “De Zerbi-ball.” He is a manager who isn’t afraid to “throw the kitchen sink” at a problem. If Spurs are chasing a goal to stay in the league, we could see a very aggressive 4-2-2-2 formation. This would be the most effective way to get both Richarlison and Solanke on the pitch at the same time. Richarlison has shown a real fighting spirit lately, and his knack for scoring ugly, vital goals could be the difference between staying up and going down. In this “all-out attack” mode, the midfield would become even more creative.
We could see the young Swedish talent Lucas Bergvall introduced to the lineup. Bergvall has the kind of vertical drive and fearless ball-carrying ability that De Zerbi tends to value in his transitions. With Porro and Udogie essentially acting as wingers, and players like Kudus and Tel tucking inside to support the two strikers, the formation would effectively become a 2-2-6 when Tottenham has the ball. It is a high-wire act that would certainly get the fans on the edge of their seats. The supporters at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium have long craved a return to “The Spurs Way”—an identity built on attacking bravery— and this setup would deliver that in spades.
The big question remains: is this the right approach for a team in a relegation battle? Usually, teams at the bottom try to tighten up, play defensively, and hope for a lucky break. De Zerbi does the opposite. He asks his players to take more risks, not fewer. It is a fascinating gamble by the Tottenham board. If it works, they will have secured their safety while simultaneously building an identity for next season. If the high-risk build-up leads to costly errors, the critics will be loud. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain: the final seven games of Tottenham’s season will be anything but boring.
The potential arrival of Roberto De Zerbi marks a total commitment to a specific vision, and for better or worse, the club is about to go all-in on one of the most exciting tactical minds in world football.
