The arrival of Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur marks a significant shift in the club’s tactical identity.
While a managerial change always brings a sense of renewed hope, it also creates a clear divide within the locker room between those whose natural talents align with the new system and those who might find themselves struggling to keep up. De Zerbi is famous for a brand of football that is both high-risk and high-reward, relying heavily on deep build-up play, baiting the opposition into pressing, and then launching lightning-fast vertical attacks.
For some players, this is the perfect stage to showcase their skills, but for others, the technical demands of this specific style could expose long-standing weaknesses.One player who seems destined to thrive in this new environment is Lucas Bergvall. The young Swedish midfielder has consistently been a bright spot for the team, maintaining a level of energy and work rate that is often infectious.
Bergvall is the type of player who thrives on intensity, and De Zerbi’s preference for fast-paced, rhythmic attacking sequences suits his profile perfectly. At just 20 years old, Bergvall is still in a formative stage of his career, and having a coach like De Zerbi could be the catalyst he needs to refine his game. While his raw talent and physical output are already impressive, working under a manager who prioritizes precise positioning and quick decision-making could turn him into a truly elite midfield engine.
Fans should expect to see him given a more central role in the creative process as the team looks to transition quickly from defense to attack. Similarly, Cristian Romero appears to be a natural fit for the defensive requirements of a De Zerbi side. In modern football, a center-back is often the primary playmaker, and Romero has already demonstrated that he is more than comfortable with the ball at his feet.
He isn’t a defender who simply looks to clear his lines; he actively seeks out passing lanes and is brave enough to carry the ball into the midfield to break the opposition’s first line of pressure. This adventurous streak is exactly what the new manager looks for. Romero’s ability to remain calm under pressure while looking for a penetrative pass will be vital, as De Zerbi often asks his defenders to invite pressure onto themselves before releasing the ball.
If Romero can balance his natural aggression with the tactical discipline required in this system, he could easily become the cornerstone of the entire project. On the attacking front, Mathys Tel stands out as a player with immense potential under the new regime. Although there has been some debate about whether his best position is through the middle as a striker or out on the wings, his pace and dribbling ability make him a terrifying prospect for any defender.
De Zerbi has a history of taking talented young forwards and unlocking their full potential by giving them the freedom to take on opponents in one-on-one situations. Tel has the explosive power to stretch defenses and the technical quality to produce moments of magic in the final third. In a system that prioritizes creating overloads and isolating wingers against full-backs, Tel could see his goal and assist numbers skyrocket, firmly establishing himself as one of the most exciting young players in the league.
However, the news isn’t positive for everyone. Guglielmo Vicario, despite his shot-stopping abilities, may find himself facing a difficult transition. The primary issue lies in his comfort level when playing out from the back. In a De Zerbi team, the goalkeeper is effectively an eleventh outfielder, expected to participate in short passing exchanges inside their own penalty area.
Vicario has shown in the past that he can be hesitant when pressured, and his distribution lacks the pinpoint accuracy and variety needed to beat a high press. Unlike some of his predecessors who could rely on long clearances, he will now be forced to play short, risky passes. If he cannot adapt his game to meet these high technical standards, the manager may look for a more “active” goalkeeper who can serve as a reliable pivot in the build-up phase.
Radu Dragusin is another player who might find the upcoming months challenging. His style of play is traditionally more defensive and reactive, which often clashed with the high-line requirements of previous managers. Under De Zerbi, the demands on center-backs are even more specific. If the team moves toward a settled back-four formation, the competition for places will become even more intense.
With players like Kevin Danso likely ahead of him in the pecking order due to their superior ball-handling skills, Dragusin may find his minutes severely limited. He often looks uncomfortable when asked to navigate tight spaces or play complex passes under duress, and in a system where a single misplaced pass in the defensive third can lead to a goal, there is little room for error.
Finally, the situation regarding Joao Palhinha remains a major concern for the squad’s balance. While Palhinha is an exceptional ball-winner and a physical presence in the midfield, his limitations in possession have been noted even under more conservative managers. De Zerbi’s football is built on the philosophy of keeping the ball and moving it with purpose.
A defensive midfielder in this system cannot just be a “destroyer”; they must also be a “creator” who can recycle possession efficiently. If Palhinha struggles to adapt to the technical speed of the game, he could find himself marginalized. There is already speculation that he might seek a move away if he doesn’t fit the new vision, as a return to a team with a different tactical approach might be better for his career.
Ultimately, De Zerbi’s arrival will force a survival of the fittest, where technical proficiency is just as important as physical effort.
