The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur was supposed to signal a fresh start and a renewed sense of hope for a club that has spent much of the season looking over its shoulder.
However, before the Italian manager has even had a chance to lead his first training session, the headlines are already being dominated by a major departure. It appears that the De Zerbi era will begin with a significant shuffle in the squad, starting with the man between the posts. Guglielmo Vicario, who has been the club’s primary goalkeeper, seems to be packing his bags for a return to Italy. On Tuesday afternoon, Tottenham confirmed they had finally landed their top managerial target. De Zerbi has committed to a five-year contract in North London, a deal that reportedly makes him the third highest-paid manager in the Premier League.
This was a massive statement of intent from the club’s hierarchy, especially considering that De Zerbi had previously been hesitant about taking the job mid-season or managing a team facing the threat of relegation. The long-term security and the lucrative financial package were clearly enough to convince him to change his mind. Now, his immediate mission is to ensure that the club avoids the drop, with only seven matches remaining to secure their top-flight status. The situation is incredibly tense. Tottenham could find themselves sitting in the relegation zone by the time they travel to face Sunderland on April 12.
With West Ham playing earlier that weekend, the pressure is mounting. Amidst this high-stakes battle for survival, the news regarding Vicario has added another layer of complexity. Reports from Italy suggest that the goalkeeper has already agreed to personal terms with Inter Milan. The proposed deal would see him earn roughly €3.5 million per season at the San Siro. For Vicario, the move represents a chance to return to his home country and play for one of Europe’s most storied clubs after three years in England. While personal terms are reportedly settled, the two clubs still need to agree on a transfer fee.
Current estimates suggest a figure of around €20 million, or approximately £17.5 million. There is a catch, however; that price tag could decrease significantly if Tottenham fails to stay in the Premier League. For a player who arrived from Empoli with a growing reputation, the move to Inter is seen as a prestigious step forward, and Vicario is said to be honored by their interest. To many observers, the writing has been on the wall for some time. Vicario’s form has taken a noticeable dip in recent months. The confidence he showed early in his Spurs career has seemingly evaporated, replaced by uncharacteristic errors.
One moment that stands out to frustrated supporters was a free-kick he mistakenly knocked straight out of play during a disappointing defeat to Fulham. This lack of composure led to him being dropped by the previous interim manager, Igor Tudor, during a crucial Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid. While Tudor’s decision to start the inexperienced Antonin Kinsky in such a high-pressure environment backfired, the message was clear: Vicario was no longer the undisputed choice for the number one shirt. Internal reports from earlier this year suggested that the club had already decided to move on from Vicario, regardless of who was appointed as the permanent manager.
The player himself is reportedly determined to seek a new challenge once the current campaign ends. Despite the looming exit, Vicario remains committed to the immediate task of helping Tottenham avoid relegation. He has recently worked his way back from a hernia operation, showing a level of professionalism that fans appreciate even as his departure becomes more likely. With a vacancy in goal looking inevitable, the search for a successor is already underway. Tottenham needs a goalkeeper who fits the specific tactical demands of Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian manager is famous for wanting his teams to play out from the back, meaning the goalkeeper must be as comfortable with the ball at his feet as a midfielder. Names like Bert Verbruggen from Brighton and James Trafford from Manchester City have already been linked with a move to North London. There is also talk of a potential raid on Galatasaray for Ugurcan Cakir as part of a larger summer recruitment drive. The coming weeks will be a whirlwind for Tottenham. They are fighting for their life in the Premier League while simultaneously trying to reshape the squad for a very different tactical future under De Zerbi.
Losing a starting goalkeeper like Vicario is always a risk, but it may be a necessary step in the club’s evolution. As the team prepares for its trip to the Stadium of Light, the focus must remain on the pitch. De Zerbi has been given the keys to the kingdom, and while the exit of a key player is a difficult way to start, it provides the clean slate he may need to build the team in his own image. Success will depend on finding a replacement who can handle the pressure of the Premier League and the unique demands of a De Zerbi system.
For now, the fans can only wait and hope that this latest gamble pays off.
