How Tottenham could line up under Roberto De Zerbi after five-year contract offer

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How Tottenham could line up under Roberto De Zerbi after five-year contract offer

Tottenham are understood to have offered Roberto De Zerbi a five-year contract as the club seeks to avoid relegation from the Premier League

CommentsSpursRyan Taylor11:35, 30 Mar 2026

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Roberto De Zerbi is renowned for his tactical eye and attention for detail. It's is one of the key reasons Tottenham are working hard to appoint the Italian, who recently departed his position with French club Marseille.

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Spurs are understood to be proposing a five-year contract to De Zerbi as they look to twist his arm and persuade him to return to the Premier League where he previously impressed with Brighton – firing them to the Europa League.

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So what would his Tottenham team look like, if he was to land the role? There would be huge emphasis on possession and aggressive pressing when his side do not have the ball.

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He likes his goalkeeper to bait the opposition forwards so that when they engage, there is space for his players to move the ball swiftly up the pitch with purpose.

Guglielmo Vicario's distribution is not his strongest quality but it feels somewhat risky to field Antonin Kinsky ahead of the Italian, who recently underwent hernia surgery, given his recent disaster in Madrid.

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When both are fit, Vicario should still get the nod. Beyond that, the formation will be a key factor because De Zerbi favoured a 4-2-3-1 at Brighton, while at Marseille he had joy playing a 3-4-2-1.

Igor Tudor tried to implement that system upon arrival in north London but then reverted to a back-four.

Given Tottenham are leaking goals for fun, perhaps De Zerbi would look to sure things up with a three-man defence.

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Micky van de Ven, Cuti Romero and Kevin Danso could make up the back-three with Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro operating as wing-backs.

Archie Gray or Conor Gallagher could be the midfield destroyer and usually, De Zerbi likes a ball-playing midfielder alongside his defensive-minded midfielder.

Spurs have lacked that this season but maybe Lucas Bergvall could be ready to step up in that role now that he's returned to fitness.

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Then, in attack behind the striker, Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus, who is close to returning to fitness, could provide support behind a centre-forward.

Dominic Solanke could be first-choice but De Zerbi will not be short of options because Spurs also have Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani.

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On the flip side, if he was to try and implement a 4-2-3-1, Mathys Tel and Kudus could be the wingers with Xavi operating as the No.10 behind Solanke.

Danso would then likely drop out of the defence and De Zerbi could also go for a more sturdy midfield, made up of Gray and Gallagher plus Joao Palhinha or Pape Matar Sarr.

Rodrigo Bentancur is also on the comeback trail but Tottenham will need to rebuild his condition carefully following an adductor injury.

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Possible Tottenham XI under De Zerbi: Vicario; Danso, Romero, Van de Ven; Porro, Gray, Bergvall, Udogie; Kudus, Xavi, Solanke.

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