adminRoberto De Zerbi gave an early indication of his tactical vision for Tottenham Hotspur during his first match in charge, an away clash against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
The setup marked another tactical shift for a squad that has already adjusted to different styles under Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor in recent months. With Spurs now entrenched in a relegation fight, there is little room for experimentation as they battle to avoid their first drop from the top flight since 1977.
Sitting just two points from safety, Tottenham slipped into the relegation zone over the weekend. De Zerbi opted for his preferred 4-2-3-1 system, and while the team showed better control in possession, they lacked cutting edge in attack and remained vulnerable at the back.
At times, the shape shifted into a 4-1-2-3, with Archie Gray operating just ahead of the defence, though he had limited influence.
One player who barely had the chance to make an impact was Xavi Simons, Tottenham’s £51 million summer signing. The Dutch midfielder has needed time to settle into the Premier League, but recent displays have suggested growing confidence despite the team’s struggles.
However, De Zerbi only introduced him late in the game, leaving him with little opportunity to affect the outcome. Before the match, the Italian coach had praised the 22-year-old as a “big talent,” later attributing his limited minutes to tactical adjustments and disruption caused by Cristian Romero’s injury.
Simons’ inconsistent involvement is not new, having also experienced irregular usage under previous managers. In 26 Premier League appearances this season, he has averaged just over an hour per game, starting 17 times.
Since joining in late August, he has missed only a few matches, including a suspension following a red card against Liverpool. Tottenham’s struggles are evident in their results, with only 12 wins during his time at the club.
Notably, Simons started in 11 of those victories, missing only the December win over Crystal Palace due to suspension.
He is not the only regular contributor in those wins, with first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and defender Pedro Porro also featuring in 11 of the 12 victories during that period.
Despite this, Simons has yet to cement a consistent starting role, having been overlooked by previous managers and again left out of De Zerbi’s initial lineup—raising fresh doubts about his place under the new regime.
admin
