adminFormer Tottenham Hotspur manager has reportedly been mentioned as a potential replacement for Roberto De Zerbi as pressure continues to build around the Italian following Spurs’ disappointing start to the Premier League season.
Tottenham currently occupy 20th place in the Premier League standings after failing to win any of their first five matches. Spurs have picked up just two draws while suffering three defeats, leaving them once again fighting near the bottom of the table despite investing more than £300 million in new players during the summer transfer window.
The club’s current situation has raised concerns given Tottenham’s recent struggles. Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League in each of the previous two seasons and only guaranteed their top-flight survival on the final day of last campaign after beating Everton.
De Zerbi helped steer Tottenham away from serious danger last season after taking charge, but the club’s poor opening to the current campaign has quickly increased scrutiny on his position.
Despite the growing speculation, TEAMtalk reported earlier this week that Tottenham have no intention of immediately parting company with De Zerbi. The report claimed the club remains firmly convinced that the former Brighton manager is capable of turning the situation around.
Nevertheless, talk of possible successors has continued, with Pochettino once again being linked with a potential return to north London.
Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy has predicted that Pochettino could return to the Premier League before the end of the season. Mirror journalist Darren Lewis has also suggested that Tottenham should consider bringing their former manager back to the club.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Murphy said: “My bold prediction. It’s not that bold actually. I think we’ll see Poch back in the Premier League before the end of it.”
Lewis has also spoken positively about the possibility of Pochettino returning to Tottenham, arguing that the club should explore the opportunity if circumstances allow.
“If Spurs are smart, they’ll get him,” Lewis said.
Tottenham’s Striker Situation Adds to De Zerbi’s Problems
Tottenham’s recruitment during the summer has also attracted criticism, particularly because the club failed to sign another established centre-forward despite spending more than £300 million.
The lack of another recognised striker has left De Zerbi with limited options in attack. The manager has also indicated that Omar Marmoush is not considered the solution to Tottenham’s goalscoring concerns.
Dominic Solanke has therefore remained an important figure in Spurs’ attacking plans, although his performances during the opening weeks of the season have faced scrutiny.
Former Tottenham chief scout Mick Brown believes De Zerbi could be frustrated by the club’s failure to strengthen the striker position before the transfer window closed.
Speaking to Football Insider, Brown acknowledged that Solanke has long been highly regarded but questioned whether his current form would be enough to secure a regular starting place at several Premier League clubs.
“Solanke has always been held in quite high regard, but he hasn’t done it at Tottenham,” Brown said.
He added that Tottenham currently have little choice but to continue relying on the striker because the alternatives available to De Zerbi have not offered a stronger solution.
Brown believes the lack of another proven goalscorer could become a significant problem for Tottenham as the season progresses.
He also suggested that De Zerbi may be particularly unhappy that Spurs were unable to recruit a high-quality forward before the summer window closed.
“De Zerbi will be fuming that they failed to bring in a top-class forward during the transfer window, because now he’s got to work with what he’s got, and what he’s got isn’t good enough,” Brown said.
According to Brown, Tottenham will need more dependable goalscorers if they want to compete consistently near the top of the Premier League and challenge for major silverware.
“If they want to be a top club, competing for trophies and finishing high in the table, then they need to have strikers who can consistently score goals for them,” he explained.
With Spurs struggling to produce enough goals and results, the January transfer window could become an important period for the club.
Brown expects Tottenham to consider bringing in another striker when the transfer window reopens, although finding an established forward willing to move midway through the campaign could prove challenging.
“They’ll be going into the January window in need of a striker, but it’s not as easy as that and it could be difficult midway through the season, so it’s a very tricky situation,” Brown concluded.
For the moment, De Zerbi remains Tottenham’s manager and the club is reportedly still backing him. However, with Spurs sitting at the bottom of the Premier League after five matches, their results over the coming weeks could play a major role in determining how much pressure continues to surround the Italian and what direction Tottenham ultimately take.
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