If Tottenham Hotspur supporters are looking for a reason to be optimistic about the appointment of new manager Roberto De Zerbi, the Italian’s previous work with big-name players could be it.
It was De Zerbi who replaced Graham Potter in September 2022 to manage Moises Caicedo’s first full season in the Premier League, with the enigmatic manager bonding with Caicedo’s midfield colleague Alexis Mac Allister on his debut at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 46-year-old Argentine may not have been brought to the Amex, but the World Cup winner was certainly a key figure in sealing a move to Liverpool in 2023, with manager Mac Allister hailing De Zerbi as “the best manager ever”.
Mac Allister PL Records | ||
|---|---|---|
season | game | Goal (assist) |
25/26 | 30 | 2(2) |
24/25 | 35 | 5(5) |
23/24 | 33 | 5(5) |
22/23 | 35 | 10(2) |
21/22 | 33 | 5(2) |
20/21 | twenty one | 1(1) |
19/20 | 9 | 0 (0) |
total | 196 | 28(17) |
For a man who worked under Jurgen Klopp and won the league with Arne Slott at Anfield, it was something of a statement, and Spurs have given De Zerbi the chance to gift him with their next midfield project.
Spurs could accept bid to sign De Zerbi £25m midfielder
While the short-term priority is survival, the Lilywhites will also need to plan ahead for potential summer signings, with N17 requiring something of an overhaul of their squad.
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Tottenham could have a chance to sign another young English sensation.
Reports this week suggest that the ball is already rolling in this regard, with Manchester City’s James Trafford open to a move to north London, regardless of whether the club takes part in the Championship next season.
However, not all of the reported targets are keen to get a taste of life in England’s second tier, with Sportboom revealing that Spurs will pursue a move for Belgian midfielder Arthur Vermaelen if they can overcome their May slump.
The 21-year-old, who is on loan at Marseille from RB Leipzig, is on Tottenham’s summer target list after impressing under De Zerbi at the Stade Velodrome, according to reports.
With his loan spell in France due to end soon, De Zerbi is pushing for a reunion, and there is said to be a “mutual” feeling with Vermaelen, with the youngster open to a move.
As for the price, the article outlines that Leipzig are prepared to cash in for a “modest” sum of just £25m.
Why Vermaelen could be De Zerbi’s new Mac Allister
It has been a turbulent two years for Vermaelen, who joined Atlético Madrid in January 2024 after first attracting widespread attention in his homeland with Royal Antwerp.
Just six months later, the playmaker headed to Germany on a loan deal with an option to buy, an option the Bundesliga side exercised in January last year.
However, that stay proved to be quite short-lived once again, with De Zerbi and co taking the Belgian star, who has since played 20 games in all competitions this season, to France for the summer, with 11 caps under his belt.
A move to his fourth club in just two years may not be the best of his talents, but Vermaelen continued his form under De Zerbi and was deep in the Italian manager’s shoes with two assists in 17 games.
Like Mac Allister, he is comfortable in a variety of midfield roles, while also having 11 goals and assists in 66 games since his return to Antwerp, a creative goalscoring talent waiting to be truly unleashed.
De Zerbi could repeat the success he enjoyed with Mac Allister if given time to work with the £25m man long term. De Zerbi, 27, came into the 2022/23 campaign with the highest scoring season of his career, scoring 10 Premier League goals in his final season on the south coast.
That year, the South American averaged 1.3 key passes per game, achieved a passing accuracy of 87%, and won an average of 2.6 tackles and interceptions, contributing to 12 goals.
For comparison, in Vermaelen’s final year in the Belgian Pro League, he had just two assists, but averaged 1.3 key passes, had a pass accuracy of 87%, and collected 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game.
Previously likened to another blonde playmaker in the style of Kevin De Bruyne, the Leipzig man, just 21 years old, remains a player with real potential and after two tumultuous seasons, it is now time to find a permanent home.
De Zerbi needs to unleash the Spurs duo that could be the new Dembele and Modric
The future of Tottenham’s midfield remains secure.
