Roberto De Zerbi: How the new Tottenham boss could line up in the first leg against Sunderland

If there is one manager who epitomizes ‘To Dare is To Do’, it is Roberto De Zerbi.

The ossified boss has now had over a week with his new Tottenham squad and will have a clear idea of how difficult it will be to ensure the club stay in the Premier League.

As we saw with the last head coach, Igor Tudor, on the outside it is a very attractive job, but on the inside the players are low on confidence and riddled with injuries.

But the highly talented De Zerbi will feel there is still enough to stave off relegation.

The Spurs players will be lifted by his arrival, with the understanding that the players have really enjoyed the first training sessions so far under the Italian.

That positivity will be tested on Sunday in De Zerbi’s first game when Spurs travel to Sunderland, live on Sky Sports.

Tottenham could well be in the relegation zone at kick-off if West Ham beat bottom side Wolves at home in Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports.

So who will De Zerbi name in his first starting XI at the Stadium of Light, where Spurs could need to avoid defeat to move out of the bottom three?

Goalkeeper, left back and midfield will be interesting calls

De Zerbi will hold his first press conference on Friday and he will update us on whether the goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is fit enough to start.

Vicario was stretchered off over the international break but it was hoped he would be able to “return to action within the next month”.

That schedule puts him in serious doubt for Sunday, though, so it’s likely Antonin Kinsky will start and play for the first time since his infamous 17th minute substitution in the Champions League round of 16 first leg at Atletico Madrid last month. De Zerbi must lift the 23-year-old’s self-confidence.

Ahead of him, the ex-Brighton boss is likely to go with a back four off Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Fate Udogie. De Zerbi could favor his compatriot up front Djed Spence in what will be an interesting call at left back.

Another intriguing decision will be the midfield pairing.

Lucas Bergvall could benefit from De Zerbi’s appointment, with the pair pictured together on several occasions in training, so the Sweden international could prove to be a key player for the former Marseille boss.

I think he will start with another teenager Archie Graywho was the best player under Tudor by some distance.

But it wouldn’t surprise me if De Zerbi opts for bite and experience Joao Palhinha. The Bayern Munich loanee, who is top for most tackles in the Premier League this season, was described as a no-brainer permanent signing earlier this season but has had a strange last few months.

I think De Zerbi will start Gray and Bergvall in midfield, so next is the front four in attack to complete his predicted 4-2-3-1 set-up.

Simons will play a huge role under De Zerbi

The strange case of Xavi Simons will move into its next chapter.

He starred in the Champions League last 16 win over Atletico Madrid with two goals, but was then dropped by Tudor for the 3–0 win by relegation rivals Nottingham Forest.

It was a puzzling decision by the Croatian, but under De Zerbi he could get a start in the No.10 role, where he is far more effective than out on the left wing.

Spurs lack creativity, and with Dejan Kulusevski expected to miss the rest of the season and James Maddison Simons, who is still recovering from his ACL injury, will have a big role under De Zerbi.

Mathys Tel will hope to have shaken off the injury he picked up against Forest to start on the right. If the Frenchman is not fit, then Randal Kolo Muani can fill that role.

And on the opposite side it looks Mohammed Kudus is still a week from his return, so Richarlison must start there.

So with the Brazilian international out, Dominic Solanke starts up front despite an underwhelming international break with England.

Can De Zerbi get Romero and Van de Ven focused amid speculation?

There has been focus on whether De Zerbi can implement his aggressive and front-footed style of play so quickly.

But like Sky Sports news has reported, De Zerbi knows he cannot overcomplicate or confuse the players in the current situation. Instead, he will simplify the game and the tactics to maximize returns in the short term.

So what should he do?

Well, he needs to give those players confidence – and a first league win in 2026 would go a long way towards solving this.

It is an utter disgrace that Spurs remain winless in the Premier League this calendar year, but there is a sense that just one win can spark a run.

Getting defensemen Romero and Van de Ven in the right frame of mind will give Spurs a strong chance to put together a run.

The futures of both have been in the spotlight this season, and just this week Romero’s father has talked about a release clause in his contract, but Sky Sports news understand that this does not exist.

If De Zerbi can get the pair to focus on the here and now, then this will be key to him getting Spurs out of trouble.
Tottenham’s poor position reflects a club in crisis.

You can blame managers, board decisions and players, but the only focus right now has to be Premier League survival.

Achieve that and then the surveys and reviews can begin.

Tottenham simply cannot be relegated and it is now up to De Zerbi to prevent this.

Buckle up, it could be one hell of a ride under the passionate Italian.