In a high-stakes maneuver to secure their Premier League standing, Tottenham Hotspur has appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager. This decision came after the swift dismissal of Igor Tudor, whose tenure lasted only 44 days.

The unpopular hierarchy at Spurs pushed forward with landing the combustible Italian coach, despite reservations from some supporters and De Zerbi’s own initial hesitations. He now faces the difficult task of ensuring the club avoids a drop to the Championship, facing teams like Portsmouth and Preston North End next season.

De Zerbi's Immediate Challenge and Tactical Default

De Zerbi is recognized as a gifted coach, though sustained elite success has thus far remained elusive. Tottenham requires him to deliver immediate, crucial results, even though he reportedly signed a five-year contract.

The new manager has until April 12 to prepare his squad for the demanding schedule ahead, starting with an away fixture against Sunderland in the Premier League. The Lilywhites' formation under De Zerbi is highly anticipated, with the 4-2-3-1 system being his established preference throughout his career.

Implementing the 4-2-3-1 System

If De Zerbi reverts to his trusted 4-2-3-1 shape, maximizing Xavi Simons’ creativity in the No. 10 role would be strategic, despite Simons often thriving in Champions League matches.

De Zerbi’s philosophy centers on creating artificial transitions by exploiting depth to advance the ball up the pitch. This requires players to be technically secure and brave during the buildup phase, using precise passing sequences to break down opposition presses.

Key Personnel for Buildup Play

Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro stand out as Tottenham’s most technically secure players, making them crucial assets for De Zerbi. The manager should aim to structure possession to leverage Porro’s buildup quality and Destiny Udogie’s forward-marching capabilities on the left flank.

Micky van de Ven is well-suited to cover Udogie’s attacking runs from the center-back position. In midfield, Archie Gray appears set to start based on recent performances.

The selection of Gray’s midfield partner remains an interesting question. Rodrigo Bentancur’s experience might be utilized upon his return from injury, despite his struggles in a pure No. 6 role under previous managers. De Zerbi might also consider Yves Bissouma, noted for his bravery in possession, or Lucas Bergvall, an excellent ball carrier.

Alternative Formations: The Back Three Consideration

Both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor utilized back-three systems during their respective tenures at the club. De Zerbi leaned more heavily on a back three during his time at Marseille than in previous roles.

If Spurs have their top three center-backs available, De Zerbi might be tempted by a 3-4-2-1 setup, potentially utilizing Kevin Danso as the third choice behind Romero and Van de Ven.

Wingback Challenges in a Back Three

A significant hurdle in adopting this formation is that neither Porro nor Udogie are natural wingbacks. They are not masters of creating separation, with Porro excelling deeper and Udogie better when surging forward rather than already positioned high up the pitch.

With high wingbacks, the team would likely form a 3-2-5 shape in possession, featuring two attacking midfielders supporting a solitary striker. De Zerbi must rely heavily on the returning Mohammed Kudus over the next seven matches.

Attacking Structure and Striker Choice

It would be prudent to ensure Kudus is not isolated out wide. He could link up with Xavi Simons between the lines, effectively creating a box midfield structure. Dominic Solanke is projected as the likely focal point up front.

While De Zerbi might appreciate Randal Kolo Muani’s ability to rotate, Solanke offers superior possession retention and excellent pressing ability, making him the more reliable option.

Emulating Guardiola’s Narrow Attack

De Zerbi openly admires Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who has experimented this season with a narrow attacking shape, reminiscent of the 4-2-2-2 system favored by the Red Bull school.

This approach, also supported by German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann, emphasizes central combinations. Success hinges on having numerous technical players operating in close proximity while fullbacks maintain the necessary width.

In this system, the midfield pivot’s role in possession is diminished, but they become vital for neutralizing counter-attacks. Given Tottenham’s collective technical level, adopting a system reliant on rapid combination play presents a risk, yet it could potentially embolden the current squad.