Paul Merson has said that signing Roberto De Zerbi would be the biggest sum the club has ever spent if Tottenham remain in the Premier League.
However, Melson also stressed that Spurs should have reservations about whether they will be able to adapt to the Italian’s style of play.
Tottenham and De Zerbi are in talks over the head coaching vacancy in a bid to avoid relegation. Spurs, who sit one point above the bottom three with seven games in hand, want the former Brighton manager to take over permanently after Igor Tudor’s departure on Sunday and have offered him a five-year contract.
Although initially reluctant to take over at this stage, Mr de Zerbi is now open to taking on the job. Spurs are working hard to convince the player and talks are expected to take place on Monday.
The 46-year-old was high on Spurs’ priority list of candidates this summer, but changes in the club’s circumstances have accelerated plans to take over.
Read below for Melson’s thoughts on Tottenham chasing De Zerbi seven games from relegation…
“De Zerbi will be the best money Spurs have ever spent if things continue this way.”
I was pretty bullish on Tottenham staying, but after the Nottingham Forest game (which Spurs lost 3-0 at home) you think, ‘Wow’. They are really in trouble. ”
It just shows what a big club Tottenham are. I know they are struggling at the moment, but to get a top-notch top manager like De Zerbi. Having him come to the club would say everything about how big Tottenham are. So they have a chance now.
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Tim Sherwood has told Sky Sports News Fan Club that despite being a big fan, he has concerns about Roberto De Zerbi’s short-term spell at Spurs.
I don’t care how much money he gets. Whatever he gets, if he keeps them, it will be the best money they’ve ever, ever spent.
He wanted to join at the beginning of next season, but he will join now. So they have to throw the kitchen sink at him. You have to do that. They can’t afford to be depressed.
If they go down, that’s unthinkable. So you have to take that chance and whatever the bonus is, if he keeps the team together, it’s a cup of tea in football terms. Because if he doesn’t abide by it, everything will go out the window.
They are now a business. they hold a concert. There are go-karts and American football. We have to play four more games at home.
Then all of a sudden you can’t book a Robbie Williams concert. Because you might be in the championship playoffs.
So everything has changed now and it’s a huge thing, but for Tottenham to be able to sign him just shows how big Tottenham are.
And if they can sign him, the youngster will be a top-flight manager that many clubs will sign. But Spurs had a great manager. They had a very good manager. And look where they are. They are 17th in the league.
“Do Spurs have time to play De Zerbi’s way?”
The problem is that he will join. He’s a good coach, but he plays in a certain way.
He likes to open up the game. He likes his centre-halves to get on the ball and hold on.
If someone closes your opponent, you pass the ball and you take that player out of the game. We will be asking Tottenham players to do this, but at the moment they are short enough to literally walk under a snake wearing a top hat.
De Zerbi’s numbers after taking over mid-season
So we’re asking people to do something that’s not easy. It’s not easy to play under De Zerbi. If you watch Brighton play, they play too.
It was good. It’s not Sean Dyche who shows up and goes “right, bang, bang.” I’ll make your job a lot easier. You’re going to play there, you’re going to play there. Please do your job. you work hard. There will be results.”
This is completely different. You know, the book will be published and De Zerbi will say, “I have to go through there.” Once he goes there, you have to stop there and you come back. I don’t know if they have time for that.
The worst that could happen for Spurs is West Ham beating Wolves. Because when they drop into that bottom three, it’s a different game. Then the pressure increases significantly. They need West Ham to not win that game.
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Sky Sports News’ Michael Bridge considers whether Roberto De Zerbi could replace Igor Tudor as Tottenham manager as the club looks to avoid relegation from the Premier League
You can’t blame De Zerbi if Spurs are relegated.
DE Zerbi’s Premier League results
We know we won’t have many players next season. None of the players will finish the season and if Tottenham are relegated on the final day, those players will make a statement saying, “I’m staying and I’m going to get Tottenham back in the league.” It was our fault. ”
They’ll go to the World Cup and we’ll never see them again.
But if they get relegated, I’m never going to sit there and say that De Zerbi did that or that it’s De Zerbi’s fault.
There are still seven games left. It’s not the easiest seven games in the world for anyone, much less someone who’s 17th in the league.
I always think as I sit there, I wish I had been in that meeting when Tudor went there and talked to the people in charge about how they sold it to him. That’s something no one mentions. The hierarchy is the people who choose the managers, and everyone else is responsible.
April 12: Sunderland (A) – Premier League, 2pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports
April 18: Brighton (H) – Premier League, 5.30pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports
April 25: Wolves (A) – Premier League, 3pm kick-off
May 2: Aston Villa (A) – Premier League
May 9: Leeds (H) – Premier League
May 17: Chelsea (H) – Premier League
May 24: Everton (H) – Premier League
