Richarlison one of three Tottenham players who could be dropped by Roberto De Zerbi amid latest hire update
Richarlison, Pape Sarr and Kevin Danso should each by worried about being dropped by Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur.
Igor Tudor looks set to leave Spurs by mutual consent this week, and Football Insider have revealed that De Zerbi is their top target to replace the Croatian.
They are just one point and one place above the Premier League relegation zone as it stands following a crushing 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.
De Zerbi has been out of work since leaving Marseille last month, while many on these shores will know him best for a successful spell at Brighton between 2022 and 2024.
He could well be Tottenham’s new manager for their next game against Sunderland, and Football Insider have looked at three players that could struggle for game time under De Zerbi in the coming months.
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Richarlison may be a surprise inclusion on this list, given his recent scoring form and experience in the Premier League.
The Brazil international has been Spurs’ best attacking player this season, but it remains to be seen if his poaching tendencies and reluctance to get involved in build-up play will suit De Zerbi’s tactics.
| Appearances | 26 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Shots on target per 90 | 1.2 |
| Successful dribbles per 90 | 0.48 |
| Successful passes per 90 | 9.1 |
| Touches in opposition box per 90 | 5.86 |
His compatriot, Joao Pedro, was a standout at Brighton because he liked to get on the ball in deeper areas and run at defences before getting a shot off.
Richarlison is a much more direct striker who likes to take the majority of his touches in the opposition’s box and get on the end of crosses with his head or an outstretched leg.
Dominic Solanke would be more suited to De Zerbi’s style, as a result, and so Richarlison may well end up on the bench more often than not if the Italian is hired soon.
Pape Sarr
Sarr has done the dirty work in Tottenham’s midfield for the majority of this season, with 90 minutes played in each of their last five matches under Tudor.
The Croat’s attritional, defensive-minded tactics were suited to Sarr’s profile, but De Zerbi likes his midfielders to get on the ball and drive forward while dominating possession.
That would not play into Sarr’s hands, as he ranks among the worst midfielders in the top flight for touches and successful passes per 90 minutes, pass accuracy and chances created.
He may well stay in the team for De Zerbi’s first few potential games due to injuries to other players, but Rodrigo Bentancur looks like an ideal candidate to replace him when he is back fit to start next to Archie Gray.
Kevin Danso
Tudor has trialled defenders in different positions over recent weeks, with Pedro Porro on the right-wing and Micky van de Ven playing at left-back.
Danso has been starting at centre-back next to Radu Dragusin and Cristian Romero, but De Zerbi will surely rip up all of those plans and revert to playing his stars in the correct positions if he is hired.
He likes his full-backs to invert and get on the ball in midfield, while centre-backs are normally told to stay in a high line and also push forward when needed.
Van de Ven looks ideal for those tactics, while Football Insider have exclusively revealed that Tottenham will accept a sizeable offer for Cristian Romero this summer, and he is the club captain, so is surely set to start every game he is fit for.
That leaves Danso, who is not as technically impressive as either of his teammates, more likely to drop to the bench if the Italian comes in soon.
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