Tottenham set for Roberto De Zerbi talks over upcoming Spurs friendly clash - Insider

Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up the prospect of playing a friendly match during the international break.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that it could be a good way to instil the winning feeling back into the squad.

The Lilywhites have 13 recognised first-team players heading off to represent their countries, while the rest of the squad have already been handed a week-long break.

However, Wyness believes that the club hierarchy will speak to manager Roberto De Zerbi about the prospect of adding a friendly to their schedule, even if it would pose a slight risk of injuries.

Spurs continued their winless start to the new Premier League season last weekend, when they were beaten 3-2 by Aston Villa on home turf.

Unai Emery's side are set to take on Sevilla in a practice match during the upcoming break, and there is still a chance that Tottenham could set up a similar fixture

Tottenham urged to eye up 'controlled win'

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Tottenham could seriously benefit from playing a friendly against weaker opposition before their return to competitive action.

The Scottish businessman suggested that De Zerbi's men are in need of a "controlled win," which could boost their confidence ahead of their next league game.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained how he expects the board to be in De Zerbi's ear about organising a game.

"You could say that if they were to pick the right friendly and have a controlled win, so to speak, that would do them good because they start to learn what it's like to win again," he said.

"You don't want to risk injuries, but if you get what I mean, I think getting a two or three-nil win against somebody would do them the world of good mentally, because it does seem that the whole thing is mental at the moment.

"There's no doubt the quality is there, so it's got to be a mental approach, and so that's what I would suggest about a friendly. I'd be speaking with the manager to hear his thoughts on the opposition and where it could be.

"That can be arranged, I'm sure. But I think that's the way I'd approach it, because to me, it's not the actual physical game minutes. It's getting that feeling of winning again back into the Spurs team."

Tottenham told to approach Roberto De Zerbi replacement

Former Tottenham scout Bryan King told Football Insider that he would like to see Spurs make an approach for Eddie Howe if they decide to part ways with De Zerbi.

The ex-recruitment man outlined the fact that the former Newcastle boss would have no compensation fee attached at the moment, given that he is out of work.

King made it clear that Howe could be a good fit for Spurs and their squad, and has been impressed by the way he has moulded a career for himself as a top-level coach.

Howe's time with the Magpies ended with a win percentage of just over 50 per cent, and he also delivered their first domestic trophy in 70 years.