Tottenham have turned things around under Roberto De Zerbi. Former Spurs left-back Christian Ziege isn’t ready to call them safe just yet.
Speaking exclusively to BOYLE Sports, Ziege explained what makes De Zerbi special, why a tight Premier League table means Spurs can’t relax, and how Andy Robertson and Destiny Udogie give the club rare depth at left-back.
He also gave his view on big-money summer signings Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, and why their price tags shouldn’t be held against them.
Tottenham Under De Zerbi
Christian Ziege on Tottenham Under Roberto De Zerbi
What Has Been the Secret Behind Tottenham’s Reversal of Fortunes Under Roberto De Zerbi?
“I think Roberto De Zerbi is a fantastic coach from what I see from the outside. It’s always difficult to say anything about coaches because if you don’t know how they work on the pitch with the guys, what the relationship is like, or whether they’re happy with the way he wants them to play, you can’t really say for sure.
“From the outside, I think they made a good move to sign him as the coach for Tottenham. So I really hope they’re going in the right direction and the signs are promising. The secret is just that he’s a fantastic coach.”
Are Spurs Back, or Could They Still Be Pulled Into a Relegation Fight?
“I think it’s far too early to tell. Looking at the table, Spurs have 12 points and are now five points above the relegation zone, but they are also only four points behind Chelsea and three off Liverpool. It’s very tight.
“The Premier League is so competitive and demanding that winning every weekend is difficult regardless of who you play, whether it’s Manchester City, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, or Sunderland.
“You need a full 90-minute performance every time. It’s still early in the season, but I cross my fingers that Spurs keep heading in the right direction.”
As a Former Left-Back, What Do You Make of Andy Robertson and Destiny Udogie?
“Spurs have great options at left-back, Andy Robertson has a lot of experience winning the Premier League, as well as the Champions League with Liverpool. I think he played nine years over there, working hard under Jürgen Klopp.
“So that’s a massive signing, I think. Destiny Udogie is a bit of a different player, from my point of view, he’s maybe got a bit more skill and is more offensive.
“So they have two left-backs where they can react to all circumstances against different opponents, it’s very promising.”
Are Destiny Udogie’s Injuries Starting to Become a Serious Issue for Spurs?
“If you see Destiny Udogie’s history over the last few months, he’s had some problems with his knees and a few other issues. I don’t know the exact reasons for that, but the most important thing if you want to be a real contender and play at the highest level is that you have to be fully fit when you come back.
“If you’re not fully fit, it can cause problems, because then you pick up another small, tiny injury. You can’t reach your highest level if you haven’t trained properly or aren’t fully fit, and that leads to more problems.
“So my advice would always be to get really fit, get ready to play 90 minutes. That’s the best thing you can do, otherwise you’ll face more setbacks than you deserve.”
Spurs’ Big-Money Signings
Ziege on Spurs’ Big-Money Signings Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali
Spurs spent big in the summer, signing Matheus Fernandes from West Ham United and Sandro Tonali in back-to-back club-record deals. Neither has hit top form yet, and Ziege believes patience is the answer.
Did Manchester United Make a Massive Mistake by Not Going All Out for Fernandes and Tonali?
“Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali haven’t been at their best for Spurs, but the issue isn’t the players, they don’t set their own price tags.
“The transfer fees required to sign top talent these days can be overwhelming. As I mentioned earlier, changing clubs, adapting to a new culture, and fitting into a new tactical system alongside new teammates all affect how quickly a player can perform.
“It doesn’t matter how much a club pays, performance comes down to how quickly players adapt to their new surroundings. It will take time for them.”
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