Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham Debut: Expectations and Predicted Lineup

Roberto De Zerbi embodies the spirit of 'To Dare is To Do' like no other manager. After a week with his new Tottenham squad, he has a clear understanding of the challenges ahead to keep the club in the Premier League. Despite the attractive job on the surface, the players are currently low on confidence and plagued by injuries, as seen during Igor Tudor's tenure. However, De Zerbi is optimistic about staving off relegation with his talented squad. The players have reportedly enjoyed their first training sessions under the Italian coach, which should boost their morale. This positivity will be put to the test in De Zerbi's first game in charge against Sunderland on Sunday. With Tottenham in the relegation zone, a win is crucial to move out of the bottom three. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is unavailable due to hernia surgery, so Antonin Kinsky will start. De Zerbi is likely to opt for a back four consisting of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie. The midfield pairing will be an interesting decision, with Lucas Bergvall potentially benefiting from De Zerbi's appointment. Bergvall could start alongside Archie Gray, but Joao Palhinha's experience might also be considered. In attack, Xavi Simons could be given a start in the No 10 role, where he is more effective. With Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison injured, Simons will play a significant role. Mathys Tel or Randal Kolo Muani could start on the right, while Richarlison should start on the left. Dominic Solanke will likely start up front despite an underwhelming international break. De Zerbi needs to simplify the game and tactics to maximize returns in the short term. Giving players confidence and securing a first league win of 2026 would be a significant step towards solving the team's current woes. With defenders Romero and Van de Ven in the right frame of mind, Spurs have a strong chance of putting a run together. De Zerbi's primary focus must be Premier League survival, and achieving this will allow for further investigations and reviews. Under the passionate Italian, this could be an exciting ride for Tottenham.