De Zerbi's Tottenham Debut: Expectations and Predicted Lineup

Roberto De Zerbi embodies the spirit of 'To Dare is To Do' and has had over a week to assess his new Tottenham squad. Despite the challenges ahead, including low player confidence and injuries, De Zerbi is confident of avoiding relegation. The players have responded positively to his training sessions, and his first game in charge is against Sunderland. With goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario injured, Antonin Kinsky will start, and De Zerbi is likely to opt for a back four of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie. The midfield pairing is uncertain, but Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray are contenders, while Joao Palhinha's experience could also be valuable. In attack, Xavi Simons may be given a chance in the No 10 role, with Mathys Tel and Richarlison on the wings and Dominic Solanke up front. De Zerbi needs to simplify his tactics and boost player confidence to achieve a much-needed first league win of 2026. With the right mindset, defenders Romero and Van de Ven can play a crucial role in sparking a run of victories. De Zerbi's primary focus must be on Premier League survival, and achieving this will be a significant accomplishment for the passionate Italian.