Roberto De Zerbi reveals he has a plan for Conor Gallagher and Xavi Simons at Tottenham
Roberto De Zerbi has revealed how he plans to get the best out of Conor Gallagher and Xavi Simons over the coming weeks as Tottenham attempt to preserve their Premier League status.
De Zerbi’s first starting eleven against Sunderland did not have too many surprises, but the fact that the Italian decided to start Conor Gallagher in the middle of the park over Joao Palhinha and Pape Sarr was significant.
This was after the Tottenham boss admitted last week that he loved watching Gallagher at Chelsea, prior to his move to Atletico Madrid in 2024.
In his press conference ahead of the game, De Zerbi also described Xavi Simons as a “big talent”, but the Italian only brought the Dutchman on in the dying stages of his side’s 1-0 loss at the Stadium of Light.
Roberto De Zerbi wants to play Conor Gallagher and Xavi Simons in their favourite positions at Tottenham
The Tottenham head coach declared that he wants to play England and the Netherlands internationals in their best positions, so that they feel comfortable.
He also sympathised with Gallagher, given that he had to adapt to a new club and surroundings after walking into Tottenham at a tumultuous time.
When asked how he plans to get the best out of Gallagher and Xavi, De Zerbi told Football.London: “Two parts. One part, the focus on the ball, on the pitch, to put them in the best position, the favourite position they feel, for sure, and the mental part.
“I think for Gallagher it’s not so easy because he left Chelsea after I don’t know how many seasons. He went to Atletico Madrid, and now in Tottenham, in this moment for Tottenham.
“He was a leader in Chelsea, and now he has to adapt to a new club, to new team-mates, to a new stadium, to a new everything. I have to help him to put as a target the Gallagher in Chelsea.”
De Zerbi reveals why he bought on Xavi so late against Sunderland
Many would have been surprised to see the new Tottenham boss wait until the 86th minute to bring on the Dutch playmaker against Sunderland, given that the Lilywhites were chasing an equaliser.
However, De Zerbi confessed that he would have brought on Xavi earlier had he not been forced into bringing on Kevin Danso for Cristian Romero, after the Argentine suffered an injury.
It will be interesting to see if the former RB Leipzig man gets the nod to start against Brighton, with Spurs desperately needing a win at home after dropping into the relegation zone.
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