Tottenham Hotspur players are about to face a very specific challenge under Roberto De Zerbi, and a former Marseille defender has just offered a warning of sorts.
Spurs have handed the Italian a long-term deal with significant off-pitch influence. As a result, the club is clearly committing to his ideas. However, adapting to those ideas is not always straightforward, even for experienced players.
That point is underlined by comments from Lilian Brassier, who worked under De Zerbi at Olympique de Marseille earlier in his career.
Surprise at De Zerbi demands
Speaking to RMC, Brassier admitted he struggled badly to meet De Zerbi’s tactical expectations during his spell in Marseille.
He explained: “Marseille was complicated for me, everyone saw that. I believed in the project and hoped things would go well. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen as expected.”
The 26-year-old insisted pressure was not the main issue. Instead, he pointed to how quickly things can spiral when performances dip in that environment.
More importantly, he made it clear the tactical side caught him off guard.
“There are many reasons. I adapted badly to what the coach wanted from me, and I wasn’t used to playing that way. I was really surprised, I was still adapting. And I tried to do my best. I learned, that’s how it is.”
Those comments align with what is already widely understood about De Zerbi’s methods. His teams demand precision in build-up, bravery in possession, and strict positional discipline.
Players are often asked to take risks in areas of the pitch where mistakes can be costly.
What this means for Tottenham squad
Roberto De Zerbi arrives at Tottenham Hotspur with a clear identity. The club has effectively committed to that approach. Now the responsibility shifts to the players.
At Marseille, Brassier ultimately failed to fit into that system and moved on. At Tottenham, the stakes are higher. The squad is already under pressure due to results, and there will be little time for a slow transition.
That makes mentality just as important as tactical understanding.
Tottenham players will need to be open to change. De Zerbi’s approach does not bend easily, and history suggests he expects players to adapt to him rather than the other way around.
What happens next
Roberto De Zerbi’s immediate focus remains survival. Tottenham are still in a precarious league position, and results will define the short term.
However, the longer-term picture is already clear. If Spurs are serious about building around De Zerbi, the squad will have to evolve with him. Brassier’s experience serves as an early example of what can happen when that adaptation does not come quickly enough.
For Tottenham, the lesson is simple – understanding De Zerbi’s football is not optional.