In his second game in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, Roberto De Zerbi offered the Lilywhites a real chance at hope and growth. Following a 1-0 loss to Sunderland, Tottenham were much more effective at moving the ball forward, creating chances, and getting out of their own half and into the final third than in the last 10 Premier League outings.
Although Spurs came up short and drew 2-2 to De Zerbi's former employers Brighton, they were a bit unlucky not to have broken up a now 15 game winless streak in the English Premiership. Obviously, De Zerbi coming to his senses and actually starting star man Xavi Simons helped a lot, but the emergence of a returning Rodrigo Bentancur from injury was also a huge story in the match.
Tottenham have been poor everywhere in the side this season, hence why they are in the relegation places, but their midfield has been particularly gruesome. Archie Gray and Simons are young gems, but there are a lot of veteran players who been underperforming badly or are simply not good enough for the club.
Rodrigo Bentancur actually looked lively
Bentancur, prior to tearing his hamstring a few months ago, was moreso in the former than the latter camp. Although Benta has never been world class, he was very good to start his Tottenham Hotspur career, improving from a poor finish to his Juventus career. Lately, though, the Uruguayan international had been revealing the worst habits at Spurs of the end to his Juve days, with Thomas Frank bringing out the most cowardly side of Bentancur's football.
In his first game under Roberto De Zerbi, Bentancur actually looked great. He was moving the ball forward and focusing less on sideways carries and more on progressing the ball before quickly getting away to Xavi Simons or someone else.
Defensively, Rodrigo Bentancur played the best he has all season against Brighton with a whopping six combined tackles and interceptions for the Tottenham cause. Bentancur was snapping into tackles and didn't stand on ceremony after making the interventions.
Tottenham need to see much more from Bentancur before anointing him as a clear starter and an improved player under De Zerbi, but this was indeed a much better performance from a refreshed and rejuvenated Benta upon his injury return.
Spurs need solutions in midfield with experience, guts, and quality. So often this season, Bentancur had disappointed in the last of these two categories, but perhaps De Zerbi has gotten a roaring lion out of the once touted former Juventus youngster in midfield,