Tottenham have been linked with a number of centre-backs already and one of De Zerbi's former players has told him who he must sign
Sandro firmly believes that Jan Paul van Hecke is the perfect centre-back his old boss Roberto De Zerbi could sign this summer for Tottenham Hotspur.
There are expected to be plenty of personnel changes at Spurs after another 17th-placed finish and the north London club surviving relegation by just two points on the final day. Tottenham are closing in on the free transfer of Bournemouth's player of the season Marcos Senesi but the left footer could potentially be brought in to battle with Micky van de Ven for one centre-back spot while De Zerbi brings in another new face on the right.
Captain Cristian Romero and Ragu Dragusin have both been heavily linked with moves out of the club, which on the right of central defence leaves Kevin Danso and a decision to be made over Luka Vuskovic as the 19-year-old returns from his impressive loan in Hamburg, where he made the Bundesliga team of the season.
Sandro, who played for De Zerbi in Italy at Benevento, believes his old boss should go all out for one of his former Brighton players in 25-year-old Van Hecke, who is approaching the final 12 months of his contract.
"They are talking about Marcos Senesi, at Bournemouth, but I really like the defender from Brighton, Van Hecke. I really like him. He's good on the ball, he played with De Zerbi before too. He's not only good on the ball, but he can be very aggressive and in a way that he’s not stupid, he's not doing crazy things without the ball, but I think he's mature," said Sandro, speaking exclusively to Reach PLC ahead of the World Cup thanks to betFIRST sport.
"For me, Van Hecke is ready. He's ready to play because he played under De Zerbi and he showed that he can play in the moment, that he's mature, and we need players that are already mature. I think we are now going to the market and have to buy players that are ready."
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While Romero could depart this summer, despite signing a new bumper contract a year ago, Sandro has made it clear that Van de Ven must remain in north London.
"100 per cent, he needs to stay. He needs to stay, Van de Ven needs to stay, he needs to be the captain for next season. I think De Zerbi will build a strong squad and it will help Micky as well. He's so important for Tottenham and he's been there for three seasons and it's important for him to stay, I think," said the Brazilian.
"If we let him go, it will be losing Romero and him, so I hope he is at least there for three or four seasons. We need to keep him, I think he's happy now with De Zerbi because De Zerbi can put a smile on the players' faces and it’s so needed. Van de Ven needs to stay and I hope he does stay and build the team around him at the back and then around the midfielders. I think we are okay in the middle."
The former Tottenham midfielder even went as far as comparing Van de Ven with a certain much-lauded Brazilian centre-back down the road at Arsenal.
"Gabriel suits the Arsenal squad so well, and we need Van de Ven to become that same defender at Spurs. Micky is one of the top defenders, he just needs to have a team around him as well for him to grow, for him to shine. I just want De Zerbi to do his magical things, I'm a fan of his and I think he will," he said.
"Van de Ven has that ability to become that good. Yeah, 100 per cent. He's been there in the club for three seasons so he just needs the players, the squad to help him a little bit and, having a strong team around him, he will be even more effective in the squad. De Zerbi is the guy to build the team and he needs to build around Van de Ven."