Alasdair Gold says Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven could thrive under Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur, claiming the Italian is likely to get along well with the centre-back duo.
De Zerbi was officially appointed by Spurs on Tuesday, signing a five-year deal, and has begun preparing for his first game in charge, a trip to Sunderland in the Premier League next weekend.
While the 46-year-old manager faces a selection headache, with as many as 10 players doubtful for his first game, both Romero and Van de Ven are expected to be available and feature next Sunday.
The two defenders have faced criticism amid Tottenham’s poor league form this season, but Gold believes De Zerbi’s arrival could mark the start of a new chapter for the centre-back duo.
Spurs Duo Could Thrive Under De Zerbi
Gold, speaking on his YouTube channel, said that De Zerbi is the kind of manager both Romero and Van de Ven need at this point in the season and predicted the defensive duo could get along well with the Italian manager at Spurs:
“I was trying to think about the players that he'll get on with well at Spurs, and I think, I know they're getting a little bit of a flak from the fanbase right now, but I do think Romero and Van de Ven, I think he's the kind of manager they need. I do think that.
“I think he's someone they'll respect. Obviously, he can speak to Romero in Italian, as Tudor did as well.
“And I think that's just a better way to get a bite. And he's an emotional guy. Romero is an emotional guy as well. And I think that works.”
De Zerbi will have just over a week to prepare for his first game in charge and will certainly be hoping for a positive start ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
Under the Italian, Tottenham will be looking to finally end their winless run in the Premier League, which now stretches to 13 games.
The north London side last won on December 28, away at Crystal Palace, and have since dropped to 17th in the league table, sitting just one point above the relegation zone.
Former Tottenham midfielder Sandro has issued an update on joining De Zerbi’s coaching staff at the club.
The ex-Brazilian international revealed he 'doesn’t know yet' whether he will return to Spurs, despite recent suggestions he is in contention to assist De Zerbi in his new role.
De Zerbi is used to bringing a large backroom staff with him to clubs and knows Sandro well from their time together at Serie A side Benevento.
Sandro also completed a coaching internship with Brighton, where De Zerbi spent almost two seasons, taking the club to sixth in the Premier League in 2022–23 –the club’s highest top-flight finish to date.