Roberto De Zerbi is impressively revolutionizing Tottenham Hotspur, transforming a team on the brink of disaster into an emerging force in the Premier League. After a disastrous start to 2026, with no wins for the Spurs, the Italian coach managed, in just four matches, to turn the tide and lift the club out of the relegation zone, restoring hope to a team that seemed lost.
When De Zerbi arrived, doubts lingered: could he ensure the Spurs’ survival in the Premier League, or was the club doomed to a future in the Championship? The coach promised pragmatism, aware that he had only seven matches to save Tottenham. And, despite his history of intense and demanding methods – as demonstrated at Brighton, where the first weeks were described by captain Lewis Dunk as “a bloodbath” – De Zerbi quickly adapted to the London context, achieving immediate impact.
Since his arrival, Tottenham has been the team that recovers the ball the most in the final third of the pitch in the entire Premier League, with an average of 5.3 recoveries per game. This statistic is even more impressive when considering the short period that De Zerbi has been in charge. The team is playing with a smarter and more efficient high press, reducing the total number of sprints by almost 10% compared to before his arrival, without losing ball possession. It is not about pressing for the sake of pressing, but rather about dominating the opponent at the right moment.
The defensive numbers are even more revealing: under De Zerbi’s management, Tottenham concedes only 0.79 xG (expected goals) per game – less than half of the 1.52 xG they were conceding previously. This improvement results in an expected goal balance that, for the first time this season, becomes positive, reversing the concerning negative ratio that had been following the team.
Despite some voices suggesting that the recent victory against Aston Villa, with several changes in the opponent’s lineup, does not tell the whole story, it cannot be denied that Tottenham is on an upward trajectory. The team defeated Wolverhampton and has three wins in four matches, something unthinkable just a few weeks ago. Survival is now in their own hands.
In attack, the effect of the high press has not yet translated into more shots or chances created, but the team is controlling the game better and keeping the goal protected – a crucial step for those fighting for survival. Xavi Simons’ goal against Brighton, a direct result of the press, is a clear example of the potential of the new philosophy.
The Spurs’ next challenge is against Leeds, in a match that promises to be decisive and will be broadcast on Sky Sports next Monday. If De Zerbi continues his successful run, he could firmly establish his position and lead Tottenham to a worthy end of the season, definitively dispelling the fears of relegation.
Roberto De Zerbi, a coach who has already proven capable of transforming teams and implementing a dynamic and effective style of play, is writing a new chapter in Tottenham’s recent history. For Spurs fans, this is a rebirth that has long been awaited – and hope has finally returned to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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