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Tottenham’s Dream Starting XI Under Roberto De Zerbi

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Roberto De Zerbi will need, and expect, to make big changes to the Tottenham Hotspur squad in the summer transfer window, if he keeps the Lilywhites in the Premier League at the end of the season.

The Italian is set to arrive in N17 this week, signing a five-year deal to replace Igor Tudor as the club’s new permanent head coach.

Having initially wanted to wait until the end of the season before assessing his managerial options, Spurs made a breakthrough in negotiations with the former Brighton boss earlier this week, with an agreement in place for the 46-year-old to take over immediately.

His first job is to get Tottenham out of trouble at the bottom of the Premier League table. With just one point and one place separating the club from the bottom three, Spurs are perilously close to relegation, which they simply cannot afford.

But if he does manage to guide them out of trouble, attention will soon turn to the transfer market and what he can do to turn the club’s fortunes around after what will have been back-to-back bottom half finishes in the top flight.

GIVEMESPORT understands that De Zerbi will be given control when it comes to signings, so who could he bring in and what could the club’s starting XI look like under the new boss?

New Goalkeeper Set To Sign

lucas chevalier

De Zerbi is well known for playing out from the back, with emphasis on ball-playing defenders and goalkeeper. He needs players he can trust with the ball at their feet in his back-line and that could lead to big changes in N17 this summer.

Guglielmo Vicario has been linked with an exit and is unlikely to fit into De Zerbi’s style, given his poor distribution. Antonin Kinsky may not fit in either, given his poor performance in the Riyadh Air Metropolitano against Atletico Madrid.

Lucas Chevalier has been linked with a shock exit from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, having fallen out of favour at the Parc des Princes in the second half of this season. He has been linked with Tottenham and could join the De Zerbi revolution.

He would certainly fit the bill, with only Barcelona’s Joan Garcia having a higher pass success rate in the top five European leagues so far this season.

In Defence Of The Spurs Defence

Jan Paul van Hecke applauding the Brighton & Hove Albion supporters

As a volatile character himself, De Zerbi may not want to butt heads with a fiery captain as well in the form of Cristian Romero. But as a World Cup winner he may be just what the Italian wants and needs at the club.

Romero has often been linked with leaving Spurs and while he has a long contract at the club still, GIVEMESPORT understands there is a willingness from Spurs to negotiate with interested parties over a transfer this summer.

If the Argentinian departs, Spurs will need a new right-sided centre-back, unless De Zerbi wants to promote Kevin Danso to the starting lineup. One player who shone under the Italian at Brighton, and would be an excellent addition in N17, is Jan Paul Van Hecke.

The 25-year-old would make it a young, all Dutch defensive duo alongside Micky van de Ven and would be a more than suitable replacement for Romero.

The full-back areas are where Spurs are quite blessed when it comes to players who can play in De Zerbi’s system, with Pedro Porro, Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie all capable of shining in a new system.

Midfield Overhaul At Tottenham

Alex Scott

The midfield might be where some real cosmetic work needs to be done in the transfer market, although perhaps not when it comes to the starting XI.

In a 4-2-3-1 formation, De Zerbi will find two fit, young players who are good on the ball and can work between the defence and attack that can easily slot into his favoured system. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall are those two players. Gray has shown himself to be a leader, despite his tender years this season and some stability will see his star continue to rise. Bergvall has had a tough season, but will likely challenge for a spot in the double pivot with Rodrigo Bentancur, who has shown multiple times he can deal with the ball in tight situations.

Joao Palhinha’s loan deal may not be made permanent, while Conor Gallagher may find his options limited under De Zerbi too. Yves Bissouma is out of contract and on the way out, leaving room for additions to come in.

Bournemouth’s Alex Scott would be a canny signing, having been linked with Spurs in the past, too.

How The Frontline Might Look At Spurs

Samu Aghehowa celebrating after scoring for Porto

With players coming back fro injury in key areas, De Zerbi may feel like he does not need to do too much in the transfer market when it comes to the forward areas.

Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski should both be back in action by the start of the new season and can play in the wide areas, although it would be no surprise to see Tottenham go back in for Maghnes Akliouche, to hand De Zerbi another option.

Mathys Tel has stood out in a below part team this season, while Wilson Odobert is also to come back in sometime in the first few months of the campaign.

James Maddison will be back to fight it out with Xavi Simons for that No.10 role, showing Spurs do have good strength in forward areas when everyone is fit and players who can adapt to De Zerbi’s philosophy too.

Up front De Zerbi has a player in Dominic Solanke who will do all the running, hold the ball up and knows where the back of the net is too, although with Randal Kolo Muani going back to PSG and Richarlison likely to be sold, another incoming striker may be on the cards. Samu Aghehowa or Dusan Vlahovic could fit the bill.

Tottenham’s dream starting XI under De Zerbi: Chevalier; Porro, van Hecke, van de Ven, Udogie; Gray, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Akliouche; Solanke. Subs: Kinsky, Spence, Danso, Bergvall, Gallagher, Scott, Simons, Tel, Kudus, Aghehowa.

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Man Utd Eyeing Move to Sign Matias Fernandez-Pardo to Replace Marcus Rashford

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Manchester United are eyeing a move to sign highly-rated Lille star Matias Fernandez-Pardo to bolster their attack, according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The Red Devils have made bolstering their midfield a priority this summer, but there is also scope to add a new forward to the squad as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund will all leave permanently during the transfer window.

A new left-winger is understood to be a key area that the club want to strengthen ahead of the new season, and a 21-year-old sensation has now emerged as a target.

Man Utd Eyeing Fernandez-Pardo Deal

Matias Fernandez-Pardo

Fernandez-Pardo, who has been described as ‘explosive’, is expected to leave Ligue 1 side Lille this summer after a fantastic campaign with the French side, where he registered eight goals and six assists in 40 appearances across all competitions.

The Belgian has been identified by Newcastle United as a top target to replace Anthony Gordon, who has joined Barcelona in a £70m deal, but Man Utd are also understood to be showing an interest in the exciting forward.

Lille need to sell players this summer to help them raise funds, and the winger is regarded as one of their most sellable assets. Despite reports that he is valued at around €50m (£43.2m), United could be willing to pay it as they look for competition in the wide positions for Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Patrick Dorgu.

The 21-year-old is also understood to be of interest to Man City, with his versatility being a big point of interest, as he is able to play across the forward line out wide or through the middle.

Fernandez-Pardo is part of the Belgium squad heading to the World Cup this summer, and Lillle will be hoping that he can turn in some serious performances to help raise his price tag.

Man Utd Need Attacking Additions

Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick admitted months ago that left-wing is a position that Man Utd need to strenghten, and now that he has the role permanently, he is likely to make it a priority.

Fernandez-Pardo is the type of signing that would fit in well at Man utd as a young player with plenty of room to grow, but also having experience at a high level and performances that prove he is ready to make the step up.

Considering the likely fee he will be available for, this could be a real bargain deal considering usual market value, and he would give the squad a boost in a position that needs reinforcements ahead of next seaosn.


Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick claps the fans


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Manchester United are looking to wrap up some early summer transfer business

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Chelsea Issue Statement After Tweet Backlash Following Arsenal UCL Final Defeat

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Chelsea have released a statement after their eyebrow-raising tweet following Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday evening went viral.

Arsenal, competing in only their second-ever Champions League final, pushed PSG all the way but eventually lost on penalties. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed their spot-kicks in the shootout as the Parisians secured their second successive European Cup.

Shortly after the final whistle, Chelsea posted a photo of their most-recent Champions League trophy (sealed in May 2021, courtesy of a 1-0 win over Manchester City), alongside the caption: “Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now.”

Chelsea’s cheeky tweet has racked up 139k reposts, 14k bookmarks and a whopping 421k ‘likes’, not to mention a further 24k replies.

Chelsea’s Statement After Posting Controversial Tweet

Chelsea Corner Flag

While Chelsea supporters and other fans of Arsenal rivals have seen the funny side, the same can’t be said for the crestfallen Gunners’ faithful.

Following some backlash to their tweet, Chelsea released a statement on X (Twitter) around 1am. Mocking their own red card record this season, the west London outfit posted:

“We probably deserve another red card for that last post! But in all seriousness, congratulations to Arsenal on winning the Premier League and a great run in the Champions League.

“Looking forward to picking up the battle again with you next season.”

“What in the utter woke nonsense is this…” replied one Chelsea fan, while another tweeted: “Oh my god, delete this you wet wipes.”

The tweet hasn’t appeased Arsenal supporters either, with one commenting: “Thanks but no thanks for the congratulatory message. You won’t be competing with us… know your place in the food chain.” Ouch.


Gabriel and Erling Haaland


Erling Haaland’s Post After Arsenal Lose Champions League Final Goes Viral

Erling Haaland is one of a few rival players to fire indirect shots at Arsenal following their Champions League final defeat.

Arteta Devastated After Champions League Final Defeat

Mikel Arteta walks past Champions League trophy

While Arsenal have enjoyed an excellent season, ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League trophy in the process, missing the opportunity to become European champions for the first time in the club’s history will still be a bitter pill for Mikel Arteta and his players to swallow this summer.

Asked to sum up his emotions after the final, Arteta was quoted by The Guardian as saying: “Pain, that’s it.

“When you are so close in the competition, and you are a few penalties away from winning the biggest club competition, that’s the way we should feel.”

The Spaniard added: “First of all you have to go through that pain, digest it, and turn it into fuel. To improve and to reach a different level, because it would demand a different level with the quality around Europe. I want to congratulate PSG because they are in my opinion the best team in the world.”

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Erling Haaland’s Post After Arsenal Lose Champions League Final Goes Viral

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Erling Haaland is one of several players to seemingly fire indirect shots at Arsenal with a post on social media, following the Premier League side’s defeat in the Champions League final.

The Gunners took the lead early on through Kai Havertz, as they hunted down the trophy for the first time in their history, but Ousmane Dembele‘s coolly finished penalty in the second half drew PSG level.

Both teams pushed for a winner in regulation time and extra time, but neither could find that one golden opportunity to seal the win, forcing it to be decided by a penalty shootout.

In the end, misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes sealed Arsenal‘s fate, losing the Champions League final and a chance at a historic double.

While the Premier League title will be the main focus for the players, who will get an opportunity to celebrate on Sunday at an Emirates Stadium parade, it is their rivals who celebrated on Saturday night.

Erling Haaland’s Wordless Arsenal Post

Erling Haaland

Plenty of Arsenal’s rivals seemingly relished the team losing in the Champions League final, taking an opportunity to rub it in on social media.

Chelsea posted a savage shot at the Gunners over the defeat, making reference to their two Champions League triumphs, as well as their Club World Cup win.

And shortly after, Erling Haaland appeared to take a cheeky dig at Arsenal with a post of his own on social media.

The Norwegian striker posted a photo of himself smiling, surrounded by friends, with the caption remaining wordless, but posted conveniently just after the Gunners lost.


Noni Madueke appeals for a penalty in Arsenal's match with PSG


Arsenal v PSG: Ex-PL Ref Gives Verdict After Madueke is Denied Penalty in UCL Final

Former referees have given their verdict on Daniel Siebert after the official’s performance in the Champions League final.

The time is likely no coincidence, with the 25-year-old knowledgeable when it comes to what people will talk about in football, as seen in his many battles with Arsenal.

Haaland famously told the Gunners to “stay humble” in a previous clash with the side, as both teams have continued to battle it out for the Premier League over the past four years.

Earlier this campaign, the striker simply smirked and sang lyrics Flo Rida song “Good Feeling” after he helped Man City secure a huge win over Arsenal, ripping the title race wide open.

While that didn’t go in his favour in the end, it appears as though Haaland has got at least one last laugh over his rivals, and he isn’t the only one.

Tottenham Players Fire Shots At Arsenal

Richarlison celebrating after scoring for Tottenham Hotspur

It wasn’t just Haaland who had his fun after Arsenal’s defeat, as their nearest and dearest rivals, Tottenham, seemingly joined in the mix through a few of their key players.

Richarlison was among the first, posting a video of a child laughing, with awfully coincidental timing to the Gunners losing the final in the shootout.

Djed Spence quickly followed, responding to an Arsenal tweet from back in February that said “Locked up” in reference to the full-back struggling in the North London Derby.

He simply replied with eye emojis and an unlocked lock, without making too many comments on the actual match itself.

That may make for a slightly frosty reception when Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke all meet up with Spence in the England camp in a few days time for the 2026 World Cup.

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