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De Zerbi’s Dream Tottenham XI With Two More Signings Added
Tottenham Hotspur have been the most active Premier League club in this summer transfer window so far, yet Roberto De Zerbi could still add a few more signings to complete his dream starting eleven for next season.
The Lilywhites narrowly avoided relegation last term, finishing 17th in the English top flight for the second consecutive campaign. Evidently, significant investment in the squad was required, and thus far, Spurs’ hierarchy have delivered.
Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson arrived on free transfers for Bournemouth and Liverpool, respectively, to add experience and defensive resilience at the back. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has also arrived from Burnley.
Jan Paul van Hecke was acquired for £52million from Brighton in a staple move, while a major midfield overhaul is in motion. Mateus Fernandes has joined from West Ham United for £85million, and Sandro Tonali is set to complete a mouth-watering £100million switch from Newcastle United.
The forward line still needs work, but by all accounts, Tottenham aren’t prepared to slow down in the market. With that said, GIVEMESPORT have put together a dream Spurs eleven for next season, which includes two further signings.
Goalkeeper
Kinsky
In one of their more low-key moves of the summer, Tottenham have also added experienced free agent Premier League goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to their ranks. This acquisition suggests that De Zerbi is committed to using Antonin Kinsky as his first choice in between the sticks.
When the Italian manager arrived in North London, Kinsky was still ruing the humiliating experience he’d endured away at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League under Igor Tudor. However, De Zerbi resurrected the Czech’s career at Tottenham, and he subsequently enjoyed an impressive end to the season.
Kinsky signed a new long-term deal last week, which essentially confirms De Zerbi’s plans to platform him as the number one, ahead of Guglielmo Vicario and Dubravka.
Defence
Porro, Van Hecke, Senesi, Van de Ven
All of a sudden, Spurs have a plethora of options in their backline, and many favourites from the previous iteration of the team won’t start on a regular basis.
At right-back, Pedro Porro is expected to keep his place. De Zerbi showed faith in the Spaniard in the final weeks of the season, and while there were some suggestions that the player could depart this summer, few concrete developments have emerged on this front. Djed Spence will have a tough task on his hands to compete with Porro.
At centre-back, De Zerbi has several different combinations he can experiment with, although the Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven partnership is likely to be a thing of the past. Romero has reportedly told Spurs he wants to stay, but other reports indicate that the North London club are prepared to cash in on the Argentine.
Regardless of whether he remains in N17 or not, it appears De Zerbi might be keen on moving on from being overly reliant on the ill-disciplined defender. Van Hecke and Senesi have been signed for a reason, and the two players could complement each other perfectly in a new-look Tottenham defence. Spurs’ passing issues from deep areas are likely to become a thing of the past with these two excellent ball-players at the heart of their back four.
While Romero could be axed from his starting role, De Zerbi will almost certainly want to utilise Van de Ven, but perhaps offer the Dutchman a new role. For the Netherlands at the World Cup, the pacey defender was used at left-back, allowing Denzel Dumfries to push forward on the right. A similar dynamic could unfold in De Zerbi’s team with Porro on the opposite side.
This means there is no space for Robertson in De Zerbi’s dream eleven. However, given where the Scotsman is in his career, a squad rotation role makes sense. Where all of this leaves the likes of Kevin Danso and Destiny Udogie is a different question, however.
Midfield
Tonali, Fernandes, Akliouche
Spurs are likely to start the new campaign with an entirely new midfield. The likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall may find themselves on the periphery of De Zerbi’s squad, as the new men take over.
After spending such a significant sum on Tonali and Fernandes, it would be fair to assume that the two players will form a double pivot at the base of Spurs’ midfield. This should create a nice balance, with Fernandes’ in-possession skills dovetailing nicely with Tonali’s hard-running and defensive work.
In front of them, while James Maddison and Conor Gallagher will certainly feel they should be included in this concept team, Spurs are seemingly attempting to sign a new creative player. Tottenham are in talks to sign Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, who they view as the heir to Maddison.
Akliouche is an outstanding talent and has the ability to replace some of Maddison’s creative passing attributes.
Attack
Kudus, Kroupi, Simons
Finally, the attack at Spurs still needs some work, although De Zerbi already has some promising pieces in place. Xavi Simons is on the long road to recovery from an ACL injury, although once he’s back and available, he should be parachuted straight back into the Lilywhites’ best starting XI.
Simons was regularly deployed off the left by De Zerbi, so this is likely where the Italian sees his primary creator operating long-term. Off the right, Mohammed Kudus should reassume this position in Spurs’ attack, once he’s free of his own injury issues.
The Ghanaian started brightly at Tottenham last season, but was halted by a string of serious fitness problems. He should be ready to rebuild this fitness in pre-season, and De Zerbi will no doubt enjoy his direct dribbling skills.
Up front, a new number nine is needed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Richarlison and Dominic Solanke are approaching their 30s, and neither can be trusted to fire Spurs back into the Champions League places. Instead, they should invest in a long-term option in this position.
Junior Kroupi is the most exciting young striker on the market, and the Frenchman has been heavily linked with Tottenham in recent weeks. An £80million move has been mooted for Kroupi, who scored 13 Premier League goals last season at the age of 19.
He should be able to lead the line for Tottenham for years to come.
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Manchester United have opened talks to sign a Brazilian midfielder, according to David Ornstein.
It’s no secret that the Red Devils are pushing to bring in multiple midfield additions in the summer transfer window as they look to replace Casemiro.
United do appear to be closing in on a move to sign Ederson from Atalanta, but any deal has slowed down due to his involvement at the World Cup.
Either way, the Red Devils need to bring in multiple midfield reinforcements in the summer transfer window, especially if Manuel Ugarte’s injury is serious.
Casemiro’s departure leaves a big hole in the midfield of United, and they need a bigger squad regardless due to competing in the Champions League.
Man Utd Open Talks for Midfielder
According to The Athletic’s Ornstein, Manchester United have held talks with the agent of Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos in the summer transfer window.
Santos, described as world-class by former manager Liam Rosenior, is looking to establish himself as a regular starter, and that is unlikely to happen at Chelsea going forward.
United are yet to hold talks with Chelsea for the Brazilian midfielder, but multiple suitors have contacted his agent.
Chelsea do value the midfielder highly, but they would not block a move if it suited all parties involved.
It remains to be seen how much Chelsea are going to demand for Santos in the summer transfer window, but United have already made their move.
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Man Utd’s priority isn’t changing
Manchester United’s priority in the summer transfer window clearly isn’t changing as they look to bring in new midfield additions.
The Red Devils have been working tirelessly to try and strengthen in this position, but they have struggled to get deals over the line over the last few months.
Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes were both key targets for the Manchester club, but they have joined Manchester City and Tottenham, respectively.
United need to ensure that they start getting deals over the line, or they could end up panic-buying towards the end of the summer transfer window.
England stars have a big showdown with Mexico on the horizon and Thomas Tuchel’s troops could turn to Viagra to help them beat the World Cup co-hosts.
The two nations do battle at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday at 6 pm local time, with a 1 am kick-off for fans in the UK. There had been talk of FIFA potentially moving the game six hours ahead due to concerns over safety and the weather.
The conditions are proving an issue for Tuchel’s Three Lions, and the term ‘altitude’ has been thrown around more than ever before ahead of an English game. That’s because the players have to adapt to the high altitude and brave a fearsome atmosphere inside the 87,523-capacity stadium.
England Hoping Viagra Falls Mexico
The Azteca is located at 7,220 feet (2,240 metres) above sea level. Tuchel has already admitted that playing at high altitude will be “impossible” and is a “big disadvantage” ahead of the clash with Javier Aguirre’s side.
Viagra could be the answer for England as they would be allowed to use the prescription medication which is often used to treat erectile dysfunction. Tuchel will hope that his players are all functioning on the same wavelength against the Mexicans.
Tackling high altitudes is where Viagra comes in handy, as it also fixes high blood pressure. Known as ‘Vitamin V’ it widens blood vessels in the lungs after blocking an enzyme that restricts them.
The over-the-counter drug can help counteract fatigue and dizziness that may occur due to the conditions. It’s harder to maintain stamina when playing at high altitudes due to the thinner atmosphere and lower oxygen concentration.
England have grown into the competition rather than shown what they are capable of thus far. They needed Harry Kane to produce a magnificent brace to come from behind and beat DR Congo in the Round of 32.
Why England Can Use Viagra
The Three Lions can use Viagra because it isn’t on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances. The active substance sildenafil isn’t believed to be a significant performance enhancer at or near sea level.
Tuchel’s men won’t have to fret over the possibility of an erection during the match as the medication only treats erectile dysfunction when the recipient is sexually stimulated. Unless a goalscorer gets carried away in their ecstasy during celebrations, their benefits are more focused on endurance and cardiovascular.
While England could use Viagra for their clash with Mexico, they decided against doing so during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. An FA spokesman said at the time that they had conducted detailed research but that “no discussion with regard to Viagra” and “plans for players to use it” took place.
It will take a big effort from the Three Lions to defeat the co-hosts as they have only lost two competitive games at the Azteca in 57 years. Should the English prevail, they may well have the little blue pill to thank.
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Thomas Tuchel Dismisses England’s Viagra Use
During his pre-match press conference, Tuchel was asked about the speculation that viagra would be part of his players’ preparation. A slightly confused-looking Tuchel responded by denying it.
“The information and the support didn’t reach me. That is not true,” the German coach told reporters. It came after midfielder Jordan Henderson, sat next to his manager, joked about the matter.
Asked about the altitude issue facing the Three Lions in Mexico, the Brentford star joked: “Well, the Viagra helps… I’m joking, it’s a joke.”
The Football Association has already settled on whether Thomas Tuchel will keep his job if England fail to beat Mexico in their World Cup last-16 tie.
England head into the game knowing they will have to conquer Mexico’s remarkable home record at the Azteca stadium — and the demands of playing at altitude give the co-hosts the edge, despite England’s status as one of the tournament favourites.
Tuchel’s side haven’t quite hit top form this summer either, needing a late Harry Kane rescue act to avoid a shock exit to DR Congo in the last 32, as well as struggling past Ghana and Panama.
Tuchel was appointed as Gareth Southgate‘s successor to take England to the next level. However, he signed a contract extension through Euro 2028 shortly before the tournament began, as he now eyes an extended stay.
Although the deal reportedly includes performance clauses letting the FA part ways with him without paying out major compensation if targets aren’t hit.
Tuchel Would Have Been Sacked for DR Congo Exit
Despite the clauses written into the contract, sources close to the situation say the FA’s stance has shifted since the DR Congo scare.
According to The Telegraph, Tuchel would almost certainly have been sacked had England lost that game — but he’s expected to survive regardless of what happens against Mexico.
The FA are said to be considering the toughness of England’s route rather than any single scoreline when they assess Tuchel at the end of the tournament.
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Short of a genuinely shocking result, the plan is reportedly to keep him in charge — even if that means defeat to Mexico, or later to Brazil, Argentina or France, should England progress that far.
With the previous four tournament finishes, including one quarter-final, one semi-final and two final defeats, Tuchel will be hoping to match and succeed those efforts as they eye the winner of Norway and Brazil and a likely date with either Colombia or Argentina in the semi-finals.
Camp Mood Remains Positive Despite Criticism
Dropping Trent Alexander-Arnold amid a right-back crisis has drawn outside criticism, as well as not adding either Luke Shaw or Lewis Hall, but those inside the camp reportedly see that as bad luck with fitness rather than a selection failure, and the mood in the squad is said to remain positive.
Tuchel had been linked with a return to club football after the World Cup, but with most of Europe’s top jobs already filled, he’s expected to stay fully focused on England’s campaign.
All the top sides in the Premier League, including former club Chelsea, have all nailed down new coaches for the foreseeable future. Plus, the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona are also set with José Mourinho and Hansi Flick.
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