{"id":514210,"date":"2026-04-05T12:46:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T12:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/514210\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T12:46:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T12:46:13","slug":"five-tottenham-players-who-could-earn-roberto-de-zerbi-a-debut-win-at-sunderland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/514210\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Tottenham players who could earn Roberto De Zerbi a debut win at Sunderland"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google <\/a> <\/p>\n

We have taken a look at five Tottenham Hotspur players who could play a pivotal role in Roberto De Zerbi\u2019s first game against Sunderland AFC.<\/p>\n

Roberto De Zerbi<\/a> has already begun settling into life in north London following his appointment earlier this week.<\/p>\n

The new Spurs boss has since sat down with the club for his first interview<\/a>, addressing several issues and outlining what is to come under his reign.<\/p>\n

His first game, however, does not come until April 12, when Tottenham face Sunderland in the Premier League after almost a month without action due to the international break, along with no FA Cup<\/a> or Champions League<\/a> commitments. <\/p>\n

With that fixture in mind, we have now taken a look at five players who could play a pivotal role in earning De Zerbi his first win at Tottenham.<\/p>\n

\"AntoninCredit: @thefrederikkejensen \/ InstagramAntonin Kinsky has a chance to take the Tottenham number one spot<\/p>\n

Based on his setup at previous clubs, it is clear that De Zerbi prefers players who are comfortable on the ball.<\/p>\n

In his first interview with Tottenham, the former Brighton manager stated that he attacks with 11<\/a> and defends with 11, highlighting just how vital every player on the pitch is. <\/p>\n

However, the big question then becomes Antonin Kinsky<\/a> or Guglielmo Vicario<\/a>? Based on their displays, the general perception is that Vicario struggles with his feet, with even the official Premier League page controversially poking fun at the Spurs number one<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Kinsky, on the other hand, is generally viewed as much better with the ball at his feet, although his howlers at Atletico Madrid have dented that particular reputation. <\/p>\n

Kinsky will feature next weekend<\/a>, given Vicario\u2019s injury, handing him a unique chance at redemption. His ball-playing ability could be crucial if Spurs are to get off to a winning start under their new boss.<\/p>\n

Cristian Romero\u2019s form on Argentina duty must continue<\/p>\n

Cristian Romero<\/a>, the Tottenham captain for now, could also play a big role if Spurs are to secure all three points at the Stadium of Light.<\/p>\n

It may sound strange given that Romero was visibly not giving his all when Nottingham Forest added a second last time out, where he was seen jogging back rather sluggishly.<\/p>\n

But Romero has since taken responsibility<\/a> and stated he will give everything in the final seven games.<\/p>\n

He should fit naturally into De Zerbi\u2019s system due to his ball-playing ability and desire to improve Spurs\u2019 situation. <\/p>\n

De Zerbi is also likely to get a confident Romero following his impressive displays with Argentina during the international break, and if he carries that form to north London, Spurs could be looking at a first win under their Italian boss.<\/p>\n

In-form Archie Gray will be crucial for De Zerbi<\/p>\n

Seeing Archie Gray<\/a> included on our list of players who could be vital for De Zerbi against Sunderland will not surprise many Spurs fans, given his impressive displays this season.<\/p>\n

There is a strong argument that the youngster has been the standout player under the two managers who have taken charge of Tottenham this season. <\/p>\n

Under Igor Tudor<\/a>, Gray looked confident, unafraid to get on the ball in midfield and dictate play \u2013 performing like a product of la maisa.<\/p>\n

He also carried that form into England U21 duty, grabbing a goal for his country. If he continues playing at that level, he will be crucial for De Zerbi when Spurs travel to Sunderland.<\/p>\n

\"MohammedCredit: @thefrederikkejensen \/ InstagramMohammed Kudus races against time for De Zerbi\u2019s first game<\/p>\n

Another player who could be crucial next weekend is Mohammed Kudus<\/a>. Spurs have clearly lacked a real threat on the right since his injury.<\/p>\n

Igor Tudor revealed that the Ghanaian was set for a return around the end of the international break<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Still, Kudus was not seen in De Zerbi\u2019s first training session<\/a>, although that does not rule him out of the Sunderland clash.<\/p>\n

De Zerbi is known to be a big fan, having tried to sign him while at Brighton. The two could now work together in the coming days, and if it clicks, Kudus could make a real difference \u2013 though Spurs will be hoping he is ready in time.<\/p>\n

Richarlison\u2019s role under Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham<\/p>\n

While De Zerbi may find selection straightforward in other areas, choosing a centre-forward could prove more difficult.<\/p>\n

As it stands, Richarlison<\/a>, Dominic Solanke<\/a> and Kolo Muani are all fit, giving the Spurs boss a variety of options. There is, however, a feeling that Richarlison could be his preferred choice against Sunderland.<\/p>\n

The Brazil international has shown he is ready for the fight in this relegation scrap and has also proven his ability in front of goal, netting ten times this season. <\/p>\n

He looks suited to De Zerbi\u2019s style, and if selected, it would not be a surprise to see him find the net in such an attacking system.<\/p>\n

Have something to tell us about this article? Let us know <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Add as preferred source on Google We have taken a look at five Tottenham Hotspur players who could…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":514211,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[98427,60509,8786,49,5433,50,42105,142652,51,47,52,48,109],"class_list":{"0":"post-514210","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-headlines","8":"tag-antonin-kinsky","9":"tag-archie-gray","10":"tag-cristian-romero","11":"tag-headlines","12":"tag-mohammed-kudus","13":"tag-news","14":"tag-richarlison","15":"tag-roberto-de-zerbi","16":"tag-top-news","17":"tag-top-stories","18":"tag-topnews","19":"tag-topstories","20":"tag-tottenham"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/514210","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=514210"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/514210\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/514211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=514210"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=514210"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=514210"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}