Roberto De Zerbi, who recently took charge of Tottenham Hotspur, has expressed confidence in his ability to unlock the potential of the club’s high-profile signings Conor Gallagher and Xavi Simons as Spurs seek to reverse their poor run of form. The Italian coach assumed managerial duties with the team entrenched in the Premier League relegation zone and without a league victory in the 2026 campaign.

Tottenham’s upcoming fixtures, starting with an away match against Sunderland, are crucial as De Zerbi faces the challenge of energizing a squad that has struggled to deliver on expectations. Gallagher, acquired from Atletico Madrid in January for approximately £35 million after reportedly turning down Aston Villa, has yet to make a significant impact since his arrival. Meanwhile, Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons, signed last summer for £51 million, has also found consistent starts hard to come by.

De Zerbi highlighted that his approach to revitalizing these players involves both tactical positioning and psychological support. He emphasized the importance of placing Gallagher and Simons in roles that suit their strengths on the pitch, while also addressing the mental adjustment required, particularly for Gallagher. The 26-year-old midfielder has experienced multiple transitions in recent seasons, moving from Chelsea—where he was considered a leader—first to Atletico Madrid and now to Tottenham. De Zerbi acknowledged the difficulties inherent in such changes and expressed his intent to help Gallagher reestablish the confidence he displayed earlier in his career.

The new manager also referred to Spurs’ injured attacker Mohammed Kudus, who nearly reunited with De Zerbi at Brighton before signing with West Ham, suggesting that once fit, Kudus could similarly benefit from his tactical demands. De Zerbi underscored the necessity of shifting the team’s focus from defending to proactively creating scoring opportunities. He stressed that the club’s identity lies in maintaining possession and prioritizing an offensive mindset, even if that sometimes entails conceding goals.

“With this squad, the aim is to find solutions in possession and to adopt an attacking style,” De Zerbi said. “If we have to concede a goal, we concede it, but the DNA of these players and this club is to keep the ball and to try to score.” As Tottenham battles to avoid relegation, the manager’s ability to maximize his key players’ performances will be critical in the closing stages of the season.