Roberto De Zerbi wants Spurs to play attacking football in bid for Premier League survival

[p]Having been appointed ‌as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tottenham/UDg08Ohm/"]Spurs[/a]' third manager of the season, the former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brighton/2XrRecc3/"]Brighton & Hove Albion[/a] boss has seven games ‌to steer the North London side to safety, and he acknowledged the ‌urgency of his task.[/p][p]Spurs have not won a Premier League game in 2026, while ‌they have scored only 40 league goals this season to register ‌a negative goal difference (-10).[/p][p]"I don't have time for principles or build-up, I want to give organisation with the ball and without the ball," [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/de-zerbi-roberto/pYizckpN/"]De Zerbi[/a] told reporters ahead of his ‌first game in charge, away at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sunderland/WSzc94ws/"]Sunderland[/a] on Sunday.[/p][p]"[b]What ⁠I want to do and what ‌I want to achieve is the character. The right spirit, courage to play and ​attack. The DNA of this club and squad is to find the goal, to score. In this part, I can be able to ​transfer my principle[/b]."[/p][p]The Italian manager had vowed to remain in charge next season regardless of results, describing the role as the biggest challenge of his ⁠career after signing a long-term ​contract.[/p][embed guid="c6f8b880-abcd-4736-be31-130881a32f01" url="https://x.com/SpursOfficial/status/2042590218801295744" social-type="twitter" /][p]Spurs plummeted in the standings, first under Thomas Frank and then under interim boss Igor Tudor, with the club sitting in 17th place -- one point above the relegation zone.[/p][p]"I believe to keep (Spurs) in the Premier League, it has to be ‌clear to everyone, because I want to work in the Premier League. I think (I) deserve to work in the Premier League," De Zerbi said.[/p][p]"[b]Anyway, if I sign my contract in April, I have to be ready to stay no matter what in the next season. I want to stay focused on Sunderland and the other six games. But my idea is very clear[/b]."[/p][p]However, he was dealt a blow when forward [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kudus-mohammed/hzbcXxIG/"]Mohammed Kudus[/a] suffered a setback in his recovery from a quad injury, with the Ghanaian international also in danger ‌of missing out on the World Cup.[/p][p]"I started with not big luck. Kudus ​was, in my head, a crucial player. But we have to look ‌forward anyway. We have a lot of very good attackers and we have to help them show their qualities," De Zerbi added.[/p][p]"[b](Randal) [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kolo-muani-randal/WKBRZ6Y6/"]Kolo Muani[/a] is not playing a great season but he is a good player. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tel-mathys/drANB1N8/"]Mathys Tel[/a], I wanted him in (Olympique de) [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/marseille/SblU3Hee/"]Marseille[/a]. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/simons-xavi/noo0L9zk/"]Xavi Simons[/a] is ⁠a big talent. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/richarlison/K82Dz773/"]Richarlison[/a] and (Dominic) [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/solanke-dominic/OrADwZse/"]Solanke[/a], ⁠you know better than me. We ‌have to put them in the best condition[/b]."[/p]