Ben Davies has explained what Tottenham Hotspur will be doing differently from a tactical standpoint than they did in the final seven games of last season when they were fighting relegation.
De Zerbi has already said we will see a very different Spurs side this season to the one we saw in the final few games of last campaign.
The Italian explained that while he did not have time to implement his preferred style of play during the relegation battle, he has used pre-season to get his ideas across to the squad.
That is evident from Spurs’ pre-season performances, with the Lilywhites looking a lot more accomplished and patient on the ball, and showing shades of the Italian’s Brighton sides from a few years ago.
Ben Davies says Tottenham will be patient on the ball this season under Roberto De Zerbi
Davies has said that Tottenham are now much more geared towards keeping possession than they were when De Zerbi first arrived through the door.
The experienced defender also explained that rather than looking to force the ball forward at every opportunity, they are now looking to be patient and look for the right opening.
When asked where Tottenham are tactically ahead of De Zerbi’s first full season in charge, the 33-year-old told the club’s official website: “I think when the manager came in towards the end of last season, it was a very different situation, desperate for results. You’ve seen this pre-season, we’ve tried to play a lot with the ball. You can see our midfielders are very confident to get on it, try to play forward as much as they can.
“We’re hoping we’ll have a lot of the ball. We’ll have to be patient at times. We’re not going to try and just constantly force the ball to try and score goals, but everything comes with a reason, we’re moving the opposition around to be able to create chances.
“The manager is obviously trying to implement that. I think Richy’s goal yesterday (on Saturday) and Luca’s goal today (on Sunday), if you actually look at it, we’re pretty calm with the ball, we’re moving it around, it doesn’t look like a lot’s happening, but then one pass into Pape or one pass into Sandro, and all of a sudden, the ball’s in the back of the net in a couple of passes. It’s all with a reason.”
Davies hints Spurs may try more first-time crosses
We saw the Lilywhites score with two first-time crosses in their two friendlies against Hoffenheim, and Davies seemed to hint that is a deliberate strategy.
He explained that defences find it a lot harder to get set and deal with first-time balls into the box.
When asked about the specific tactic, which led to him scoring from Mateus Fernandes’ ball into the box on Sunday, the Welshman said: “I think the biggest thing it gives is that the defensive line’s not set. They don’t have a chance to get ready.
“I think it probably looks to a few people it might have been offside, but I don’t know if their back line gets out quickly enough because of how quickly the ball comes in. It’s a great ball, and I’m happy to have nicked one there.”
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