Roberto De Zerbi has provided a surprising name when asked about the personalities who have proven crucial behind the scenes during Tottenham’s relegation fight.
De Zerbi has railed against suggestions that the Tottenham players do not care enough, insisting that they have suffered badly this season due to the team’s predicament.
That was certainly visible on Saturday, with the players on the bench and the injured players kicking and heading every ball, and mobbing Joao Palhinha when he got the game’s only goal.
There has been a sense of togetherness at the club over the last couple of months that had been missing for large parts under Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, and that undoubtedly played a part in the Lilywhites getting over the line on Sunday.
Roberto De Zerbi names Radu Dragusin first when asked about Tottenham players who contributed
The Tottenham head coach was asked which personalities have been the most crucial in helping the club out of the mess they were in.
While De Zerbi unsurprisingly named leaders such as Micky van de Ven, Joao Palhinha, and Rodrigo Bentancur, the first name he mentioned was that of Radu Dragusin, who has only had two minutes of competitive action under the Italian.
When asked to name the people who played important roles behind the scenes, the Tottenham boss said (via Football.London): “Dragusin. Dragusin was top because he didn’t play, but he was always positive inside the dressing room. Inside the pitch. Bentancur. Because Bentancur, when he came back from the injury, he wanted to play.
“He came to me to say, ‘hey, I want to play. I’m ready to play.’ Joao Palhinha, because at the beginning of my time, he didn’t play in Sunderland, here with Brighton and Wolverhampton. Ben Davies. Yesterday, he came to the Lodge with us.
“Micky van de Ven. Great guy, sensitive guy. I spent a lot of time with him, because I consider him the best centre-back, left-centre-back in the Premier League, with Levi Colwill, because he was my former player and I can’t forget him. But a lot of other players. Richarlison, Archie Gray, I can’t say one.”
De Zerbi says he wants Spurs to approach every game like Everton clash
The pressure on the Tottenham players was immense on Sunday, with even their senior players unlikely to have ever experienced an occasion like that one, given what was at stake.
However, the Spurs players did not let the external pressure affect them, playing with great attacking intent and mental toughness, and De Zerbi believes the match should be a blueprint for his side going forward.
The Tottenham boss added: “If we remember this day, for sure. Next season, we have to keep in our mind to give our best every session, every training, every game. And to think every game, every training session is like Tottenham vs Everton. If we remember this thing, I think it will be easier.”