Former Manchester United midfielder Gordon Strachan has compared Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi to Sir Alex Ferguson, naming the Italian as the key reason he believes Spurs will avoid another disappointing season.
The pressure is on Tottenham Hotspur to improve on their Premier League performances from the last two seasons, where they finished in 17th-place.
Last campaign was one of the worst in the club’s recent history, with Spurs embroiled in a full-on relegation scrap that went down to the final day of the season.
Tottenham managed a matchday 38 victory against Everton in the 25-26 season, a win that proved enough to secure their Premier League status, while bitter rivals West Ham United suffered relegation.
Gordon Strachan predicts Tottenham to finish in the Premier League’s top five under Roberto De Zerbi
The onus is now on Spurs to make a marked improvement this campaign, especially after a busy summer that has seen them splash the cash.
Tottenham so far have completed the signing of seven players to bolster both their defence, midfield and attack ahead of what will be a frantic season.
Gordon Strachan has now revealed his expectation for Spurs this season following their £322m outlay, naming them as a side that could just about break into the top five.
Speaking to Betway when asked his prediction for the top five in the Premier League, he said: “It’ll be the usual suspects, so I’ve got Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City and Arsenal, so that’s four.
“But outside of that I might even say Brighton could get in the top five because they’re settled with what they’re doing and have a great manager.
“Aston Villa’s in there as well; they can definitely threaten to be top three. But then the group behind that, with Brighton as my outside bet for top five.
“Tottenham will also be there because they have to be up there this time, especially with the money they’ve spent.
“Spurs took a chance because when you go early to get transfers done, you have to pay top whack on players.”
Strachan compares De Zerbi’s mentality to Sir Alex Ferguson
The former Manchester United midfielder, who won major trophies, including the European Cup Winners’ Cup with Aberdeen under Sir Alex Ferguson, also opened up on whether this season will be another disappointing one for Spurs.
He said: “I can’t see Spurs doing that again, I really can’t. Not after spending that type of money, and not with the manager they’ve got, who’s permanently angry – which is good.
“It’s like Sir Alex, he was permanently angry, as long as he’s [Roberto De Zerbi] got that drive to scare people into winning games of football and not getting beat.
“When I played with Sir Alex, it was not the fact that you had to win, you were just so scared of getting beat. So I think that’s what De Zerbi does to these teams a little bit.
“I see players who are mentioned for 50 or 60 million, and I think they’re not as good as him. I think he’s going to be a top, top player without being recognised. If I was asked where to find the most underrated players, as a collective, it would be Brighton”