Guglielmo Vicario admitted Roberto De Zerbi’s first conversation with him after arriving at Tottenham was about Antonin Kinsky and whether the young goalkeeper had mentally recovered from his Atletico Madrid nightmare.
Tottenham Hotspur narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League after beating Everton 1-0 on the final day of the season, eventually finishing just two points above the drop zone.
A huge amount of credit for that survival belongs to Roberto De Zerbi, who became Spurs’ third manager of the campaign and somehow transformed the mentality around the club within weeks of arriving in North London.
One player who arguably enjoyed the biggest turnaround under the Italian was second-choice goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. The 23-year-old Czech endured a nightmare evening against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League under Igor Tudor 2 months ago, when he was substituted after just 17 minutes following multiple costly errors that led to goals.
At that stage, very few expected Kinsky to recover mentally so quickly, especially with Tottenham thrown into a relegation battle and first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario sidelined through injury.
Instead, Kinsky responded brilliantly and produced a string of huge performances against Wolves, Leeds United and Everton, making several crucial saves that played a massive role in Spurs staying in the Premier League.
Guglielmo Vicario reveals Roberto De Zerbi immediately asked about Antonin Kinsky
Vicario, who himself did not play under De Zerbi after undergoing hernia surgery shortly before the Italian’s arrival, has now revealed that one of De Zerbi’s first questions at the club was about Kinsky.
“He has been incredible, impressive, he did unbelievably well,” Vicario said when asked about his teammate after the Everton win.
“In every game, it was not easy. Now it’s easy to say, but I was sure of his mental strength and ability. When I spoke to Roberto the first day he signed, he asked me how Toni was, and I said, ‘I think he is fully recovered from what happened because in football it can happen’, and he showed it.”
Vicario admitted he was especially impressed with the mentality Kinsky showed after such a difficult night in Madrid. “That’s the biggest strength he can put on the pitch,” the Italian added.
“I’m very proud of him, he made some really important saves to keep us in the league and he deserved his moment. Sometimes football is downs, I think he had the brilliance to show his ups. Especially in the last two, three games. He did unbelievably for us.”
Tottenham’s goalkeeper situation could become one of the biggest summer talking points
Guglielmo Vicario’s own future in North London currently looks uncertain amid strong links with Inter Milan, although recent reports have suggested the Italian club may now hesitate over a move.
Regardless of what happens in the transfer market, it is still difficult to fully imagine Vicario fitting naturally into De Zerbi’s style long-term given the Italian coach’s heavy demand for goalkeepers comfortable in possession and strong with distribution, which has been one of Vicario’s weaker areas this season.
Many Spurs supporters would love to see Antonin Kinsky become the club’s number one next season after his impressive performances during the run-in, although his lack of experience at the highest level may still concern the club hierarchy.
That may explain why Tottenham continue to be linked with several established goalkeepers.
Bart Verbruggen remains a name of interest after previously working under De Zerbi at Brighton, while Benfica’s Anatoliy Trubin has also been linked with a reunion with his former Shakhtar Donetsk manager after publicly expressing his desire to work with him again.
James Trafford is perhaps the most realistic option of the lot, especially given his homegrown status, comfort in possession and desire for regular football. However, Spurs are expected to face competition from multiple Premier League clubs for his signature.