3 things Roberto De Zerbi got horribly wrong in the loss to Leeds United
Before Saturday, Tottenham were on a four-game unbeaten streak and, like Stringer Bell, we Spurs fans were putting the word out that we were back up. After Saturday’s loss at Elland Road to Leeds United, it is back to crisis mode. That’s due in part to Roberto De Zerbi’s management.
Mateus Fernandes is good. He shouldn’t be playing the 10.
It is not De Zerbi’s fault that Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White jilted Tottenham at the last minute in last year’s transfer window, and it’s not De Zerbi’s fault that James Maddison can’t get fit. But it is absolute on De Zerbi for starting Mateus Fernandes at the 10. He is a good player. He is not a 10.
Saturday marked the fourth game this season that De Zerbi started Fernandes behind the striker. Tottenham are 0-1-3 in those games. As my colleague Joe Soriano pointed out, the starting midfield of Fernandes, Archie Gray, and Sandro Tonali was listless against Leeds. It suited none of their strengths, particularly Fernandes. There are few players better than Fernandes in dropping into space and making line-breaking passes, and as the 10 he wasn’t permitted to do that on Saturday.
Tottenham’s best midfield is undoubtedly Maddison, Fernandes, and Tonali. Whatever Maddison’s situation, De Zerbi should leave Fernandes and Tonali as the pivots and make do at the 10 until the winter transfer window opens.
Omar Marmoush received too many minutes
Omar Marmoush is not a bust. Omar Marmoush is not a bust. Omar Marmoush is not a bust.
Oh, sorry. I was just trying to delude myself after looking at his player radar and watching him provide nothing to the team on Saturday. Marmoush started and played 65 minutes. In his current form, that’s 65 minutes too many.
Starting Pedro Porro at right back was a disaster
Hand up, I get this one wrong. Heading into the game, I argued that Pedro Porro needed to be the starting right-back. Now, it might be time to move on from the World Cup winner.
He was downright awful against Leeds. He misplayed shots and passes all afternoon, provided Mohammed Kudus zero support on the wing, and drew a yellow card before getting subbed off in the 65th minute. Perhaps his head is somewhere else. Rumors won’t stop swirling around a move to Spain, and that might not be a bad thing.
Archie Gray’s best position, both for himself and the team, is at right back, so much so The Athletic recently asked, “Were we wrong about Archie Gray not being a right-back?” Had Gray, not Porro, started on the back line it might have been a different story against Leeds.
