Tottenham Hotspur: Guglielmo Vicario could lose out after Roberto De Zerbi appointment

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario could be in line to lose out following the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi.

The position between the sticks has been a hot topic at Spurs this season, with Vicario coming under fire for large periods of the campaign, while Igor Tudor’s decision to substitute Antonin Kinsky in the first half against Atletico Madrid drew heavy criticism.

De Zerbi has been brought in with the immediate goal of dragging the Lilywhites to safety, with the North London club hovering above the Premier League drop zone.

Looking to make an impact with his style of play, De Zerbi’s compatriot Vicario could be set to lose his number one spot, with a race to fit after hernia surgery too.

Roberto De Zerbi could be set to drop Guglielmo Vicario

Taking over at Brighton in 2022, the Italian guided the Seagulls to a Europa League finish, playing some of the best football seen across the Premier League.

Gaining a reputation for his style of play, particularly the build-up from the back, De Zerbi made a big call early into his time at the Amex, when he dropped Robert Sanchez for Jason Steele.

And given his record on the South Coast, the decision most certainly worked out, with Steele being much more comfortable with the ball at his feet when compared with Sanchez.

Similar can be said when the current goalkeeping situation at Tottenham is considered.

Throughout the season, Vicario has received criticism for his haphazard distribution, backed up by his 67 per cent pass completion rate – something that has not been covered up by his shot-stopping ability either, with -5.22 goals prevented in the Premier League this term.

While Kinsky was naturally in the spotlight following his horrendous evening in Madrid, he is much more comfortable with the ball at his feet – something that De Zerbi will no doubt want in his team.

Roberto De Zerbi requires a ball-playing goalkeeper

When it comes to the Italian’s style, players comfortable in possession are imperative, even when it comes to the man in between the sticks.

In build-up, a big characteristic of a De Zerbi team is the backline and goalkeeper baiting the opposition into a press.

As seen with the aforementioned Steele, Lewis Dunk and more at Brighton, players would often slow the game to a standstill, placing their studs on the ball before shifting the ball forward into midfield to artificially create counter-attacking-like scenarios.

It cannot be argued that this approach does not work either, especially given De Zerbi’s time at Brighton.

When it comes to Vicario, he is not the type of goalkeeper to be comfortable under pressure, as seen during his haphazard moments throughout his time in a Tottenham shirt.

The new Spurs boss needs someone capable of breaking lines in between the sticks, and Vicario simply is not the man to do that.

While an exit could be on the cards for the summer, with Inter Milan named as a potential destination, he could be in line to lose his number one spot in the coming weeks.

The post Tottenham Hotspur: Guglielmo Vicario could lose out after Roberto De Zerbi appointment appeared first on Tottenham Hotspur News.