Roberto De Zerbi was instrumental in keeping Tottenham in the Premier League after taking charge of a side that had been struggling for results. The question now is whether giving him major influence over recruitment as well as the team is the right next step.
At the end of last season, De Zerbi called for a substantial rebuild and Tottenham delivered new signings. He has praised the club’s board for its summer recruitment. However, journalist Alex Crook has argued that the club may be taking a significant risk by placing so much responsibility in the hands of its head coach.
Crook said Tottenham first approached De Zerbi midway through the previous season, but that he did not want to take over at that point. According to Crook, De Zerbi wanted a clean break and a summer start, with control over recruitment forming an important part of the arrangement.
The Brighton recruitment history
Speaking on talkSPORT, Crook questioned how much of De Zerbi’s success at Brighton was built on players already in place through Tony Bloom’s data-led scouting approach. Crook acknowledged De Zerbi’s strong results at the club, including taking Brighton into Europe for the first time in their history and deep runs in cup competitions.
But Crook’s argument was that De Zerbi’s own recruitment record at Brighton offered less encouragement. He identified Mo Dahoud and Ansu Fati as the two players De Zerbi pushed for, characterising both signings as unsuccessful. Crook also described Fati as an expensive mistake who produced little during his time at the Amex.
That is Crook’s assessment of De Zerbi’s role and the value of those deals, rather than an independently verified account of every transfer decision. Still, it frames the concern behind his warning to Tottenham: a coach’s success on the pitch does not automatically establish a record of success in the transfer market.
Tottenham’s summer spending under scrutiny
Crook’s broader complaint concerns the fees Tottenham paid during the summer. He questioned the reported £100m outlay on Sandro Tonali, the £85m fee for Matheus Fernandes, the price paid for Jan Paul van Hecke despite the defender having one year left on his contract, and Savinho’s £85m move.
In Crook’s view, Tottenham were prepared to pay figures other clubs would not match. He cited Manchester United’s decision to sign Carlos Baleba rather than Fernandes as part of his argument. These are Crook’s opinions and figures, but they underline his concern that the club may have paid excessive prices for players selected under De Zerbi’s influence.
Cracks already showing?
Crook also said Tottenham had made a poor start to the campaign and alleged that De Zerbi was already shifting blame onto others. He pointed to medical staff coming under scrutiny after a recent draw and described the manager as combustible when results do not go his way.
There are also tactical questions for Tottenham to manage as De Zerbi’s methods take shape. Analysis of the new season has noted that he had limited time during the seven-game run that secured survival to fully implement his approach. After a full pre-season and investment in players able to build from the back, the team may still require time to adjust to a more intricate style of play.
Verdict
None of Crook’s criticism proves that the De Zerbi project will fail. De Zerbi helped Tottenham stay up, and his Brighton tenure included important achievements. Yet Crook’s warning is clear: handing recruitment influence to a manager whose Brighton signings he questions could leave Tottenham exposed if the expensive additions do not deliver. The debate will ultimately centre on whether the club’s summer rebuild produces the improvement De Zerbi and Tottenham need.
