De Zerbi must unleash “future £100m” Spurs star

Tottenham Hotspur‘s biggest game in many years – a lifetime – arrives on Sunday, with Roberto De Zerbi‘s side searching for a point against Everton down N17 to save their Premier League status.

Character. Confidence. Two key elements that have been decidedly lacking for the Londoners this season. One person who certainly doesn’t embody these virtues is club captain Cristian Romero, who would rather spend his

The Argentina star may be out after suffering a season-ending injury on De Zerbi’s first matchday in charge, a 1-0 defeat away to Sunderland, but he should be down N17, leading by example and galvanising his troops as they fight to secure their future.

Instead, this defender is mutinous, and it’s clear now that he will indeed leave Tottenham at the end of the season.

Who will lead Spurs next season

Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro have formed a core part of Tottenham’s leadership group, and either one of the defenders would be in line to take the captaincy from Romero when he inevitably departs this summer.

However, both have been linked with moves away, and a cynic could argue that Van de Ven downed his tools in getting sent off against Crystal Palace during that frantic period under Igor Tudor.

The duo will have to form the centre of Tottenham’s leadership group on Sunday, though. Romero won’t be in attendance, and the hosts need to get the first goal as they fight to stave off relegation.

They will certainly need to offer more than was on show against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with plenty of determination but not enough threat and conviction in attacking areas.

De Zerbi needs a leader to spearhead the attacking charge, and he might just have the perfect solution, albeit one who has not seen very much action over the past few months.

Spurs must unleash Spurs’ own Bellingham

Djed Spence squeezed his way into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, but Archie Gray may be a little disappointed not to have earned a call-up.

It might be premature, but the 20-year-old has shown over two years in north London his winning mentality, so mature and a leader alongside his struggling teammates.

Hailed as a “future £100m centre-midfielder” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Gray hasn’t started since that defeat at Sunderland, and while De Zerbi has cemented a steely midfield, sparking a prompt upswing in form, there is no question that Gray has more to give this side than cheering from the bench.

He could even be a wildcard to play from the outset against Everton, capable across any number of positions and more tenacious and energetic than many of his peers. Certainly, there are some who would argue that he should replace Randal Kolo Muani on the right wing. The wasteful loanee has been shambolic of late.

Given that he has been projected to become “a generational talent like Jude Bellingham” for England, according to journalist Beren Cross, the one-time Leeds United youngster has to start being give more opportunities to impress.

Conor Gallagher was flat against his former club on Tuesday, and Gray could respond perfectly to recent struggles with a show of faith from his manager on this crucial last dance.

Stability. It’s been in short supply at Tottenham this season, and Gray has had to work in unnatural roles inside harsh, tempestuous environments.

But with Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur directing traffic behind him, he could bring the active and electric playing style to save Tottenham from the drop, putting in a talismanic performance that would put Romero to shame.