Jamie Carragher thinks Tottenham Hotspur managerial target Roberto De Zerbi is doing so well at Brighton and Hove Albion that the bigger clubs will be looking at the Italian in the summer, as he told Monday Night Football on Sky Sports (06/03/23 at 7:20 pm).
Brighton are chasing Europe this season and Carragher spoke about how De Zerbi has been ‘competing with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City’ when looking at the numbers of the South Coast club.
Only three teams in the Premier League have an average possession of over 60% this season – Brighton, Arsenal and Manchester City.
Added to that, De Zerbi’s side, since he took over from Graham Potter in September, are averaging 63% possession, the most of anyone in England’s top-flight, which is some going given the season Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are having.
But whilst Potter’s side of the past would look pretty to the eye, without scoring the goals, they are now flying in, including four at the weekend against West Ham and six in two games against Liverpool.
All in all, they are seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League table having played three games less than Antonio Conte’s men, with Carragher waxing lyrical about the 43-year-old.
“The only one slight negative I would say about Brighton is that they are performing that well,” said Carragher. “I think the manager will have eyes on him, at home (in Italy) and abroad.
“I think there will be clubs looking to take him in the summer. His team are competing, in those numbers with Arsenal and Manchester City.
“The job he is doing is absolutely fantastic and I hope he stays at Brighton. I want to keep analysing him. It’s fantastic football we are watching and long may it continue. This fella is doing that good of a job, I think there will be big clubs across Europe looking at him.”
CONTE HEADING FOR TOTTENHAM EXIT DOOR
If Conte does make his expected exit in the summer, then that will be two trophy-laden coaches Tottenham have had in their dugout and zero trophies to call for it.
What’s perhaps been the biggest criticism of Conte at Spurs this season is the style of play. When you look at the team in the league, they are where they should be, added to the fact that they are still in the Champions League.
But there is always a dark cloud over Hotspur Way and Conte’s defensive style and willingness not to press from the front is seemingly hurting the eyes of the Tottenham faithful.
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