news-engine

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi believes new signing Sávio has the qualities to become one of the best wingers in world football. Spurs announced the signing of the Brazilian winger on Tuesday morning [August 25th] for a fee worth an initial £75 million with £10 million in add-ons. He becomes the seventh signing for De Zerbi’s side during the summer transfer window, with the spend now clocking over £300 million. Ahead of tomorrow’s Carabao Cup second round tie with London-based Championship side Charlton Athletic. The Spurs manager went into depth as to why Sávio could be a key signing. Needing more attackers to create chances Chance creation was a big issue for Tottenham last season, having the fourth-worst expected goals (xG) in the entire division with 40.0, and the sixth-worst big chances number across the season (71). De Zerbi recognised this, claiming Spurs needed more attackers to create if they were to score. “I think if you analyse the last season, we needed attackers to go 1v1 and create chances to score. “In terms of 1-on-1, he is one of the best players; he can play on the right and left side. “I’ve known him for a long time; at Brighton I spoke to him before he went to City. He’s a big player for us.” Improving on the goalscoring Sávio only scored two league goals for Manchester City in 54 Premier League appearances (Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images) During his spell at Manchester City, Sávio only scored two league goals in 54 Premier League appearances, which the Spurs manager insisted had to improve if he wanted to become one of the world’s best wingers. “I don't know if I'm the right man, but, for sure, he has to achieve it. I think the player is so good one-on-one, so good at a chance to score, [so] to be complete, and he has to score. “If you analyse the other best wingers in the world, many of them score 10, 15 goals per season, and he has the qualities, “Maybe his habits- he has to change habits, because he has to be focused on the assist, the one-on-one dribbling, and also to score, because we have to increase the number of chances to score and the number of goals. “Of course. You become a top team, scoring more goals.” Trying to stay patient over bringing in a top target De Zerbi also revealed that the Sávio deal had been in negotiations for Spurs since as early as May, admitting patience was required in waiting for the deal to be completed. “I have not, but they have to expect [long negotiations] because we started the negotiation for Sávio one week, or three days, after the Everton game [on the final day of last season] “For many reasons, we arrived in the last week of August to close Savio, but I think you can close other players, but if you want the right quality of players, it is right also to wait something more than the normal player. “We always have Plan B and C, but the players are not like smartphones. “[They have] different, different personalities, different experiences, different characteristics, different potential also. “In 2004, Sávio is great also for the club, because, anyway, I'm working for the club. “Don't forget, I'm working for the club; all these players, they are not playing for the coach. “They go to play for Tottenham, and Tottenham is most important, more important than the coaches, the players, and everything.” Xavi Simons relationship with Sáv It’s well documented how close Sávio’s relationship with Xavi Simons is, with both having played together at PSV Eindhoven. In the announcement video, Simons insisted that he had to be the one to welcome the Brazilian, saying “Of course it had to be me! Actually, I insisted!” De Zerbi recognised that they could both be big players for the club in the present and the future, especially Simons. “They are very close. They had two big players; I love this type of player. “Xavi, I think, in the future, will become very important for this club.”