Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is backing an unexpected candidate to be the focal point of Roberto De Zerbi's Spurs side.
De Zerbi is likely to make big changes to the squad this summer as Tottenham look to start a new chapter, and one that does not involve any more bottom half finishes following back-to-back bottom half finishes.
Spurs need a new central figure
Tottenham are likely to sell Cristian Romero this summer, with the Argentine seemingly wanting a fresh start elsewhere having repeatedly fallen out with the Spurs board.
But with such a leader, Spurs need a new central figure to build around, and Redknapp believes there could be a ready-made candidate lying in wait.
“I think Archie Gray would be one of the people that you look to build your team around,” he told Standard Sport.
“He looks a fantastic young pro, good player, and over the last two years, he’s probably been their best player, I think. He is, I assume, a captain of the club in the not-too-distant future. Even next year, if I was there, I wouldn’t hesitate to make him captain, even though he’s only a young kid.
“He could be like Ray Wilkins, who became captain of Chelsea when he was very young. He’s good enough to do that.”
Gray has indeed been a consistent performer for Spurs, and he is still only 20 years of age. Whether he is already good enough to build a team around is another question, but he certainly has the potential to be key figure in this Spurs side for much of the next decade.
Redknapp on De Zerbi
Redknapp also spoke about Tottenham's prospects with De Zerbi, with the recent appointee now set to get a full pre-season with the club.
Redknapp added: “When I was there, [Mauricio] Pochettino was there, you would never have imagined us finishing 17th two years running, that’s for sure. It’s been a bit of a disaster really hasn’t it?
“I think the new manager has sorted it out. I think Tottenham next year, for sure they’ll be a top-six team."
That's a bold prediction from Redknapp, but it's certainly not out of the question, as long as Tottenham do invest significantly in this squad this summer. It goes without saying that, while the Spurs squad was not good enought o challenge for the top six last season, it certainly wasn't one worthy of finding itself in a relegation battle.
There is talent there, and if the club can get its recruitment right this summer, there is no reason why De Zerbi cannot get this team fighting for Europe. But it is far from a given, and there is a danger in expecting a big bounceback just because De Zerbi managed to scrape this team to safety. There is a lot of work to be done this summer, and the medical department need to craft a much better strategy to keep players fit amid a disastrouis injury record across the last two years.
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