If the midfield is the heartbeat of a team, then Roberto De Zerbi has performed open heart surgery to get Tottenham moving in the right direction in the hunt for Premier League survival.
For so much of this season, Spurs’ dysfunctional midfield has looked short of courage, cohesion and creativity.
Amidst a plethora of options – Spurs have given minutes to eight different midfielders this season – finding a combination that can strike the balance between their responsibilities with and without the ball has been difficult.
That all changed against Aston Villa eight days ago, though, as Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha dovetailed superbly to guide Spurs to a precious three points.
The relentless Gallagher was deservedly named man of the match at Villa Park after leading from the front with a sweetly taken goal from the edge of the box.
Palhinha chased and harried every loose ball, while Bentancur provided control in possession to stem the tide of Villa pressure after half-time.
Everyone in Spurs’ midfield knew their role, their strengths and limitations – Palhinha, for example, would routinely drop into defence to allow right-back Pedro Porro to get on the ball while he covered the space in behind.
Roberto De Zerbi and Joao Palhinha (Getty)
But De Zerbi knows that what worked so well against a hapless Villa side, will not necessarily work against Leeds on Monday night.
Back on home soil, Spurs will be expected to break Leeds down as they search for their first league win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since December.
That could prove an issue for Gallagher, who for all his industry and awareness in the final third, has struggled when asked to find the pass that he would prefer to get on the end of. Gallagher is better at attacking rather than creating space.
De Zerbi really likes Gallagher, describing him as Spurs’ “12th man”, but his long-term suitability as the No10 in his preferred 4–2-3-1 formation is under question.
That said, the most obvious change to Spurs’ midfield makeup seems to be swapping Palhinha back out for Yves Bissouma.
Bissouma has seen his minutes increase under De Zerbi and offers more dynamism than Palhinha, who excels when defending his own box.
There is also the question of whether Lucas Bergvall or Archie Gray, who De Zerbi thinks is future captain material, could come back into the team.
The pair have not been utilised much since De Zerbi took over, with the Spurs boss opting for experience in the heat of a relegation battle.
“For sure. Bissouma, Bentancur, Joao Palhinha, they have much experience. They already know about playing in this situation,” De Zerbi said when he spoke to the press on Thursday.
De Zerbi has offered hope for Bergvall, stating he is a player for both now and the future. But now perhaps is not the time for the unpredictability of youth.
De Zerbi will tweak things against Leeds. But he says there won’t be wholesale changes to his starting line-up or tactical instructions, as he does not want players to lose energy having to think too hard about adhering to a system.
Archie Gray has falled somewhat out of favour under Roberto De Zerbi (PA)
He said: “We will change something in the occupation of the spaces, for sure. But I wouldn't like to give too many ideas, too many instructions. Especially in this moment, because I don't want the players to lose energy thinking what is the plan.”
Leeds are one of the “best teams at the moment”, according to De Zerbi, after taking 12 points from their last six league games.
Daniel Farke’s side play to their strengths, utilising their height and physicality to make teams uncomfortable.
And De Zerbi knows that three points is no foregone conclusion, even after Spurs’ recent upturn in results.
Ultimately, Spurs’ home form has been abject for the best part of two seasons now. But De Zerbi says his side are lucky to be playing at what is considered one of the most impressive stadiums in world football.
“Tottenham’s stadium is hot,” he said. “When I was here with Brighton, and two weeks ago against Brighton, the stadium was very, very hot. For us, we are lucky to play in this stadium.”
The “hot” atmosphere that De Zerbi describes, having experienced a sliding scale of emotions as Spurs fell to a stoppage-time equaliser against Brighton in his first home game in charge, can go both ways.
De Zerbi is determined to see the glare of 60,000 fans as motivation. He wants supporters to “support” and to “push” Spurs on to a potentially season defining victory.
However, those of a Spurs persuasion in the stands on Monday evening will know how quickly the heat inside the stadium can turn when things aren’t going their side’s way. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been mutinous at times this season.
De Zerbi has maintained he is positive but realistic. Despite the outward confidence, he will understand that without a positive result against Leeds he will be back to the drawing board.
The temperature is turning up on Spurs’ season. The question is can they handle the heat?
