Roberto De Zerbi has issued a pointed message to new signing Savio, declaring that the winger must now demonstrate he deserves his place at Tottenham Hotspur following his £85 million transfer.
The deal, which brought Savio to north London, has raised eyebrows across the football world, with many pundits and rival observers suggesting the fee is excessive given the player's limited game time since joining Manchester City in July 2024. De Zerbi, however, was quick to defend the club's decision, revealing that he has long admired the Brazilian's talent, tracing his interest back to before Savio's switch from Girona to City.
Despite his backing of the move, the Spurs head coach was candid about the challenge now facing his new recruit. Speaking to reporters, De Zerbi was asked whether Savio, who struggled to nail down a regular starting spot at the Etihad, could establish himself as a central figure at Tottenham in the way several of the club's other summer arrivals — among them Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali — did as established starters before their moves.
"He must," De Zerbi said firmly. "He must become one of the key players. The improvement is to become better, to take more responsibility. This is maybe not just Savio, some of the other players too."
The Italian coach was blunt about the nature of top-level football, framing Savio's arrival at Spurs as a defining juncture in his career. "In football, one day you have to show if you are good enough or not," De Zerbi explained. "Today, he has arrived at that moment. We are here to help him, to give him all the instructions and information he needs."
De Zerbi went further, stressing that ultimately the responsibility falls on the player himself to deliver on the pitch, regardless of the coaching staff's support. "But in the end, he has to put his face on the pitch, like the other players," he said. "Because, it's life. It's our job. It is working or playing at a big club."
The comments underline the pressure now surrounding Savio as he embarks on a new chapter at Tottenham, with De Zerbi making clear that reputation and price tag count for little unless translated into consistent performances. Having featured sparingly during his time at City, the winger will be expected to quickly adapt to a more prominent role under his new manager, who has publicly staked his faith in the player's ability while simultaneously setting a high bar for what he expects in return.
The transfer forms part of a broader summer overhaul at Tottenham, with De Zerbi bringing in several new faces as he looks to reshape the squad. Unlike some of those recruits, who arrived with the experience of being first-choice players at their former clubs, Savio's path to City's starting XI was less straightforward, adding an extra layer of scrutiny to his big-money move.
Whether Savio can silence the critics and justify the substantial outlay will likely become one of the storylines to watch as Tottenham's season progresses, with De Zerbi's comments serving as both a vote of confidence and a clear challenge to his newest signing.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.