Roberto De Zerbi Sets 10-Goal Target for Savio After Impressive Tottenham Debut

Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham Hotspur’s manager, has set a clear goal for new signing Savio after the Brazilian winger made an impressive debut in the Carabao Cup. Coming off the bench in a dominant 5-1 victory over Charlton Athletic, Savio scored within 11 minutes of entering the game. De Zerbi expects him to hit at least ten goals this season to be considered among the elite.

Spurs Dominate Charlton With Convincing Win

Before Savio appeared on the pitch in the 71st minute, Spurs were already leading thanks to goals from Mikey Moore, Dominic Solanke, and Kevin Danso. The £85 million signing wasted no time making his impact felt, curling a precise low shot into the bottom corner. He almost added a second goal when a shot deflected heavily and was credited as a Ben Davies goal instead.

Manager Sets High Scoring Expectations

While praising Savio’s qualities, De Zerbi insists the winger must improve his goal tally. He said,

"Yes, it was a perfect day for him. I think his biggest step and biggest improvement is to increase the number of goals. With his qualities, he is one of the best wingers. But the best wingers score many goals."

He continued,

"I spoke with him yesterday, two days ago. We put the goal on 10 to 12 goals because we need those goals from the wingers. Last season, I think we suffered too much. Also, because the number of goals were not enough to compete for nothing more than that position."

Pressure Comes With High Transfer Fee

The pressure is considerable on Savio after Tottenham secured his transfer from Manchester City for £85 million earlier this week. During his time at City, he scored seven goals and provided 13 assists in 84 appearances across all competitions. Tottenham’s strong Carabao Cup home record continues, having won seven of their last eight matches in North London.

Upcoming Fixtures and Big Liverpool Clash

This emphatic win sets up a tantalizing Carabao Cup third-round match against Liverpool, giving Spurs a chance to avenge their semi-final exit from the 2024-25 season. Before that showdown, De Zerbi’s focus shifts back to the Premier League as Tottenham prepares to host Newcastle United this weekend. Maintaining their attacking form will be key during this busy period.

• Charlton Athletic vs Preston North End: 29 Aug 2026, 16:00 (Championship)
• Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United: 29 Aug 2026, 18:30 (Premier League)