Tottenham's New Era: Savio Joins Under De Zerbi's Leadership
Gordon Strachan does not expect Tottenham to flirt with disaster again. Not after last season. Not under this manager.
Spurs staggered through a chaotic 2025/26 Premier League campaign, surviving on the final day to avoid a humiliating drop into the Championship, just a year after lifting the Europa League. That brush with relegation has hung over the club all summer.
Strachan, though, is convinced the mood has changed – and that Roberto De Zerbi’s edge will drag standards up whether players like it or not.
‘Permanently angry’ – and that’s the point
Speaking to Betway, the former Scotland boss drew a striking comparison between De Zerbi and Sir Alex Ferguson, a man he knows as well as anyone.
“I can’t see Spurs doing that again, I really can’t,” Strachan said of another relegation battle.
“Not after spending that type of money, and not with the manager they’ve got, who's permanently angry – which is good. It's like Sir Alex, he was permanently angry, as long as he's [Roberto De Zerbi] got that drive to scare people into winning games of football and not getting beat.
“When I played with Sir Alex, it was not the fact that you had to win, you were just so scared of getting beat. So I think that's what De Zerbi does to these teams a little bit.”
Fear as fuel. That’s the culture Strachan believes will keep Spurs well clear of the trapdoor.
Savio arrives to ignite the attack
If De Zerbi is the edge, Savio is the spark.
Tottenham have unveiled the Brazilian winger as their latest marquee signing in a deal worth an initial £75 million plus £10m in add-ons. The reaction online was instant and loud.
“Welcome lad we've been waiting for you. Time to build a legacy here in Spurs and the Premier League,” wrote one supporter on social media.
Another fan framed it as a carefully crafted footballing education: “From shining at Girona to learning under Pep, and now cooked up by Roberto De Zerbi? Absolute masterclass signing. Savio is going to transform this attack entirely. Premier League isn't ready for this flair!”
The expectation is clear. This is not a squad signing. This is a statement.
Registered in time – and thrown straight in?
Tottenham moved quickly to ensure Savio is eligible for his first taste of English cup football. The club had until midday to register new players for the Carabao Cup tie against Charlton Athletic on Wednesday, and confirmed his signing in time.
He can now feature against the Championship side, offering De Zerbi an early look at his new wide option in a competitive setting.
Other deals remain more complicated. Talks between Spurs and Manchester City over Marmoush are ongoing, with no agreement yet in place. Time is ticking on that front, but Savio is through the door and ready.
Lange: ‘On our radar for a while’
Inside the club, the move has been framed as long-term planning rather than late-window panic.
Sporting director Johan Lange said: “Savio is someone who has been on our radar for a while and I'm delighted that he is now a Tottenham Hotspur player.
“He has already shown his quality at the highest level, and we believe his ability, style and mentality will be a great fit for the squad we are building here.
“I know he will excite our supporters every time he gets on the ball and I'm looking forward to watching his development under Roberto's coaching.”
A winger with flair, in a system that demands bravery on the ball – the fit is obvious.
‘One of the best managers in the world’
Savio himself sounded both relieved and ambitious after the move finally went through.
“It's taken a while but I'm very happy to be here,” he said. “It's a wonderful opportunity at a brilliant club with one of the best managers in the world.
“As soon as I spoke to the Head Coach I knew I had to come. He told me he wants to help me reach the highest level, and I believe we can do that together, as a team.”
For a 22-year-old, it is a bold stage to choose. For De Zerbi, it is another weapon to reshape a team that nearly collapsed last season.
Back to ‘Savio’ – and a new number
There is a personal reset too. The Brazilian has reclaimed his old moniker.
After going by Savinho at Manchester City and with the Brazil national team, he will wear ‘Savio’ on the back of his shirt at Spurs, just as he did at Girona. He has also taken the No. 17 shirt, vacated only 10 days ago when Cristian Romero left for Atletico Madrid.
New number, old name, fresh start.
De Zerbi’s verdict: energy, imagination, courage
If the supporters are excited, the head coach sounds just as enthused.
“Sávio is a player who brings energy, imagination and quality in wide positions,” De Zerbi said. “He has the courage to attack defenders and the ability to change a game with his creativity. We’re very pleased to have him with us, and I’m looking forward to working with him, helping him continue to grow and seeing him bring his personality to the team.”
Tottenham have spent big. They have a manager Strachan likens to Sir Alex in his relentless fury. They have handed De Zerbi a winger built for risk and invention.
After staring over the edge last season, Spurs are betting that fear, anger and flair will drag them somewhere very different this time.
