De Zerbi’s Cody Gakpo gamble: Why Tottenham see Liverpool forward as the cornerstone of a new era

Roberto De Zerbi’s survival mission at Tottenham Hotspur was only completed on the final day of the 2025/26 Premier League season, but the Italian has wasted little time in shaping plans for the club’s future.

Having rescued Spurs from relegation at the expense of West Ham United, De Zerbi now appears determined to build a side capable of competing far higher up the table. Central to that vision could be Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, a player the Italian reportedly wants to make the focal point of Tottenham’s attack.

More than just goals

At first glance, Gakpo’s numbers from last season do not scream marquee signing. Across 52 appearances in all competitions, the Dutch international scored nine goals and provided three assists, figures that attracted criticism from sections of Liverpool’s support.

However, De Zerbi has never been a manager who judges players solely by goals and assists. His teams are built around movement, positional intelligence and the ability to create constant attacking pressure. Those qualities are evident in Gakpo’s underlying numbers.

The 27-year-old registered 112 shots during the campaign, more than any other Liverpool player. He also struck the woodwork four times, the highest figure in the squad, suggesting his final output could easily have been greater with a little more fortune.

His ability to consistently get into dangerous positions is likely one of the key reasons Tottenham’s manager sees untapped potential.

A perfect fit for De Zerbi’s system

De Zerbi’s football is based on aggressive attacking patterns, quick combinations and creating numerical advantages in advanced areas. Gakpo’s willingness to run at defenders makes him an attractive option.

He recorded 15 fast breaks during the season, a tally bettered only by Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike. His capacity to carry the ball forward and attack space would add another dimension to a Tottenham side that often lacked penetration.

Most importantly, Gakpo frequently places himself in positions where opportunities emerge. While his shot conversion rate of 8.04 per cent and shot accuracy of 47.76 per cent highlight the need for improvement, they also point to a player generating chances at a high volume.

For a coach renowned for improving attacking players, that may be viewed as an opportunity rather than a weakness.

The work rate De Zerbi demands

One of the strongest arguments in favour of the move is Gakpo’s relentless work ethic.

He contested 426 one-on-one duels last season, more than any Liverpool player, winning 205 of them. His aerial presence was equally impressive, with only Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate involved in more aerial contests.

Defensively, he contributed with interceptions and a respectable tackle success rate, demonstrating a willingness to work without possession.

Those traits are invaluable in a De Zerbi side, where forwards are expected to press aggressively, recover possession and contribute throughout the pitch.

Areas that still need improvement

The biggest concern surrounds Gakpo’s efficiency.

Despite generating a high volume of attempts, he failed to convert enough of them into goals. His passing accuracy of 80.14 per cent also falls below the standards typically associated with De Zerbi’s possession-heavy approach.

If he is to become the centrepiece of Tottenham’s attack, improvements in decision-making, finishing and ball retention will be required.

Yet those shortcomings may explain why Spurs believe a deal is attainable. Rather than pursuing a finished product, De Zerbi appears to be targeting a player whose ceiling remains significantly higher than his recent statistics suggest.

A role Liverpool could not guarantee

Perhaps the most compelling factor is opportunity.

Reports suggest De Zerbi has personally identified Gakpo as a priority target and is prepared to offer him a long-term contract running until 2031. More importantly, Tottenham are believed to have outlined a leading role within the project.

At Liverpool, Gakpo has often competed for prominence in a crowded attacking department. At Spurs, he could become the central figure around which the attack is built.

For a player entering the prime years of his career, that level of trust could prove decisive.

Whether Liverpool are willing to sanction such a move remains uncertain. But De Zerbi’s interest makes perfect sense. Beneath the modest goal return lies a forward who creates chances, stretches defences, works tirelessly and possesses attributes that align closely with the Italian’s football philosophy.

If Tottenham succeed in securing his signature, it may prove to be one of the defining transfers of their rebuild.