Why Randal Kolo Muani might be the key to unlocking De Zerbi's Tottenham revival - Opinion

Roberto De Zerbi has already taken a liking to Tottenham’s misfiring Randal Kolo Muani, so how could the Frenchman be the missing puzzle piece in Premier League survival?

After the earlier defeat to Sunderland, there was hope that Spurs could respond, but once again, the performance left more questions than answers. De Zerbi’s tactical setup struggled, particularly in possession, with costly turnovers becoming more evident as the game wore on, culminating in Brighton’s equaliser deep into stoppage time.

While the result will dominate the headlines, there was one aspect of Tottenham’s recent performances that could prove important moving forward: the role of Randal Kolo Muani.

Despite the collective issues, there were still individual elements worth analysing, and once again, Kolo Muani was in the starting eleven. Deployed on the right flank for the second consecutive game, the Frenchman had minutes before being substituted in the 56th minute for Mathys Tel.

Why Randal Kolo Muani is key for Tottenham under De Zerbi

Kolo Muani’s future at Tottenham has already been questioned in recent weeks, with reports suggesting the club may not look to keep him beyond this season.

Although he was deployed on the right wing against Sunderland, Kolo Muani’s profile goes far beyond that of a traditional wide player. Kolo Muani isn’t a static “box striker”.

His greatest threat comes when he starts a diagonal run from the wing or drives forward from the midfield. He is very effective in transition. The Frenchman has a natural gift for playmaking. He isn’t just a regular finisher; back in Eintracht Frankfurt, he was famous for recording almost as many assists as goals.

His first step is devastating, allowing him to bypass the first line of pressure instantly. Unlike “finer” technical strikers, he uses his arms and lower body strength to shield the ball while sprinting, much like Kudus does.

In today’s football, a striker can no longer be isolated, and under Roberto De Zerbi, that’s a red flag. The Italian’s system trusts forwards who aren’t afraid to drop deep, pulling centre-backs out of position and opening up lanes for the wingers to exploit.

An in-form Kolo Muani is perfect for this system. In an ideal day, he’s got that rare blend of a tireless engine and a selfless tactical brain, constantly drifting in and out of the area to keep the defence guessing.

He brings the physical presence of a traditional powerhouse but pairs it with a playmaker’s vision. And, of course, when the pressure reaches a boiling point, he’s proved to be absolute ice from the penalty spot. The biggest problem is that Tottenham do not have an in-form Kolo Muani.

Roberto De Zerbi has a perfect Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang case study

This profile fits well with what De Zerbi previously used back in Marseille: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Italian tactician demands a mobile frontman who can switch between a finisher and a playmaker, creating constant tactical friction. Kolo Muani is perfect for this team, using his tireless engine to free the box and drag defenders into areas they simply do not want to defend.

The Gabonese striker, under Roberto De Zerbi, managed six goals and six assists in Ligue 1, three goals and four assists in the Champions League, and a strike in the Coupe de France. These numbers highlight a system where the last attacker is the heart of the creative process, a blueprint that De Zerbi is in need of to replicate in North London to turn their fortunes around.

In a tense relegation battle, having a hybrid player who mirrors Aubameyang’s versatility could be the difference between safety and the drop. He has the stride, the vision, and the ice-cold nerves to lead Spurs through this late-season storm.

Is Kolo Muani ready to be trusted at Spurs?

One key detail that should not go unnoticed is the trust placed in him. Kolo Muani started once again, this time against Brighton, operating from the right before being taken off in the 56th minute. Even with Kudus’s injury playing a role, there is still something that suggests De Zerbi already sees him as an important part of his system.

Tottenham might not be getting the results they desperately need, and the situation is becoming increasingly worrying, but the team have in their hands a profile that could become or at least try to be crucial in the weeks ahead.

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