Redknapp hails Savio debut but De Zerbi demands more

Savio’s first 20 minutes at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were enough to turn heads. The £85 million signing from Manchester City arrived on Tuesday and, 24 hours later, lit up a Carabao Cup second-round win over Charlton Athletic with a goal and an assist. Jamie Redknapp, watching in the stands, summed it up simply: “He lit the place up.” Roberto De Zerbi, though, wants more.

From arrival to impact in a single afternoon

Savio’s introduction came in the 71st minute, with Tottenham already leading 3-1 after goals from Mikey Moore and Dominic Solanke. Within 11 minutes, he had doubled his personal tally for Spurs. His first strike, a left-footed drive into the bottom corner, arrived after he cut inside from the right flank. Three minutes later, his loose finish deflected off Charlton’s Ben Davies for the fifth. Charlton pulled one back late, but the 5-1 scoreline mattered less than the statement made by a player who had barely trained with his new teammates.

Redknapp, a former Spurs midfielder, captured the mood after the final whistle. “This is what Tottenham want,” he said. “Players like that who can get you off your seat. Who can cut inside and hit a ferocious left-footed shot. He was excellent.” The praise was immediate, but so was the expectation. De Zerbi, who had only just completed Savio’s signing, now faces the task of integrating a player whose arrival was announced barely 48 hours earlier.

De Zerbi’s challenge: goals, not just flair

De Zerbi has already set a target: 10 or 12 goals from his wingers this season. Savio’s debut was a start, but the Italian manager made clear that the Brazilian must raise his output. “The best wingers score many goals,” De Zerbi said. “I spoke with him and we put the goal on 10 or 12 goals because we need 10 or 12 goals from the wingers.” Last season, Spurs managed just 48 goals in the Premier League—a figure De Zerbi clearly believes must improve.

The manager’s demand is not just about quantity. Savio’s cameo showcased his ability to change a game, but De Zerbi’s comments suggest a broader frustration: Tottenham need more than moments of magic. They need consistency. The Carabao Cup win was a reset after a dismal Premier League opener against Brentford, a match Spurs lost 2-1. Nine changes were made for the Charlton tie, a clear signal that De Zerbi is reshaping the squad around players who can deliver both flair and results.

What comes next: Anfield and the title race

Tottenham’s next competitive test arrives in the third round of the Carabao Cup, where they will face Liverpool at Anfield. The tie is one of six all-Premier League clashes in the draw, with Manchester United hosting Brighton and Manchester City visiting Norwich. For Spurs, the fixture carries extra significance: Andy Robertson, who left Liverpool for Tottenham this summer, will return to Anfield for the first time as a visitor. The Scotland captain’s move to north London was met with surprise, and his emotional return will add spice to a tie that already promises intensity.

The Carabao Cup third-round draw also set up intriguing ties across the competition. Chelsea could host Leeds, while Coventry face Aston Villa in a Midlands derby. Everton, fresh from a 4-0 win over Preston in which Thierno Barry scored his first hat-trick for the club, will also be in action. Barry’s performance, capped by an assist for Brennan Johnson, underlined the attacking potential emerging at Goodison Park.

For Tottenham, Savio’s debut offers a glimpse of what might be possible. But De Zerbi’s message is unambiguous: the Brazilian’s next step must be measured in goals, not just gasps. The Premier League season is still young, and the race for the top four—and the title—will be decided by those who can deliver when it matters most.

Tottenham’s Carabao Cup reset saw nine changes after the Brentford defeat here. The competition’s third-round draw included six all-Premier League ties, with Liverpool hosting Spurs at Anfield.