Why Roberto De Zerbi can no longer ignore Luca Williams-Barnett for his own sake at Tottenham
Roberto De Zerbi may soon turn to Tottenham Hotspur youngster Luca Williams-Barnett.
The Italian manager can't seem to find a solution for the North London outfit's attacking problems and needs to change things quickly.
There's already a ton of pressure on the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss' head after failing to win any of the opening five Premier League games.
Williams-Barnett has featured for Spurs in the Carabao Cup this season, but De Zerbi has largely been ignoring him.
In the previous campaign, the England Under-19 international scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 20 appearances for the Lilywhites' youth teams.
In the recent international break, the playmaker scored two goals for the young Three Lions against Norway and the USA, and the Italian manager may have no choice but to count on him now.
The damning numbers behind Tottenham's attack in Premier League
Manchester United are the favourites against Tottenham, and there's plenty of argument for it.
The North London outfit's struggles up front have been evident, as they've scored just two goals in five league matches.
However, the numbers behind their attacking statistics present a scarier picture.
As per Sofascore, Spurs have registered 71 shots this season in the Premier League, scoring from two of them.
The Lilywhites have created 2.2 big chances per game, but missed most of them.
While there have been 14.2 shots on target on average per game, only 3.8 have been on target.
Having 60 per cent possession doesn't really do much for the North Londoners if they can't do much with the ball.
Where Luca Williams-Barnett can fit in at Tottenham
Before heading off to the international break, Williams-Barnett scored a goal and provided an assist in the 4-2 win over Manchester City in Premier League 2.
De Zerbi had the 18-year-old on the bench for the opening game of the season, but he hasn't made the Premier League squad since.
The Italian manager has tried every attacking option up front, but that quality needed in the final third has been missing.
Williams-Barnett is still young and inexperienced, but maybe it's that fearlessness young players usually possess that De Zerbi is in desperate need of right now.
The Italian manager needs to make some drastic decisions at the club for his own sake, and giving the English youngster more opportunities may be one of them.