Tottenham: Roberto De Zerbi names surprise hero as Spurs avoid relegation disaster

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·24 Mei 2026

Tottenham: Roberto De Zerbi names surprise hero as Spurs avoid relegation disaster

One player proved particularly influential despite his lack of time on the pitch and a potential summer exit

Roberto De Zerbi has named Radu Dragusin as one of the most important players in Tottenham’s fight against relegation from the Premier League, despite his lack of playing time.

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Dragusin appeared as a late replacement for Destiny Udogie during a 1-0 home win over Everton on the final day of the season that saw Spurs survive at the expense of London rivals West Ham.

It was only the centre-back’s 13th total appearance of the campaign across all competitions and his first since he also came off the bench late on during the vital victory at Wolves a month ago.

Those last-gasp substitute cameos are the only minutes Dragusin has seen on the pitch during De Zerbi’s seven-game tenure in charge, despite the absence of captain Cristian Romero with a knee injury, as he remained behind Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso in the defensive pecking order.

Dragusin’s first appearance of the season did not come until December 28 after he spent 11 months out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while the last of his six starts this term came under former interim boss Igor Tudor at Liverpool on March 15.

The Romanian international seems potentially likely to leave Tottenham this summer in pursuit of more regular first-team opportunities, but his behind-the-scenes impact appears to have been significant after he was the first name mentioned by De Zerbi after the Italian was asked who had been the most crucial people over the last six or seven weeks to help eventually pull Spurs out of the relegation mire.

“Dragusin,” De Zerbi said. “Dragusin was top because he didn't play, but he was always positive inside the dressing room.

Unsung hero: Radu Dragusin appears to have had a sizable impact for Tottenham behind the scenes

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“Inside the pitch, [Rodrigo] Bentancur. Because Bentancur, when he came back from the injury, he wanted to play. He came to me to say, ‘hey, I want to play. I'm ready to play.’

“Joao Palhinha, because at the beginning of my time, he didn't play in Sunderland, here with Brighton and Wolverhampton. Ben Davies. Yesterday, he came to the Lodge [player accomodation] with us.

“Djed Spence. Before the Chelsea game, he came into my office. Another one to say, ‘I want to play.’ He said, ‘You always speak about the personality, the courage. I'm here, if you want to play with one player,’ and he was fantastic. I love it.

“Micky van de Ven. Great guy, sensitive guy. I spent a lot of time with him, because I consider him the best centre-back, left-centre-back in the Premier League, with Levi Colwill, because he was my former player and I can't forget him.

“But a lot of other players. Richarlison, Archie Gray. I can't say one.”