Former Shakhtar Donetsk sporting director José Boto has backed Roberto De Zerbi to succeed at Tottenham, and that Chelsea win looks like great timing.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi helped Spurs secure Premier League safety last season after arriving during a rather perilous run-in.

The former Brighton manager collected 11 points from a possible 21, including a final-day victory over Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – a run that ensured Spurs remained in the top flight.

This season, however, Tottenham have endured a difficult start, managing just one win from their opening seven matches. At one point, the Lilywhites even found themselves rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table before a victory over Coventry lifted them up to 16th place.

Going into match number eight, it looked like defeat was almost a foregone conclusion. After all, Spurs had only ever claimed one victory at Stamford Bridge in the history of the Premier League. Yet, De Zerbi and his squad shocked Xabi Alonso and turned the Blues over with a resounding 2-0 away win.

Jose Boto backs Roberto De Zerbi to succeed at Tottenham

Given the club’s summer spending of close to £400 million, expectations were high heading into the season, even if results have not always matched the investment.

Despite Tottenham’s slow start, the club continue to show faith in Roberto De Zerbi. Former Shakhtar Donetsk sporting director Jose Boto shares that belief, insisting that if the Italian is given time, he will deliver for Spurs.

Speaking to Givemesport, Boto said: “I like Roberto De Zerbi a lot. He is different from all the other coaches. He has a special football brain, and sometimes it is difficult to understand what he wants. It takes time.

“I am surprised by Tottenham’s start to the season. I was hoping for more. I think everyone was expecting the team to perform better. But if he gets time – which in football is something very precious – he will make Tottenham play better and get results.”

Spurs performances show promise despite poor results

While results have not always gone Spurs’ way, the performances themselves have been pretty impressive. Tottenham have played well in their last four Premier League outings, and are now unbeaten in three.

Against Aston Villa, Spurs registered more shots, more touches in the opposition box, created more big chances and posted a higher expected goals (xG) than their opponents.

It was a similar story against Manchester United, where Tottenham again led in xG, touches in the opposition box and big chances created – but still failed to secure a win.

The feeling remains that if Spurs continue to dominate matches, the results will follow, as they did against Coventry and Chelsea.