Roberto De Zerbi Sets High Goal Target for Savio After Stunning Tottenham Debut

De Zerbi Challenges Savio to Hit Double-Digit Goals

Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham Hotspur's manager, has set a clear goal for his new signing Savio after the Brazilian winger scored during his debut in a dominant 5-1 win against Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup. Despite an impressive start, De Zerbi insists that Savio must aim for double figures in goals to be truly impactful.

Spurs Dominate Charlton with Early Goals

Before Savio entered the game in the 71st minute, Tottenham was already cruising with goals from Mikey Moore, Dominic Solanke, and Kevin Danso. Savio wasted no time making an impact, cutting inside and delivering a precise low shot into the bottom corner just 11 minutes after coming on. Although he appeared to score a second goal, it was officially credited as an own goal by Ben Davies due to a heavy deflection.

De Zerbi's Demand for Increased Scoring

The manager praised Savio’s immediate contribution but emphasized that more goals are needed from the winger position. De Zerbi said,

"It was a perfect day for him. His biggest step now is to increase the number of goals. With his skills, he is among the best wingers, but the best wingers score many goals. We set a target of 10 to 12 goals because we need those from our wingers. Last season, we struggled partly because we didn’t have enough goals from wide players."

£85m Signing Carries High Expectations

The pressure is on for Savio, who joined Spurs from Manchester City in a massive £85 million deal earlier this week. During his time at City, he scored seven goals and provided 13 assists in 84 appearances across all competitions. Tottenham’s win also continued their strong Carabao Cup home record, having won seven of their last eight matches at their North London stadium.

Upcoming Fixtures and Liverpool Clash

This emphatic victory sets the stage for an exciting third-round Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool, offering Tottenham a chance to avenge their semi-final defeat from the 2024-25 season. Before facing Liverpool, Spurs will return focus to the Premier League as they prepare to host Newcastle United this weekend. Maintaining attacking momentum will be key for De Zerbi’s side during a challenging run of games.

• Charlton Athletic vs Tottenham Hotspur: 1-5 (Carabao Cup)
• Goal Scorers for Spurs: Mikey Moore, Dominic Solanke, Kevin Danso, Savio
• Savio’s Debut Goal Time: 82nd minute
• Savio’s Target Goals Set by De Zerbi: 10-12 goals
• Transfer Fee: £85 million from Manchester City
• Savio’s Previous Stats at Manchester City: 7 goals, 13 assists in 84 appearances
• Upcoming Matches:
• 29 Aug 2026, Championship: Charlton Athletic vs Preston North End, 16:00
• 29 Aug 2026, Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United, 18:30