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

Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham Hotspur's manager, has set a clear target for new signing Savio after the Brazilian winger scored on his debut in a commanding 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Charlton Athletic. The £85 million signing came off the bench and quickly made an impact, but De Zerbi is pushing him to reach between 10 and 12 goals this season to truly establish himself.

Spurs Dominate Charlton

Tottenham had already taken control of the match with goals from Mikey Moore, Dominic Solanke, and Kevin Danso before Savio entered the game in the 71st minute. It took the Brazilian just 11 minutes to score, cutting inside and firing a low shot into the bottom corner. A second goal was almost added, but a deflection meant the goal was credited to Ben Davies instead.

Manager Wants More From Wingers

De Zerbi praised Savio’s immediate contribution but emphasized the need for more consistent scoring from wide players. The coach said:

"Yes, it was a perfect day for him. I think his biggest step and biggest improvement is to increase the number of goals. With his qualities, he is one of the best wingers. But the best wingers score many goals. I spoke with him yesterday, two days ago. We put the goal on 10 to 12 goals because we need those goals from the wingers. Last season, I think we suffered too much. Also, because the number of goals were not enough to compete for nothing more than that position."

High Expectations With Big Price Tag

The pressure is on for Savio following Tottenham's £85m deal with Manchester City. During his time at City, he scored seven goals and provided 13 assists in 84 appearances across all competitions. Tottenham’s recent win also extended their strong Carabao Cup record at home, with seven wins in their last eight matches in North London.

Next Up: Liverpool and Newcastle

This victory sets Tottenham up for a thrilling third-round Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool, offering a chance for revenge after last season’s semi-final exit. Before that, De Zerbi’s focus will shift back to the Premier League as Tottenham prepare to host Newcastle United this weekend. Keeping this attacking form going will be key during a busy period of fixtures.

Upcoming Matches:

• 29 Aug 2026 16:00 - Charlton Athletic vs Preston North End (Championship)
• 29 Aug 2026 18:30 - Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United (Premier League)