Roberto De Zerbi told to appoint new Tottenham captain and sign 'perfect' Marcos Senesi alternative

Ex-Tottenham midfielder, Sandro, has identified where Roberto De Zerbi needs to focus if he wants to successfully rebuild Spurs after their worst Premier League season ever.

After only winning three games at home all season in the league and finishing just two points above the relegation zone in 17th, there will need to be an overhaul at Spurs if they are to improve vastly next season.

Sandro proposed that De Zerbi needs to build a solid defence around their star centre-back Micky van de Ven, hoping the dutchman will stay on for another season with rumours of Cristian Romero’s departure growing.

“Van de Ven needs to stay, he needs to be the captain for next season,” Sandro, speaking to Standard Sport via one of the top betting sites said. “I think De Zerbi will build a strong squad and it will help Micky as well. He's so important for Tottenham.

“I hope he does stay and [De Zerbi can] build the team around him at the back and then around the midfielders.”

If Romero does decide to leave Spurs, then they will have to be on the market for a regular centre back partner for Van De Ven.

Sandro has picked out the man who he believes is perfect for that job and already has experience playing De Zerbi’s style of football.

“They are talking about Marcos Senesi, at Bournemouth,” the Brazilian said. “But I really like the defender from Brighton, Van Hecke.

“For me, Van Hecke is ready. He's ready to play because he played under De Zerbi and he showed that he can play in the moment, that he's mature, and we need players that are already mature.”

Jan Paul van Hecke in action for Brighton against Tottenham (Getty)

If De Zerbi can be prudent in this summer’s transfer window and brings in a player like Van Hecke, then Sandro is certain that Van De Ven can be just as good as Gabriel, who is widely agreed upon to be one of, if not the best, centre back in the league.

“Van De Ven has that ability to become that good. Yeah, 100%,” he said.

“He just needs the players, the squad to help him a little bit and, having a strong team around him.

“De Zerbi is the guy to build the team and he needs to build around Van De Ven.”