Guglielmo Vicario has spoken warmly about his relationship with Roberto De Zerbi after leaving Tottenham Hotspur for Juventus. The Italy international goalkeeper completed a season-long loan move to Turin last month, ending a three-year spell in North London that included 117 appearances and a Europa League triumph.
Vicario's departure was one of 19 senior exits this summer as De Zerbi reshapes a squad that currently sits 18th in the Premier League. According to data verified as of September 7, Tottenham have taken just one point from their opening three matches, scoring no goals and conceding five. They are eight points behind leaders Manchester City ahead of their next fixture against Everton at home on September 12.
Speaking after his move to Juventus was confirmed, Vicario offered generous praise for the Tottenham manager who never selected him. "Fantastic, from the first day," Vicario said of their relationship in a report by Independent Football. He elaborated further, stating he thanked De Zerbi personally on the day he signed with the Italian giants.
"With me he was a real person, direct and above all a man of his word," Vicario said. "He gave me the opportunity to take this step that I had in mind, he supported me and I will always be grateful to him." This positive assessment comes despite Vicario failing to play a single minute under De Zerbi after a hernia operation in March sidelined him during the early matches of the new manager's tenure.
The 30-year-old's path to the exit door opened when injury struck at a critical moment. While Vicario recovered from surgery, Czech goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky seized the opportunity presented by his absence. Kinsky's performances convinced the club to hand him a new contract after Premier League safety was secured, effectively closing the door on Vicario's first-team prospects.
Vicario joined Tottenham in 2023 and helped the club win the Europa League under previous manager Ange Postecoglou. He reflected that some dynamics simply did not align during his final season at the club. His loan to Juventus contains an option for the Serie A side to make the move permanent for a fee of 10 million euros, approximately £8.5m.
Vicario's exit is part of a significant squad overhaul that has seen nearly twenty senior players depart. The club's current struggles are evident in their league position and goal difference of minus five. Manager De Zerbi is also dealing with attacking issues, having omitted forward Richarlison from Tottenham's 25-man Premier League squad on Thursday after the Brazilian stayed following the closure of transfer windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
The squad's injury list includes Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons, details available on the club's injuries page. This compounds the challenges for a team still searching for their first win of the season after a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest followed defeats by Brentford and Newcastle. Fans can track the team's progress in the standings as the season develops.
Attention now turns to the upcoming match against Everton, who currently sit eighth in the table. The home fixture on September 12 represents an important opportunity for De Zerbi's side to kickstart their campaign. The manager will need to find solutions quickly, with the team's complete schedule available on the fixtures page.
Tottenham's summer business appears largely complete, with Vicario's loan to Juventus finalized on August 18 representing one of the final major moves. The club will hope the extensive changes yield improved results as they attempt to climb from the relegation zone in the coming weeks.
