Roberto De Zerbi was unwilling to offer hints about Tottenham’s pursuit of Omar Marmoush, but declared new signing Savio “one of the best wingers”.
Tottenham on Tuesday morning announced the signing of Savio, formerly known as Savinho, from Manchester City.
The winger joined for a £75million fee plus £5m in guaranteed add-ons and another £5m in performance-related add-ons.
He is expected to be followed through the door by his former City team-mate Marmoush.
“It is not right to speak about other players from other teams,” De Zerbi said about Marmoush on Tuesday, describing the transfer window as a “crazy market”.
De Zerbi described why he and Spurs were so keen to sign Savio, who scored just twice in 53 Premier League appearances as a City player.
“If you analyse the last season, we need players capable to win one-v-ones and create chances to score. In terms of one-v-ones, he is one of the best players — and [also partly] because he is 2004.
“I know him for a long time. I spoke with him before he went to City. He is a big player for us.”
De Zerbi is not concerned about Savio’s lack of goals for City. He said: “I don’t know if I’m the right man [to help him score more], but he has to achieve.
“Players so good at creating chances, to be complete they need to score. If you analyse the other top wingers in the world, many score ten or 15 goals a season. He has the qualities.
“He has the habits, he has to change habits, be focused on one-v-ones and score. You become a top team by scoring more goals.
