Friedel expects big-spending Tottenham to challenge for Europe next season and Liverpool to succeed under Iraola

Former Tottenham and Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes Roberto De Zerbi was given assurances about the transfer fee before agreeing to take the Spurs job, and has backed the Italian to finish in the top six in his first full season at the club.

De Zerbi inherited a Tottenham team that was on the brink of relegation from the Premier League last season, only to survive on the final day, Palhinha’s goal in a 1-0 win over Everton that kept them waiting.

The club spent a lot of money in the transfer window, and Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes are among the headlines that show a big change in the financial direction of the club.

Friedel, a veteran of the Premier League and a former stopper for Spurs, speaking to 101GreatGoals using Tonybet, said that he did not expect De Zerbi to take the job in such a difficult situation.

“I was very surprised that De Zerbi took the job at that time, because he is one of the better managers and knows the Premier League very well,” said Friedel.

“What this shows to me is that he was sure with the board that if he ever takes over, they will support him in the transfer window.

“I feel sad for Daniel Levy in a way, because the money was not Daniel’s, it always belonged to the board, and he was always under spending limits, even though they spent a lot of money during his administration.

“He was always tasked with building a training ground and building a stadium at the same time as building teams, and I think a lot of people think that Daniel was not using this money. You can only use what people who have money give.”

Friedel has been supportive of the business that has been done so far, but expressed little concern about the drastic change in the way his old team works.

“I think most of the players signed by them have been very good,” he said. “I’m a little worried that they’re going from not spending money to spending it in a crazy way.

“If the numbers are right for Tonali, up to £100million and £270,000 a week, that’s a huge difference to the contract conditions Tottenham have had in the past.

“Tonali is a quality player, I am not saying that he is not a quality player, it is just a lot of money.

“However, I think Tottenham and De Zerbi and the players they are signing, they are putting themselves in a position to finish in the top six. To be honest.”

Friedel: Iraola is ready for Liverpool’s pressure

On Merseyside, Friedel’s other happy home during his career, Andoni Iraola was confirmed as Liverpool’s new manager, signing a two-year deal to succeed Arne Slot, who was sacked just a year after winning the Premier League title.

The Spaniard arrives from Bournemouth, where he led the club to sixth place and European football for the first time in their history.

Slot’s exit followed a turbulent campaign in which Liverpool finished sixth, attributed by some to the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, a tumultuous summer dominated by the Alexander Isak transfer saga, and the tragic loss of Diogo Jota.

Friedel feels that the nature of that season requires more understanding than he received.

“I felt like Arne Slot was younger last season, because if you take the two clubs, Newcastle and Liverpool, that summer was full of chaos,” he said.

“Isak’s transfer, Salah’s stuff, Trent, it never seems like the season is going. So I hope that for Iraola this summer it’s a new beginning, there’s no chaos, the players will all come back in World Cup shape and they’ll be able to improve.”

Friedel had no doubts about Iraola’s credentials and ability to thrive in England’s top flight, but he revealed a test he could not prepare with a tactical board.

“I have no doubt that Iraola is a top manager. I have no doubt that he knows what he is doing in terms of tactics,” he added.

“The biggest thing for him is how he deals with being in a big team with a lot of pressure.

“All the signs suggest he’ll do well at it and be successful at it, but that’s one thing – when you go from Bournemouth, with all due respect to Bournemouth, to Liverpool, you’re in a great place to get a lot of praise, but also to get a lot of criticism from you.

“As long as he is willing to deal with that, I think Liverpool will have a very good manager on their hands.”

Brad Friedel was speaking in partnership with Tonybet. Tonybet’s World Cup Card Collection Campaign can see Canadian customers win up to $150,000 CAD.