As Tottenham eye a move for Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, we examine the data that makes the Dutchman a perfect tactical fit for Roberto De Zerbi’s system.

The transfer window is rarely just about acquiring talent; it is about finding the specific profile that can unlock a manager’s tactical architecture. For Roberto De Zerbi, currently restructuring the hierarchy at Tottenham Hotspur, that profile appears to be Cody Gakpo. While the Liverpool forward experienced a polarizing campaign on Merseyside, finishing with a relatively modest seven Premier League goals, the underlying metrics suggest a player who remains one of the most elite attacking threats in European football. Spurs are circling because they see a versatile chess piece capable of operating across the front three, but more importantly, a player who can execute the intricate link-up play De Zerbi demands from his central spearhead.

The False Nine Evolution Under De Zerbi

De Zerbi’s footballing philosophy has never been anchored by the presence of a static, traditional number nine. Instead, the Italian tactician prefers a forward who possesses the spatial awareness to drop into the midfield 'pockets,' drawing central defenders out of position and creating chaotic vacancies for inverted wingers to exploit. Gakpo, despite his 6ft 4in frame, has spent much of his time at Anfield and with the Netherlands national team proving he is far more comfortable in this fluid role than as a target man. He possesses the close control and positional intelligence required to facilitate play from the half-spaces, effectively acting as a bridge between the midfield unit and the attacking line.

Reports suggest that De Zerbi specifically views Gakpo as a player who can operate through the middle of the pitch, linking play before releasing explosive runners behind him. This is a role that both Dominic Solanke and Mathys Tel, while talented, may struggle to replicate with the same level of technical fluidity. Gakpo’s ability to move seamlessly between the wing and the central lane provides an insurance policy across multiple positions, a trait that is highly prized in a squad looking to compete across multiple fronts. His arrival would signal a shift away from the reliance on a penalty-box specialist, moving instead toward a more collective, movement-based attacking threat.

Analyzing the Data Behind the Decline

Critics of Gakpo point to a 2025-26 season where his goal return hit a low point of seven league strikes, but the data paints a vastly different picture of his individual performance. While Liverpool’s collective form dipped during their title defense, Gakpo’s individual involvement in dangerous areas remained remarkably consistent. Only seven wingers across the top five leagues in Europe averaged more touches in the opposition penalty area than his 2.2 per 90 minutes. He also maintained a position inside the top 10 for open-play shots and chances created, suggesting that his lack of goals was more a symptom of finishing variance than a decline in his ability to get into scoring positions.

When compared to his positional peers, Gakpo sits in the 98th percentile for shot frequency and the 96th percentile for advanced involvement. This indicates that very few wide forwards are as consistently active in the final third as the Dutchman. His willingness to attack the space behind the defensive line is also reflected in a somewhat frustrating statistic: he was caught offside 30 times in the Premier League last season, more than any other player. While this can lead to lost possession, it also highlights his constant hunger to run beyond the last defender, a characteristic that would give De Zerbi a direct outlet when opponents attempt to press high up the pitch.

Comparing the North London Options

The interest from Tottenham becomes even clearer when Gakpo’s metrics are placed alongside Spurs' current attacking contingent. Last season, Gakpo finished with a higher expected-goals (xG) total of 8.59, more shots at 87, and more big chances created at 10 than any forward currently on the books at Tottenham. This is a staggering statistic considering he was playing for a side that eventually finished fifth. Richarlison may have outscored Gakpo in raw league goals, but he attempted 26 fewer shots and created only half as many big chances for his teammates.

The discrepancy in creative output is equally telling. Gakpo’s 4.17 expected assists from open play was the highest figure among the compared group, which included Solanke and Tel. He recorded 187 touches in the opposition box, far eclipsing Richarlison’s 125 and Solanke’s 55. These numbers highlight a player who is not just a passenger in the attacking phase but a primary engine for chance generation. Even in the defensive phase, Gakpo provides superior value, regaining possession 87 times last season. This defensive diligence is a non-negotiable requirement for a De Zerbi side that relies on intense pressing to win the ball back high up the field.

The Physical Edge and Aerial Dominance

Beyond the technical and statistical profile, Gakpo offers a physical dimension that is rare for a player with his skill set. Standing at 6ft 4in, he provides an aerial presence that most wide forwards simply cannot match. He ranks in the 96th percentile for aerial volume across Europe’s top leagues, meaning only 4% of wingers contest aerial duels at a higher rate. In a league where low defensive blocks are common, having a forward who can attack back-post crosses or win direct long balls when build-up play is stifled provides a vital tactical alternative.

De Zerbi often looks for ways to vary the tempo and method of attack, and Gakpo’s ability to win headers against smaller full-backs or provide a target for diagonal switches would be a potent weapon. This physicality does not come at the expense of mobility; his link-up play ranks in the 78th percentile and his pass progression in the 75th, showing he is just as comfortable with the ball at his feet in tight spaces as he is battling in the air. For a Spurs side that has sometimes looked one-dimensional when denied space centrally, this physical variety could be transformative.

Liverpool’s Reluctance to Sanction a Sale

Despite the logic behind a potential move, Liverpool remain extremely hesitant to part with a player of Gakpo’s experience. The departure of Mohamed Salah has already left a significant void in the Reds' attacking leadership, and with Hugo Ekitike still sidelined with an Achilles injury, the squad depth is looking increasingly thin. Even if Liverpool manage to secure the signing of Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, Gakpo remains one of the few established forwards at the club who understands the demands of a Premier League title race. His versatility makes him an invaluable asset for a manager looking to rotate during a grueling season.

Gakpo’s long-term record at Anfield also supports the case for keeping him. Since arriving from PSV Eindhoven in 2023, he has consistently delivered goal contributions, and since late 2024, only Salah has scored more Premier League goals for the club than Gakpo’s 17. The hierarchy at Liverpool knows that finding a replacement who can contribute 15 to 20 goals and assists while playing in three different positions is a daunting task. Whether Tottenham can offer a fee high enough to change that stance remains a major question mark, but the data confirms that Gakpo would be an exceptional addition to the De Zerbi era in North London. more football news on MATCHLINE