At 32, Robertson would give Tottenham something every ambitious squad needs: certainty. He has spent years operating at the sharp end with Liverpool, handling title races, European nights and the weekly pressure that comes with elite expectations.
That matters for a side still trying to grow into a more reliable version of itself.
The report says Roberto De Zerbi described Robertson as "someone I've admired for a number of years", which sounds less like routine unveiling language and more like a clear endorsement.
De Zerbi also reportedly said the Scotland captain can help "both on and off the pitch". That may be the key line of all. Even if Robertson is no longer expected to play every minute, his standards, aggression and personality could still raise the level around him.
Lange’s reported praise was glowing, but it also felt purposeful. Tottenham have often looked like a team searching for authority in difficult moments. Robertson, by reputation, brings edge as well as quality. He is vocal, demanding and has lived through the kind of games that shape dressing rooms.
That is why this move, if completed as reported, could prove more important than simple squad depth.
The next storyline will be how quickly Robertson settles into De Zerbi’s methods - and whether Tottenham now keep building around experience as well as youth before the new season gathers pace.