De Zerbi concedes he's inherited a squad with confidence rock bottom as they sit inside the dropzone.
"I am honest and sincere," said De Zerbi, ahead of Saturday's crucial trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
"I don't say something when I don't believe it. I am sure they are good players.
"I don't know what happened in the past with other coaches before I came and I want to show them what they are good at on the pitch, because they have incredible qualities.
"Their qualities are enough to win the game and stay up. If you speak every day about the faults, the head of the players stays on the faults. We have to be positive."
He added: "Sometimes my words are not enough, and I try to find the right solution to reach every player.
"Sometimes you arrive with a video. Sometimes with words, sometimes with red wine or a beer."