Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed a brilliant start to the transfer window, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.
Roberto De Zerbi will be determined to lay down a marker when Tottenham Hotspur face Brentford on the opening day of the new Premier League season. The Bees are not set to host the Lilywhites at the Gtech Community Stadium until Saturday, August 22, giving Johan Lange plenty of time to wrap up any remaining business.
The transfer window doesn’t shut until Tuesday, September 1, but the sporting director will be expected to have signed key targets and sold surplus-to-requirement players well in advance. Spurs have been dealt back-to-back relegation scares, so Lange can’t afford to take his foot off the pedal this summer.
Although Tottenham haven’t finished in the top half of the Premier League for a couple of years now, De Zerbi will hope to lock horns with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool. In order to compete with the very best, the Italian wants to essentially build a new team from scratch.
Last month, following the win over Everton on the final day of the campaign, he told reporters: “From tonight, we have to start to organise and to build a new team. I think we have now to change too many players.
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“We have 10, 11, 12 players good enough to stay. Good enough. Like players. Especially like people. And then we have to complete the squad with the first level of players.”
De Zerbi later doubled down in an interview with club media. The 47-year-old said: “I’m looking forward to building a new team. I’m looking forward to calling these players, to speak with them and to introduce the new season and to speak with the new players we have to bring.
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“We are lucky to stay here, and we have to compete in the best way we can,” he added. “We have to organise the next season, we have to build a stronger team. Now we have to move on and to prepare the future of our club.”
Brentford will also have a point to prove, as they look to qualify for either of UEFA’s three club competitions, too, having fallen short on goal difference last term. So, with that being said, football.london has looked at how Tottenham could set up on the opening day of the new Premier League season.
Two Tottenham stars survive exodus
Only two of the backline on the final day of the season could remain in the starting lineup when Spurs face the Bees: Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven. Following the arrivals of Andrew Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke, Kevin Danso and Destiny Udogie look set to be dropped to the bench.
Meanwhile, Djed Spence will have to earn his keep. Although the 25-year-old defender has shown promise while away with England at the World Cup, he didn’t feature much under De Zerbi last term, starting just two out of a possible seven games.
Despite a brilliant turnaround and some great performances during the run-in last term, Antonin Kinsky should also lose his place between the sticks. James Trafford would be an excellent addition, providing De Zerbi a strong platform to build from.
Among the many departures at Hotspur Way this summer could be Luka Vuskovic and Cristian Romero, who both continue to be heavily linked with moves away. Tottenham would be a much stronger outfit with them in the squad, but, unless they suddenly get assurances over game time or agree to sign new contracts, it seems unlikely they will stay, for now anyway.
Tonali leads Tottenham midfield makeover
Sandro Tonali and Matheus Fernandes would be a pair of great signings for Tottenham this summer. When De Zerbi qualified Brighton for the Europa League in 2023, the midfield was arguably the most important component of his side.
The likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, and Billy Gilmour were expected to evade the press with clever first-time passes, play through the lines and break up possession. Tonali and Fernandes are well-rounded players who will enable the Spurs boss to play exactly how he wants.
Tottenham sign Everton star
Tottenham will need to tread carefully in the market for a new forward. Savinho and Crysencio Summerville are just two of many wingers to be linked with a move to Spurs this summer, but De Zerbi should sign Iliman Ndiaye from Everton.
With the license to take on defenders at will in the final third, the 26-year-old winger would put up serious numbers for Spurs next season. He’s a maverick who could shoulder the creative workload of Xavi Simons, who’s not expected to be back in action until next year.
De Zerbi begins Champions League charge
If Lange plays his cards right, De Zerbi could have the tools to lead Tottenham back into the top four of the Premier League this season. The Lilywhites have enjoyed a brilliant start to the summer, signing players with great quality and experience in the English top flight.
If the likes of Robertson, Ben Davies, and James Maddison can then help the likes of Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert, and Archie Gray find their feet in a team that strives to compete on all fronts, Spurs could lay the foundations to a dynasty. The start of an exciting new era in north London.
Dream Tottenham Hotspur starting lineup to face Brentford in full: James Trafford (from Manchester City); Pedro Porro, Jan Paul van Hecke, Micky van de Ven, Andrew Robertson; Sandro Tonali (from Newcastle United), Lucas Bergvall, Matheus Fernandes (from West Ham); Mohammed Kudus, Dominic Solanke, Iliman Ndiaye (from Everton).
