Tottenham Hotspur

Umir Irfan
Football tactics correspondent, speaking on the BBC's Football Daily podcast

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When you look at Roberto de Zerbi, his first stint at Brighton was something that was very transformative to the Premier League.

Many of the coaches adopted his baiting-style of build-up and his idea to punch the passes through the middle of the pitch really quickly.

What we have seen in pre-season is an adaptation and a focus on building upon what he did at the end of last season, which is a more simplistic view.

But he did not come in and simply try to shut up shop and get easy points, he looked to build out from the back and use that short build-up. That tactic is still very key to his side.

What I have noticed is his awareness that teams are pressing man-for-man in a really aggressive manner. There has been a focus on building through the middle, but also on building out under pressure using the same ideas in wide areas.

Those moves tend to finish with the wingers one-v-one, so De Zerbi is not just using his principles through the middle but also through the wide areas to still arrive in the final third really quickly and really aggressively.

A lot of the top coaches have one set style of play in mind - and De Zerbi has certain principles - but a few years ago he said: "When you're building the play, if the rival doesn't pressure us intensely then we slowly move the ball up the pitch. When they do pressure us, then we can make some passes, dribble and play more vertically."

He is a coach who adapts how his team builds up and plays depending on how the opponent defends, which is slightly more reactive and adaptable.

The biggest challenge is teams will increasingly sit back and almost ask his players to break them down, knowing what De Zerbi prefers to do, so it is all about how he then looks to break down stubborn defences that sit lower.

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Former Tottenham full-back and caretaker manager Chris Hughton says Roberto de Zerbi is a "demanding" but "feel-good factor" head coach.

He also believes the Italian will have a "really good opportunity to build" this season, after guiding the club to Premier League safety on the final matchday of the 2025-26 season with a 1-0 win over Everton.

"First and foremost, to take the job at the time he did was huge pressure in itself," Hughton said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "You don't want to be the manager, if only for a few games, that takes a club like Tottenham down.

"For that reason, I would say him taking this job showed he has a lot of confidence in himself. He knew he could do the job and keep the team up.

"I'm quite sure he would've known about the funds that were going to be spent and the players that were going to be brought in this summer. He would've known that if he could keep the club in the division, he would have a really good opportunity to build.

"What I know about him is that he is a very demanding coach. His players speak very well of him. He is not only demanding of his players, but also of his coaching staff. There is real detail in his training sessions.

"You can also see his enthusiasm. He gives his players a real feel-good factor.

"The fact that players are coming through the door now will incredibly lift the spirits in that changing room. He is the type of coach you want to play for."

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Tottenham are considering a move for Paris St-Germain and Ukraine defender Illia Zabarnyi, 23, after selling Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid. (Teamtalk), external

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Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart believes Andy Robertson can "bring a lot" to Roberto de Zerbi's dressing room this season, despite not being "the player that signed for Liverpool all those years ago".

The 32-year-old left-back announced his Anfield departure in April before joining Tottenham on a free transfer in June.

"He is going to get that whole new responsibility and freshness at Tottenham," Hart said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "Liverpool made their decision early and it felt like it was always Tottenham for him.

"It was a case of: 'Stay up and I'm coming to Spurs'.

"He will have a different responsibility though. Roberto de Zerbi will know how to use him because he isn't the Andy Robertson that signed for Liverpool all those years ago.

"What they do have is a top player and a top professional in the building. They have a player that wants to be there, especially because I think he would've had a few options.

"He will be an absolute leader in that dressing room, alongside still being a very good player, so I do think he can bring a lot.

"It has been the summer for the Premier League kind of coming back to those senior signings, so I think it is really smart business."

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Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal are all interested in Pedro Neto, 26, who joined Chelsea for £54m from Wolves in 2024. (Metro), external

But the Blues want close to £100m if they are to sell the Portugal winger this summer. (Mail - subscription required), external

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Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.

While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.

Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.

But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).

The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.

While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.

Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

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We asked for your views on whether Tottenham need to replace Vicario, with the goalkeeper closing in on a loan move to Juventus.

Here are some of your comments:

Aston: We don't need a replacement for Vicario. Ever since Kinsky was made number one, it's clear who the better keeper is. Vic wanted out, he's getting what he wants. We already have enough quality cover in the form of Dubravka and Austin.

Dan: Before the window, I was expecting Vicario to leave and a replacement be brought in. If De Zerbi thinks Kinsky is good enough to be number one, then great. Spence, Romero, Solomon and now Vicario gone - go and spend the money on a goalscorer now please!

Barry: Vic is a great shotstopper but could never really command his box during set-pieces and was never really comfortable with the ball at his feet. It was time to go.

William: It's a shame to see Vicario go as he has done a lot for the club. However, I think his form has been on the decline since this year and the signing of Dubravka has forced Vicario to go elsewhere. It's a shame, but it's necessary.

Jon: Fantastic to move on a keeper who was on the bench. Although he was part of Spurs' Europa League triumph, his shortcomings from crosses and with ball at feet were always too great. Kinsky is clearly first choice, so getting Vicario out the building should boost Kinsky, while keeping Dubravka as a safe back-up. No need to sign anyone else - re-evaluate at the end of a full season, which will make it clear if Kinsky is up to the task long term.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Tottenham have accepted a loan offer from Juventus for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, which includes an option to buy.

The Italy international, 29, is set to travel to Turin to complete a move back to Serie A, with a non-mandatory £8.6m purchase option included in the deal.

It follows Juventus' attempts to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, which has collapsed as Villa close in on signing Parma's Zion Suzuki.

Martinez was known to have an injured finger and is currently unavailable for selection.

Vicario, meanwhile, lost his place in the Spurs side under manager Roberto de Zerbi, who promoted understudy Antonin Kinsky to the role last season.

De Zerbi has since confirmed Kinsky will remain his first-choice goalkeeper for the new season, with Martin Dubravka signed on a free transfer from Burnley in July to provide competition and cover.

It is part of a club record spending spree by the north London club, who have signed six players while targeting two further attacking additions.

They have also sold, loaned out or released several former first-team players, including captain Cristian Romero, England international Djed Spence and Yves Bissouma.

Vicario made 117 appearances for Spurs after joining from Empoli for £17.2m in 2023.

Spurs fans, Do you need to replace Vicario? Tell us here

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Tottenham drew 2-2 with Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in a behind closed doors friendly at Hotspur Way on Sunday.

The game took place 24 hours after Spurs beat the same opposition 3-0 in front of 55,000 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Roberto De Zerbi selected a completely different starting XI.

Mateus Fernandes, James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Ben Davies and Kevin Danso all started after watching from the stands on Saturday, with Maddison starting a match for the first time in just under a year,

Ben Davies and academy forward Williams-Barnett scored the goals for Spurs.

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Mikey Moore scored twice as Tottenham beat Bundesliga side Hoffenheim 3-0 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

On their return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Roberto De Zerbi's side looked lively and opened the scoring through Richarlison's finish from a fine Andy Robertson cross.

19-year-old forward Moore - who spent last season on loan with Rangers - then twice combined with Mathys Tel to score a second half double.

Summer signings Robertson, Marco Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali all played for Spurs front of a home crowd for the first time.

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"Spurs will always have a place in my heart", wrote Djed Spence before his move to Inter Milan was confirmed on Saturday.

Spence has signed a five-year deal with the Serie A champions, who are reportedly paying a fee of around 30m euros, external (£25.6m) for the 26-year-old.

He joined Spurs for an initial £12.5m from Middlesbrough in 2022 and made 85 appearances for the north London side, helping them to win the 2024-25 Europa League title.

"A special chapter comes to an end, It's been some journey, with plenty of memories, moments and experiences that I'll carry with me for forever, especially that night in Bilbao," he posted in a farewell message to Spurs supporters across his social media accounts.

"Thanks to all the staff members who've helped me along the way, the players who've become family and most importantly thank you to the fans. Time for a new chapter now, but Spurs will always have a place in my heart."

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Departing Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has posted a goodbye message on social media, relfecting on his five years at the club.

Romero's move to Atletico Madrid was confirmed on Saturday, with the La Liga side paying £34.2m for the 28-year-old Argentina centre-back, who has joined on a five-year deal.

"I know I wasn't perfect," Romero posted on X, external.

"But one thing gives me peace: I always gave everything. I defended this shirt with pride and with all my heart."

Romero joined Tottenham from Atalanta in 2021 and became a mainstay in their defence, making 156 appearances.

His best moment with Spurs was helping the club win their first trophy in 17 years as they beat Manchester United in the 2025 Europa League final.

"When I arrived, I had a clear dream: to leave my name in this club's history," he added.

"I knew the only way was through hard work, sacrifice and achieving something that had seemed so difficult for so long: lifting a trophy again. And we did it.

"I'm leaving the club, but a part of my heart will always remain here. Once I was one of you. Today, I leave as one of you forever.

"With all my love and respect. Thank you for everything."

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham defender Djed Spence has landed in Italy before his expected move to Inter Milan for a minimum of £25.6m (30m euros).

He told onlookers "Forza Inter" after he was filmed by Sky Sport Italy, external landing in Milan in the early hours of Friday.

Spence enjoyed an excellent World Cup with England and played 32 times for Spurs in 2025-26, but first-choice right-back Pedro Porro signed a new deal in June and left-back Andy Robertson has been brought in from Liverpool.

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi said in July he wanted to convince Spence to stay at the club.

The 26-year-old joined Spurs for an initial £12.5m from Middlesbrough in 2022 and has made 85 appearances for the north London side, winning the 2025 Europa League.

This will be Spence's second spell in Italy after a six-month loan at Genoa in 2024.

Atletico Madrid have agreed a £34.2m (40m euros) fee to sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham.

The 28-year-old is set to become Atletico's fourth signing of the summer, while Spurs will also retain a 15% sell-on clause as part of the deal.

Argentina international Romero was the subject of interest from Premier League champions Arsenal in recent days, but Tottenham did not want to sell their captain to their north London rivals.

He leaves Tottenham after five seasons, having made 156 appearances for them, scoring 13 times, following an initial campaign on loan from Atalanta in 2021.

With the additions of midfielders Kang-in Lee and Morten Hjulmand and left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, Atletico are set to take their transfer spending over £100m this summer should they complete the Romero deal.

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It is common practice these days for transfer fees to have performance-based add-ons. The theory is the selling club gains more if the player goes on to be extremely successful, while the buying club is to some extent protected financially if the transfer doesn't work out.

In some cases, the total value of add-ons is significant - Real Madrid could end up paying an extra £30m to Borussia Dortmund for Jude Bellingham depending on how successful he is over the course of his career in the Spanish capital, for example.

In others, like the potential £1.7m worth of add-ons Brighton's £29.78m signing of Greece Under-21 forward Charalampos Kostoulas, are less significant.

Clubs sometimes say add-ons are 'easily achievable' or 'difficult'.

Easier-to-achieve add-ons can include things like making a basic number of appearances, or scoring a certain amount of goals. Add-ons can also be attached to a team's success rather than the individual player's - a club may agree to an add-on requiring an extra payment if they qualify for Europe, for example.

Others can be more ambitious - tied to extreme levels of individual or collective success, like winning the Champions League or the Ballon d'Or.

An example of the difficulty add-ons can present when discussing valuations would be the claims made in the Portuguese media in 2022 that the first additional payment in Darwin Nunez's £64m-plus-add-ons move from Benfica to Liverpool was triggered by the Uruguayan making just 10 appearances.

Then Liverpool boss Arne Slot rejected speculation he had not started Nunez in some games because it would trigger an additional payment.

Whether Liverpool paid more for Nunez, or club captain Virgil van Dijk - for whom they paid a flat fee of £75m to Southampton in 2017 - cannot be determined without knowing exactly what add-ons were included in the Nunez deal, then figuring out which conditions he has and has not met.

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