Roberto De Zerbi addressed reporters for the first time ahead of the new Premier League campaign on Friday.
Spurs launch their league programme with a short journey across London to face Brentford on Saturday. Meanwhile, the north London club are on the verge of securing Manchester City wide player Savinho in a deal worth £75million with an additional £10million in potential extras. Tottenham are aiming to complete a double swoop as negotiations continue for Savinho’s teammate Omar Marmoush.
That would bring De Zerbi’s summer overhaul to eight new signings, following the exits of influential figures including skipper Cristian Romero, Djed Spence and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. With Romero having departed, the club required a new leader and the Italian head coach confirmed who would wear the captain’s armband during his Friday media duties while also addressing the club’s remaining transfer business.
De Zerbi provided fitness updates on several squad members, among them Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and Micky van de Ven, who has not featured at all during pre-season preparations.
Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was present at Hotspur Way to put questions to the former Shakhtar Donetsk and Brighton manager.