Roberto De Zerbi is determined to guide Tottenham Hotspur back to European competition this campaign.
Tottenham are aiming to progress under Roberto De Zerbi this season (Image: Visionhaus Getty Images)
Despite Tottenham Hotspur’s involvement in successive fights against the drop, De Zerbi will be targeting involvement among the Premier League’s leading sides this term. The Italian steered the north London club to survival at the conclusion of the previous season, guaranteeing top-flight status on the campaign’s final matchday.
Having demonstrated resilience and the correct mentality during difficult circumstances, De Zerbi now intends to elevate his squad to greater heights. During a news conference ahead of the new season, the 47-year-old explained that the previous campaign had been about displaying character and proper spirit.
He stated that the focus must now shift to playing style, quality of performance, and tactical structure. This represents a crucial phase as they establish their project. Building a fresh side requires certain qualities, along with passion, patience, and core principles.
He noted that football nowadays extends beyond the pitch and ball, encompassing preparation and private life. Players need to feel content and honoured to represent Tottenham.
With this in mind, reporters at football.london have assessed the forthcoming season.
Alasdair Gold
Each new campaign brings renewed optimism, though in Tottenham’s situation this optimism is more justified than in recent memory. De Zerbi has effectively enjoyed an extended pre-season period, having spent a couple of months rescuing the club at the end of the previous term, meaning he holds an advantage over numerous newly-appointed managers.
Tottenham have also invested £237million, surpassing their previous transfer record on two occasions, while the overhaul has seen numerous players depart with approximately £213million potentially returning to the club’s finances. This provides additional financial flexibility to pursue attacking acquisitions and ensure De Zerbi remains satisfied when the transfer window closes on September 1.
With De Zerbi’s demanding style of football, the absence of European fixtures with predominantly single weekly matches should keep players energised and prepared to face opponents who may appear fatigued or disorganised. This also helps minimise injury concerns, which have plagued Tottenham in recent times.
Every campaign features prominent clubs who missed out on continental competition surging up the table and benefiting from their freshness, with Tottenham and potentially Chelsea fitting that description this term.
With a month remaining in the previous season, I informed fellow Tottenham correspondents that if the club avoided relegation, they would finish in the top six or possibly top four the following year. So I should maintain that forecast and go bold.
Forecast: 4th
Jake Stokes
Tottenham Hotspur followers have plenty to anticipate this term. De Zerbi’s efforts both on and off the field throughout the summer have been highly impressive. The Italian has essentially reconstructed the squad from the ground up and established foundations for an attacking style of football within a brief timeframe, while also adopting the club’s traditions and promoting a fresh mindset.
The preceding couple of years had been rather bleak, so De Zerbi has provided renewed optimism. If Johan Lange can secure a top-quality left-sided forward before the transfer window concludes, the north London club could potentially finish in the Premier League’s top five and possibly secure Champions League participation.
Tottenham should gain from having reduced fixture demands this season. De Zerbi will have greater training ground opportunities compared to rivals such as Andoni Iraola, Michael Carrick, and Unai Emery, enabling him to refine his philosophy more effectively and potentially overtake the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, and Aston Villa.
Naturally, this will prove challenging with inevitable obstacles ahead, though the Italian possesses the resources to restore Tottenham to continental competition. De Zerbi represents a highly capable head coach with quality players at his disposal.
Forecast: 5th
Ryan Taylor
Tottenham appear to be potential contenders for a top-five finish. They have made shrewd acquisitions, added top-flight experience, and will operate on a single match per week after failing to qualify for European competition. This proved advantageous for Manchester United last season.
Even should they encounter midfield or defensive injuries, they possess sufficient depth to manage this term. There exists genuine enthusiasm and optimism that further signings, particularly in forward areas, may arrive during the window’s closing weeks.
De Zerbi harbours significant ambitions and will help supporters reconnect with their team this season, though European qualification would constitute a respectable outcome following the agonizing relegation battle of the previous campaign.
De Zerbi possesses all the necessary elements to restore Tottenham to challenging among the division’s elite, and there are compelling grounds for optimism this time around.