Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham’s manager, emphatically asserted that the club’s board had been diligent in pursuing recruitment, securing a deal for Savinho from Manchester City, valued at up to £85 million. De Zerbi’s unwavering stance was that Spurs were ‘not finished yet’ in the transfer market, a sentiment echoing a strategic approach to maintain a competitive position despite facing a challenging season. A significant element of this strategy involves a rapid expansion of the squad to a figure of approximately £400 million, representing a radical shift in Tottenham’s long-term planning. The club’s recent performance, marked by a 17th-place finish in the Premier League, has been a focal point of De Zerbi’s assessment of the team’s capabilities. He emphasized the importance of fulfilling his promise to the board, stating, ‘I can’t speak about the other coaches [before me]. I just can say, in my experience, they kept their word, kept what they said before I came at the end of March.’
De Zerbi underscored the importance of this commitment, highlighting the significance of the club’s history and the pride associated with maintaining a competitive level. He acknowledged the potential for a significant investment, stating, ‘This moment is crucial. We have to change the mood completely. The club needs a fundamental transformation.’
De Zerbi expressed his gratitude to Tottenham’s board for fulfilling their commitment to backing him, acknowledging the expectation of a summer outlay of £400 million to bring nine new players to the squad.
The statement reflects a deliberate departure from traditional club management policies, where spending has often been viewed as a secondary consideration. De Zerbi’s perspective contrasts sharply with criticisms leveled at Tottenham, who have frequently struggled to spend freely on players. He explained that the focus should be on a ‘soul of the team’ and ‘style of play,’ emphasizing the need to build a sustainable, competitive squad rather than simply chasing fleeting talent. He outlined a plan for the coming two years, focusing on Brentford as the cornerstone of the transfer window, followed by the immediate acquisition of the first two crucial targets – a player to ‘find the soul of the team’ and the style of play, alongside the addition of Cody Gakpo from Liverpool.
The club’s current squad is considered to be adequate to play in every stadium, which, in the context of a potential significant investment, is a reassuring perspective. De Zerbi also revealed a potential captain’s lineup, with four vice-captains in Pedro Porro, Ben Davies, James Maddison, and Archie Gray.
Furthermore, the club’s recent transfer activity includes a shift in the leadership, with Micky van de Ven taking on the role of captain, with four vice-captains. The club is also open to leaving players like Pape Matar Sarr, who has decided to move to Galatasaray, and Richarlison, who is an option for the transfer market, as the club seeks to bolster its squad with 21 or 22 players. The club’s winger Mikey Moore is expected to join Cologne on loan when wingers Savinho and Gakpo sign.
De Zerbi expressed his commitment to maintaining a competitive squad, stating, ‘I love speaking clearly, Today is the August 21 and every one of those players knows the squad. If one of them doesn’t want to accept the competition inside the dressing room, they can leave.’ He emphasized the importance of the players’ acceptance in the dressing room and the club’s need to prioritize the long-term success of the team, recognizing that a smaller squad is not sufficient to compete at the top of the table. De Zerbi anticipates that the club will aim for a ‘competitive squad’ of 21 or 22 players, and he has no intention of guaranteeing a place in the team to the players who do not want to accept the competition.
The club’s long-term strategy involves a focus on establishing a sustainable, competitive structure rather than relying on short-term gains. De Zerbi concluded by stating, ‘If you analyze Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Milan, there is a big competition inside the dressing room.’
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Source: Sport
