Roberto De Zerbi has delivered a blunt ultimatum to his Tottenham squad: if you don't want to be here, leave. Since taking over in March 2025 and saving Spurs from relegation, De Zerbi has overseen a dramatic overhaul. The club has spent over £200 million in the summer 2026 transfer window, including marquee signings Sandro Tonali (£100m) and Mateus Fernandes (£85m), as well as Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, and Marcos Senesi. But the manager's focus is not just on talent — it's on attitude. "I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here," De Zerbi said, setting a clear expectation for his squad.
De Zerbi's comments came amid uncertainty over midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who joined in 2024 but played limited minutes. Nottingham Forest had a £38m bid rejected and are set to offer £45m. De Zerbi has not yet spoken to Bergvall but stressed that any player who wants to leave can do so. This reflects De Zerbi's broader philosophy: motivation is key, and he believes teams built on happy, committed players outperform those with reluctant stars. This is not a new stance — he made similar remarks at the start of his tenure.
“Tottenham's Roberto De Zerbi insists unhappy players should leave as Spurs spend over £200m, reshaping the squad with a clear philosophy.”
For Tottenham fans, this transfer window is crucial. After a relegation battle last season, the club is now investing heavily under De Zerbi's guidance. The midfield has been completely revamped, but attention is turning to attack — targets include Manchester City's Savinho and Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi. The squad's shape for the 2026-27 season is taking form, but De Zerbi has made clear that no player is bigger than the team's culture. This approach could define whether Spurs climb back into the top half or continue to struggle.
Q: Who is Roberto De Zerbi and what is his philosophy at Tottenham? Roberto De Zerbi is the Italian manager who took over Tottenham in March 2025 and kept them in the Premier League. He demands that every player wants to be at the club, saying anyone not "proud and happy" should leave, as motivation is crucial to his system.
Q: Why is Lucas Bergvall linked with a move away? The 20-year-old Sweden midfielder joined in 2024 but played limited minutes last season. Nottingham Forest had a £38m bid rejected and are expected to offer £45m. De Zerbi has not yet spoken with Bergvall but will make a decision that's best for all parties.
Q: Who have Tottenham signed in the summer 2026 transfer window? Spurs have spent over £200m, including Sandro Tonali from Newcastle (£100m), Mateus Fernandes from West Ham (£85m), Jan Paul van Hecke (£52m), and free agents Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dubravka. They are still looking to add attackers.
The transfer window remains open, and De Zerbi said they aim to "complete the attacking positions." They are linked with Savinho and Eli Junior Kroupi. The pre-season friendly against Sydney FC will give fans a first look at the new-look squad. Decisions on outgoings, like Bergvall, will be made in the coming days.