De Zerbi’s dream Spurs XI

No one at Tottenham Hotspur will be getting carried away just yet, not least after the misery of 2025/26, but the Lilywhites could well become a force again next season if this summer of spending continues.

It’s merely the early stages of July, and the north London side have already recruited six new faces, the latter of whom arrived for a combined fee of £185m, in the form of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

By all accounts, there’s plenty left in the transfer war chest too, while funds could be bolstered even further if the likes of Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence are to depart in the coming weeks.

Armed with further reinforcements and without the ‘distraction’ of European football, might Roberto De Zerbi actually steer Spurs back into contention at the top of the table? Stranger things have happened.

In any case, here’s an idea of how De Zerbi’s starting lineup could look next season if everything goes to plan…

1

Goalkeeper

James Trafford

If Vicario is to depart, that would leave Martin Dubravka and Antonin Kinsky as the senior options in the goalkeeping ranks, with there potentially still room for an upgrade in that regard.

Kinsky, while a standout in the final weeks of last season, is still yet to convince that he is the long-term solution, with that night in Madrid still very much in the memory.

As for the player who could replace him, £40m-rated Manchester City man, James Trafford, has been mooted as an option, amid the Englishman’s search for game time away from the Etihad.

2

Right-back

Pedro Porro

Having signed a new long-term deal last month, Pedro Porro will be the go-to man at right-back, with the Spaniard the preferred pick over Spence following De Zerbi’s arrival.

Now also a key figure for his country on the World Cup stage, the former Sporting CP star should thrive under this exciting new regime at N17.

3

Centre-back

Jan Paul van Hecke

De Zerbi was desperate to reunite with Brighton and Hove Albion star, Jan Paul van Hecke, and he quickly got his wish, with the Spurs hierarchy signing off on a £56m deal for the Dutchman.

Losing teenage sensation, Luka Vuskovic, in the opposite direction could still come back to bite Spurs, although at 26, Van Hecke is a ready-made, proven addition to this squad.

4

Centre-back

Marcos Senesi

Lining up next to Van Hecke might well be fellow south coast star, Marcos Senesi, the Argentine plucked from Bournemouth on a free transfer.

Another experienced capture at 29, Senesi looks like the perfect, ball-playing centre-back for a De Zerbi team, having supplied five assists for the Cherries last season, while creating seven ‘big chances’.

5

Left-back

Micky van de Ven

With Porro rampaging down the right, it might require a sense of balance on the opposite side, ensuring Micky van de Ven could replicate the left-back role that he took on for the Netherlands this summer.

That shift might also allow the 25-year-old’s own attacking talents to shine as well, the former Wolfsburg man ending 2025/26 as the third-highest scorer at Spurs with four Premier League goals.

6

Defensive midfield

​​​​​​​Sandro Tonali

Tottenham’s new number 16 and club-record signing, Tonali is set to be the heart of this team in central midfield, having been the marquee addition of the summer so far.

Courted by Manchester City this summer, the 26-year-old is a real statement regarding where De Zerbi wants to take this team, with few signings of this ilk seen at N17 in modern memory.

7

​​​​​​​Defensive midfield

Alex Scott

A boyhood Spurs fan, Alex Scott could potentially be a third midfield arrival of the summer in north London, if reports are to be believed.

Valued at around £80m by Bournemouth, the playmaker is yet to pen a new deal at the Vitality Stadium, opening up the possibility of a departure.

A balletic, delightful footballer to watch, the 22-year-old has already endeared himself to the Lilywhites by netting away at the Emirates last season.

8

​​​​​​​Right-wing

Mohammed Kudus

Fitness permitting, Mohammed Kudus should be De Zerbi’s starting option on the right flank next season, with the Ghanaian showcasing enough in the first-half of 2025/26 to be excited.

Whisper it quietly, but there’s almost a Gareth Bale-vibe to the way he moves down that right flank, so lethal when cutting in onto his favoured left foot. A return to action can’t come soon enough.

9

​​​​​​​Attacking midfield

Mateus Fernandes

For the second summer in succession, Tottenham have raided West Ham United, with Fernandes following Kudus in trading east London for north London.

£85m is a pretty penny to pay for a player who has suffered back-to-back relegations, yet beating Manchester United to the punch might well prove to be a real coup for De Zerbi and co.

Watch this space.

10

​​​​​​​Left-wing

​​​​​​​Cody Gakpo

Left wing has been a problem position ever since Heung-min Son departed last summer, yet another Premier League-ready solution could be on the agenda in the form of Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.

Tipped to be a player to keep eye on from a Spurs perspective, in the view of Fabrizio Romano, the £60m man is fresh from scoring three goals at the World Cup for the Netherlands, maintaining his impressive major tournament form.

The 27-year-old hasn’t necessarily underwhelmed at club level either, scoring 50 goals in 180 games at Anfield, after previously netting 55 times in 159 games at PSV Eindhoven. Lethal.