De Zerbi says Tottenham still have transfer work to do

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that the club is still looking to strengthen the squad before the transfer window shuts. With 10 days remaining before the Premier League season begins, the Italian coach stated that work continues in the market to finalise the roster.

Spurs have already been active during the summer period, securing six new players. The club signed Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dúbravka as free agents, while also making significant investments in Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Sandro Tonali. The midfielder arrived from Newcastle United for a club-record fee of €116m in July.

De Zerbi noted that the recruitment process focuses on finding players with the correct character and discipline. He emphasized that team spirit and a positive attitude are as vital as technical quality. The manager is currently working to integrate the existing new arrivals into the team as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.

Regarding the club's recent history, De Zerbi described the previous season as a struggle for survival. After joining the club in March, he helped the side avoid relegation to finish 17th in the league, a result that meant the club failed to qualify for European competition. He views the current season as the beginning of a rebuilding phase to establish a lasting presence in the league.

De Zerbi also highlighted the leadership potential of Sandro Tonali. The manager noted that he personally convinced the 26-year-old Italy international to join the club and believes Tonali can take on a leadership role. He recalled observing Tonali's veteran-like playing style as early as age 18 during his time at Brescia.

To improve the attacking options, the club has identified Savinho and Cody Gakpo as potential targets. The manager also compared the footballing environments in England and Italy, noting that while English teams use fewer training camps, the pressure in Italian football is often self-imposed.