De Zerbi’s Stance on Player Departures
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has indicated his desire for England defender Djed Spence to remain at the club, despite ongoing speculation regarding his future. Spence, who signed a long-term deal last year, has been linked with potential moves to Inter Milan and Everton. De Zerbi views Spence as an integral part of his plans, even with increased competition in his position following significant summer spending by the club.
De Zerbi conveyed a clear message to both Spence and midfielder Lucas Bergvall, stating, “I would like you to stay if you want to stay. If you don’t want to stay, if you want to leave, then you have to leave.” This approach highlights the manager’s philosophy of ensuring full commitment from players within the squad.
Spence featured in 23 of his 30 Premier League appearances last season. His preferred right-back role at Tottenham is currently occupied by Spain‘s World Cup winner Pedro Porro, whom De Zerbi has praised as among the best in his position globally.
Squad Rebuild and Transfer Activity
Tottenham has undertaken a substantial squad rebuild this summer, investing a club-record £237 million. This spending follows a season where the club narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the Premier League. Key signings include midfielder Mateus Fernandes for £85 million and Sandro Tonali for £100 million. Additionally, Jan Paul van Hecke joined from Brighton, alongside free transfers for Marcos Senesi, Andrew Robertson, and Martin Dubravka.
De Zerbi confirmed that the transfer market is not yet closed for Tottenham, stating that the club has completed approximately 60% of its project. He hinted at another significant attacking signing, referring to it as “another bomba.” The club is reportedly in advanced talks for Manchester City‘s Savinho and is pursuing another unnamed target to bolster its attacking options.
Potential attacking targets linked with Tottenham include Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, Chelsea‘s Pedro Neto, or AC Milan winger Rafael Leao. De Zerbi emphasized the need to increase the team’s goal count.
Departures and Managerial Philosophy
Alongside potential new arrivals, several players are expected to depart Tottenham. Captain Cristian Romero is among those likely to leave, with De Zerbi acknowledging Romero’s desire for a move. The manager praised Romero’s conduct during his time at the club but respected his wish to leave. Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is also anticipated to depart after losing his starting position.
De Zerbi recounted having numerous individual meetings with players in April, where he discussed their intentions. He stated, “I said: ‘Yes, help me to stay up, and then I help you to leave. If you don’t help me to stay up, you stay underwater with me!’” This reflects his firm stance on commitment and performance, especially during the club’s struggle to avoid relegation.
The manager’s philosophy extends to ensuring that any player who stays must adhere to his rules and decisions on the pitch. He stressed that if players are not committed or become disruptive, it would be a significant error, indicating a lesson learned from past seasons. De Zerbi also mentioned that the selection of new wingers would consider how they complement the existing full-backs, including Pedro Porro, Udogie, Robertson, and Djed Spence.
De Zerbi clarified that while he respects players’ wishes to leave, he does not manage transfer fees or sales, leaving those discussions to chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange. He expressed his enjoyment of working in the transfer market, considering it one of the most engaging aspects of his role.
The club’s focus remains on strengthening the squad to improve performance, with De Zerbi actively pursuing targets to enhance the team’s attacking capabilities and overall project.
Source: bbc.com