How De Zerbi Could Reshape Tottenham in the 2026 Rebuild

Spurs find themselves in a position where they must put their focus aside from the just-concluded 2025-26 season. Tottenham Spurs have avoided relegation to the second tier in the English Premier League at the very end of the season after winning against Everton with a scoreline of 1-0. With 41 points accumulated, Tottenham finished the season in seventeenth position in the league table by two points. This is a disappointing experience for a club never being relegated from the Premier League at all.

Why Tottenham Needs a Major Squad Rebuild

The statistics also show that there is a team that has been doing poorly. It shows that Tottenham faced the biggest risk of relegation in its history from 1965, with six consecutive defeats and not winning any game in the last 15 matches played. They ended up in 17th place, which means only one position above the relegation zone. 

Nonetheless, the same level of instability didn’t affect the dugout either. Ange Postecoglou had been relieved of his duties despite leading his side to their first-ever Europa League victory. Thomas Frank lasted just eight months in charge after reaching the round-of-16 stages in the Champions League yet failing to win eight games in succession in February.

The major issue, however, was out on the pitch. As one writer noted, most of the team regressed during Frank’s management. A side that was supposed to compete at European nights could not perform at all in the domestic league, and the disparity between expense and productivity is the challenge requiring the restructuration.

Players Tottenham Could Realistically Sell This Summer

De Zerbi has made it clear that the board needs to change a lot. Sporting director Johan Lange has held important talks about the goals. But before making any purchase, Tottenham needs to figure out who to sell off. The captain, Cristian Romero, is the most talked-about name. He’s in the spotlight due to rumours about his future after a tough season. Many other names may end up on the transfer list. Reasons include expiring contracts and a mismatch in playing style with the new boss.

Some players only secured their positions. According to some rumours, centre-back Micky van de Ven is enjoying his time with De Zerbi and has even come very close to signing a new contract. Joao Palhinha, who scored the goal that kept the club out of relegation, is also one of the players whom the manager wishes to keep.

A manager needs to strengthen the squad not only in football – it’s a task for literally any area. For example, a top gambling site in Britain recommended by Slotozilla often changes online slots to provide players with a better selection. This way, careful choices play a role for both a casino site manager and a Premier League coach.

The Players and Positions De Zerbi Wants to Fix

De Zerbi’s football philosophy focuses on possession and high pressing. This method helps regain the ball quickly. Under his coaching, Tottenham Hotspur recovered possession in the final third. This suggests that there are clear targets in terms of transfers, which include skilled players who can play out from the back and quick wingers. The necessary purchases identified by analysts are:

• A goalkeeper who excels when he has the ball at his feet.
• A fast, dynamic winger who can provide a boost to the offensive frontline.
• An intelligent central midfielder with good control of the ball.
• A reliable goal scorer in the centre forward position.

Fortunately, the names on the possible transfer candidate list correspond to this description. So far, some of them that have been most reliably cited as targets are:

• Savinho, the winger at Manchester City, estimated to be worth £60 million according to the Daily Mail.
• James Trafford, the Manchester City goalkeeper mentioned by EsteemedKompany.
• Alex Scott, the midfielder from Bournemouth, followed by various clubs.
• Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers or agreed transfers contingent upon avoiding relegation.

Other players, such as Fiorentina’s Moise Kean and Fulham’s Harry Wilson, have also been rumoured to joining De Zerbi. However, his interest doesn’t mean starting full-fledged negotiations.

What Tottenham Could Look Like After the Rebuild

Successful recruitment in line with De Zerbi’s strategies can upgrade the team play and secure its image. It is important that the side keeps hold of the ball, pushes forward, and plays out from the back. It is imperative for Van de Ven to be at the centre of the defence and Palhinha to guard him.But none of this guarantees a quick return to the top six. The club invested heavily in past transfer windows but didn’t fix its problems. The club’s goal for the 2026-27 season is simple: a steady performance and a clear playing style. This is what De Zerbi’s time has promised for survival. In the words of James Maddison, it would be important to learn from their brush with disaster. And that starts by getting things right in the summer.