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Roberto De Zerbi is going through a key moment at Tottenham. The coach is trying to convince Lucas Bergvall to stay with the club, although the young Swede has already expressed his intention to leave in this transfer window. Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest appear to be interested, but for now Bergvall remains on the preseason tour in Sydney, where he started in the 1-1 draw against Sydney FC, a match the Spurs won on penalties. With just 112 minutes in five Premier League appearances since the coach's arrival, the midfielder feels that his role has been reduced

The arrival of Mateus Fernandes for £85 million and Sandro Tonali for £100 million, both in the same position, further reduced Bergvall's chances. De Zerbi was clear: "I cannot guarantee any player in the world a place in the starting lineup. Tottenham has to build a strong squad, not just 11 players." The coach emphasized that modern soccer requires managing 21 or 22 top-level players to compete at the highest level, especially after the injuries that have affected the club in recent seasons

De Zerbi insists that Bergvall has the potential to become an elite player, but he also recognizes that he needs to improve his speed of movement and his understanding of the different roles in midfield. “If he doesn't want to stay, what can I do? Nothing," he said. The future of the Swede remains open: opt for patience in London or seek a new challenge in the Premier League. The decision will shape not only his career, but also the direction of Tottenham in this rebuilding phase

Tottenham Hotspur is going through a period of reconstruction after a season that left deep wounds. Micky van de Ven, the Dutch defender, described the 2025-26 season as "unacceptable" and stressful, but at the same time emphasized that there is now a "new ambition" within the locker room. The team finished in 17th place in the Premier League for the second consecutive year, securing their spot in the final matchday against Everton. This negative record had not been repeated since the three-season streak between 1912-13 and 1914-15.

The management responded with an unprecedented financial gamble with 237 million pounds invested in reinforcements. The most notable signing was Sandro Tonali, acquired for 100 million, followed by Mateus Fernandes (85 million) and Jan Paul van Hecke (52 million). Additionally, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Martin Dúbravka arrived as free agents. Roberto De Zerbi, the Spurs' coach, assured that the market is not yet closed and that the goal is to add more offensive power to leave the fight for survival behind.

The team is in Australia for preseason, with a friendly match scheduled against Chelsea. The official Premier League debut will be on August 22, visiting Brentford, a match that will mark the beginning of a campaign in which Tottenham aims to prove that the million-dollar investment and new ambition can transform disappointment into hope. With a renewed squad and a clear message from their leaders, the Spurs aim to move from merely surviving to competing, convinced that the future can be different if they manage to consolidate the identity that has been so lacking in recent years.

Micky van de Ven expressed his delight over Tottenham's "new ambition" after labelling the 2025-26 season as "unacceptable".

Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League last term after avoiding relegation on the final day with victory over Everton.

Having also finished 17th the season prior, it was the first time Spurs finished as low in consecutive top-flight campaigns since a run of three between 1912-13 and 1914-15 (17th, 17th, 20th).

However, they have been very busy so far in the transfer window, spending a club-record £237m already.

They signed Sandro Tonali for a club-record £100m, while also bringing in Mateus Fernandes for £85m and Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m.

Spurs have also acquired Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka on free transfers, while Roberto De Zerbi revealed the club still want to sign more attacking players.

Van de Ven believes Spurs' ambition in the transfer market is exactly what the players needed to see ahead of an important season.

"It's really good that you can see the club has made some changes," the 25-year-old told BBC Sport.

"You can see the club has a new ambition. It's something that's really important for players who have been here for a long time.

"Last season was a stressful season, unacceptable from our side, so to leave all of that behind and go into the new season fresh means a lot."

Spurs are currently in Australia for their pre-season tour, where they will face rivals Chelsea in a friendly ahead of the new season.

De Zerbi's side begin their Premier League campaign away to Brentford on August 22, while their first home game comes a week later against Newcastle United.

Andy Robertson has welcomed the competition for places at Tottenham as he believes it will help them move up the Premier League table.

Having also finished 17th the season prior, it was the first time Spurs finished as low in consecutive top-flight campaigns since a run of three between 1912-13 and 1914-15 (17th, 17th, 20th).

Roberto De Zerbi's arrival helped turn Spurs' fortunes around at the end of 2025-26, while the club have been busy in the summer transfer window.

Spurs spent a club record £100m to bring in Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United, while they also signed Mateus Fernandes for £85m and Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m.

Robertson is one of three free transfers completed by the north London side, who also brought in Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka as free agents.

Robertson will have to battle Destiny Udogie, Souza and potentially Djed Spence for a starting position, but the Scotsman feels the competition for places is a good thing.

"You go to big clubs, and if you look at all big clubs, you don't have it easy in any position," said Robertson.

"The club, the manager, the people above are trying to create a squad where there's competition in every position.

"You don't stay at the top, and you don't play for big clubs if you're not ready to compete for positions, if you're not ready to fight for your positions, and that goes for everyone.

"For me, that's something I've been used to for the last nine years. It's something that I'll be used to until my career ends. It’s nothing new for me.

"The quality of players in this squad is very good. If we can just get more out of it, then, like the manager said, the last two seasons in the Premier League haven't been up to scratch for Tottenham.

"They've been down the wrong end of the table. I think everyone's determined to not make that happen this season. As long as everyone's pulling in the same direction, everyone's competing, then I think we've got a squad that can be a lot higher up than where they were."

Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that any Tottenham players lacking commitment to the club should leave during this summer's transfer window.

De Zerbi's comments came ahead of Spurs' pre-season friendly against Auckland FC on Sunday amid speculation over the futures of Lucas Bergvall and Cristian Romero.

Bergvall only joined Spurs from Djurgarden in 2024, but he has been the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest, who reportedly saw a £38m bid rejected.

The 20-year-old only signed a new deal until 2031 last April, but has fallen out of favour and dropped further down the midfield pecking order after Spurs' big-money acquisitions of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes.

Since De Zerbi took over at Spurs in March, Bergvall has been limited to five appearances across all competitions, one of which was a start, totalling just 112 minutes of action.

Romero has also been linked with a move away, with Serie A giants Inter a possible destination, while Micky van de Ven's future in north London remains uncertain.

"I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham? Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave," De Zerbi said.

"I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation.

"Because now in football, if you think also about the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference. The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team."

It has been reported that Forest, who are now managed by Oliver Glasner, are set to return with an improved offer of £45m to secure the services of Bergvall.

"I have not spoken with Lucas yet," De Zerbi added when asked about the Swedish international.

"I will in the next few days, and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us, without problems. Lucas is a big, big talent.

"There will be a big competition to play because, at the end, I think there will be two players for each position.

"If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with [sporting director] Johan Lange, with [chief executive] Vinai [Venkatesham].

De Zerbi has revealed Tottenham's transfer business is not over yet, despite splashing out on the signings of Tonali, Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke, with Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka also joining on free transfers.

The Italian said attacking additions were the next things to tackle within his team, and while Bergvall is with Spurs for their pre-season tour, wingers Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski remain absent due to their respective injury issues.

"Kudus is very close. I think when we come back to London he will be available to start working with us," said De Zerbi. "It's a great thing for us. Kudus is another important player.

Roberto De Zerbi revealed Tottenham's new target in the transfer window is to "complete the attacking positions".

Spurs have already been busy this summer, signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85 and spending a club-record £100m to bring Sandro Tonali in from Newcastle United.

They have also acquired Jan Paul van Hecke for £52 from Brighton, while Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have joined as free agents.

Spurs finished 17th last season, the same position as the 2024-25 season when they won the Europa League, and only secured their safety on the final day of the campaign.

They won just three home games in the league last term, the joint-fewest such wins by a team to survive relegation in a Premier League campaign, along with Hull City in 2008-09 (three).

However, after already strengthening their defence and midfield, De Zerbi now wants to bolster Spurs' attacking department.

"The target now is to complete the attacking positions," said De Zerbi.

"We want the first target, the first level, because we already have important players, but I think to start the new project we need another couple of important players, for sure.

"It's not finished yet, our transfer market window. We have to finish, we have to bring another couple of, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players."

Mateus Fernandes scored what he described as the best goal of his career just three minutes into his Tottenham debut, as they beat MK Dons 1-0 in a friendly on Wednesday.

Roberto De Zerbi's side kicked off their pre-season campaign with a behind-closed-doors meeting with the League One side at Hotspur Way.

And Fernandes – an £85m signing from relegated West Ham – only needed a few minutes to make an impact as he met a half-cleared corner with a brilliant volley from the edge of the area, which flew into the top-right corner.

Fernandes partnered Sandro Tonali, who quickly succeeded him as Spurs' record signing when he joined from Newcastle United in a deal that could rise to £100m, in midfield throughout the first half.

Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel and Dominic Solanke were also part of Spurs' first-half team, though De Zerbi made 11 changes at the break and they were unable to add any further goals.

Speaking to the club's website afterwards, Fernandes said: "After I scored, I got a similar ball again and thought, 'I can't do it again, because if I miss, they'll think I was lucky!'

"It was great. It was my favourite goal of my career. By a mile!

"I need to do this more and more, to shoot from outside the box. I know that I can do it. This just gives me confidence for the rest of the games."

Despite West Ham's relegation to the Championship, Fernandes impressed last term, scoring five goals and registering four assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.

He won more tackles (73) and duels (214) than any other West Ham player in 2025-26, while only Jarrod Bowen (53) created more chances than Fernandes' 42.

Spurs will now embark on a tour of New Zealand and Australia, facing Auckland FC, Sydney FC and Chelsea before returning to London to face Getafe and Hoffenheim.

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