Spurs Aim for Major Overhaul After Survival
Tottenham are not resting on their laurels after securing Premier League survival on the final day of last season. Wholesale changes were promised by Roberto De Zerbi following Spurs’ 1-0 win over Everton last month, and with three new players already through the doors, they have not wasted any time in seeking to redress the balance of the squad.
De Zerbi has been keen to add experience and leadership to his ranks and has brought in defenders Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke to bolster his backline. There are expected to be more changes, with Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali a target, while youngsters Lucas Bergvall and Luka Vuskovic have signalled their desire to leave the club.
Goalkeeper Situation in Flux
Vicario has long been linked with a return to his native Italy, with Serie A champions Inter Milan credited with interest in the 29-year-old. The Spurs shot-stopper missed the final weeks of the season following hernia surgery and has yet to play under De Zerbi. In his place, understudy keeper Antonin Kinsky impressed as Spurs shored up their defence to get over the line in the fight for survival, and De Zerbi may yet decide to stick with Kinsky as his No1 next season.
There is longstanding interest in Manchester City's keeper James Trafford, who is keen for first-team minutes next term, but as yet no talks have taken place regarding a deal.
Defensive Reshuffle Continues
De Zerbi has already made sweeping changes in defence, and with Romero likely to leave this summer, it appears that £52million man Jan Paul van Hecke will partner fellow countryman Micky van de Ven in central defence. Van de Ven could yet leave the club, but De Zerbi seems determined to convince the Dutch centre-half to stay and potentially take on the captaincy should Romero depart.
Former Liverpool stalwart Robertson looks set to provide cover for Destiny Udogie at left-back, while Pedro Porro will remain first-choice right-back after signing a new long-term contract.
Midfield Target: Sandro Tonali
Spurs are in the market for a ball-playing midfielder to give them more authority in the centre of the park, and appear to have landed on Sandro Tonali as their prime target. De Zerbi is a huge admirer of Tonali, but knows it would take a substantial fee to prize him away from Newcastle. Were Tonali to come to Spurs, he would likely sit alongside Rodrigo Bentancur at the base of midfield. There is said to also be interest in West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes.
Attacking Additions Sought
With so many injuries in attack, it is difficult for Spurs to be quite as aggressive in addressing their issues going forward as they have been in defence. Man City winger Savinho is a long-term target, and Spurs have re-opened negotiations for the Brazilian winger, who is keen to leave this summer in search of regular game time. Marcus Rashford has no future at Manchester United and is the latest wide forward to be linked.
James Maddison returned from injury at the end of last season, and will hope for a starring role next term as the No10. Dejan Kulusevski’s fitness woes remain a concern.
De Zerbi's Balancing Act
De Zerbi will be judged on his ability to make the right calls about which positions and players to prioritise for a squad in desperate need of an overhaul. He has money available to him, but must be careful to strike the right balance between what will benefit the club in the short and long-term.
Potential Tottenham XI: Trafford, Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Tonali, Savinho, Maddison, Rashford, Solanke
