Tottenham 2026-27 preview: De Zerbi’s overhaul, major signings and a test after successive 17th-place finishes

Tottenham are the focus of a Premier League 2026-27 season preview published on 21 August 2026 that notes fresh optimism after the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi and a significant spending spree; writers’ aggregate prediction places Spurs sixth and highlights the need to improve following two consecutive 17th-place finishes.

Last season’s struggles, and the season before, set the context for the current optimism: Thomas Frank’s arrival a year earlier briefly raised hopes, an Igor Tudor interlude followed, and despite a decent Champions League group stage the club narrowly avoided relegation only in the final days of the campaign. De Zerbi was appointed as a corrective and demanded fuller control and transfer investment; the club has provided those resources even though a top-level striker remains absent.

Tottenham’s incoming transfers include Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, with Savinho and Omar Marmoush expected to arrive from Manchester City; Andy Robertson has also been added to the squad, while Cristian Romero has departed. On his move, Sandro Tonali said: “The gaffer was Italian, I knew him,” and De Zerbi explained: “I was already watching Tonali when he was playing for Brescia, my hometown club and the team I support,” adding: “At the age of 18, he already looked like a veteran.” The club paid a fee of £100m for Tonali, who is 26 and had a mixed final season at Newcastle after being among the very best midfielders in English football the season before last.

Financially, Tottenham’s recent accounts showed the £34.7m gained from winning the Europa League was offset by a £38.9m shortfall in Premier League income; last season’s Champions League participation generated £71.6m but there are no European funds to support the club this season. The organisation has also tapped other revenue streams: an August share issue raised £100m, and off-field events have included a July concert and planned fixtures that will bring further income.

The club’s ownership and executive structure remain in flux after Daniel Levy’s removal, with the family trust of former majority shareholder Joe Lewis assuming residual responsibilities and reported disputes over Levy’s reduced shareholding and an ongoing disagreement relating to an NBA Europe franchise. Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham admitted in May that “a complete reset” was required as supporters assess the new leadership.

De Zerbi arrives with a high reputation — “Pep Guardiola a confirmed fan” — but his previous exits at Brighton and Marseille are noted as warnings about relationship breakdowns. On the squad’s identity he said in pre-season: “We need to create a clear playing style and give a soul to this team,” adding: “So many talk about ‘projects’, but very few manage to see them through.” The preview also describes the manager as having been handed “as blank a canvas as is available at any major club.”

On the pitch, Tottenham were the only Premier League club to overperform their xG in attack by at least four while underperforming by that margin or more in defence, scoring 7.91 goals more than their chances implied. Guglielmo Vicario has left and Antonin Kinsky is expected to be first choice after a pivotal save from Leeds’ Sean Longstaff; Kinsky said of De Zerbi: “He forces you to believe in yourself,” to which De Zerbi replied: “He has great personality, strong character.” Young forward Mikey Moore is expected to face another loan spell after a season at Rangers.

Full-back changes include Djed Spence’s move to Inter while Pedro Porro signed a new deal amid interest from Manchester City and scored twice on tour, including in Spain’s semi-final defeat of France; the 26-year-old received a guard of honour on his return after beating Argentina in the final, a match that featured the now-departed Romero. During Tottenham’s tour of North America the new central defensive pairing of Van Hecke and Micky van de Ven were kept apart, with van de Ven used at left-back as the Dutchman disappointed.

The club will rely on non-European income streams alongside the August share issue as De Zerbi begins his first full season in charge: the international break in September allows Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to host Jay-Z, the venue staged System Of A Down in July, and two NFL regular-season matches are scheduled for October, providing tangible revenue as the football project unfolds.