Tottenham: Three major lessons Roberto De Zerbi has learned as Spurs kick-start new era | OneFootball

Expectations are high after unbeaten pre-season and aggressive transfer push

Tottenham ensured they finished pre-season undefeated after a double-header of friendlies against Hoffenheim over the weekend.

After beating the Bundesliga outfit 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, a second-string Spurs lineup, which included James Maddison and Mateus Fernandes, drew 2-2 in a behind-closed-doors contest at Hotspur Way less than 24 hours later.

Including three held at their training ground, Spurs managed four wins and a trio of draws across seven total games in England, New Zealand and Australia as they prepare for their first full campaign under Roberto De Zerbi.

It has not been all plain sailing despite the positive results, with the fitness of several key first-team players still an issue and Tottenham’s attack flattering to deceive at times.

Heading into this weekend’s Premier League opener away at Brentford, there is plenty for De Zerbi to ponder as he looks to kick-start a new era at the club following an aggressive summer of spending.

Here, Standard Sport assesses three things De Zerbi will have learned from Tottenham’s busy pre-season.

Spurs may have embarked on an unprecedented summer spending spree, parting with £237million so far to overhaul their squad following successive 17th-place finishes.

But their work is not done yet, and it would be difficult to classify the window as an unmitigated success if they do not bring in the attacking targets that De Zerbi wants.

With just two weeks left before the deadline, De Zerbi believes his side still needs two or three further additions.

Campaigns are not won in the transfer market, but as it stands, Spurs still feel short in attack, with their long-winded pursuit of Manchester City winger Savinho not giving supporters much confidence.

Mikey Moore’s second-half brace against Hoffenheim has also given De Zerbi an awkward dilemma.

The 19-year-old winger is still expected to leave on loan before the end of the window. But should he depart and Spurs fail to bring in their targets, it will leave De Zerbi with some questions to answer.

Moore is homegrown, popular among supporters and seemingly ready to make an impression in the Premier League.

His future, though, depends on how close Spurs are to acquiring the forward reinforcements they need.

Fitness issues could disrupt momentum

A new season always brings fresh hope, but for Spurs this year truly feels like the start of a new beginning.

The club’s aggressive approach in the transfer market, coupled with De Zerbi’s self-assurance, means expectations are high.

Despite only securing Premier League survival on the final day of last season, European qualification is the target after a club-record outlay on new players.

Talk is cheap, though, and the real test of their credentials comes this weekend when they travel to the Gtech Community Stadium.

Brentford are a settled, experienced side and will give Spurs a serious challenge.

To add to that, a tricky opening game has been made harder by the fact that De Zerbi has been left to sweat over the fitness of several first-team players.

Destiny Udogie and Micky van de Ven did not feature at all during pre-season, while Dominic Solanke, James Maddison and Mateus Fernandes had their minutes managed.

Mohammed Kudus has yet to play after returning to training following his serious quad injury, while Dejan Kulusevski has also been back on the grass but remains a way off his first appearance since May 2025.

Wilson Odobert is also still out, along with long-term absentee Xavi Simons.

A new season has brought with it familiar issues, and De Zerbi will have been frustrated by the lack of time on the pitch for some of his most important players over recent weeks.

Much of the optimism generated by Spurs’ summer business can be put down to De Zerbi’s involvement.

His hands-on approach in the signings of Jan Paul van Hecke, Sandro Tonali and Fernandes suggests that these are targets he personally approved and therefore has a specific plan to integrate.

As De Zerbi looks to carve out an identity for Spurs, these are the players that will help define what he hopes is a new era of success.

Tonali and Fernandes offer the security and dynamism in midfield that was sorely lacking last season, while Van Hecke’s aggression and leadership will help steady a new-look defence.

De Zerbi has clearly defined roles for Spurs’ summer recruits, and they have all showcased to some degree over pre-season what they will bring to the team.

Van Hecke’s vocal style has earmarked him as a leader within the group, while Fernandes has shown composure under pressure that should dovetail nicely with Tonali’s energy and directness.

Andy Robertson has also proven a threat with his first-time crosses, while Marcos Senesi’s line-breaking passes will help Spurs in the build-up to attacks.

The most impressive part of Tottenham’s recruitment has ultimately been the consideration they have put into each deal, backing De Zerbi with the players he feels he needs to implement his preferred style.