Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has emphasized the importance of "soul and passion" as the club undergoes a significant rebuild after narrowly avoiding relegation last season.
After finishing 17th in the Premier League, Spurs have made several high-profile signings this summer to strengthen the squad. New additions include midfielders Mateus Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, as well as centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, who joined from De Zerbi's former club Brighton.
Other notable arrivals on free transfers are full-back Andy Robertson, centre-back Marcos Senesi, and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. The Italian coach highlighted that beyond technical skills, he values commitment and dedication both on and off the pitch.
De Zerbi, currently leading Tottenham's pre-season tour in Sydney, stated:
"I want to build a new team with big players but also with soul, passion, and strong values. Football today is not just about what happens on the pitch; it’s about how much you think about your job throughout the day."
Tottenham began their tour with a 2-0 victory over Auckland FC, featuring goals from Dane Scarlett and Richarlison. The team will next face Sydney FC and then London rivals Chelsea in Sydney.
The coach fielded younger players early in the match against Auckland before introducing more established squad members like Fernandes, Richarlison, Conor Gallagher, and Ben Davies later on. He praised the team’s fitness and injury-free start to pre-season.
De Zerbi also hinted at potential further signings before the transfer window closes, expressing optimism about building a strong squad capable of restoring Tottenham’s competitive edge.
