Tottenham Hotspur needed a victory on the final day of last season to preserve their Premier League status — a humbling experience for a club that had won the Europa League just 12 months earlier. Under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, however, the north London side are intent on making 2026-27 a very different story.

A summer of ambition

Spurs wasted no time reshaping their squad once survival was confirmed. Defenders Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke have been brought in to shore up the backline, with experienced left-back Andy Robertson adding further quality. The midfield has been transformed by two landmark signings: Mateus Fernandes arrived from West Ham United for £85 million, a club record that was swiftly surpassed when Sandro Tonali joined for £100 million.

Finishing 17th in back-to-back Premier League campaigns is a record no club wants, and Spurs' supporters are cautiously optimistic that the club has bottomed out. The financial health that comes with avoiding relegation allowed the board to act decisively, giving De Zerbi the tools to reshape a squad in his own image ahead of his first full pre-season in charge.

De Zerbi's impact

The Italian manager's arrival late last season produced an immediate turnaround in performances. Galvanising a side that had been drifting toward the Championship was no small feat, and fans are eager to see what he can achieve with a proper pre-season, a fitter squad, and significantly improved depth. His attacking, high-intensity style is expected to make Spurs far more watchable — and competitive — in the months ahead.

Without European football this season, Tottenham Hotspur can dedicate their full resources to the Premier League and domestic cup competitions. That absence, while a blow to prestige, should reduce the injury burden that crippled them over the past two years. A deep cup run will be expected in return.

Key player to watch

When fit, Mohammed Kudus has the ability to unlock defences in a way few others in the squad can. The Ghanaian winger's season was cut short by injury in January, but his threat in one-on-one situations makes him a natural fit for De Zerbi's system. James Maddison's return to form will also be crucial — supporters believe his quality and character were sorely missed during the club's darkest months.

Young striker Will Lankshear, who spent last season on loan in the Championship, is another name to watch as De Zerbi looks to integrate homegrown talent into his plans.

Reasons for optimism — and concern

The relationship between the club's owners, ENIC, and the fanbase remains strained. Supporter group Change For Tottenham — known online as @ChangeForSpurs — has been vocal in holding the board to account, and a handful of summer signings alone are unlikely to repair the damage. Filling the stadium consistently will be a challenge: Spurs' season tickets are the second most expensive in the Premier League, and the home form of recent seasons has done little to justify the outlay.

On the pitch, the North London Derby remains a sore point. Tottenham Hotspur have collected just one point from their last eight Premier League meetings with Arsenal, and closing that gap is as much a matter of pride as it is of points. The fixture list saves the sharpest tests — Arsenal away on 1 May, Chelsea at home on 8 May, and Aston Villa away on 30 May — for the very end of the campaign.

FourFourTwo's verdict: Tottenham Hotspur to finish 8th. The turnaround De Zerbi engineered in two months last season was remarkable; a full summer to implement his ideas could make Spurs genuinely competitive again.