'Shark' De Zerbi hopes to drag Spurs up from the depths

What the report says

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi is using a major summer rebuild to try to pull the club away from last season’s relegation battle and back toward the top end of the Premier League. In a BBC Sport Football report from Sydney, he said Spurs entered the window with survival and relegation plans in place, but are now operating from a more ambitious position after staying up on the final day of the 2025-26 season.

The article says Spurs have spent a club-record £237m on new signings, including Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andrew Robertson and Martin Dubravka, while Marcos Senesi has joined training after extended leave. BBC Sport reported that De Zerbi has been closely involved in recruitment, describing himself as intensely proactive in negotiations and saying he wants top players because the club should be building a top team.

The report also says Tottenham have changed significantly off the pitch, with new chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, technical director Johan Lange, and other new senior figures overseeing football operations. Some players may still leave, while further attacking signings are expected. The broader point, as described by BBC Sport, is that Spurs are trying to recover from a difficult stretch marked by survival pressure, emotional dressing-room scenes and a need to rebuild confidence, squad quality and club direction.