Roberto de Zerbi issues ultimatum to Tottenham players
Roberto de Zerbi has issued a blunt message to his Tottenham squad, making clear that any player lacking commitment to the club ought to seek a move away this summer, reports BritPanorama.
The Italian, who penned a five-year deal upon arriving at Spurs in late March and steered them clear of Premier League relegation, delivered his remarks ahead of a pre-season fixture against Auckland FC in New Zealand on Sunday.
“I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, who doesn’t want to stay in Tottenham? Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave,” De Zerbi stated.
The 47-year-old stressed that desire and drive are non-negotiable, and he hopes to foster a team spirit that prioritizes commitment to the club. “I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation,” he added.
His comments come against the backdrop of uncertainty surrounding Lucas Bergvall’s future at the north London club. Nottingham Forest have had an opening £38 million offer for the Sweden international turned down, with the East Midlands side reportedly preparing to increase their bid to £45 million.
Bergvall, who moved to Spurs from Djurgarden in 2024, featured sparingly once De Zerbi took the reins. The 20-year-old midfielder was handed a start in the manager’s debut match—a 1-0 loss at Sunderland—but was restricted to four substitute appearances thereafter.
De Zerbi acknowledged he is yet to hold talks with the player. “I have not spoken with Lucas yet,” he said. “I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us, without problems. Lucas is a big, big talent. If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with [sporting director] Johan Lange, with [chief executive] Vinai [Venkatesham]. It’s not my business after the decision to leave.”
Other players rumored to be eyeing departures this summer include Cristian Romero, linked with a move to Inter Milan, as well as defensive partner Micky van de Ven. The competition for midfield places has intensified considerably following a summer of lavish spending.
Sandro Tonali arrived from Newcastle United in a blockbuster £100 million transfer, while Mateus Fernandes was recruited from West Ham for £85 million. De Zerbi warned that squad depth will be fierce: “There will be a big competition to play because at the end, I think we will be two players for each position.”
Defensive reinforcements have also been secured, with Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, and Marcos Senesi all joining the club. Yet, the manager indicated Spurs’ business is far from complete, with forward areas now the priority. “First of all, I think it’s not finished yet, our transfer market window. We have to finish, we have to bring another couple of, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players.”
Bergvall has travelled with the squad to New Zealand, but two key wide players have remained in London nursing long-term injuries. Mohammed Kudus is sidelined with a thigh problem, though De Zerbi offered an encouraging update on the winger’s recovery. “Kudus is very close. I think when we come back to London he will be available to start working with us,” the manager said.
Dejan Kulusevski’s situation requires caution. The Swedish winger has been out with a knee injury for an entire campaign and has not yet been cleared to rejoin training. “Kulusevski, we have to see in the next couple of weeks,” De Zerbi explained. “After one season, one complete season, without a game, we have to analyse better and better, don’t take risks, first of all for him and then for us.”
Meanwhile, attacking midfielder Xavi Simons discussed the devastating impact of the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained in April. The Netherlands international underwent knee surgery and was ruled out of the 2026 World Cup. “The first four days were the worst days of my life,” Simons told Tottenham’s website. “I couldn’t sleep, I didn’t eat for one week. I was in a lot of pain.” Despite the ordeal, he has remained positive about his rehabilitation: “I’m happy and in a good place now.”
In an environment where competition is rife and aspirations are high, Tottenham’s journey this season is set to be an intriguing narrative—reflecting not only on individual players’ ambitions but on the collective ethos that will shape their campaign.
