Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi said the club needs a new team after the side narrowly avoided relegation in May 2026 [1].
The admission signals a drastic shift in the club's recruitment strategy. Following a season spent in a relegation battle, the leadership must now decide which players fit the manager's tactical vision and which will be fired during the summer window.
De Zerbi has been blunt about the current state of the roster. He said that the squad lacks the necessary depth to compete at the required level, noting that the club has only 10 good players [2]. This assessment suggests that a significant portion of the current squad will be deemed surplus to requirements.
The manager described the necessary process as a "surgical rebuild" [3]. This approach implies a targeted removal of underperforming assets rather than a random clearing of the books. The goal is to stabilize the club's position in the Premier League and move away from the threat of the drop zone [4].
Tottenham's survival this season was a narrow achievement [3]. While the club maintained its top-flight status, the struggle to do so has stripped away the patience of the coaching staff. The focus now shifts to identifying the gaps in the squad that led to such a precarious campaign [1].
Club officials are expected to work closely with De Zerbi to identify targets who can complement the small core of players the manager trusts. The urgency of the rebuild is underscored by the fact that the club cannot afford another season of instability [4].
“"We've only got 10 good players and need a new team."”
De Zerbi's public assessment of the squad is a high-stakes gamble that puts immense pressure on the club's recruitment team. By quantifying the 'good' players at only 10, he has effectively stripped the rest of the roster of their leverage during contract negotiations and signaled to the market that a large volume of players will be available for transfer. This creates a window for a total cultural and tactical reset, but it also leaves the club vulnerable if new signings fail to integrate quickly.
