De Zerbi outlines Tottenham squad vision: “Not 11 starters, but 21-22 high-level players

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has laid out a clear vision for the club’s squad-building strategy, stating that competing for the highest positions in the Premier League requires a broader group of elite players than the traditional starting eleven. The Italian spoke after Tottenham’s 1-1 pre-season friendly draw with Sydney FC on Wednesday, a match that served as part of the club’s preparation for the upcoming season.

De Zerbi’s remarks come as Tottenham look to recover from a difficult 2025-26 campaign in which they narrowly avoided relegation on the final day. The club has been active in the summer transfer window, and the manager’s comments signal a shift in squad composition philosophy.

De Zerbi’s squad philosophy

“The competition within the squad will be very strong because we are Tottenham and we must build a strong team. Not just 11 players,” De Zerbi explained. He pointed to the injury problems that have plagued the club in recent seasons as a key reason for needing greater depth. “Football is going in a clear direction: to compete for the highest places in the standings, you need to manage 22, 23, 24 players. I won’t say 24, but 21, 22, of high level, for sure,” he added.

The manager’s approach reflects a modern trend in elite football where squad rotation and injury management have become critical. For Tottenham, which has often relied on a core group of regular starters, this represents a strategic adjustment. The club has already brought in several new faces this summer, and De Zerbi’s comments suggest further additions may be aimed at increasing the overall quality of the second-choice lineup.

Lucas Bergvall’s future

A central topic in De Zerbi’s post-match media briefing was the situation of Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who has been linked with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United during the transfer window. De Zerbi revealed that he has spoken directly with the player and is keen for him to remain at the club.

“I am always very clear with him. I would like him to stay with us. I think he is potentially a top, top, top player. But I do not want to force anyone to stay. Tottenham is already, without me, a high-level club, and we are not here to convince anyone to remain. He can find space if he stays with us,” De Zerbi said.

When asked whether Bergvall had expressed a desire to leave, De Zerbi replied: “No, never. I spoke with him before the end of last season, during the World Cup twice. But now we are talking better, face to face, without competitions going on at the moment.”

The 20-year-old Bergvall joined Tottenham from Djurgårdens IF in 2024 and was seen as a long-term prospect. His potential departure would be a blow to the club’s midfield planning, but De Zerbi’s comments indicate that the door remains open for the player to secure a regular role.

Tottenham’s ambitions under De Zerbi

The friendly against Sydney FC was part of a pre-season tour that also includes matches in Asia. Tottenham’s squad is still taking shape, with several players likely to depart before the transfer window closes. De Zerbi’s emphasis on depth suggests that the club will not only focus on first-team starters but also invest in quality backup options.

For Tottenham supporters, the manager’s vision offers a clear direction after a season of uncertainty. The challenge will be to execute the plan within the club’s financial parameters and to convince players like Bergvall that they have a future at the club.

The performance against Sydney FC showed glimpses of the style De Zerbi wants to implement, but the squad remains a work in progress. The upcoming Premier League campaign will test whether the new philosophy can deliver the stability that has been missing in recent years.

Source: TuttoMercatoWeb – https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/calcio-estero/tottenham-de-zerbi-traccia-via-non-11-titolari-21-22-livello-piani-alti-2258453