Tottenham Hotspur will go into the 2026/27 season looking to move on from two utterly disappointing Premier League campaigns.

Having flirted with relegation in back-to-back seasons was unquestionably a deeply embarrassing outcome for one of the so-called ‘Big Six’ clubs.

Tottenham have spent heavily this summer in an effort to climb back up the table under manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Here is our assessment of whether Spurs can begin moving in the right direction again.

IN: Sandro Tonali (£92.5m), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham United, £85m), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion, £52m), Andy Robertson (Liverpool, free), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth, free), Martin Dubravka (Burnley, free), Cole Ramsey (Aston Villa, undisclosed).

OUT: Christian Romero (Atletico Madrid, £34.1m), Alejo Veliz (Bahia, £8m), Tynan Thompson (Manchester United, £4m), Yves Bissouma (released), Luca Gunter (Boreham Wood, loan), Radu Dragusin (Fiorentina, loan), Alfie Devine (Preston North End, undisclosed), Yusuf Akhamrich (Leyton Orient, loan), Elijah Upson (Arsenal, free), Will Lankshear (Middlesbrough, undisclosed), Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny (Bristol Rovers, loan), Manor Solomon (West Ham United, undisclosed), Blake Irow (Cheshunt, loan), Djed Spence (Inter Milan, undisclosed).

(Information correct on August 18).

Tottenham have been busy in the summer transfer window, but it would be difficult to argue that they have spent their money wisely.

Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke have joined the club for a combined fee of £230 million. That is a huge amount to pay for mid-table players.

The free-transfer arrivals of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi appear smart on paper, but their ages do not exactly suggest long-term planning.

Tottenham still need to improve their attacking options, and it will be interesting to see whether they can get more deals done before the transfer window shuts.

De Zerbi has spoken confidently about his chances of succeeding at Tottenham, saying he wants to build a squad the supporters can connect with.

“I would like to create something special in the style of play, for sure,” he said. “But, first of all, before the style of play, I want to build a real soul of the team.

“I would like, when we go to play in the Premier League, during the game, at home, away, the people have to recognise the team on the pitch as an organisation, as a style of play, for sure, but also to recognise the soul, the passion, the value of the player.

“I love generous players. I love the players who play with pride to wear this shirt and pride to stay in Tottenham. Because the qualities of the players are not enough.

“If you don’t put something more, something of yourself, something you feel inside of you, it is very tough competing with the top teams in the world – in the Premier League as well.”

It is hard not to be struck by De Zerbi’s self-belief, but that alone will not be enough to make Tottenham Premier League title challengers.

Their squad does not have the same depth as the other main contenders, and a push for European qualification may be the best Tottenham can realistically hope for this season.

Read more: Premier League 2026/27 season preview.