Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has warned that players that are unhappy at the club should secure a move away before the end of the summer transfer window.
De Zerbi took over as Spurs’ coach in March and masterminded a remarkable escape from relegation, with the club ending up in 17th place on the standings for a second consecutive season.
There had been reports of several players who were unhappy with their roles heading into the summer, while some others were keen on an exit away ahead of next season.
Speaking in an interview as relayed by BbC Sport, the former Brighton & Hove Albion head coach sent a clear message to the squad and only wants players who are willing to fight for the badge to stay at the club.
“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 said.
“I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation. Because now in football, if you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference.
“The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team.”
Tottenham face New Zealand side Auckland City in the early hours of Sunday as they continue their preseason friendly action.
The 2025 Europa League winners have already added several names to their squad this summer, including the likes of Andy Robertson, Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke.
However, De Zerbi has said that the club’s business in the market is not finished, with some players still expected to arrive ahead of next season.
“First of all, I think it’s not finished yet, our transfer market window,” he added.
“We have to finish, we have to bring another couple of, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players.”
Tottenham have been linked to the likes of Savinho and Omar Marmoush already and more business is expected to still happen with the summer transfer window open until the start of the season.
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