Tottenham Hotspur may have secured Premier League survival on the final day of the season, but Roberto De Zerbi faces a huge rebuilding task this summer.
The Spurs boss has already hinted at significant changes, reportedly wanting to retain only a core group of players as he attempts to restore competitiveness and push the club back towards the European places.
With uncertainty across multiple positions, Tottenham's transfer decisions over the coming months could define the success or failure of De Zerbi's project.
Here are the three biggest issues he must solve.
Is Luka Vuskovic ready to replace Cristian Romero?
The future of Cristian Romero remains one of Tottenham's biggest concerns.
The Argentine captain is weighing up his options and could leave north London this summer, creating a major void at the heart of the defence.
That places the spotlight firmly on Luka Vušković.
The 19-year-old enjoyed an outstanding loan spell at Hamburg and is widely regarded as one of Europe's most promising young defenders. Tottenham believe he is ready to compete for first-team minutes, but replacing a player of Romero's stature would be a huge responsibility.
Complicating matters further is continued interest from major European clubs, while Vušković has previously spoken about his desire to play alongside his brother Mario in Germany.
De Zerbi must decide whether the Croatian is ready to become a central figure immediately or whether Spurs still need an experienced replacement if Romero departs.
Can Antonín Kinský become the long-term No.1?
Tottenham's goalkeeping situation is another area requiring clarity.
When Guglielmo Vicario suffered injury problems, few expected Antonín Kinský to emerge as one of the club's most important players during the survival run-in.
The Czech goalkeeper recovered impressively from a difficult period earlier in the campaign and produced several crucial performances as Spurs secured safety.
His form has now created a genuine dilemma.
With Vicario attracting interest from Italy and Tottenham continuing to monitor other goalkeepers, including Manchester City's James Trafford, De Zerbi must decide whether Kinský has done enough to become the club's long-term first-choice option.
If the answer is yes, valuable transfer funds can be directed elsewhere.
Does the attack need immediate reinforcement?
Perhaps the biggest issue facing Tottenham lies further forward.
Injuries devastated De Zerbi’s attacking options throughout the season and exposed a lack of depth that the club failed to address adequately in January.
Several important players remain unavailable or face lengthy recoveries.
| Player | Injury Status |
|---|---|
| Wilson Odobert | ACL injury |
| Xavi Simons | ACL injury |
| Dejan Kulusevski | Patella injury |
| Mohammed Kudus | Quadriceps injury setback |
| James Maddison | Recovering from ACL injury |
Source: Club injury reports, updated 31 May 2026
The uncertainty surrounding several key attackers leaves Tottenham vulnerable once again.
January’s decision to avoid major attacking reinforcements proved costly and contributed to the club’s struggles during the second half of the campaign.
De Zerbi must now decide whether to trust returning players or enter the market aggressively for additional creativity and goals.
Given the scale of the injury list, relying solely on recoveries could be a dangerous gamble.
Summer could define De Zerbi era
Tottenham have already moved for defensive reinforcements and further arrivals are expected.
However, solving these three issues may ultimately determine whether Spurs can return to competing in the top half of the Premier League or face another season of struggle.
The decisions surrounding Romero, Kinský and the attacking unit are likely to shape the club's entire transfer strategy.
Key Points
- Roberto De Zerbi faces a major squad rebuild this summer.
- Cristian Romero's future remains uncertain.
- Luka Vušković could be promoted into a bigger role.
- Antonín Kinský impressed during Tottenham's survival run.
- Guglielmo Vicario continues to attract transfer interest.
- Multiple attacking players remain sidelined with long-term injuries.
- Spurs may need further creative reinforcements.
What's next?
Tottenham's transfer activity is expected to accelerate once clarity emerges over several senior players. De Zerbi wants significant changes, but getting the right decisions in key positions will be more important than the number of arrivals.
If Spurs can successfully address these three areas, they may finally move beyond a season that many inside the club have already labelled unacceptable.
Which issue should be Tottenham's biggest priority this summer: replacing Romero, deciding on a goalkeeper, or strengthening the attack?
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