De Zerbi’s First Glimpse of New Spurs in £200m Rebuild
Tottenham’s £200m rebuild steps out of the shadows tonight, not in front of a packed stadium or TV cameras, but behind closed doors at Hotspur Way against MK Dons. For Roberto De Zerbi, this is where the real work starts.
The Italian has had his players back for two weeks, drilling ideas, testing fitness, learning faces. Now he gets his first look at how this new-look Spurs side moves in a match situation, even if the setting is low key and the opposition modest.
De Zerbi’s first glimpse of his new Spurs
Tottenham have thrown more than £200million at this summer window, and this evening offers the first chance to see some of that investment in motion. Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali are both in line to feature, the headline acts in a squad that has been aggressively reshaped.
Tonali’s involvement is expected to be carefully managed. Work permit delays meant he joined pre-season later than planned, so his minutes are likely to be limited as the club ease him into De Zerbi’s demands. Fernandes, by contrast, has had the full benefit of the early sessions and will be under the microscope as the coaching staff gauge how quickly he can adapt.
Martin Dubravka has also been working with his new teammates at Hotspur Way, adding experience to the goalkeeping department, even if there is no guarantee he starts this first friendly.
World Cup absences and a staggered return
Not everyone is available to De Zerbi. The World Cup has left its mark on the schedule, and those who went deep into the tournament are still on extended breaks.
- Pedro Porro, who started for Spain in their 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina in Sunday’s final, will not be involved.
- Nor will Cristian Romero or Marcos Senesi, both also resting after their exertions on the biggest stage.
- Djed Spence, fresh from an impressive campaign with England that ended in a third-place finish, is another who will sit this one out as the club manage workloads and recovery after a long summer.
One new arrival did report in person this week. Scotland captain Andy Robertson was at Hotspur Way on Tuesday for his first day as a Spurs player after joining on a free transfer from Liverpool. His presence underlines the scale of Tottenham’s reset, even if his debut will have to wait.
Injury comebacks kept on ice
De Zerbi’s options are further shaped by a cluster of long-term injuries. Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert have both been seen around the training ground, but both remain some distance from a return as they continue their rehabilitation from serious anterior cruciate ligament problems.
Mohammed Kudus is on a similar path. The attacking midfielder is working through a separate programme as he recovers from a major quad injury, a reminder that Spurs’ attacking options could look very different again once the season is underway.
The same caution applies to Dejan Kulusevski. The winger did not play a single minute last season because of a persistent knee issue and will not be rushed back for a low-key July friendly.
Academy auditions
If the senior ranks are stretched, the opportunity for the next generation grows. Few stand to benefit more than Mikey Moore.
The young forward has trained with the first team and is expected to get minutes against MK Dons as De Zerbi weighs up whether he can step straight into his Premier League plans. Moore’s stock has risen sharply after an impressive loan spell at Rangers, and tonight’s closed-door run-out could push him closer to a decisive verdict on his Spurs future.
Academy forward Jamie Donley is another youngster catching the eye. He has been with the senior group over the past couple of weeks and is understood to have impressed De Zerbi. A strong showing here would only strengthen his case for a bigger role once the competitive fixtures start.
Heavy rotation, early clues
This is pre-season, and De Zerbi is expected to lean heavily on rotation. The aim is simple: get minutes into as many legs as possible, avoid injuries, and begin to layer in structure.
Even so, the predicted XI offers a few pointers. Kinsky is tipped to start in goal, with Takai, Phillips, Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie across the back line. Fernandes and Tonali could form the core of midfield, with Yang and Donley supporting a front line of Mathys Tel and Dominic Solanke.
Kick-off is at 5pm BST on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Hotspur Way. No fans, no fuss, no spectacle.
Just De Zerbi, his players, and the first real glimpse of what this new Tottenham might become.
