De Zerbi demands player commitment as Tottenham navigate transfer window

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto de Zerbi has issued a stark directive to his squad, stating that players who are not happy and proud to remain at the club should move elsewhere. The comments were made ahead of a pre-season friendly against Auckland FC in New Zealand, coinciding with intensified transfer speculation surrounding 20-year-old Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall.

Nottingham Forest is preparing a second bid of £45m for the player, following the rejection of an initial £38m offer earlier in the window. De Zerbi, who signed a five-year contract in March and helped steer the club away from Premier League relegation last season, emphasised that motivation is critical in modern football. He drew a parallel to the demands of international competition, noting that the upcoming 2026 World Cup requires players to be fully committed to their teams.

"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. He confirmed that while he has not yet spoken with Bergvall, discussions are imminent. "I will in the next days and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us, without problems."

The club has significantly bolstered its squad recently, acquiring Sandro Tonali for £100m from Newcastle United and Mateus Fernandes for £85m from West Ham. Defenders Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, and Marcos Senesi have also been added. Despite these moves, De Zerbi indicated that the transfer window is not yet closed, with the club targeting further signings in attacking positions.

"We have to finish, we have to bring another couple, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players," he stated. Regarding Bergvall’s future, the manager noted that if the player wishes to leave, the matter will be handled in conjunction with sporting director Johan Lange and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham. "It's not my business after the decision to leave."

The squad’s pre-season preparations in New Zealand have been impacted by injuries to key attackers. Mohammed Kudus, who suffered a thigh injury, and Dejan Kulusevski, with a knee issue, did not travel to the region. De Zerbi expressed confidence that Kudus would be available to resume training upon the team's return to London, while noting that Kulusevski’s return requires careful assessment to avoid further risk.

Attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, who is also recovering from injury, described his recent anterior cruciate ligament tear as the "worst days of my life." The Netherlands international, who required surgery and missed the 2026 World Cup, shared the physical toll of the injury, including pain and vomiting, but confirmed he is now in a good place as he continues his rehabilitation.