Having steered Tottenham clear of relegation trouble following his arrival in March, Roberto de Zerbi is now using pre-season to lay the groundwork for a more ambitious Spurs side, and the early signs suggest a clear tactical identity is emerging.
De Zerbi first made his mark in the Premier League at Brighton in September 2022, where his distinctive approach to build-up play drew praise from rivals, including Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who once described him as "one of the most influential managers in the last 20 years." That reputation was built on a system in which centre-backs would invite pressure by holding the ball, before combining with nearby midfielders through quick, one-touch passing sequences designed to spring forwards into one-on-one situations.
That foundation remains visible in Tottenham's pre-season performances, but opponents have adapted since De Zerbi's Brighton days, forcing him to refine his methods. Many teams now set up in narrow defensive shapes specifically to choke off the central passing lanes that once made his sides so effective.
Spurs have encountered this repeatedly in friendlies, including a 3-0 win over Hoffenheim, where the German side lined up in a compact 4-4-2 with wide midfielders tucking in almost as auxiliary central players. Rather than forcing the issue centrally, Tottenham used their full-backs as decoys, drawing opposition wide players out of position and creating passing lanes into deeper-lying forwards, who then released wingers into space to attack the byline and cut back for finishes.
Against back-five setups, such as Getafe's 5-4-1, De Zerbi's side have shown similar adaptability. Central midfielders have been used to shift the ball from one side to the other quickly, exploiting gaps left as opponents shuffle across. In some phases, a midfielder such as Lucas Bergvall has dropped into a back three alongside the centre-backs, creating uncertainty for opposing markers over whether to follow him and risk opening space elsewhere.
That flexibility produced Tottenham's opening goal against Hoffenheim, when Sandro Tonali drifted into a deeper, wider role reminiscent of a full-back, using his physical strength to carry the ball forward at pace and break down a disorganised defence.
The summer's transfer business appears to align closely with these tactical demands. The centre-backs brought in are comfortable in possession and capable of threading progressive passes into congested areas, while midfield additions like Mateus Fernandes and Bergvall are suited to receiving and redistributing the ball under pressure. Tonali, alongside Conor Gallagher and Destiny Udogie, offers the ball-carrying threat needed to bypass congested central areas from wider positions.
Further forward, reported interest in Cody Gakpo and the arrival of Savinho would add pace and dribbling ability to stretch defences in one-on-one duels, while Richarlison and new signing Omar Marmoush bring the physical presence and finishing quality to capitalise on chances created inside the box.
De Zerbi has made six signings since taking charge, and the coherence between his tactical principles and the profile of players recruited suggests a more considered approach than in previous transfer windows at the club, which has often been criticised for shifting identity from one season to the next.
Opponents will inevitably search for new ways to counter these patterns as the season progresses, but for now, Tottenham appear to be building a system with genuine tactical clarity behind it.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.