Spurs are expected to showcase a new-look starting line-up for the 2026/27 Premier League season
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Had things gone a little differently on 3rd May 2026, you might be reading a completely different article right now, focusing on the asset-stripped, paired down line-up that Tottenham would be fielding in the Championship this season. Manager Roberto De Zerbi would most likely not be at the club, and there would certainly have been no £230m influx of new talent.
Luckily for Spurs, fortune smiled on them back on that cool late spring evening, when an Aston Villa side who were in scintillating form trudged in to face Tottenham at Villa Park with an extraordinarily nonchalant attitude; their eyes firmly on the upcoming Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest just four days later.
The Villa side was heavily rotated and appeared completely disjointed. Spurs smelled blood and used this firmly to their advantage, bagging three points that felt as valuable as nine. This gave them the leverage they needed over relegation battle rivals West Ham, providing the platform necessary to crawl their way to safety on the final day of the season.
Spurs will be determined not to be in such a perilous position any time soon, and have gone big in the transfer market this summer. They’ve arguably had a better window than any other Premier League side, bringing in free agent bargains in Andy Robertson, Martin Dubravka and Marcos Senesi, alongside the big-money signings of Jan Paul van Hecke, Manuel Fernandes and Sandro Tonali - the last of whom cost a whopping £100m.
De Zerbi will be delighted with the significantly strengthened squad at his disposal for the new campaign, and further signings are expected before the summer transfer window closes. This is how Spurs’ £566m new-look XI - with the figure based on how much they paid for existing players and the expected asking price of rumoured targets - could shape up for the 2026/27 season.
How Tottenham could line up this season - goalkeeper and defence
GK - Antonin Kinsky: With Guglielmo Vicario likely to leave this summer, either permanently or on loan, Kinsky is expected to become Spurs’ new number one, with a big-name goalkeeper signing looking unlikely at this stage. He bounced back superbly from being substituted off the field just 17 minutes into a Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid last season, going on to make some vital saves to help the side dodge relegation.
RB - Pedro Porro: Described by De Zerbi as one of the best right-backs in world football, the 2026 World Cup winner will be one of the first names on the team sheet for Spurs. Having signed a new long-term deal, there’s no question of the 26-year-old leaving in the near future, and he’ll be looking to bring the fine form he showed for Spain last month back to the Premier League.
CB - Jan Paul van Hecke: Spurs spent £52m to bring the towering centre-back to the club, and he’ll be aiming to tighten up a backline that shipped a concerning 57 goals in the league last season. Tottenham will be confident that their new transfer strategy of signing Premier League proven players will pay off, particularly with the signing of Van Hecke.
CB - Micky van de Ven: Paired with his international teammate, Van de Ven will also have his eyes on a more settled defensive structure heading into the new campaign. The Dutch ace didn’t mince his words when it came to being critical of the side’s failings last season, and he’ll ready to lead by example as the side prepare to head into a bright new era.
LB - Andy Robertson: The veteran left-back’s signing was quite the coup for Tottenham, bringing in some invaluable title-winning experience without spending a penny. It remains to be seen whether the ex-Liverpool star will be a season-long weekly starter, but he is expected to get the nod over Djed Spence while the England international continues to recover from the Three Lions going deep into the World Cup.
How Tottenham could line up this season - midfield and attack
CM - Sandro Tonali: The competition to sign Tonali was fierce, but Spurs blew the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea out of the water, slamming a cool £100m down on Newcastle United’s table. He’ll bring some much needed composure to the heart of Tottenham’s midfield, and will be fresh and raring to go, with Italy not featuring in the World Cup.
CM - Manuel Fernandes: Completing the central midfield revamp, £85m new boy Fernandes is expecting to partner Tonali, with his capture rubbing salt in the wounds of West Ham as they plunged into the Championship. He’ll bring high energy and quality to the side, after showing himself to be head and shoulders above his teammates’ level at the London Stadium last season.
AMR - Savinho: Spurs have revamped their defence and central midfield, but they still desperately need some reinforcements on the wings. £65m-rated Savinho has been heavily linked with Tottenham throughout the window, and could well be snapped up before the new season gets underway. He’s capable of playing on either wing, and could slot in nicely on the right.
AMC - James Maddison: Widely tipped to be named the new club captain, Maddison is ready to be a key cog for De Zerbi’s side. He missed most of last season with injury, but is expected to be a regular starter now he’s well on his way to full recovery. He’ll be a serious threat from set-pieces, and will have the hunger to succeed after spending so long on the sidelines.
AML - Cody Gakpo: Another name to be heavily linked with Spurs, Gakpo could become the latest Dutch gem to find himself heading to north London. Liverpool are said to be unwilling to sell, however, and could price Tottenham out of the deal. He’s rumoured to be valued at around £72m by the Reds. Spurs will try to haggle that figure down, you’d imagine.
ST - Victor Osimhen: A long shot, but the rumours are out there. Could this finally be the summer that Osimhen gets his big Premier League move? Tottenham badly need some quality competition for Dominic Solanke up top, and the Nigeria international has been linked with a blockbuster move. Meeting his wage demands could be a struggle, however.