Tottenham have finished 17th in the last two Premier League seasons, and their 2026/27 season has started in nightmare fashion, with two consecutive defeats against Brentford and Newcastle.
Manager Roberto De Zerbi has been given full control of the club since coming in during the relegation scrap last season and steering them clear of the drop, and that saw him bring in ten new faces to bolster the squad and replace deadwood that he felt couldn't contribute to the team any more.
Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Savio, Omar Marmoush, Tosin, and Mykhailo Mudryk are all now Spurs players, while the likes of Cristian Romero, Luka Vuskovic, Pape Matar Sarr, Djed Spence, Guglielmo Vicario, Kevin Danso, and Radu Dragusin have all departed.
So what is their strongest starting lineup now, with the squad set until at least January? GIVEMESPORT takes a look at what the XI should look like when everyone is fit...
Two New Signings Start, Three on the Bench?
The goalkeeper situation has been an interesting one at Tottenham this summer, but De Zerbi has seemingly settled on Antonin Kinsky being his number one for the new season, replacing Vicario.
In defence, Pedro Porro won the World Cup with Spain during the summer and has returned to the club after signing a new long-term contract in north London. He has also seen off competition for his starting spot from Djed Spence and Archie Gray, and he will undoubtedly be the starting player once more.
Left-back has seen Andy Robertson come in to provide competition for Destiny Udogie, and the former Liverpool man looks to have the nod ahead of the Italian. His experience and leadership are important factors too, while he is much better defensively.
De Zerbi brought in three new centre-backs during the window, but Micky Van de Ven has stayed and signed a new contract too, meaning there is only space for one of the new signings to start. Senesi and Tosin are likely to have to settle for a place on the bench, with Van Hecke someone who has worked under the manager before and he is the best option.
No Space for Gallagher in Midfield
The midfield was a key part of the team that needed reinforcements in the summer, and Spurs went big by breaking their transfer record twice to bring in Fernandes and then Tonali for a combined £185m.
Despite the likes of Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, and Archie Gray being part of the squad and pushing for a spot, it's clear that when everyone is fit, the two new boys will be handed the keys to the heart of the team.
Tottenham full list of transfers 2026/27
Ins: Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United, £100m), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham United, £85m), Sávio (Manchester City, £85m), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion, £52m), Andy Robertson (Liverpool, free), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth, free), Martin Dúbravka (Burnley, free), Omar Marmoush (Manchester City, loan), Tosin Adarabioyo (Chelsea, £12m), Mykhailo Mudryk (Chelsea, loan)
Outs: Luka Vuskovic (Brighton & Hove Albion, £48m), Cristian Romero (Atlético Madrid, £34m), Djed Spence (Inter Milan, £30m), Will Lankshear (Middlesbrough, £20m), Ashley Phillips (Middlesbrough, £20m), Alejo Veliz (Bahia, £8m), Manor Solomon (West Ham United, £5m), Alfie Devine (Preston North End, £6m), Radu Dragusin (Fiorentina, loan), Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus, loan), Min-hyeok Yang (Westerlo, loan), Yves Bissouma (released), Pape Matar Sarr (Juventus, loan), Kevin Danso (Sunderland, loan), Souza (Porto, loan), Dane Scarlett (Leyton Orient, free)
Xavi Simons or James Maddison?
Tottenham went big to bring in Xavi Simons last summer to bolster the number ten position after long-term injuries for James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, only for the Netherlands star to rupture his ACL in April.
But when everyone is fit, the former PSG and Leipzig star is still their best option in that position, and is likely considered to be the top dog when he returns. Maddison is back and can stake his claim until then though, while Kulusevski has finally returned to training after 15 months out.
On the wings, Spurs are hoping to welcome Mohammed Kudus back from injury soon, and when fit there is a strong argument that he is the club's best left winger. On the opposite flank, it's clear that Savio will be the number one option after the club splashed £85m to take him out of Man City. That means that Mudryk's arrival on loan is likely to see him sit on the bench more often than not, barring anything unexepcted.
Marmoush to Start Over Solanke?
Another key signing for De Zerbi was the arrival of Omar Marmoush on loan from Man City, and he looks set to compete with Dominic Solanke and Richarlison for a starting spot as the central striker.
His performances at Frankfurt, and even Man City, have shown his level is high, and his ability to drop deep, dribble, and drift wide will suit the way the manager wants to play more than Solanke, who is more of a traditional striker.
The Egyptian is the better player, and considering the investment in him despite Solanke being at the club, he is likely to be their top man.