It has been a busy summer already for Spurs, who have moved quickly to overhaul the squad after narrowly dodging relegation last season. Among the new faces are Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, brought in for over £200m.
Meeting the press after beating Auckland FC 2-0 in a pre-season friendly, the Italian said of his summer plans: “We don't want to take any risk of potential injuries. We have to improve the physical condition, because we need running to play football.
“We have to be stronger, we have to work on the knowledge of the play, the style of play we put inside the new players, because we have very important new players.
“I think we can be happier at the end of this transfer market, because I spoke a lot of time with the owner, with the board, and they want to build a very strong team for this season for sure, but to make the base for the future to become great again.”
Mikey Moore, 18, spent last season on loan at Rangers and became a fast fan favourite. He has impressed in pre-season since joining back up with Tottenham, but De Zerbi remained coy on his future.
“We have to see,” he said, asked whether Moore might be sent on loan again. “We have to analyse the last part of the transfer market, because we try to bring wingers, and then we speak with him, with his agent, with the club, to find the best solution for everyone.”
There is plenty of excitement around Luca Williams-Barnett, too, after the midfielder shone in both of Tottenham’s summer friendlies so far. He tore through MK Dons at Hotspur Way last week, and was rewarded with a start against Auckland.
De Zerbi said he and his academy team-mates could prove key for Spurs: “Luca is a big talent, very young, big talent. Malachi [Hardy] is another good player for the future of the club. We can't forget the young players, especially for the new rules, the financial fair play, or the rules of the Champions League, Europa League.
“And then we have to improve our academy. We have to help them produce more players, because we need it and it's important for the club.”