The Tottenham Hotspur head coach and one of his new signings are speaking to the media in New Zealand as their pre-season tour kicks off
Roberto De Zerbi and Andy Robertson are speaking at a press conference in Auckland as Tottenham's summer tour begins in New Zealand.
It is the first time that the Spurs head coach and his new signing, one of six already sealed in the transfer window, will speak to the media ahead of Sunday's match Auckland FC at Eden Park. Tottenham have splashed out £237m this summer on new signings with the most expensive being Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for £92.5million plus £7.5million in potential add-ons.
That deal saw the north London outfit smash their transfer record for the second time in a week after getting Mateus Fernandes from West Ham in an £85million deal, while £52million was also spent on Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke with free transfers tied up for Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka to bolster De Zerbi's squad.
The Italian has brought 35 players to New Zealand, before Spurs head on to Australia for friendlies against Sydney FC and Chelsea, but has left some stars behind at Hotspur Way due to either injury or rest after the World Cup.
Our Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold is in Auckland putting questions to De Zerbi and Robertson. Scroll down for his latest updates from the press conference in New Zealand.
De Zerbi will take a good look at Spurs' young players like Luca Williams-Barnett
I'm used to working with young players. I gave in my career big time and space for young players, but they have to show me they are able to play and they are good players. I never start from the age of the players. From the qualities? Yes. From the attitude and behaviours? Yes. But not for the age.
De Zerbi wants new attackers
Yes, yes, the target now is to complete the attacking positions. We want the first target, the first level, because we have already important players. But I think to start a new project we need another couple of important players for sure.
De Zerbi wants more
First of all I think it's not finished yet our transfer market window. We have to finish, we have to bring another couple, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players. I'm very happy, I'm excited to work with the new players, with the old players. I think we are working very well with Johan and Vinai. We are working with a clear idea. We brought players with a great experience like Robbo. I think we need this type of players because we need to increase experience, we have to improve in mentality. We have to be stronger because in the last two seasons we didn't do what Tottenham has to do. At the end of the transfer market we will make the point to close the transfer market session. But at the moment I'm very excited.
On facing Auckland FC who don't have a manager
Sometimes you know in football it's better if you are not a coach. You have to ask the players if he's better or worse. I know they won the last New Zealand league. For sure they want to show they are good players. It will be a good game because we play with the best team we can put tomorrow. A lot of young players for sure because we have many players who finished the World Cup. We don't take risks, I have to repeat about the injuries, but for us it's a serious game for sure.
De Zerbi up first
It's an important game for us. We are at the beginning of the pre-season. The most important thing is to play a serious game, for sure, and don't take risks for the injuries because it was a very long trip. We are at the beginning of the season. We have a lot of players who suffered too many injuries last season, and we have to be serious on the pitch. We have to improve everything we need, but we can't forget the season will start in 20-25 days, and we are here to improve our physical condition, our knowledge, our connection between the players. We are happy to be here because it's an amazing country, amazing experience for us, but we can't forget that we are here not on holiday, but we are here to be better when the Premier League starts.
There was an earthquake this morning
There was a 'severe' earthquake in New Zealand this morning just 146 miles from Auckland with 23,000 people reporting it not long after Spurs arrived in the country. You can find out more about that by heading right here.
Welcome to New Zealand
We're live from Auckland as Roberto De Zerbi and Andy Robertson prepare to speak to the media for the first time this season.
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