As soon as a manager takes on a new job, there's a rather lazy assumption that he'll be followed by a swathe of trusted lieutenants.
But the concept of players following coaches around is now antiquated. Had Tottenham opted to bring Harry Redknapp out of retirement to preserve their Premier League status, we may well have enjoyed the talents of Jermain, Crouchie and Niko again.
Instead, Spurs took a huge financial gamble on Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian arrives with a lofty coaching reputation, but boasting a character that's already split the fanbase at a time when unity is very much needed.
Our new manager has at least spoken out on supporter concerns, and the eight minute YouTube clip of his first training session has ignited some excitement ahead of his first outing this Sunday against Sunderland.
We can only hope and pray that an unpopular hierarchy have got this one right. De Zerbi was perhaps the most talented manager available, but he's entering a situation unlike anything he's experienced before. Should he keep us up, the Italian will look to build a team capable of competing towards the other end of the Premier League table once again.
Van Hecke an inevitable transfer target for Spurs this summer
Prepare yourself because I'm going to contradict what I said to open up this piece.
I think it's an inevitability that we at least pursue one of De Zerbi's former players, Jan Paul van Hecke, this summer. It just makes too much sense.
No matter how our final seven games play out, there's an expectation that at least one of our 'star' centre-backs will leave the club. Most likely Cristian Romero, but Micky van de Ven has also been linked with a move away.
It's going to be a summer for rebuilding our defence, that's for sure, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario expected to depart, also. Luka VuÅ¡kovic is an exciting piece to build around, but we'll likely need another. We can't have another season of Radu DrÄguÈin earning meaningful minutes.
Ben Jacobs (via Spurs Army on X) linked us with Van Hecke last summer, but Brighton were supposedly unwilling to sell. Chelsea also had their eye on the Dutchman, who shone under De Zerbi on the south coast.
Van Hecke signed a contract extension with the Seagulls while the Italian was in charge, with De Zerbi appreciating the defender's "confidence" in possession. He was perhaps the most improved Brighton player of De Zerbi's exhilirating reign, and has since developed into a Dutch international. The 25-year-old has 10 caps for his country, and looks set to make their squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Should we stay up, there's no reason to suggest why Spurs, with his former manager at the helm, can't sweep Van Hecke off his feet. Sure, Brighton are the hipster's favourite, but there's a ceiling on what the Seagulls can achieve. I say this with the utmost respect, but they're always going to be below Tottenham Hotspur in the food chain.
If De Zerbi wants Van Hecke, he will be a Tottenham player come the start of 2026/27.