Roberto De Zerbi will need, and expect, to make big changes to the Tottenham Hotspur squad in the summer transfer window, if he keeps the Lilywhites in the Premier League at the end of the season.
The Italian is set to arrive in N17 this week, signing a five-year deal to replace Igor Tudor as the club's new permanent head coach.
Having initially wanted to wait until the end of the season before assessing his managerial options, Spurs made a breakthrough in negotiations with the former Brighton boss earlier this week, with an agreement in place for the 46-year-old to take over immediately.
His first job is to get Tottenham out of trouble at the bottom of the Premier League table. With just one point and one place separating the club from the bottom three, Spurs are perilously close to relegation, which they simply cannot afford.
But if he does manage to guide them out of trouble, attention will soon turn to the transfer market and what he can do to turn the club's fortunes around after what will have been back-to-back bottom half finishes in the top flight.
GIVEMESPORT understands that De Zerbi will be given control when it comes to signings, so who could he bring in and what could the club's starting XI look like under the new boss?
New Goalkeeper Set To Sign
De Zerbi is well known for playing out from the back, with emphasis on ball-playing defenders and goalkeeper. He needs players he can trust with the ball at their feet in his back-line and that could lead to big changes in N17 this summer.
Guglielmo Vicario has been linked with an exit and is unlikely to fit into De Zerbi's style, given his poor distribution. Antonin Kinsky may not fit in either, given his poor performance in the Riyadh Air Metropolitano against Atletico Madrid.
Lucas Chevalier has been linked with a shock exit from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, having fallen out of favour at the Parc des Princes in the second half of this season. He has been linked with Tottenham and could join the De Zerbi revolution.
He would certainly fit the bill, with only Barcelona's Joan Garcia having a higher pass success rate in the top five European leagues so far this season.
In Defence Of The Spurs Defence
As a volatile character himself, De Zerbi may not want to butt heads with a fiery captain as well in the form of Cristian Romero. But as a World Cup winner he may be just what the Italian wants and needs at the club.
Romero has often been linked with leaving Spurs and while he has a long contract at the club still, GIVEMESPORT understands there is a willingness from Spurs to negotiate with interested parties over a transfer this summer.
If the Argentinian departs, Spurs will need a new right-sided centre-back, unless De Zerbi wants to promote Kevin Danso to the starting lineup. One player who shone under the Italian at Brighton, and would be an excellent addition in N17, is Jan Paul Van Hecke.
The 25-year-old would make it a young, all Dutch defensive duo alongside Micky van de Ven and would be a more than suitable replacement for Romero.
The full-back areas are where Spurs are quite blessed when it comes to players who can play in De Zerbi's system, with Pedro Porro, Djed Spence and Destiny Udogie all capable of shining in a new system.
Midfield Overhaul At Tottenham
The midfield might be where some real cosmetic work needs to be done in the transfer market, although perhaps not when it comes to the starting XI.
In a 4-2-3-1 formation, De Zerbi will find two fit, young players who are good on the ball and can work between the defence and attack that can easily slot into his favoured system. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall are those two players. Gray has shown himself to be a leader, despite his tender years this season and some stability will see his star continue to rise. Bergvall has had a tough season, but will likely challenge for a spot in the double pivot with Rodrigo Bentancur, who has shown multiple times he can deal with the ball in tight situations.
Joao Palhinha's loan deal may not be made permanent, while Conor Gallagher may find his options limited under De Zerbi too. Yves Bissouma is out of contract and on the way out, leaving room for additions to come in.
Bournemouth's Alex Scott would be a canny signing, having been linked with Spurs in the past, too.
How The Frontline Might Look At Spurs
With players coming back fro injury in key areas, De Zerbi may feel like he does not need to do too much in the transfer market when it comes to the forward areas.
Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski should both be back in action by the start of the new season and can play in the wide areas, although it would be no surprise to see Tottenham go back in for Maghnes Akliouche, to hand De Zerbi another option.
Mathys Tel has stood out in a below part team this season, while Wilson Odobert is also to come back in sometime in the first few months of the campaign.
James Maddison will be back to fight it out with Xavi Simons for that No.10 role, showing Spurs do have good strength in forward areas when everyone is fit and players who can adapt to De Zerbi's philosophy too.
Up front De Zerbi has a player in Dominic Solanke who will do all the running, hold the ball up and knows where the back of the net is too, although with Randal Kolo Muani going back to PSG and Richarlison likely to be sold, another incoming striker may be on the cards. Samu Aghehowa or Dusan Vlahovic could fit the bill.