A major reshuffle in personnel is expected at Tottenham Hotspur this summer, with Roberto De Zerbi pointing towards an imminent clear-out right after his team avoided relegation.
What has occured domestically over the past couple of seasons cannot persist. The Premier League is far too competitive for Spurs to simply believe that financial might is enough to retain their top-flight status. We came perilously close to disaster last season.
There were mitigating factors, sure, and the presence of De Zerbi on the touchline should offer hope that the Lilywhites will swiftly ascend north. This is a player's game, though, and recruitment hasn't exactly been our strong suit in recent years, excluding a few savvy pieces of business.
There's barely a position group that looks secure. Changes will be widespread, but there are a couple of staples who should retain their status in 2026/27. One of those is Pedro Porro, who put a wretched campaign behind him when De Zerbi came to town, and produced an impressive stretch of form when Spurs needed it most.
Plenty should be making way this summer, but Porro isn't one of them.
Real Madrid close to signing Pedro Porro alternative
Despite his issues pre-De Zerbi, Porro is garnering plenty of transfer buzz. Real Madrid were among those interested, but the deal they've struck with Inter Milan for Denzel Dumfries surely rules them out of the running.
Los Blancos only need a replacement for Dani Carvajal, not yet Trent Alexander-Arnold.
There had also been talk of Manchester City, who signed Porro in 2019 before he was loaned out Real Valladolid and sold to Sporting CP in 2022, potentially coming in for the Spaniard. However, Fabrizio Romano reported on Tuesday that Spurs have no intention of selling Porro, who's heading to the World Cup with Spain.
The right back is regarded as a key piece to De Zerbi's project.
These would be two clubs for Porro to turn down, even if City have stiffed the 26-year-old once before. Still, it was evident, certainly after De Zerbi came in, just how much Porro cares about this football club. All he could do was collapse to his knees then shed a tear alongside Cristian Romero once safety was confirmed on the final day.
There are, of course, imperfections, with Porro's occasional passivity in one-on-one situations exacerbated by the volume of minutes he's racked up in recent seasons. He disappointed as a crosser under Thomas Frank, but was mightily effective when De Zerbi encouraged him to operate infield.
Porro is one of very few reliable technicians already on our books. We should be preparing a new contract.