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Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that any Tottenham players lacking commitment to the club should leave during this summer's transfer window.

De Zerbi's comments came ahead of Spurs' pre-season friendly against Auckland FC on Sunday amid speculation over the futures of Lucas Bergvall and Cristian Romero.

Bergvall only joined Spurs from Djurgarden in 2024, but he has been the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest, who reportedly saw a £38m bid rejected.

The 20-year-old only signed a new deal until 2031 last April, but has fallen out of favour and dropped further down the midfield pecking order after Spurs' big-money acquisitions of Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes.

Since De Zerbi took over at Spurs in March, Bergvall has been limited to five appearances across all competitions, one of which was a start, totalling just 112 minutes of action.

Romero has also been linked with a move away, with Serie A giants Inter a possible destination, while Micky van de Ven's future in north London remains uncertain.

"I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham? Who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave," De Zerbi said.

"I want the players to be proud and happy to stay here, to go on the pitch in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with big motivation.

"Because now in football, if you think also about the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference. The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team."

It has been reported that Forest, who are now managed by Oliver Glasner, are set to return with an improved offer of £45m to secure the services of Bergvall.

"I have not spoken with Lucas yet," De Zerbi added when asked about the Swedish international.

"I will in the next few days, and we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us, without problems. Lucas is a big, big talent.

"There will be a big competition to play because, at the end, I think there will be two players for each position.

"If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with [sporting director] Johan Lange, with [chief executive] Vinai [Venkatesham].

De Zerbi has revealed Tottenham's transfer business is not over yet, despite splashing out on the signings of Tonali, Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke, with Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka also joining on free transfers.

The Italian said attacking additions were the next things to tackle within his team, and while Bergvall is with Spurs for their pre-season tour, wingers Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski remain absent due to their respective injury issues.

"Kudus is very close. I think when we come back to London he will be available to start working with us," said De Zerbi. "It's a great thing for us. Kudus is another important player.

Roberto De Zerbi revealed Tottenham's new target in the transfer window is to "complete the attacking positions".

Spurs have already been busy this summer, signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85 and spending a club-record £100m to bring Sandro Tonali in from Newcastle United.

They have also acquired Jan Paul van Hecke for £52 from Brighton, while Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have joined as free agents.

Spurs finished 17th last season, the same position as the 2024-25 season when they won the Europa League, and only secured their safety on the final day of the campaign.

They won just three home games in the league last term, the joint-fewest such wins by a team to survive relegation in a Premier League campaign, along with Hull City in 2008-09 (three).

However, after already strengthening their defence and midfield, De Zerbi now wants to bolster Spurs' attacking department.

"The target now is to complete the attacking positions," said De Zerbi.

"We want the first target, the first level, because we already have important players, but I think to start the new project we need another couple of important players, for sure.

"It's not finished yet, our transfer market window. We have to finish, we have to bring another couple of, maybe more, maybe not less, but a couple of players."

Mateus Fernandes scored what he described as the best goal of his career just three minutes into his Tottenham debut, as they beat MK Dons 1-0 in a friendly on Wednesday.

Roberto De Zerbi's side kicked off their pre-season campaign with a behind-closed-doors meeting with the League One side at Hotspur Way.

And Fernandes – an £85m signing from relegated West Ham – only needed a few minutes to make an impact as he met a half-cleared corner with a brilliant volley from the edge of the area, which flew into the top-right corner.

Fernandes partnered Sandro Tonali, who quickly succeeded him as Spurs' record signing when he joined from Newcastle United in a deal that could rise to £100m, in midfield throughout the first half.

Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel and Dominic Solanke were also part of Spurs' first-half team, though De Zerbi made 11 changes at the break and they were unable to add any further goals.

Speaking to the club's website afterwards, Fernandes said: "After I scored, I got a similar ball again and thought, 'I can't do it again, because if I miss, they'll think I was lucky!'

"It was great. It was my favourite goal of my career. By a mile!

"I need to do this more and more, to shoot from outside the box. I know that I can do it. This just gives me confidence for the rest of the games."

Despite West Ham's relegation to the Championship, Fernandes impressed last term, scoring five goals and registering four assists in 39 appearances in all competitions.

He won more tackles (73) and duels (214) than any other West Ham player in 2025-26, while only Jarrod Bowen (53) created more chances than Fernandes' 42.

Spurs will now embark on a tour of New Zealand and Australia, facing Auckland FC, Sydney FC and Chelsea before returning to London to face Getafe and Hoffenheim.

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Enzo Fernandez let rip with a dipping shot that goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky could not get close to in the 18th minute and turned provider for Chelsea's second in 67th, cushioning a high ball into the feet of Santos who scored from close range.

Richarlison got one back for Spurs in the 74th minute but the defeat means the North Londoners remain two points above West Ham United in the last unresolved relegation spot. However, Spurs have a much better goal difference, meaning a draw at home to Everton on Sunday would all but guarantee their survival.

Chelsea, who on Sunday announced former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso as their next manager after a limp 2025/26 campaign, climbed to eighth place, which offers a berth in the UEFA Conference League next season, one point behind Brighton & Hove Albion in the last of the Europa League spots.

Tottenham Hotspur remain in deep trouble after a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, leaving them in the relegation zone of the Premier League, two points from safety with six matches remaining.

The London side are enduring a difficult run, now with 14 consecutive games without a win, having failed to secure a victory throughout 2026.

The match was decided in the second half when Nordi Mukiele scored the only goal, lifting Sunderland to tenth place in the standings.

Tottenham’s problems were compounded by the injury to Cristian “Cuti” Romero, who left the pitch in tears after a collision and with visible knee pain.

The defeat came in the debut of Roberto De Zerbi, the club’s third manager of the season, as Tottenham continue to struggle to reverse their form.

They now sit in 18th place, with survival slipping further away following other results in the round.