Football London

Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi held his press conference on Friday ahead of the friendly against Chelsea in Sydney.

Spurs will complete their tour of New Zealand and Australia with the first derby against Chelsea to be played outside the UK as they take on Xabi Alonso's side. De Zerbi revealed to football.london on Thursday that another transfer "bomba" was on the way to continue the club's £237million spend so far and he was asked about that in his press conference at the Allianz Stadium.

He also provided the latest injury news on James Maddison, who was missing from training on Friday, as well as speaking about the passing of legendary Italian defender Franco Baresi.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to De Zerbi out in Sydney. Here's the full transcript from the press conference out in Sydney.

Can I get your thoughts on the passing of Franco Baresi?

I grew up in Milan Academy. When I was 15, 16, I worked a lot with the first team. He's from my city also. I think he was the best defender in the world. Great captain, great player. I'm really, really sad for him.

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He was so relatively young really?

So young, yes, but I think he had, in the last period, many, many problems. He was the captain of Milan, but also in the national team. For the people, many, many guys. I spoke with many players today and they don't know him. They never watched him as a player, but he was incredible. Maybe better than Maldini. Maldini was another top, top, top, but Baresi was incredible, yes.

Back on Tottenham, James Maddison wasn't training out there tonight, is he getting anywhere closer to training?

James has a small problem. Like I said, I don't want to take any risks, especially in this part of the season. Especially for James, because he suffered a long injury last season. It's important for us, but for him and for Mateus Fernandes, the same. It's not the right moment to take risk. We'll work again when we're back in London.

What's the realistic goal? What goal do you have in mind and how ambitious are you?

I can answer your question after the transfer market closes. To be honest, I think we already have a very strong team, very good players. We are waiting for the players who finished the World Cup in the last period, whether it's Senesi, Bentancur or Pape Matar Sarr. Then we start to work, like I said, on two things, on the soul and the style of play, because this season is different than last season.

This season we have to play with a clear idea, a clear organisation and then inside of the clear organisation the best players can show their qualities. We have a lot of big, big players and for that we have to improve in the style of play.

How much of an inspiration was Baresi to you in the style that you bring today?

Inspiration? Not as a position on the pitch, because he was a defender and I played as an attacker, but as a personality, as a leadership. I think his leadership was with or without words. He was an incredible personality, very strong. He was a different player.

Spurs fans are very excited about you talking about a transfer bomba, are you able to provide more details?

Yes, but bomba in Italian is different from bomba in English. You can write what you want, no problem, no pressure. But I said we have to complete the transfer market. I think we have some other players to complete the squad, and the players will be here in the next in the next days are for me, top players. I don't know if the expectation are bigger than two days ago, but we have to go forward and to think to the good of the the team of the club, of the the squad, But in Italian it's a different word.

What's the definition in Italian?

I think Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Senesi, Robertson are bomba. For me, top player for us.

You said 60 per cent of the window done, as you've signed six players already, does that mean we should expect four more?

I think two, maybe three. We have to see.

Do club record signings add additional pressure for the upcoming season?

Zero pressure. You know why? Because one day the taxi man in London stopped me to congratulate me on the transfer market. He said, "eh, you are spending a lot of money". I said "but who are you a fan of?" Arsenal. You have spent the money for a long time in the last three or four years. I think Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, to stay at the top of the table, they have spent money. If you want to compete, now, for the top of the Premier League, and to put Tottenham in the highest level, I think we need to bring top players, like we are doing.

Where do you think Conor Gallagher can develop and his best position?

I consider Conor a top player, a top guy. Because sometimes you don't know the people, but inside the dressing room, I think it's more important to be a good guy, a right person than a good player.

And he's both a good player and a good guy. Maybe in the last third of the pitch, he has more quality than he thinks or maybe than he's showing now. He can score more goals. But when Conor is good, in a good condition, I said last season and I repeat, we play with one player more because he's like two players.

And Conor, what do you think about that?

(De Zerbi butts in) Nothing. Conor nothing. I think.

We've seen the inclusion of multiple youth prospects during this tour, how important is it for you to nurture them in a professional environment like this?

For one club like Tottenham, our level is crucial because when you go in the Champions League, European competition, to complete the list for the financial fair play is very important. Sometimes people forget the rules of the financial fair play, but it's very important to produce players from the academy. Now we are working on three or four potential very good players like Luca Williams-Barnett, Malachi Hardy and Mikey Moore, even if he's older.

It's part of my job and I work with the same passion, with the same details, with the same behaviour because it's important for now and for the future of the club.

Marcus Rashford has been long linked with a move to Tottenham this summer and Roberto De Zerbi's side could benefit from Manchester United's transfer U-Turn

Tottenham could sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United this summer.

Roberto De Zerbi's side remain in the market for a "bomba" forward signing despite spending more than £200million on defenders and midfielders during the transfer window. Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali have arrived through the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium doors so far but Spurs are still searching for attacking reinforcements.

Rashford, 28, could be the perfect addition to Tottenham's front line and talkSPORT have reported that a move to Spurs "could happen" before the end of the summer. They add that if Rashford is to sign for a London club, the most likely destination would be De Zerbi's Tottenham, despite interest from Arsenal.

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The United forward is thought to be available for around £30million, though his potential wage demands could prove to be a stumbling block with Rashford earning £325,000 per-week at Old Trafford.

United's stance all summer has been that they would prefer not to sell to a Premier League rival, but the Red Devils are seemingly now more open to change that and allow him to join a club like Tottenham instead.

Rashford spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Barcelona. He impressed during his time at the Catalan side, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions.

Hansi Flick's men had a £26m option to buy inserted into Rashford's contract, but they decided against triggering that clause and instead went and signed Anthony Gordon for £69m from Newcastle.

With Rashford not returning to Barca next season, he announced his departure on Instagram on Thursday.

"I'm very grateful to everyone at the club for making my time here such a positive and memorable experience. I've enjoyed every moment and will take many special memories with me," Rashford said. "I wish the club and all its supporters the very best of luck and every success in the season ahead. Visca el Barca."

If Rashford does join Spurs, he would compete alongside Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert for the starting spot. As well as that, the England international can also play through the middle and on the right.

And former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin believes Tottenham could be the best next destination for Rashford.

Nevin said: "What you want for Marcus Rashford is somewhere he's given space to be himself. There was a period when Barcelona were interested, but it's about the money.

"Marcus should sit down and realise it's not about the money anymore; his finances are fine. He should make the right decision for his career. If that's Chelsea or Arsenal, so be it. He's at an age where he should be playing for England. At his best, you can't leave him out, but he sometimes disappears because he's not playing every week. He has to go somewhere where he plays every single week.

"There are dangers with Chelsea if they change direction, but I actually think Tottenham would be great for him. He could be the main man there with creative players behind him. I think it could be right."

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Here's every word the Tottenham Hotspur defender said after the match in Australia against Sydney on Wednesday

Ben Davies spoke for the first time this summer about what's going on at Tottenham after they won a 4-2 penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw with Sydney FC.

Davies, who signed a new contract this summer after 12 years at the club, played the first 45 minutes of the match in Australia at the Allianz Stadium.

Mathys Tel opened the scoring for Spurs with a perfect free-kick 29 minutes in, curling the ball into the top right corner of the net.

Sydney levelled matters in the 55th minute when Spurs substitute Kota Takai cut out a pass from the home side only to deflect it for his compatriot Takahiro Sekine, who ran through and scored.

Luca Williams-Barnett, Sandro Tonali, Andy Robertson and Dane Scarlett then all scored their spot kicks in the shoot-out to ensure the north London side won on the night.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Davies after the game. Here's the full transcript from his press conference at the Allianz Stadium.

What was it like to be in the defence with three young players?

I thought it was a good test. Like you said, they're all very young lads, but in the world of football you've got to grow up quick and you've got to get into the swing of things as early as you can. And they've been really good.

They've helped us a lot on the training pitch and they had a good opportunity to start tonight and I thought they stood up to it well.

This stage of pre-season, players are getting differing minutes, it's all kind of mix and match, is that tricky to navigate?

Yeah, I think that's exactly what it is. Everyone comes back at different times depending on when they finish the season. So, yeah, it can be a bit, like you said, mix and match at times, but you have to concentrate on yourself and hopefully by the time the season comes everybody is on the same page.

What are the aims for the season and what does it feel like in the camp? On the outside it seems like it's a very different Tottenham to last season?

Yeah, I think we've quite outwardly shown a lot of ambition with the signings we made and we're excited as a group. We've got an excellent, excellent coach that's come in, putting a stamp on the team and I'm really excited to see what happens this year.

Obviously there's been a lot of reinforcements in your positions, how do you see your role moving forward?

For me, right now, I'm fully focused on getting back fit after a pretty bad injury at the end of last year and this is a part of it. I've had lots of good conversations with the coach and I'm here right now and looking forward to continuing like that.

You took on a leadership role within the team last season, do you feel like you bring some kind of seniority to a group that is pretty young and kind of new as well?

Yeah, definitely. I think I've been around football a long time and that experience definitely counts for something. I'm here to help the club and my team-mates as much as I can and I'll keep doing that.

You've seen lots of top coaches at the club, how does De Zerbi compare?

Yeah, he's great. He's really, really impressive. I think even towards the end of last season to come in in the situation that he did and the job that he did and what he was able to do, not just on the pitch but off it for a group that was lacking a lot of confidence.

It was really impressive and we feel lucky to have him.

You played alongside Malachi Hardy today and he's one of the top defenders coming through the academy. What do you make of some of the players?

It bodes well for the club, I think. These are boys that when I did some coaching a couple of years ago that I was coaching at 16s and 17s level. So to have them playing with me now, it's credit to the academy and the coaches for the good work they've done down there.

What's Luca Williams-Barnett like to play with?

He's a really top player. He's got a lot of potential. I think you can see the qualities that he's got. I think the next step is developing his habits in the game but to have a player like him that's got no fear, that has the confidence to try things in games, doesn't get affected if he loses the ball. I think he's got a bright future ahead of him.

On Andy Robertson, as a leader yourself, have you noticed his impact about how he's helping the group?

He's come into the team and he's a player I've played against a lot but he also brings a lot of experience to the group. It's early days at the moment but he's settled in straight away and I'm sure he's going to be a big help for us.

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What is it that is so special about De Zerbi for you as a player?

Firstly, he speaks incredibly well and very passionately. He's able to really implement his style on the team pretty quickly. He's just a man who's obsessed with football.

The details that he brings to you are incredible. It's really just a pleasure to work with him. Even at my age, as someone who has been around football a long time, you feel like you're learning new things pretty much every day. I can't speak highly enough of him.

Is he very different to any coaches you've worked with before him?

All the coaches I've worked with all have different skill sets. Like I said, very detail-orientated, very demanding of what he expects when he's on the ball. But I think as a player, if you feel like a coach is helping you every day to improve, that's all you can ask for.

Is there an excitement to get playing as a team, to show what you're going to look like this coming season and the new direction of what the club might look like?

Yeah, of course. To be honest, the guys that are here are turning up the games now. It's important that everybody learns and gets an opportunity to play in this kind of style of football. When we get some boys back and the guys are up to speed, then it's exciting times.

How has the Sydney experience been for you?

Sydney has been great. We've been treated incredibly well here. I think it was a tough test tonight. Sydney played some really nice football. They challenged us off the ball as well as on it.

It was a real competitive test. I think they look pretty good for the season. I think they look good for the season.

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Here's every single word the Tottenham Hotspur head coach said after the penalty shoot-out victory against Sydney in pre-season

Roberto De Zerbi was asked plenty of questions in his press conference in Australia after Tottenham came away with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win following a 1-1 draw with Sydney FC.

Mathys Tel who opened the scoring for Spurs with a pinpoint free-kick 29 minutes in, curling the ball into the top right corner of the net.

Sydney equalised 10 minutes into the second half as Spurs substitute Kota Takai made an interception which turned into a perfect pass for Takahiro Sekine, who ran through and scored.

Luca Williams-Barnett, Sandro Tonali, Andy Robertson and Dane Scarlett then all scored their spot kicks in the shoot-out to ensure Spurs won on the night.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to De Zerbi after the game. Here's the full transcript from the press conference at the Allianz Stadium.

How difficult has it been to mix and match with different players able to play different amount of minutes and some like Fernandes needing rest?

Yes, it's not so easy because we have to be focused, we don't take risks, we have to manage the unit, to give the players, every player has a different plan, but I think we are working well.

The young players are doing very well, they give us more solutions, and this period of the season is very important to improve the physical condition, the quality of the play, but we can't take risks to lose any player because now it would be bad news, bad feeling.

Have you spoken to Lucas Bergvall yet about his future as you started him today?

I’m always being very clear with him and with you. I would like that he stays with us. I think he’s potentially a top top top player. But then I don’t want to convince anyone to stay. Tottenham is already, without me, a top club and we are not to convince anyone to stay. He can find the space if he stays with us. The competition within the players will be very strong because we are Tottenham and we have to build a strong squad. Not just 11 players. Especially considering a lot of injuries we suffered in the last two, three seasons. Football is going in a clear direction – to compete for the highest places in the table, you have to manage 22, 23, 24 players. I don’t want 24, but 21, 22, of a high level, for sure.

Has he told you he wants to leave?

No, never. I am speaking with him before the end of the last season. During the World Cup two times. But now we are speaking better, face to face, without a competition in this moment. Now I started to work, like I know, my style. In the last season we prepared the game, we worked in the head, on the mentality, more than the style of play. His position is very clear for me now. I needed time to understand the characteristics of the players. But I would like that he stays with us. He’s very young, a very good player, a good guy. It’s not so easy so fast to find a young player of that level.

You played with a double pivot tonight but one defensive midfielder at the base last time, are you looking at different options?

Our pivot we can stay in our half of the pitch, and also when we stay higher, but nothing changed has changed compared to the other games. We have to respect the characteristics of the players, because Lucas and Sandro, they can stay higher in the pocket, they can stay wider as a midfield opener, or they can stay like double pivot. Nothing changed. I think if we change position during the game, it is the best solution because the opponent can be not so comfortable to find a reference.

What did you make of Luca Williams-Barnett today and his penalty?

We have to manage him like a precious diamond. We have to help him to improve in the last decision. Physically, work harder to become stronger because this time of football, he needs to be strong, and to give him space when there is the right moment. I usually give time to all the young players I work with in my career, and he is a potential special player.

With the World Cup players and others is it about load management?

Danso, Van de Ven, Solanke, JP van Hecke, I thought today they were not yet ready to play without risk. Maybe some of them can play the next game Saturday with Chelsea, maybe not at the beginning. Maybe in the beginning Robertson and Sandro Tonali, but it’s the management of the players, especially after World Cup or after big injuries like Udogie or Solanke. They suffered long injuries last season, and after a long trip, after the jet lag, after the beginning of the pre-season, I wouldn't like to take any risk.

You didn't mention Mateus Fernandes?

Just fatigue, the calf. Also for him we took the decision to not take any risk and to recover. But next Wednesday when we start the pre-season in London, he will be ready to work.

You said that Lucas hasn't told you that he wants to leave, have you picked up a feeling on where he is?

It’s very clear, his idea. He wants space. He wants to play as a double pivot as a position. I can’t give, for any player in the world, the place in the first XI guaranteed. Especially for me. I want to be honest with the players. I want to be clear. I don’t want to make the first mistake. In terms of position, I can’t give guarantee.

It’s right when he wants to play as a central midfielder. But to play as a central midfielder, sometimes it is to attack, sometimes to keep the holder, to move the ball faster. He has to improve. He’s a 2006. I would like that he stays. I would like that he stays. But if he doesn’t want, then what can I do? Nothing. He has to speak with Vinai [Venkatesham] or Johan Lange. To stay with us, we have to have the right spirit to stay. He’s a good guy. We will see in the next weeks.

I know it's quite difficult at the moment where players get certain minutes and injuries and building fitness, but where do you think your squad is at in terms of readiness, discipline and where do you need to spend it?

No, no, the physical condition is not the same for every player, some players are ready to play 70 minutes, 80 minutes, maybe Archie Gray… I don't know, Ben Davies, Mateus Fernandes, even today he didn't play and some are going in the right direction, Tonali, Gallagher. Gallagher is another player who is able to play 80 minutes. Like Mathys Tel, like Richarlison, Manor Salomon and other players. They are working to increase their condition, but I think all teams, also Chelsea, also Liverpool or other teams with a lot of players who played in the World Cup, I think they are spending the same time.

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Can I ask you a bit of a random question, it's about FIFA and the situation with that, it's causing some issues, the idea that the World Cup could become a commercial operation....

Listen, I'm not the right person to speak about FIFA, what can I say, I say I didn't like a lot of decisions of FIFA in the last couple of years, but it's my personal opinion in general.

What did you make of Sydney?

I think they played very well, I spoke with their coach to make a congratulation because they played very well, they have a very clear style, in a difficult country, because in Australia, football is not the most important sport, but I'm happy because in other countries, so far from Europe, there is a team who play, who want to play, who want to keep the ball with a clear style, with a big organisation.

Did any of their young players take your attention?

Listen, when I play, I have my focus on my players, it's tough to analyse the performance of my players, but there are a lot of good young players in Sydney.

Roberto De Zerbi is holding his press conference after Tottenham faced Sydney in pre-season and came away with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win after a 1-1 draw.

De Zerbi named a starting team with youth at the back and in midfield with more experienced attackers at the Allianz Stadium.

It was one of the younger but still experienced forwards in Mathys Tel who opened the scoring for Spurs with a pinpoint free-kick 29 minutes in, curling the ball into the top right corner of the net.

Sydney equalised 10 minutes into the second half as Spurs substitute Kota Takai made an interception which turned into a perfect pass for Takahiro Sekine, who ran through and scored.

Luca Williams-Barnett, Sandro Tonali, Andy Robertson and Dane Scarlett all scored their spot kicks in the shoot-out to ensure Spurs won on the night.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to De Zerbi after the game. Scroll down for his latest updates from the press conference at the Allianz Stadium.