Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has issued a rallying cry for his overhauled squad to rediscover a fighting spirit, even as the club spends aggressively to erase the memory of a near-disastrous Premier League season. Speaking from a pre-season tour in Sydney, the Italian emphasized that money alone cannot fix what ails the team. Main Developments Spurs narrowly avoided relegation last season by finishing 17th, a nail-biting outcome that spurred an aggressive summer of spending. Big-money signings include midfielders Mateus Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, plus centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke from De Zerbi's former club Brighton. Full-back Andy Robertson, centre-back Marcos Senesi, and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka have all arrived on free transfers, giving the squad a dramatically new look. De Zerbi wants to “build a new team with the qualities, with big players, but with soul, with passion, with all the values we have.” Read also: Why Pakistan's Central Bank Is Stuck Between War and Growth The Italian added: “Football now is not just on the pitch, it’s not just with the ball, it’s before, it’s in life. It’s how many hours during the day you think about your job.” He suggested more signings could come before the transfer window closes, noting talks with the owner and board about building a “very strong team.” Background Tottenham's dramatic escape from relegation came down to the final day, exposing deep flaws in a squad that had underperformed for much of the season. De Zerbi, who took over mid-campaign, has been tasked with a rapid rebuild to restore the club's standing. The pre-season tour has already offered glimpses of the new approach. Spurs opened with a 2-0 win over A-League champions Auckland FC in New Zealand, with goals from Dane Scarlett and Richarlison. De Zerbi started younger players before introducing a first-team feel in the final 30 minutes, giving run to Fernandes, Richarlison, Conor Gallagher, and Ben Davies. Why It Matters De Zerbi's emphasis on intangibles like “soul and passion” signals a recognition that Tottenham's problems run deeper than personnel. The club's aggressive spending—both big-money buys and free transfers—shows urgency, but the manager's words suggest that cultural change is equally critical. For fans, the stakes are clear: after a season of survival, anything short of a mid-table finish would be seen as failure. The new-look squad must gel quickly, and De Zerbi's ability to forge a cohesive, driven unit may determine whether the investment pays off. What's Next Spurs face Sydney FC on Wednesday, followed by a London derby against Chelsea in Sydney three days later. The new Premier League campaign begins on August 22. De Zerbi hinted at further signings before the transfer window closes, saying he expects to be “happier at the end of this transfer market.”