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Tottenham Hotspur face a crucial summer after narrowly securing their Premier League status on the final day of the season.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi has openly said that he intends to retain only “11 to 12” players from the current squad as he aims to rebuild a team capable of challenging for a top-four finish next season.

A major squad overhaul is on the horizon, with captain Cristian Romero considering his options, while Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson are reportedly close to sealing free transfers to the north London club.

After a disappointing campaign, Spurs are determined to move forward, with defender Micky van de Ven describing the past year as unacceptable. To achieve that, De Zerbi will need to act decisively in the transfer market as he reshapes his team for the new season.

Here’s a look at three major challenges De Zerbi must address to make Tottenham competitive again.

First up is the future of Luka Vuskovic. The 19-year-old Croatian centre-back, yet to make a competitive appearance for Spurs, is expected to be at the centre of attention this summer. Vuskovic, who had an outstanding season on loan at Bundesliga side Hamburg, is viewed as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders.

He will represent Croatia at this summer’s World Cup, and many within Spurs believe he is ready to compete for first-team minutes next season. However, Vuskovic has expressed his wish to play alongside his brother, Mario, who is set to return to Hamburg later this year after serving a drugs ban. Combined with interest from several European clubs, his future in north London is uncertain.

If Cristian Romero decides to move on, Spurs will need defensive reinforcements, and De Zerbi must determine whether Vuskovic is prepared to step into the Argentine’s role. Although the manager will hope to keep control of the situation, strong interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona could tempt the teenager into a permanent move elsewhere.

Another pressing issue is between the posts. Antonin Kinsky deserves immense credit for recovering from his disastrous display against Atletico Madrid in March to help Spurs avoid relegation. The Czech goalkeeper, who replaced the injured Guglielmo Vicario, played a vital role as Spurs collected 11 points from their final six league matches, ultimately finishing two points above the drop zone.

Kinsky’s crucial saves against Wolves and Leeds were decisive, and now the question remains whether he can take over as Tottenham’s first-choice goalkeeper. With Vicario attracting interest from Serie A clubs, De Zerbi could soon be in the market for a new No.1. Although Spurs have long admired Manchester City shot-stopper James Trafford, De Zerbi has been impressed by Kinsky’s resurgence and may choose to allocate funds to other positions.

Finally, De Zerbi must address Tottenham’s attacking depth. Technical director Johan Lange’s decision not to reinforce the side during the injury crisis in January proved costly. With only Conor Gallagher and Brazilian teenager Souza arriving mid-season, Spurs were left short of attacking options, and their form dipped sharply after the New Year.

The club has promised to be more assertive in the transfer market this time, with deals for Senesi and Robertson nearly done. However, the attack remains a concern. Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are both recovering from ACL injuries and are not expected back until early next year. There is also uncertainty around the return dates of Dejan Kulusevski and Mohammed Kudus, both sidelined with long-term injuries. Kulusevski has been out since May 2025 with a complex patella issue, while Kudus suffered a setback in his recovery from a severe quadriceps injury. Neither has been included in their national World Cup squads.

James Maddison featured briefly toward the end of the season as he continued to recover from an ACL injury, but Spurs must learn from the mistakes of their inactive January window if they are to make progress in the upcoming campaign.