De Zerbi's Brighton Blueprint: Six Players Who Could Transform Spurs This Summer

Roberto De Zerbi has arrived at Tottenham to oversee what many regard as a salvage operation, having accepted a lucrative package from ENIC that includes a substantial signing-on fee, survival bonus, and notably—no relegation clause. The Italian manager initially resisted the offer, but the promise of significant summer investment proved too tempting to turn down.

De Zerbi's track record is hardly reassuring. He's departed half his previous employers within 30 games or fewer, lasted less than two seasons at Brighton, and couldn't make Marseille stick either. Yet here he is, third-highest paid manager in the Premier League, with assurances of major backing to reshape the squad according to his vision.

Should Tottenham somehow avoid the drop, where might De Zerbi look to splash the cash? Almost certainly at Brighton—the club where he actually built something of substance. Here are six De Zerbi alumni who could land at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) – £22m

The Japanese winger's departure from Brighton has been quietly painful to witness. Under De Zerbi, Mitoma accumulated 23 goal contributions in 48 games; since the Italian's exit, he's managed just 24 in 82 appearances. That's not coincidence. Mitoma himself acknowledged the connection, explaining how De Zerbi's system and tactical approach suited his style perfectly. With Son Heung-min gone and Mathys Tel proving about as effective as a chocolate teapot, Spurs desperately need someone who can actually beat a man. Mitoma's contract runs until summer 2027, making a cut-price deal feasible.

Bart Verbruggen (Brighton) – £35m

The 23-year-old Dutch goalkeeper has already attracted interest from Bayern Munich, but Tottenham's interest seems more pressing given recent events. Guglielmo Vicario's chaos and the Antonin Kinsky situation have made clear that a goalkeeping overhaul is necessary. Verbruggen was rotated during his time under De Zerbi but has spoken glowingly of working under the Italian, describing it as a "privilege" and praising his preparation and tactical acumen. He became Netherlands number one under De Zerbi's watch—hardly a bad advertisement.

Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton) – £30m

De Zerbi clearly sees something of himself in this centre-back, and the feeling appears mutual. Van Hecke has credited the Italian with making him a better player every day—a refrain common among De Zerbi's former charges. The Brighton defender's ability to find passes between the lines has caught the eye, and Liverpool aren't the only suitors circling. With Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero's futures uncertain, Spurs could use one—possibly two—new centre-backs.

Carlos Baleba (Brighton) – £48m

The Brighton midfielder's season has been derailed by the Manchester United circus of last summer. When the Red Devils came knocking with a reported £100m offer, it turned his head entirely; Brighton's refusal to sell left him adrift. He's since struggled to regain form, much like Moises Caicedo did after his own transfer saga—though Caicedo at least eventually got his move to Chelsea. De Zerbi backed Baleba upon signing him from Lille for £23m, insisting he could "be our new Caicedo." Spurs could certainly use even half a Caicedo in midfield.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Marseille) – £16m

Yes, Harry Kane is off at Bayern Munich scoring for fun—133 goals in 136 games, if you're counting—but Ange Postecoglou somehow managed fifth place the following season. The real culprit behind Spurs' collapse? Hojbjerg's departure to Marseille. A 17th-place finish last season preceded this season's relegation battle. One player leaving shouldn't matter that much, but Hojbjerg was the midfield warrior who kept things ticking. His absence has been felt acutely.

Danny Welbeck (Brighton) – £3.5m

Before you laugh, consider this: Welbeck scored 10 Premier League goals last season—more than any Tottenham striker managed. He's added 12 this term, outscoring Richarlison's nine. The 35-year-old recently signed a one-year extension to avoid leaving on a free transfer, but he won't command a hefty fee. A World Cup final hero who only recently squeezed into Thomas Tuchel's England squad, Welbeck remains a genuine goal threat.

The Summer Reckoning

If Tottenham somehow escape relegation—and that's a considerable if—De Zerbi will have his shopping list ready. Brighton's current crop represents his footballing fingerprints, players he's already shaped and improved. Whether Spurs can afford all six remains another matter entirely, but the blueprint is clear. De Zerbi knows what he wants, and he knows where to find it.