Roberto De Zerbi has told his Tottenham squad that any player who is not "happy" or "proud" to play for the club "has to leave" — his bluntest message yet in a summer of sweeping change at Spurs.

Speaking ahead of a pre-season friendly against Auckland FC in New Zealand, De Zerbi was unequivocal. "I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham," he said, according to the club's official press conference transcript. "I said, who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham? Who is not happy, is not…" — the sentence trailing off, but the direction unmistakable. Tottenham Hotspur

The Athletic reported the same remarks on July 25, leading with the headline that players not "proud" to represent Tottenham "have to leave." The Athletic

De Zerbi's stance is not new in spirit. Back in April, he told Spurs fans he was "not better than Frank or Tudor" — referencing predecessors Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor — a pointed piece of humility from a manager who arrived with a big reputation and a squad in need of repair. Punch NG By June, Sky Sports noted he had guided Tottenham to Premier League survival "by the finest of margins." Sky Sports

The rebuild is already well under way. Sandro Tonali arrived from Newcastle in a £100m deal and credited De Zerbi with playing a "huge role" in bringing him to north London. Sky Sports Tottenham have also been linked with a defender named Van Hecke as part of the summer overhaul. Sky Sports And De Zerbi confirmed on July 22 that the window "is not finished yet," insisting Spurs still needed "another couple of" attacking players. Sky Sports

Outgoings are part of the plan too. GiveMeSport reported that De Zerbi told winger Manor Solomon he should leave the club. GiveMeSport The manager has also said he has not yet spoken with young midfielder Lucas Bergvall about his future but intends to do so in the coming days, referencing sporting director Johan Lange and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham in his remarks about player departures. BBC Sport

De Zerbi's first game in charge, however, was a sobering one — a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. BBC Sport The BBC article also notes that midfielder Xavi Simons missed the 2026 World Cup through injury, adding another layer to a squad still taking shape.

For Tottenham fans, the message from their manager is double-edged. The honesty is refreshing, the ambition obvious. But the hard line on commitment — "have to leave" — means nobody at Hotspur Way can be entirely comfortable between now and deadline day. De Zerbi is building something. He is also, very publicly, deciding who gets to be part of it.