New-ish manager. New ambition. The purse strings have been loosened at Spurs this summer, so there are no excuses for a repeat of last season's shambles, when Roberto de Zerbi - their third manager of the season after Thomas Frank and, briefly, Igor Tudor - kept them up on the final day.
De Zerbi's fierce ambition has been backed big time, so optimism is running high.
Andrew Robertson is a smart signing on and off the pitch, while Marcos Senesi is another good deal on a free transfer from Bournemouth.
The big money has been spent in midfield, with Sandro Tonali in for £100m from Newcastle United and Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United for £85m.
Jan Paul van Hecke cost £52m from Brighton to offset the loss of captain Cristian Romero - will he really be missed? - from central defence. Djed Spence has also left for Inter Milan.
Micky van de Ven has committed his future, so it all looks good for Spurs.
More points for bottom-half sides but bottom two cut adrift in 2025-26published at 08:19 BST
08:19 BST
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Image source, Getty Images
Teams in the bottom half of the Premier League in 2025-26 finished with more points than they had in years, meaning that judging them simply by their position in the table is perhaps a little harsh.
Everton may have been underwhelmed with their 13th-place finish but it was the most points a team in that position had finished with since the Toffees themselves in 1999-2000.
The points of the four places below them were all the highest they have been in the Premier League for 23 years and West Ham can consider themselves unlucky to have gone down with the highest points total for an 18th-placed side since 2010-11.
However, competition has come at a cost.
One place where the Premier League has become less competitive - because it has become more fiercely-contested overall - is at the very bottom.
While it is almost expected for one side to be cut adrift long before the end of the season, nowadays two sides are getting left behind.
The average points tally of the second-bottom side in a 38-game season is 31, meaning teams that finish there have usually competed in a relegation battle for most of the season before ultimately falling short.
After the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, only two 19th-placed sides failed to reach 30 points in the first 21 seasons. But in the past decade, seven of the 10 sides to finish in that position have failed to do so.
In the past two seasons, promoted sides Ipswich and Burnley have both finished there with just 22 points - the fewest ever taken by a second-bottom side.
Relegation battles are now mostly a fight to see who takes the final spot in the bottom three, with the other two accounted for long before the final day - often by promoted sides.
But inspired by the survival of Sunderland and Leeds, promoted trio Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will all be hoping they have what it takes to match the competitiveness of the Premier League this season.
How will De Zerbi set Spurs up this season?published at 13:41 BST 19 August
13:41 BST 19 August
Umir Irfan Football tactics correspondent, speaking on the BBC's Football Daily podcast
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When you look at Roberto de Zerbi, his first stint at Brighton was something that was very transformative to the Premier League.
Many of the coaches adopted his baiting-style of build-up and his idea to punch the passes through the middle of the pitch really quickly.
What we have seen in pre-season is an adaptation and a focus on building upon what he did at the end of last season, which is a more simplistic view.
But he did not come in and simply try to shut up shop and get easy points, he looked to build out from the back and use that short build-up. That tactic is still very key to his side.
What I have noticed is his awareness that teams are pressing man-for-man in a really aggressive manner. There has been a focus on building through the middle, but also on building out under pressure using the same ideas in wide areas.
Those moves tend to finish with the wingers one-v-one, so De Zerbi is not just using his principles through the middle but also through the wide areas to still arrive in the final third really quickly and really aggressively.
A lot of the top coaches have one set style of play in mind - and De Zerbi has certain principles - but a few years ago he said: "When you're building the play, if the rival doesn't pressure us intensely then we slowly move the ball up the pitch. When they do pressure us, then we can make some passes, dribble and play more vertically."
He is a coach who adapts how his team builds up and plays depending on how the opponent defends, which is slightly more reactive and adaptable.
The biggest challenge is teams will increasingly sit back and almost ask his players to break them down, knowing what De Zerbi prefers to do, so it is all about how he then looks to break down stubborn defences that sit lower.
'De Zerbi is the type of coach you want to play for' - Hughtonpublished at 11:27 BST 19 August
11:27 BST 19 August
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Former Tottenham full-back and caretaker manager Chris Hughton says Roberto de Zerbi is a "demanding" but "feel-good factor" head coach.
He also believes the Italian will have a "really good opportunity to build" this season, after guiding the club to Premier League safety on the final matchday of the 2025-26 season with a 1-0 win over Everton.
"First and foremost, to take the job at the time he did was huge pressure in itself," Hughton said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "You don't want to be the manager, if only for a few games, that takes a club like Tottenham down.
"For that reason, I would say him taking this job showed he has a lot of confidence in himself. He knew he could do the job and keep the team up.
"I'm quite sure he would've known about the funds that were going to be spent and the players that were going to be brought in this summer. He would've known that if he could keep the club in the division, he would have a really good opportunity to build.
"What I know about him is that he is a very demanding coach. His players speak very well of him. He is not only demanding of his players, but also of his coaching staff. There is real detail in his training sessions.
"You can also see his enthusiasm. He gives his players a real feel-good factor.
"The fact that players are coming through the door now will incredibly lift the spirits in that changing room. He is the type of coach you want to play for."
Gossip: Spurs consider move for Zabarnyipublished at 08:10 BST 19 August
08:10 BST 19 August
Tottenham are considering a move for Paris St-Germain and Ukraine defender Illia Zabarnyi, 23, after selling Cristian Romero to Atletico Madrid. (Teamtalk), external
What will 'top professional' Robertson bring to Spurs?published at 11:12 BST 18 August
11:12 BST 18 August
Media caption,
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart believes Andy Robertson can "bring a lot" to Roberto de Zerbi's dressing room this season, despite not being "the player that signed for Liverpool all those years ago".
"He is going to get that whole new responsibility and freshness at Tottenham," Hart said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "Liverpool made their decision early and it felt like it was always Tottenham for him.
"It was a case of: 'Stay up and I'm coming to Spurs'.
"He will have a different responsibility though. Roberto de Zerbi will know how to use him because he isn't the Andy Robertson that signed for Liverpool all those years ago.
"What they do have is a top player and a top professional in the building. They have a player that wants to be there, especially because I think he would've had a few options.
"He will be an absolute leader in that dressing room, alongside still being a very good player, so I do think he can bring a lot.
"It has been the summer for the Premier League kind of coming back to those senior signings, so I think it is really smart business."
Is gap between Champions League and Championship getting smaller?published at 08:09 BST 18 August
08:09 BST 18 August
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Image source, Getty Images
Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.
While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.
Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.
But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).
The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.
While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.
Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.
Aston: We don't need a replacement for Vicario. Ever since Kinsky was made number one, it's clear who the better keeper is. Vic wanted out, he's getting what he wants. We already have enough quality cover in the form of Dubravka and Austin.
Dan: Before the window, I was expecting Vicario to leave and a replacement be brought in. If De Zerbi thinks Kinsky is good enough to be number one, then great. Spence, Romero, Solomon and now Vicario gone - go and spend the money on a goalscorer now please!
Barry: Vic is a great shotstopper but could never really command his box during set-pieces and was never really comfortable with the ball at his feet. It was time to go.
William: It's a shame to see Vicario go as he has done a lot for the club. However, I think his form has been on the decline since this year and the signing of Dubravka has forced Vicario to go elsewhere. It's a shame, but it's necessary.
Jon: Fantastic to move on a keeper who was on the bench. Although he was part of Spurs' Europa League triumph, his shortcomings from crosses and with ball at feet were always too great. Kinsky is clearly first choice, so getting Vicario out the building should boost Kinsky, while keeping Dubravka as a safe back-up. No need to sign anyone else - re-evaluate at the end of a full season, which will make it clear if Kinsky is up to the task long term.
Vicario set to join Juventus - how should Spurs react?published at 11:52 BST 17 August
11:52 BST 17 August
Nizaar Kinsella Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham have accepted a loan offer from Juventus for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, which includes an option to buy.
The Italy international, 29, is set to travel to Turin to complete a move back to Serie A, with a non-mandatory £8.6m purchase option included in the deal.
It follows Juventus' attempts to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, which has collapsed as Villa close in on signing Parma's Zion Suzuki.
Martinez was known to have an injured finger and is currently unavailable for selection.
Vicario, meanwhile, lost his place in the Spurs side under manager Roberto de Zerbi, who promoted understudy Antonin Kinsky to the role last season.
De Zerbi has since confirmed Kinsky will remain his first-choice goalkeeper for the new season, with Martin Dubravka signed on a free transfer from Burnley in July to provide competition and cover.
It is part of a club record spending spree by the north London club, who have signed six players while targeting two further attacking additions.
They have also sold, loaned out or released several former first-team players, including captain Cristian Romero, England international Djed Spence and Yves Bissouma.
Vicario made 117 appearances for Spurs after joining from Empoli for £17.2m in 2023.
Maddison starts as Spurs draw training ground friendly with Hoffenheimpublished at 16:22 BST 16 August
16:22 BST 16 August
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Tottenham drew 2-2 with Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in a behind closed doors friendly at Hotspur Way on Sunday.
The game took place 24 hours after Spurs beat the same opposition 3-0 in front of 55,000 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Roberto De Zerbi selected a completely different starting XI.
Mateus Fernandes, James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Ben Davies and Kevin Danso all started after watching from the stands on Saturday, with Maddison starting a match for the first time in just under a year,
Ben Davies and academy forward Williams-Barnett scored the goals for Spurs.
Moore scores twice as Spurs brush aside Hoffenheim in friendlypublished at 18:42 BST 15 August
18:42 BST 15 August
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Mikey Moore scored twice as Tottenham beat Bundesliga side Hoffenheim 3-0 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
On their return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Roberto De Zerbi's side looked lively and opened the scoring through Richarlison's finish from a fine Andy Robertson cross.
19-year-old forward Moore - who spent last season on loan with Rangers - then twice combined with Mathys Tel to score a second half double.
Summer signings Robertson, Marco Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali all played for Spurs front of a home crowd for the first time.
'A special chapter comes to an end' - Spence's Inter move confirmedpublished at 18:41 BST 15 August
18:41 BST 15 August
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"Spurs will always have a place in my heart", wrote Djed Spence before his move to Inter Milan was confirmed on Saturday.
Spence has signed a five-year deal with the Serie A champions, who are reportedly paying a fee of around 30m euros, external (£25.6m) for the 26-year-old.
He joined Spurs for an initial £12.5m from Middlesbrough in 2022 and made 85 appearances for the north London side, helping them to win the 2024-25 Europa League title.
"A special chapter comes to an end, It's been some journey, with plenty of memories, moments and experiences that I'll carry with me for forever, especially that night in Bilbao," he posted in a farewell message to Spurs supporters across his social media accounts.
"Thanks to all the staff members who've helped me along the way, the players who've become family and most importantly thank you to the fans. Time for a new chapter now, but Spurs will always have a place in my heart."
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