Key Points
- Tottenham Hotspur face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground this Saturday afternoon after losing their first two Premier League games without scoring a goal.
- Head coach Roberto De Zerbi oversaw 54 total incomings and outgoings during a transfer window that saw Spurs spend £394 million.
- Spurs broke their transfer record twice in the window, signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United for £85 million and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United for a fee that could reach £100 million.
- Antonín Kinský will stay in goal after Guglielmo Vicario joined Juventus on loan, while Pedro Porro is expected to move back to right-back.
- Defender Tosin Adarabioyo, wearing shirt number four, could make his debut as a substitute, while Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven are set to start together at centre-back.
Tottenham Hotspur (North London News) September 2, 2026 –Tottenham Hotspur travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon, with manager Roberto De Zerbi seeking his first Premier League win and goal of the season after a costly summer overhaul.
Having suffered consecutive 17th-placed top-flight finishes in previous campaigns, the North London outfit initiated a monumental squad reconstruction. A total of £394 million has been committed to new player additions, featuring a staggering 54 total incomings and outgoings before the transfer deadline. Spurs shattered their standard transfer expenditure threshold twice in the same window, first acquiring Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United for £85 million, and subsequently landing Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United in a deal that could reach £100 million.
Despite the heavy investment, on-field success has yet to materialise in the league. Tottenham opened their competitive slate with a disappointing 3-0 defeat against Brentford, temporarily recovered with a 5-1 victory over Championship team Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup, and then succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United. With the transfer market now officially closed, the immediate focus at N17 transitions entirely to tactical execution and securing domestic results.
As reported by Ben Crawford of Football.London, Roberto De Zerbi’s projected starting XI could introduce substantial positional adjustments and up to three debuts at the City Ground.
How Will Roberto De Zerbi Line Up His Defence Against Nottingham Forest?
Between the posts, Czech shot-stopper Antonín Kinský is poised to retain the primary starting role. Kinský has been handed the reins for all three competitive fixtures this term following Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s departure to Juventus on an initial loan arrangement. Summer free-agent acquisition Martin Dúbravka, signed from Burnley, remains available as cover on the bench.
In the defensive line, Pedro Porro is anticipated to shift back to his natural right-back role. Having been deployed further up the pitch in the recent defeat to Newcastle United, Porro’s retreat to the backline will allow Spurs to utilise his crossing abilities from deep positions, leaving versatile defender Archie Gray among the substitutes.
At centre-back, new signing Tosin Adarabioyo has been allocated the number four shirt following his arrival. However, De Zerbi is expected to stick with the pairing of Jan Paul van Hecke and team captain Micky van de Ven to start the match. Tosin remains an option off the bench to make his official debut should De Zerbi look to introduce fresh defensive legs late in the second half.
Explore More Tottenham Hotspur News
Fabrizio Romano Reveals Tottenham Target Tenth Signing North London 2026
Vinai Venkatesham Addresses Tottenham Transfers and Facilities in London 2026
What Is the Background to Tottenham Hotspur’s Squad Overhaul?
The structural transformation at Tottenham Hotspur stems from two consecutive 17th-place Premier League finishes, which prompted executive leadership to authorise a complete squad reset under Roberto De Zerbi.
During the summer 2026 window, Spurs aggressively targeted proven Premier League quality to fix long-standing tactical vulnerabilities. In addition to breaking their club record for Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, Spurs bolstered their defensive ranks by acquiring Dutch international Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion for £52 million. Free transfers were also used to secure veteran depth, including Martin Dúbravka, Marcos Senesi, and Andy Robertson.
The scale of the turnover—encompassing 54 incoming and outgoing transactions—saw high-profile departures, including goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to Juventus and forward Richarlison on deadline day, clearing space on the wage bill and reshaping the core squad dynamic.
How Will This Development Affect Tottenham Hotspur Supporters and Stakeholders?
The heavy financial outlay and rapid squad turnaround create immediate operational and emotional consequences for the club’s key stakeholders.
- Supporters and Season Ticket Holders: After enduring two seasons near the relegation zone, fans are looking for immediate returns on the club’s £394m transfer expenditure. However, the failure to score in their opening two league fixtures has heightened anxiety. A positive result against Nottingham Forest is required to reassure the fanbase that De Zerbi’s tactical system can yield consistent results.
- The Manager and First-Team Squad: With 54 player movements completed, De Zerbi faces the immediate challenge of integrating high-cost arrivals like Tonali and Fernandes into a cohesive unit. Pressure on the coaching staff will build quickly if the team’s top-flight goal drought persists beyond the weekend.
- Financial and Board Outlook: Tottenham’s substantial outlay reflects an aggressive long-term strategy to restore European football to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Sustained performance issues early in the campaign could complicate financial planning and increase scrutiny on executive decision-making regarding player recruitment.
