Roberto De Zerbi could not hide his enthusiasm when asked about Tottenham Hotspur's activity in the recent transfer market. The Italian manager, who rescued the club from the brink of relegation last season, described every new arrival as "bomba" – a slang term on social media that denotes something spectacular, impressive or unexpected. In his own words, "Savio is bomba.
All the players we have brought in, I think, are bomba!" This exuberant endorsement reflects both the scale of the club's spending and De Zerbi's confidence in the quality of the squad he now has at his disposal. Tottenham have splashed roughly £320 million on seven permanent signings and have also secured a loan deal for Omar Marmoush, a move intended to inject fresh energy into a side that barely survived the drop‑zone in the 2022‑23 Premier League campaign. The magnitude of the outlay marks a clear shift in ambition, and De Zerbi has been a central figure in shaping the transfer strategy. He told Sky Sports' Michael Bridge, smiling before the Saturday Night Football encounter with Newcastle United, that in his vocabulary "bomba" simply means a great player – someone who can raise the overall level of the team.
"I'm very happy. We have brought in a number of very good players, especially because they wanted to come," De Zerbi explained. He emphasized that motivation and ambition are now the twin pillars of the Spurs project.
"To play football today you need big motivation, big ambitions. Without that it's impossible to get results.
At the moment we have a great squad, a great team. Maybe we will close the window with another signing, but we also have to let a few players go.
Overall, we are extremely pleased with where we are." The manager's optimism is not just rhetoric; several of the new arrivals have publicly praised his personal approach. De Zerbi says his phone calls were straightforward: "Nothing special.
I live for passion, I live for football. I explained our project – not my project – and they liked it. They accepted, and we are very happy and proud." While he downplays his own influence, those conversations appear to have been pivotal in convincing the recruits to join a club that had just escaped relegation. De Zerbi's own journey with Tottenham has been dramatic.
When he arrived, the team was embroiled in a survival battle that seemed far from guaranteed. Yet he guided them to a crucial victory over Everton on the final day, a win that secured their Premier League status and, in De Zerbi's view, delivered "big emotion, big memories." He described that night as perhaps the best day of his career, not because of the points alone but because of the collective relief and joy after seven weeks of intense pressure. "The players deserved to stay up," he recalled, underscoring the emotional weight of that achievement.
However, the manager is keen to remind fans that every point in the top flight must be earned through hard work. This reality was evident in the opening weekend of the new season when Tottenham, despite fielding several of the fresh signings, were outclassed by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
De Zerbi accepted responsibility, noting that the names on the team sheet matter less than the collective effort: "To get results you have to fight, run, play well. But as a start, it is very important to have signed quality players." He admitted that the new group needs time to develop chemistry and understand each other's playing styles. Patience, according to De Zerbi, is essential for building the right balance and connection among teammates. "The patience is to find the connection, the balance between the players," he said.
"To give organization you have to know the characteristics of your teammates, and that connection does not happen instantly." He acknowledged that Brentford deserved their win, and that Tottenham's performance was below the standard they aspire to, but he remained confident that the squad's underlying quality will soon translate into better results. Looking ahead, the manager's immediate goal is for his revamped side to demonstrate its potential in the first home game of the campaign, a Saturday night clash against Newcastle United. He believes that the new signings, once fully integrated, will provide the edge needed to compete consistently against the league's elite.
"We have the quality, we just need to compete better," De Zerbi asserted, hinting that the squad's evolution is already underway. Beyond the tactical and motivational aspects, De Zerbi's remarks also hint at a broader strategic vision for Tottenham.
By securing players who are not only talented but also eager to embrace the club's ambitions, he aims to foster a culture of pride and commitment. This cultural shift, combined with the financial investment, could lay the groundwork for a sustained period of competitiveness, moving the club beyond mere survival to genuine contention for European places. In summary, Roberto De Zerbi is delighted with the summer acquisitions, labeling each as "bomba" to convey their high calibre. He stresses that motivation, ambition, and the right mix of personalities are crucial for success.
While the early season results have been mixed, the manager remains optimistic that the new squad will gel, improve, and ultimately deliver the performances needed to solidify Tottenham's status as a top‑flight mainstay. The journey from narrowly avoiding relegation to building a "great squad" is still in progress, but De Zerbi's confidence suggests that the Spurs faithful have much to look forward to.