Tottenham - 26/27 Draft FPL Pre-Season Thoughts

Written 23rd July 2026 · Everything here very much subject to change, subscribe to the podcast/YouTube channel for all the latest.

This blog is part of Draft FC's Team-by-Team 2026/27 early pre-season series — see all 20 previews in one place here

A record rebuild (pray for me)

Right. Deep breath. As the resident Spurs fan I've left this blog for last but here we go. 17th, again, on 41 points, 4 points off the drop in the end but a nightmare that went right until GW38. Thomas Frank sacked in February with the club 16th, Igor Tudor in for a disaster of a rescue plan and then Roberto De Zerbi in on a long-term deal to steady the ship. A genuine mess of a season and I lived every single minute of it.

De Zerbi reckoned only about a dozen of the inherited squad were good enough to stay and so far the club appears to have taken him at his word, though we still need to see a few more outgoings to make that a reality. This is the biggest vibe-shift I've seen at Spurs in my living memory.

The rebuild, itemised (so far)

In, confirmed: Sandro Tonali for around £92.5m from Newcastle - club-record money, and the deep playmaker De Zerbi demanded. Mateus Fernandes for £85m from relegated West Ham. Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m from Brighton, a De Zerbi reunion. Robertson, Senesi and Dubravka on frees.

Out: Bissouma released, Kolo Muani back to PSG and Romero, Palhinha's loan finished, Vuskovic to Brighton before he ever wore a Spurs shirt and Dragusin leaves for Florence.

Rumours have Vicario, Richarlison and Bergvall all heading for the exit too.

That's a quarter of a billion pounds of spine in a single window. The message is clear from the board after that relegation scare: "never again".

The board

Tonali as a £92.5m of footballing story is interesting, but from an FPL perspective there really isn't much to get excited about here.

Fellow midfield newcomer Mateus Fernandes may provide more draft value as he did at times last season for West Ham. He built up to a very respectable 4 points per game towards the end last year and had a few good patches of picking up defcon points. Neither of them will feature on my draft board in all likelihood.

Solanke remains the first-choice striker and I actually think he could work well in De Zerbi's system, but Spurs are openly linked with new strikers, and that flag sits over his ceiling. Richarlison's goals-per-minute was surprisingly good - 11 goals in under 2,000 minutes - but he's unlikely to start and as I said above, very likely to leave. Kudus could be a sleeper, injured for much of the back half, he should be 100% fit for GW1, and there's currently no obvious rival for the right-wing spot. A De Zerbi system funnelling touches to the wide creators could make him a lovely mid-round pick to build on the 4.4pts per 90 he posted last season. James Maddison is the presumed number 10 and chance-creation hub (and also rumoured to be taking over captaincy duties), Porro returns a World Cup winner, Robertson brings pedigree and van Hecke is reunited with the coach who developed him is a quietly strong defender pick. We saw a lot of strong weeks from van Hecke last year and I expect him to be the first choice right-sided centre back.

Kinsky is also heading into this season as the no1. Given De Zerbi's track record of keeper rotation, I wouldn't be rushing to get the Spurs keeper.

The opening run

It's alright - Brentford away in the Saturday teatime opener, Newcastle at home, Forest away, Everton at home, Villa at home, City away. A couple of banana skins and a brand-new system still bedding in. I'd draft the Spurs core on talent and role rather than fixtures and leave the fringe well alone until De Zerbi's XI reveals itself. Could this team click immediately and make me look silly? As a Spurs fan I can confirm: they will do whatever hurts me most.

Early verdict

The spine has been replaced at record cost and the manager has a full pre-season to try and fully install his football. There's real draft value here - Porro, Kudus, van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and perhaps Solanke. The rollercoaster continues, the spending may not be over yet and I've still got plenty of hair to lose over another season supporting Spurs.

COYS

Stay shook,

Draft FC Mitch

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As I said, these previews are just some of my notes and early thoughts, my complete top 240 rankings live within our members area. The Top 20 reveal stays free so keep your eyes peeled for that episode in early August. The rest though, plus all our other member benefits, sit inside a Draft FC membership and if you want to find out more about that, head here.

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