We asked 10 legends... 'how do you feel going into the new season?'

Speaking from last week's Legends Lunch at Hotspur Way, where our former players watched training before enjoying time mixing with Roberto De Zerbi and the first team staff and players, 10 legends told us how they feel going into 2026/27 - all kicking-off at Brentford's Gtech on Saturday (5.30pm UK).

Jermain Defoe

363 appearances, 2004-2014

"I'm really excited, and the reason I'm excited is with the recruitment, some top players, but I'm just as excited about the manager. I think when I look at the last 10 years, with all the managers that we've had here, I think you'd put him up there with one of the best. The players - and I've spoken to players who have played for him at other clubs - they speak so highly of him. You can just see he's one of those managers that you run through a brick wall for. I think once you've got that, once you've got a team that's willing to compete first, because these are top players, if you've got a team that's willing to compete and run through a brick wall for a manager, then you've got a chance."

Mark Falco

236 appearances, 1979-1986

"I'm very excited for this season, especially with the signings we've made, and it looks like we'll get a couple more before the beginning of the season. I'm really optimistic."

Les Ferdinand

149 appearances, 1997-2003

"Yeah, I'm pretty excited, with the new manager in place and the signings that have come in this summer. I've seen plenty of Tonali at Newcastle - he moves the ball, assists, never dwells on it. It's never about him, it's always about what's best for the team. Top player.  I'm pretty excited looking at what Roberto's done at the end of last season and looking forward at what's to come."

Steffen Freund

131 appearances, 1999-2003

"Roberto... I think he'll change everything in a positive way. The key is always to be successful with the first team. I'm not saying it will be straight away a top four or five again, but on the way. Don't forget, if you don't have the European games - of course, that's negative first, you want to be in Europe - but now it's happened and now you have a little bit more time to prepare the team. That's why I think Spurs will end up in Europe again definitely next season."

Micky Hazard

170 appearances, 1980-1984 - 1993/1994

"I'm very positive about the season, I think we've made great signings and most importantly we made them early, so that meant the boys could get in and mix with all the other players, learn a little bit about them before the season starts. That's really positive. I don't think we're far away from challenging right at the top of the Premier League again. I think that we can really go places this season."

David Howells

335 appearances, 1986-1998

"I'm very positive about the season, I think the signings have been really strong - not just good players, but good characters as well, so I think the mood around the place... you can feel it just by walking in (to the training centre) today, the mood around here is upbeat and everyone's really looking forward to the start of the season. Looking back two months ago, we probably weren't thinking that, so everyone's really buzzing about it." 

Younes Kaboul

140 appearances, 2007/2008 - 2010-2015

"Good manager, good players coming in, Micky van de Ven's contract - that all helps. The team just needs to start strong, then take it game after game. But, start strong and just focus on our squad, on Tottenham."

Paul Miller

285 appearances, 1979-1987

"I mean, everything's changed here, I've got to be honest with you. The new manager's come in and he's been a breath of fresh air. I love the signings we've made. To me, it's still Liverpool, Arsenal and City, in my opinion, I see us in the batch after that - I can see us finishing back in the top five or six."

Michel Vorm

48 appearances, 2014-2019

"I think it's a fresh start, signed some new players, an eager manager with a very clear style of play. I think that's very important - and he's been backed by everyone. The interesting thing as well, there are a lot of clubs in the Premier League who have new managers, new players, so I think it will be an open season for, in my opinion, the spots Tottenham need to play for - and that's for European football, Champions League football. We've so much quality in this squad and I think he's the type of manager who can bring it all together."

Victor Wanyama

97 appearances, 2016-2020

"The team has gone through tough times last season and they now know what it takes, the mentality, especially in the last game - they knew if they didn't win that game (against Everton), that was it. Now, with that mentality coming in the next season, I believe they could be title contenders. So, this season, I think the club has really pushed. I know it's behind the scenes and as players, you can't go out there and say we're going to fight for the title, but that's the mentality we have."