They all laughed at us, didn't they?
Xavi Simons was Chelsea-bound, right? All he wanted was Chelsea, we were told. But let me tell you, when Thomas Frank gets whispering those sweet Danish nothings into your ears, he's a hard man to resist.
Eberechi Eze was blinded by an emotional connection. Morgan Gibbs-White denied by a dictator.
It looked like Spurs would be doing their gifted new manager a disservice, but they've somehow fallen into a deal that may well trump the two we all got so hung up about. Simons is a superstar in the making, and his majestic talent will be ours to enjoy for the next however many years.
Here's what our strongest XI currently looks like with Simons in the picture.
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Guglielmo Vicario (GK) - Eze isn't going to have any bearing on the starting goalkeeper, with Vicario retaining his status as No. 1. Antonin Kinsky will get opportunities to impress, and I wouldn't be surprised if the young Czech mounts a serious challenge for the Italian's spot.
Pedro Porro (RB) - It became clear in pre-season that Porro had an important role to play in Frank's framework, and the Spaniard has started the season brightly. The manager's flexibility means Porro could perform as a deep-lying playmaker one week, and a marauder into the final third the next.
Cristian Romero (CB) - El Capitan. Romero's contract extension is the most important news of Tottenham's summer.
Micky van de Ven (CB) - The Dutchman's hamstrings should be preserved by the change in manager, but he will run really fast when called upon. Van de Ven has a superb partnership with Romero.
Destiny Udogie (LB) - Djed Spence has been excellent in 2025, and is fully deserving of his new deal (and spot in the England squad). However, Udogie proved during our Europa League run that he's our guy at left-back. For balance, the Italian should play over Spence, but the Englishman is a more than handy deputy.
Midfielders
Joao Palhinha (CM) - Palhinha has been absolutely superb in his first two competitive starts for the club, and will be the lynchpin of this midfield. His defensive brilliance should offer Simons greater license to shine further upfield.
Pape Matar Sarr (CM) - This is where it gets interesting. Frank utilised a youthful midfield at the weekend, and you could argue that any one of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall or Sarr should make this team. Not to mention Rodrigo Bentancur. However, I have to put Sarr in given how well he's performed since the new manager come in. He's more than just an unrelenting runner.
Xavi Simons (AM) - This is the most exciting Tottenham signing since, I don't know... when Gareth Bale made his return? We were all pretty pumped about Tanguy Ndombele in 2019, too.
Forwards
Mohammed Kudus (RW) - £55m is already proving to be a snip. Kudus has lit up north London early, and supporters are getting a little giddy over the maverick Ghanaian teaming-up with the free-spirited (potential) new arrival.
Dominic Solanke (ST) - Richarlison has saved his Spurs career, but I'm still taking Solanke as my first-choice striker. The Brazilian may have a superior sniff for goal, but I love the Englishman's channel-running. He's better as a facilitator, and more reliable technically.
Brennan Johnson (LW) - I wasn't sure where to go here, and this will probably change by the time the window slams shut. WIlson Odobert is the touchline winger we perhaps need, but lacks a little bit of substance, while Mathys Tel hasn't exactly enjoyed the most promising of starts to 2025/26. So, I've gone with Brennan. Why? He scores goals.