Tottenham Hotspur's manager Roberto De Zerbi did not hide his disappointment after the team's 3-0 loss to Brentford on the opening day of the Premier League season, stating that the side is still far from becoming a true "team" despite a massive summer transfer spend. The Italian coach explained that the squad lacked the necessary fighting spirit and cohesion, acknowledging that the players were still adjusting after a delayed pre‑season caused by the World Cup. His comments were echoed by former England international Jamie Redknapp, who described the Spurs lineup as a "team of strangers" lacking the chemistry required to compete at the highest level. De Zerbi, who took charge of Spurs in the summer, highlighted the sheer volume of new faces in the squad.
More than five of the six signings that arrived during the transfer window featured against Brentford, yet the result was a heavy defeat that reminded supporters of the club's back‑to‑back 17th‑place finishes before they narrowly escaped relegation last season. The manager said at the post‑match press conference: "We are not a team yet, for many reasons. Until we become a team we cannot set realistic targets or predict what we are capable of achieving." He went on to explain that the physical condition of the players was not optimal. "Many of the players arrived late after the World Cup and the pre‑season tour in Australia did not allow us to work the way we wanted.
We are not taking unnecessary risks, but we cannot use that as an excuse. This is the normal situation when you are building a new project and a new process. I don't want more time, but we have to get through these growing pains," De Zerbi said. The manager expressed confidence in his squad despite the setback.
"I believe in my players, I believe in the club, I believe in myself. After the Hoffenheim game last weekend we knew we were not at the right point, but it was a step forward. We have to improve quickly," he added. He criticised the team's inability to win second balls, duels and tackles, noting that Spurs failed to claim a single second ball or win a duel in the Brentford match.
According to De Zerbi, the priority now is to develop a genuine team spirit. "You cannot create a team through the transfer market alone.
A team is forged when players find connections, develop a shared spirit and discover a collective soul. It is a process, not a transaction," he explained.
Jamie Redknapp, speaking on Sky Sports, agreed that Spurs looked like a collection of individuals rather than a unified side. He pointed out the lack of understanding between centre‑backs Jan‑Paul Van Hecke and Marcos Senesi and lamented the team's poor duel statistics.
Redknapp also questioned the creative output, saying, "I never liked the look of the XI, I didn't see the creativity I expected from Conor Gallagher in the number 10 role." Looking ahead, Tottenham will try to bounce back in the Carabao Cup, where they face Championship side Charlton Athletic on Wednesday, before a Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Saturday. De Zerbi stressed that the journey to becoming a cohesive unit will require time and patience. "When we finally find the soul and the style of play, we will become dangerous for everyone.
Until then we must endure the growing pains and learn from defeats like today," he said. The match itself featured a soft second goal for Brentford when Lucas Bergvall's pass allowed Mathias Jensen to shoot, leading to Vitaly Janelt's rebound. Bergvall was substituted at halftime for Rodrigo Bentancur, a decision De Zerbi defended by noting that the 20‑year‑old would struggle against Brentford's physicality and that Bentancur, despite his experience, was not fully fit after a late return to training. De Zerbi reflected on the defensive lineup, comparing last season's back four—Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie—to the current configuration of Archie Gray, JP Van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, all of whom are new arrivals.
He also highlighted the midfield changes, with Bergvall and the newly signed Tonali replacing Bentancur and Joao Palhinha from the previous campaign. The young defender Archie Gray made history by becoming Spurs' youngest ever captain in a competitive match, wearing the armband in the absence of new skipper Micky van de Ven.
Gray, who was deployed at right‑back due to Pedro Porro's delayed return, admitted the team lacked fight and said, "We lost too many duels. They simply out‑battled us across the park.
We need to review the footage and improve that aspect." In summary, De Zerbi's candid assessment underscores the reality that Tottenham's ambitious summer overhaul has yet to translate into on‑field unity. The manager, his players, and the club's supporters must accept a period of adjustment, focusing on building the intangible qualities—team spirit, shared understanding, and a clear playing style—that will ultimately turn the substantial financial investment into consistent performances and results.
The upcoming fixtures in the cup and league will serve as early tests of how quickly the new Spurs can start to gel and show the promise that their spending suggests.