Tottenham Hotspur 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. The Italian coach said the defeat underlined the fact that his squad, despite a massive summer spending spree, is still "not a team yet".
He pointed to a lack of fighting spirit and a physical unpreparedness that stemmed from a disrupted pre‑season caused by the World Cup and a late return from the club's tour of Australia. De Zerbi’s comments were echoed by former England international Jamie Redknapp, who described the Spurs line‑up as a "team of strangers" who lacked cohesion and the instinctive understanding that comes from playing together over time.
Spurs have already committed more than £300m in transfer fees, with high‑profile targets such as Manchester City duo Savinho and Omar Marmoush reportedly close to being signed. Yet only five of the six newcomers featured in the Brentford game, and the result suggested that simply adding talent does not automatically translate into on‑field chemistry.
De Zerbi explained that the players arrived late after the World Cup, missed crucial preparation sessions, and therefore could not develop the tactical synchronisation needed for a smooth start to the campaign. During his post‑match press conference the manager said: "I think we are not a team yet, for a lot of reasons. We can set a target when we become a team.
Before we become a team, we cannot say what we are capable of." He went on to highlight the squad’s physical condition, noting that the preseason in Australia did not allow the team to train properly and that many players were still adjusting to the rigours of the English game. "These are not excuses," he added, "they are part of the normal growing‑pain when you are building a new project and a new process." De Zerbi praised the character of his players and the club’s ethos, but admitted that the performance against Brentford was far from satisfactory.
"We lost too many duels, we made too many mistakes in timing when we wanted to press higher, we failed to win a single second ball, a single tackle," he said. He stressed that the immediate focus must be on forging a collective identity: "You cannot become a team through the transfer market alone.
A team is built when the players find a connection, develop a spirit and discover a soul together." Jamie Redknapp echoed those sentiments, stating that the side looked like a collection of individuals rather than a coordinated unit. He criticised the lack of partnership between centre‑backs Jan Paul Van Hecke and Marcos Senesi, the insufficient number of duels won, and expressed doubts about the creativity of Conor Gallagher in the number ten role. Redknapp concluded that Tottenham must improve on the fundamentals—defensive solidity, pressing intensity, and creative spark—if they hope to avoid a repeat of last season’s narrow escape from relegation. Looking ahead, De Zerbi said Spurs will try to bounce back in the Carabao Cup second round against Charlton Athletic on Wednesday, before facing Newcastle United in the league on Saturday.
He reiterated that the team must develop both "soul" and "style of play". "When we find those two conditions, we can become dangerous for everyone. Until then, we have to endure growing pains, and perhaps this defeat will make us stronger," he added.
The match itself highlighted specific tactical issues. Brentford’s second goal came after a soft mistake: Lucas Bergvall’s misplaced pass allowed Mathias Jensen to shoot, the ball rebounded, and Vitaly Janelt finished.
Bergvall was substituted at halftime for veteran midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, but De Zerbi admitted that the 20‑year‑old would struggle against Brentford’s physicality and that Bentancur was not fully fit to start. He praised Bergvall’s effort, saying the youngster will learn not to lose the ball in such moments as he gains experience. De Zerby also reflected on the defensive lineup, noting that last season’s back line of Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie was replaced by a largely new quartet of Archie Gray, JP Van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson.
In midfield, the combination of Bentancur and Joao Palhinha gave way to Bergvall and the newly signed Tonali. This wholesale turnover explains part of the lack of cohesion.
A notable moment from the game was the appointment of 20‑year‑old Archie Gray as Spurs’ youngest ever captain in a competitive match, filling in for the absent new skipper Micky van de Ven. Gray, playing at right‑back due to Pedro Porro’s delayed return from the World Cup, admitted the team were out‑fought across the park and that the fans deserved better. "We lost too many duels. They just out‑fought us all over the park.
We need to watch the footage and improve," he told Sky Sports. In summary, De Zerbi’s candid assessment makes it clear that Tottenham’s massive investment will not yield immediate results until the players develop a shared understanding and a collective fighting spirit. The manager’s emphasis on building "soul" and a distinctive style of play suggests a long‑term project rather than a quick fix.
While the early season loss is painful for supporters, it may serve as a catalyst for the squad to tighten up defensively, increase their pressing intensity, and forge the connections necessary to compete at the highest level. The upcoming cup tie against Charlton and the league clash with Newcastle will provide early opportunities to gauge progress, but De Zerbi warns that even a win will not instantly transform the group into a cohesive unit. Patience, continued training, and the gradual integration of new signings will be essential if Tottenham hope to fulfil the lofty expectations set by their unprecedented summer spend.