Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that the most pressing issue he faces at Tottenham Hotspur is altering the collective mindset of the squad. His comments come after former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, condemned the team's opening two‑match performance as "the worst start you could imagine" following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United.
Tottenham have now dropped points in their first two Premier League fixtures, failing to find the back of the net in either game and finding themselves perched at the very bottom of the table despite splashing roughly £320 million on new signings during the summer window. In the Newcastle match, Spurs actually looked the better side for large periods. They held their own until the 55th minute when Anthony Elanga broke the deadlock, and the hosts never recovered, conceding a second goal when Yoane Wissa tapped in from close range.
When asked whether the team's mentality was the primary obstacle, De Zerbi did not hesitate. "You're right, yes – it is the biggest problem, the biggest challenge. The main target is to instil the right mentality," he said. "You can't simply purchase a mentality in the transfer market.
Football is a bit like magic; you can bring in a host of new players in one window and instantly click, or you might need a longer period to find balance. I want to achieve this as quickly as possible because the right mindset is essential for playing good football." He went on to praise the club's overall project, stressing that the plan to rebuild a new side with fresh talent is solid and that he has confidence in its eventual outcome. "The plan, the project of the club, what we are doing to rebuild a new team with new players, is a great plan, a great project, and I have no doubt about the result of this project," De Zerbi added.
The Italian manager also reiterated his belief that this campaign will differ from the two previous seasons, during which Tottenham finished 17th on the league table. He expressed disappointment with the recent result and apologized to supporters, acknowledging that two early defeats could tempt some observers to draw parallels with the past. "I'm disappointed with the result, and I'm sorry for the fans, for the atmosphere.
After two defeats, people might think it's the same story as the last two seasons. I have no doubt it is not. I cannot change my opinion based on two losses," he explained. Nevertheless, De Zerbi emphasized his faith in the squad's quality.
"I have huge confidence in the abilities of my players. When we become a cohesive unit, when the link‑up between the men improves, when the quality of our play rises and we tighten our defensive shape, this group – with me or any other coach – will succeed because they are talented players," he said. He also admitted that the club is still in a building phase and that the current roster may not yet be ready to deliver consistent results.
"I'm sorry for the club because they are constructing a great squad, but perhaps we are not ready yet for many reasons." Carragher, who was providing co‑commentary from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, predicted that Spurs would likely enter the market again after such a poor start. "Tottenham's start to the season couldn't have gone any worse," he remarked. "But it will take time at Tottenham.
A lot of new players have arrived; they've paid top dollar, and they are quality players, especially in midfield – think of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali." He noted glimpses of promise, citing Jan Paul van Hecke's comfort on the ball, but warned that the rebuilding process is far from finished. "We saw signs today in terms of Van Hecke on the ball, but it won't be finished.
I think there will be more to come. It's natural that people will panic a little and Tottenham will go back into the market, there's no doubt about it.
Not just because they've lost twice, but because two heavy defeats make you more decisive. If they'd won both games, you might think, 'maybe we're okay, maybe we give these players until Christmas.' That certainly won't be the case after two terrible defeats." Jamie Redknapp, also on Sky Sports, urged supporters to exercise patience.
"There are a lot of new players at Spurs and it's going to take time," he said. "The manager has a jigsaw puzzle and he needs to figure out how to fit the pieces together, which system works best, and who the top three midfielders are." Redknapp highlighted that teething problems are inevitable and pointed to senior figures like Micky van de Ven, who he felt did not provide enough leadership on the day.
"Players who have been there for a long time can do better," he added. In summary, De Zerbi acknowledges that reshaping the team's mental approach is his primary mission, while pundits like Carragher and Redknapp stress the necessity of time and possibly further recruitment to unlock the potential of a squad that has already attracted significant investment. The coming weeks will be crucial for Tottenham as they seek to turn a bleak opening into a platform for progress, hoping that the blend of new signings, tactical adjustments, and a refreshed mindset will eventually translate into the points they desperately need.