Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that the most pressing obstacle he faces at Tottenham Hotspur is shifting the team’s mindset. After a dismal opening weekend that saw the club lose both of its Premier League fixtures without finding the net, former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher of Sky Sports did not mince words, declaring that Spurs’ start to the campaign "couldn't have gone any worse." The criticism comes on the back of a 0‑2 defeat to Newcastle United, a result that has left Tottenham perched at the bottom of the table despite a summer spend of roughly £320 million on new signings. In the Newcastle game, De Zerbi’s side actually performed better than their opponents for large stretches of the match. It was only midway through the second half that Anthony Elanga broke the deadlock, and the visitors failed to mount a credible response.
A few minutes later Yoane Wissa doubled the lead with a close‑range finish, sealing a loss that will sting the Spurs faithful. When pressed on whether the squad’s mentality was the principal problem, De Zerbi answered without hesitation: "You are right, yes.
It's the biggest problem, it's the biggest challenge, the biggest target is to find the right mentality." He went on to explain that a winning attitude cannot be bought in the transfer market. "Football is like magic: you can change many players in one window of the transfer market, and you can find the balance immediately, or you need more time. I would like to achieve this target quickly, as soon as possible, because it's crucial to play football," he said.
De Zerbi emphasized that the club’s long‑term project – rebuilding the squad with fresh talent – remains solid, and he expressed confidence that the plan will eventually bear fruit. The manager also reflected on the disappointment of the result, apologising to supporters and acknowledging the pressure that follows two straight defeats.
"I'm disappointed with the result, and I'm sorry for the fans, for the environment, because after two defeats, maybe somebody can think it's the same story, the same as the last two seasons. I have no doubt it's not like this. I can't change my opinion for two defeats," he asserted.
Yet his faith in the players’ abilities remained unshaken. "I have big, big confidence in the qualities of my players. At the end, when we become a team, when we improve the connection between the players, when we improve the quality of the play, when we improve the defensive space, this group, with me or with another coach, nothing changes, because they are two good players." De Zerbi also hinted that the squad is still in a developmental phase. "I'm sorry for the club, because they are building a great squad, but maybe now we are not ready yet, for many, many reasons," he admitted, suggesting that the integration of new signings will take longer than hoped.
Carragher, who was providing co‑commentary from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, predicted that the club would likely enter the market again after such a poor start. "Tottenham's start to the season couldn't have gone any worse," he said. "But it's going to take time at Tottenham.
A lot of new players have come in; they've paid top dollar, but they're quality players, certainly in the midfield area, like Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali." He noted glimpses of promise, citing Jan Paul Van Hecke’s composure on the ball, but warned that the team was far from finished. "We saw signs today in terms of Jan Paul 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 into the market again, there's no doubt about it. Not just because they've lost twice, but it makes you more decisive. If you've won both games and a couple of games and some of the players looked alright, you'd look at a couple of deals and think 'maybe we're OK, maybe we give those players until Christmas'.
That certainly won't be the case on the back of two really bad defeats." Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp also urged patience during Sky Sports' Saturday Night Football segment. He reminded viewers that Spurs have a sizeable influx of new talent and that the manager must solve a complex jigsaw puzzle to determine the optimal system and the best three midfielders. "There are going to be teething problems.
I also look at the senior players and players like Micky Van de Ven didn't do enough to lead today and certainly with the goals. Players who have been there for a long time can do better," Redknapp added.
The early season narrative at Tottenham therefore revolves around two intertwined themes: the urgent need to cultivate a winning mentality and the realistic time‑frame required for a squad heavily overhauled in the summer to gel. While the financial outlay has been massive, De Zerbi stresses that money alone cannot manufacture belief or cohesion. The manager’s priority is to instil confidence, improve on‑field communication, and tighten defensive structures so that the team can translate its individual talent into collective success. In the weeks ahead, Spurs supporters can expect a period of adjustment.
The coaching staff will likely experiment with different formations, rotate players to discover effective partnerships, and perhaps make strategic signings to address identified gaps. The club’s hierarchy appears committed to supporting De Zerbi’s vision, recognising that rebuilding a competitive side is a marathon rather than a sprint.
Ultimately, the challenge for Tottenham is to turn the current adversity into a catalyst for growth. If De Zerbi can embed the right mindset, harness the quality of his acquisitions, and navigate the inevitable growing pains, the team could emerge stronger and more resilient. For now, the focus remains on steady improvement, patience from the fan base, and a belief that the season’s early setbacks are merely the opening chapter of a longer, more promising story.