Roberto De Zerbi has openly admitted that the most pressing obstacle he faces at Tottenham Hotspur is reshaping the squad's collective mindset. The Italian manager made the comment after former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher, who works as a pundit for Sky Sports, blasted the team's opening two‑game run as "the worst possible start" following a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United. Tottenham have now slipped to the foot of the Premier League table after failing to find the net in either of their first two fixtures, despite having splashed roughly £320 million on new signings during the summer window.
The opening match against Newcastle saw Spurs appear more promising than their opponents for much of the game, but a second‑half strike from Anthony Elanga broke the deadlock. The visitors then doubled their lead when Yoane Wissa tapped in a close‑range effort, leaving the home side unable to respond. When asked whether the team's mental attitude was the biggest hurdle to overcome, De Zerbi answered without hesitation: "Yes, you are right. It is the biggest problem, the biggest challenge.
The primary target is to instil the right mentality." He went on to explain that a winning mindset cannot simply be purchased in the transfer market. "Football is a bit like magic," he said.
"You can bring in a host of new players in a single window and instantly achieve balance, or you might need more time to integrate them. I would like to reach the right mental state as quickly as possible because it is essential for playing good football." De Zerbi also defended the broader project the club has embarked upon, emphasizing that the plan to rebuild the squad with fresh talent is solid and that he has confidence in its eventual success.
"The club's project, the way we are rebuilding with new players, is a great plan. I have no doubt about the outcome of this project," he asserted. He reiterated his disappointment with the recent result, apologising to supporters and acknowledging the negative atmosphere that can arise after consecutive defeats. "I'm disappointed with the result and sorry for the fans.
After two losses, some might think we are repeating the story of the last two seasons, but I do not share that view. Two defeats do not define my opinion of the team," De Zerbi said. The manager expressed strong belief in the abilities of his squad, noting that once the players develop better connections on the pitch, improve their overall quality, and tighten defensive organization, the team will become competitive regardless of who is in charge. "I have huge confidence in my players.
When we become a cohesive unit, when we improve the link‑up between them, when we raise the quality of our play and our defensive shape, this group—whether I am here or another coach takes over—will succeed because they are talented individuals," he explained. He also lamented that the club is still in a building phase, suggesting that the current roster may not yet be ready to deliver immediate results for a variety of reasons.
"I am sorry for the club because we are constructing a great squad, but perhaps we are not ready yet, for many, many reasons," he added. Carragher, commenting from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, predicted that the poor start would likely trigger another signing spree. "Tottenham's start to the season couldn't have gone any worse," he said.
"But it will take time at Tottenham. A lot of new players have arrived; they've paid top dollar, especially in midfield with the likes of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali." He noted some positive signs, such as Jan Paul van Hecke's comfort on the ball, but warned that the rebuilding process is far from complete. "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," Carragher observed. The former defender argued that panic is natural among fans and the board after two early defeats, and that this will likely push the club back into the market.
"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'd won both games, you might think 'maybe we're okay, maybe we give those players until Christmas'. That certainly won't be the case after two really bad defeats," he explained.
Jamie Redknapp, also on Sky Sports' Saturday Night Football, urged patience, reminding viewers that integrating a host of new signings takes time. "There are a lot of new players at Spurs and it's going to take time. The manager has a jigsaw puzzle and he has to figure out how to fit the pieces together, which system to use, who the best three midfielders are," Redknapp said.
He highlighted that early growing pains are inevitable and pointed to senior figures like Micky van de Ven, who he felt did not provide enough leadership in the defeat. "Players who have been there for a long time can do better," Redknapp added. In summary, De Zerbi sees the transformation of Tottenham's mental approach as the cornerstone of any future success, while pundits like Carragher and Redknapp acknowledge the challenges of melding a heavily overhauled squad.
The next few weeks will be crucial as the manager works to embed his philosophy, the club evaluates whether further signings are needed, and supporters hope the team can reverse its fortunes before the season slips further down the table.