Roberto De Zerbi has been blunt about what he sees as the most pressing issue at Tottenham Hotspur: changing the squad's mindset. After a 0-2 defeat to Newcastle that left the club winless and goalless after two Premier League fixtures, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, now a Sky Sports pundit, declared that the Spurs start "couldn't have been any worse." De Zerbi, however, insists that the mental side of the game is the primary hurdle he must overcome, and that no amount of money spent in the transfer window can instantly buy the right attitude.
Tottenham have already sunk to the bottom of the table despite splashing roughly £320 million on new signings this summer. The match against Newcastle appeared competitive for large stretches; Spurs actually played better than their opponents until midway through the second half when Anthony Elanga broke the deadlock. After that, Newcastle added a second goal when Yoane Wissa tapped home from close range, sealing a disappointing loss for the hosts.
When asked whether the team's mentality was the biggest problem he faces, De Zerbi answered without hesitation: "Yes, that's exactly it. It is the biggest problem, the biggest challenge, the biggest target – we need to find the right mentality." He went on to explain that a winning mindset cannot be purchased in the transfer market. "Football is like magic," he said.
"You can bring in a lot of players in one window and you might find balance immediately, or you might need more time. I want to achieve the right mental shift as quickly as possible because it is essential for playing good football." De Zerbi also defended the club's long‑term project, emphasizing that the plan to rebuild the squad with fresh talent is solid.
"The project, the plan of the club, 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," he affirmed, showing confidence that the current struggles are temporary. He added a note of humility and empathy for the supporters: "I'm disappointed with the result, and I'm sorry for the fans, for the atmosphere. After two defeats, some might think we are repeating the story of the last two seasons, but I have no doubt it is not the case. I cannot let two defeats change my opinion." De Zerbi expressed strong belief in the abilities of his squad, saying that when the players start to gel, improve their connections, raise the quality of their play, and tighten defensive spaces, the team will become much stronger.
"When we become a team, when we improve the link‑up between the players, when we improve the quality of the play, when we improve the defensive shape, this group, with me or any other coach, will succeed because they are talented players," he said. He also acknowledged that the club is still in a building phase: "I'm sorry for the club because they are constructing a great squad, but perhaps we are not ready yet for many reasons." Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher, speaking from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during the co‑commentary, 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.
"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." Carragher noted glimpses of promise, pointing to Jan Paul Van Hecke's performance on the ball, but warned that the work is far from finished.
He expected further signings: "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 the defeats make the board more decisive. If they'd won a couple of games, they'd probably give the new players more time, maybe until Christmas.
That certainly won't be the case after two terrible defeats." Meanwhile, former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp called for patience on Saturday Night Football. He highlighted the sheer number of newcomers and the complexity of fitting them together: "The manager has a jigsaw puzzle and he has to figure out how to fit the players in, which system to use, who the best three midfielders are. There will be teething problems." Redknapp also critiqued some of the senior players, suggesting that Micky Van de Ven and others did not do enough to lead the side, especially in front of goal. "Players who have been at the club for a long time can do better," he added.
In summary, De Zerbi sees the mental transformation of the squad as the paramount task, one that cannot be solved with a single transfer fee. While the club has invested heavily, the early results underline the difficulty of integrating a large influx of talent. Both Carragher and Redknapp anticipate further activity in the transfer market and urge supporters to allow time for the new pieces to click together. The coming weeks will be crucial for Tottenham as they strive to turn a bleak opening into a platform for the ambitious project De Zerbi and the board have outlined.