Tottenham Hotspur have begun the new Premier League campaign without a win or a single goal, a scenario that has left many supporters questioning the club's direction after a massive summer spending spree. The most recent fixture, a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest, was particularly stark: for the first time in more than four years, Spurs failed to register a shot on target in a league match. This lack of cutting edge has raised eyebrows, especially given the £332 million outlay that brought ten new signings into the squad. The club's early-season form is the poorest since the 2008 campaign, and the team now travels to Everton on Saturday in search of their inaugural victory.
The match will be televised on Sky Sports, providing a perfect stage for the new‑look side to demonstrate progress. Sky Sports News correspondent Michael Bridge fielded questions from fans and compiled statistics that illustrate just how shaky Tottenham's start has been.
Bridge’s assessment was measured. He argued that three games is an insufficient sample size to judge the manager, especially when the team managed a draw at Forest despite a poor performance. He noted that the defeat at Brentford, where Spurs were outplayed, highlighted a lack of preparation but also served as a reality check. Newcastle, he said, could have gone either way, but Spurs simply lacked the clinical edge.
Bridge emphasized that with so many new arrivals and departures, it is unreasonable to expect immediate cohesion. In a separate interview, head coach Roberto De Zerbi dismissed any criticism of the medical department, insisting he works closely with them to safeguard player health. He reminded fans that Spurs have endured serious injury crises in recent seasons, with key figures missing entire campaigns. The club has investigated pitch conditions and other factors that might contribute to such problems.
De Zerbi clarified that while he does not dictate exact substitution minutes, he follows medical advice to protect players for the long term, hoping to avoid repeat injuries to talents like Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison. De Zerbi also defended his strategic choices, noting that without his guidance Tottenham could have slipped into the Championship.
He has been granted full authority to reshape the squad, making difficult decisions such as allowing Luka Vuskovic to leave for Brighton and investing heavily in Jan Paul van Hecke despite the latter’s contract situation. De Zerbi believes the true identity of this Spurs side will only emerge around November, once the new captain, forward line, midfield, and defence have settled. Financial expectations add another layer of pressure.
After spending heavily, the club’s hierarchy must anticipate a finish that secures European competition—ideally the Champions League, but at the very least the Europa League, which brings valuable additional home fixtures and revenue. Some analysts argue that a mid‑table position should be the absolute minimum target. The upcoming clash with Everton carries a historic footnote: if the Toffees keep a clean sheet, Tottenham will become the first team to fail to score in their first four league games of a season.
The root of the goal‑scoring problem appears to be a scarcity of high‑quality chances. While Spurs rank around the middle of the league for total shots, their expected goals (xG) per shot sit at the bottom, indicating that the opportunities they create are of low quality. Overall, Tottenham’s xG is the third‑lowest in the division, surpassed only by Coventry City in under‑performance.
Since the start of the previous season, the Premier League average xG per game has been 1.41. Under De Zerbi, Tottenham have yet to meet that benchmark in any match. One contributing factor is the lack of consistency in attacking line‑ups; the manager has deployed three different front‑three combinations across the first three league games and has started ten different players in those positions over his ten league appearances.
Selection volatility extends beyond attack. Tottenham have made eight changes to their starting XI in the league so far, the highest total among all clubs and the joint‑most in the opening three‑match stretch of any campaign. This instability has translated into worrying physical metrics. Last season, De Zerbi’s side were outrun only once, narrowly escaping relegation on the final day.
This season, however, Spurs have been outrun in every match, ranking second‑bottom for total distance covered and 16th for sprint distance, a sharp decline from their top‑five status last year. Fans and pundits alike have offered a range of reactions. Some, like RichN, argue that expecting immediate chemistry from nine or ten new first‑team players is unrealistic, especially with key creative talents such as Kudus, Kulusevski, Simons, and Maddison either injured or not fully match‑fit.
Others, such as Russ K, express disappointment, pointing out that the substantial investment should have yielded a stronger start and calling for a proven goal‑scorer—suggesting Troy Parrott as a potential solution. Conversely, several supporters remain optimistic. Mitch L believes the forward line will eventually click, praising the directness of new signing Savio Mata Gomez and predicting that a couple of goals will restore confidence.
Others, like dbuk1 and LF, stress the need for patience, noting that the squad is still rebuilding and that long‑term injuries continue to hamper full‑strength selections. Comparisons to Arsenal’s gradual rise under Mikel Arteta underline the argument for giving De Zerbi time. A recurring theme in fan commentary is the importance of allowing the new players to settle.
THFC‑TrustTheProcess highlighted that early matches were hampered by missing attackers, yet the team’s xG in the most recent game was markedly better than much of last season, suggesting progress. SLB110890 invoked the famous “Rome wasn’t built in a day” analogy, emphasizing that integrating ten new signings cannot happen overnight.
Supporters familiar with De Zerbi’s methods, such as Brighton fan Jmzrc, note that his system requires an adjustment period but ultimately produces cohesive, high‑pressing football once players understand their roles. Others, like Imran, worry about the current lack of creativity due to injuries, fearing that goal output will remain low. Overall, the consensus acknowledges that the sheer volume of changes—new manager, captain, and a dozen new faces—means early results will likely be uneven. While some fans are uneasy about the financial outlay and the current goal drought, many agree that a realistic appraisal requires at least ten games before drawing definitive conclusions.
If Tottenham can improve their chance creation, increase physical output, and allow the new squad to gel, they could still fulfill their European ambitions. Until then, the club’s supporters are urged to stay calm, support the manager, and give the team the time it needs to transform potential into performance.