Tottenham Hotspur have begun the new Premier League campaign without a victory or a goal, despite splashing out over £332 million in the summer transfer window. Their most recent fixture, a 0‑0 stalemate at Nottingham Forest, marked the first time in more than four years that the club failed to register a shot on target in a league match.
The result left the side with only a single point from three games, their poorest start since the 2007‑08 season, and set up a crucial showdown against Everton at home on Saturday, broadcast live on Sky Sports. Sky Sports News' Tottenham correspondent Michael Bridge fielded questions from supporters and dissected the statistics behind Spurs' early-season woes. While some fans remain calm, pointing out that three games is a very small sample size, others voice growing concern over the lack of goals and the apparent disjointedness of De Zerbi’s revamped squad. "I’m not overly worried," one fan said.
"Three games is hardly enough to judge a manager, especially when you consider the quality of the opposition and the fact that we were drawn at Forest. Oliver Glasner’s side is still finding its rhythm." Another supporter, who attended the Brentford defeat, added: "Spurs looked unprepared, and Brentford deserved the win. Newcastle could have gone either way, but we simply weren’t clinical enough. The early stage of the season means we should expect growing pains, especially with ten new signings and several departures." De Zerbi has repeatedly emphasized his cooperation with the club’s medical team, noting that injury prevention is a top priority after two seasons of serious fitness crises.
He explained that he does not decide on player substitutions in isolation; medical staff dictate when a player should be taken off to safeguard long‑term health. This approach aims to avoid repeat scenarios like the prolonged absences of Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison.
One commentator argued that without De Zerbi’s steady hand, Tottenham might already be sliding toward a relegation battle. The manager has been granted full authority to reshape the squad, making tough choices such as allowing Luka Vuskovic to depart for Brighton and splurging on Jan Paul van Hecke despite his contract situation.
The consensus among many fans is that the true identity of this De Zerbi‑led Tottenham will not emerge until at least November, given the overhaul of the captaincy, forward line, midfield, and defence. Financial expectations loom large. After spending heavily, the club is expected to finish in the European places, ideally the Champions League, but at the very least the Europa League, where additional home matches translate into significant revenue.
Some analysts argue that a mid‑table finish should be the minimum target for a side with such backing. Statistically, Spurs’ offensive output is alarming. Although they rank around the league’s midpoint for total shots, their expected goals (xG) per shot sits at the bottom of the table, and their overall xG is the third lowest, surpassed only by Coventry City.
The average Premier League side generates about 1.41 xG per game, a benchmark Tottenham have yet to meet under De Zerbi. Tactically, De Zerbi has struggled to find a settled attacking formation, fielding three different front‑three line‑ups across the opening three matches and rotating ten different starters in those positions.
In total, the team has made eight changes to its starting XI, the most of any club in the first three fixtures of a campaign. Physical metrics also raise eyebrows. Last season, Tottenham were outrun only once in De Zerbi’s seven games, narrowly escaping relegation on the final day.
This season, however, they have been out‑paced in every league encounter, ranking second‑bottom for total distance covered and 16th for sprint distance – a sharp decline from the top‑five positions they enjoyed previously. Fan reactions on social media reflect a mix of patience and frustration. RichN wrote, "Expecting a squad with nine or ten new starters to click instantly is unrealistic; we’re still missing key creators like Kudus, Kulusevski, Simons and Maddison, which hampers De Zerbi’s plans." Russ K countered, "After all that money, a three‑game goal drought is worrying – we need a proven scorer, perhaps Troy Parrott, to lead the line." Other voices, such as Mitch L, remain optimistic: "The forward line is showing signs of cohesion; once Savio Moiseyev settles, goals will follow and confidence will return." Meanwhile, users like dbuk1 and LF stress the need for calm, noting the massive squad turnover and lingering injuries, and urging supporters to give De Zerbi time, just as Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta was afforded a multi‑year project. A recurring theme is the importance of patience in a rebuilding phase.
Several commentators compare the situation to Brighton’s transition under De Zerbi, where a period of adjustment eventually yielded a high‑pressing, cohesive unit. They argue that once the new players internalise the manager’s system, Tottenham could become a formidable side. Nevertheless, concerns about creativity persist, especially with many of the previous season’s playmakers still sidelined.
Some fans warn that if the team’s attacking deficiencies are not resolved quickly, the lack of goals could become a chronic problem. In summary, Tottenham’s early Premier League performance has been characterized by a barren attack, inconsistent selections, and a physical decline compared with last season. While a segment of the fanbase urges patience, acknowledging the scale of the squad overhaul and injury list, others fear that the substantial financial outlay has not yet translated into on‑field results. The upcoming clash with Everton offers a chance to secure the first win of the season and perhaps end the goal drought, but the broader question remains: how long will it take for De Zerbi’s vision to materialise, and can Spurs meet the European ambitions that justified their summer spending?