Tottenham Hotspur have begun the new Premier League campaign without a victory or a single goal, despite splashing out more than £300 million on fresh talent. Their opening match at Nottingham Forest ended 0‑0, a game in which the visitors failed to register a shot on target for the first time in a league fixture in over four years. The result gave them their inaugural point of the season, but it also highlighted the growing pains of Roberto De Zerbi’s overhauled squad. The Italian coach arrived with a clear mandate: reshape a side that had spent heavily in the summer transfer window, bringing in ten new signings for a total outlay of £332 million.
Yet, after three league games, the team has yet to click. Their record – the worst start to a league season since 2008 – leaves them searching for their first win as they travel to Everton on Saturday, a match that will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Sky Sports News’ Tottenham correspondent Michael Bridge fielded a series of fan questions and dissected the statistics that underpin the early-season narrative. While some supporters argue that three games is too small a sample to raise alarms, others point to the lack of cutting‑edge finishing and the sheer number of changes made to the starting eleven as cause for concern. "I’m not overly worried," one fan wrote. "It’s only three games and we managed a draw at Forest.
We’re under a very capable manager in Oliver Glasner, and we’ve seen Brentford give us a good beating – they deserved that win. Newcastle could have gone either way, but we weren’t clinical enough. The early season is still a learning curve, especially with so many new arrivals." De Zerbi’s relationship with the medical department has also been a talking point. He has publicly praised the club’s medical staff, emphasizing that any decisions to rest players come from the doctors, not the coach.
This cooperation is crucial after Tottenham endured a serious injury crisis in recent seasons, with key figures missing entire campaigns. The club even launched an investigation into whether the pitch contributed to those injuries, aiming to protect assets like Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison from long‑term setbacks.
Supporters who back De Zerbi argue that without his steady hand, Tottenham could already be fighting a relegation battle. They note his willingness to make tough choices – such as allowing Luka Vuskovic to leave for Brighton and splashing cash on Jan Paul van Hecke despite the latter’s contract situation – as evidence that he has earned the trust of the board to reshape the squad. However, many fans caution that the true identity of this new Spurs side may not emerge until November. The club has introduced a new captain, a revamped forward line, a re‑engineered midfield, and a fresh defensive unit.
Integrating all those components takes time, and the early fixtures may simply be a transitional phase. Financial expectations add another layer of pressure.
After spending heavily, the club’s hierarchy is unlikely to be satisfied with a mid‑table finish; the target is a return to European competition, ideally the Champions League, but at the very least the Europa League, where extra home games translate into valuable revenue. One commentator summed it up succinctly: "Mid‑table should be the bare minimum given the outlay." Statistically, Tottenham’s struggles are evident. They have yet to score in their first three league matches, and if Everton keep a clean sheet on Saturday, it will mark the first occasion in Premier League history that Spurs have failed to find the net in their opening four games.
Their shot volume sits around the league median, but their expected goals (xG) per shot is the lowest among all clubs, indicating that the chances they create are of poor quality. Overall, Spurs rank third‑lowest in total xG, with only Coventry City performing worse relative to the opportunities they generate.
De Zerbi’s attacking selections have lacked consistency. In each of the three league games, he has fielded a different front‑three, using ten distinct starters across those positions in his ten league appearances to date.
The turnover extends beyond attack; Tottenham have made eight changes to their starting XI in the Premier League this season, the most of any side after three matches. Physical output is another area of concern. Last season, De Zerbi’s side outran opponents only once, yet they survived a dramatic relegation fight. This season, Spurs have been outrun in every match, ranking second‑bottom for total distance covered and 16th for sprint distance, a sharp decline from the top‑five rankings they enjoyed previously.
Fans on social media echo a mixture of patience and frustration. Some argue that expecting immediate cohesion from a squad with nine or ten new first‑team players is unrealistic, especially when creative lynchpins like Kudus, Kulusevski, Simons and Maddison are still sidelined or not fully match‑fit. Others feel the lack of goals after three games is a red flag, suggesting that a proven scorer such as Troy Parrott could have made a difference. A recurring theme is the need for the forward line to click.
Supporters note that when players like Savio Mendes get regular minutes, his direct style could unlock the attack. Others point to the club’s recent history of injury‑plagued seasons and stress that once the long‑term absentees return, the squad’s depth will improve. In summary, Tottenham’s early Premier League performance reflects a side in transition.
The massive summer spending, combined with a high turnover of personnel and lingering injuries, has produced a team that is still searching for its rhythm. While the lack of goals and the statistical indicators are worrisome, many fans and pundits agree that patience is essential.
The real test will come in the coming weeks, when the new signings have had time to settle, the medical staff can keep key players fit, and De Zerbi can implement his tactical vision without the constant need for wholesale changes. If the team can convert the quality chances they are beginning to create and improve their physical intensity, a return to European contention is still within reach; otherwise, the pressure on the manager and the board will only intensify as the season progresses.