Tottenham Hotspur have begun the new Premier League campaign without a victory or a single goal, despite splashing out heavily in the summer transfer market. Their opening match ended in a 0-0 stalemate at Nottingham Forest, a game in which they failed to register a shot on target for the first time in a league fixture in more than four years. This lackluster performance highlighted the growing pains of Roberto De Zerbi’s overhauled side, which saw ten new signings arrive as part of a £332 million spending spree. The club’s current record marks its poorest league start since the 2008 season, and Spurs now travel to Everton on Saturday, hoping to secure their first win of the year.
The encounter will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and Sky Sports News’ Tottenham correspondent Michael Bridge has fielded a series of questions from supporters while also analysing the statistics that underpin the team’s early-season struggles. Bridge’s first takeaway was a measured optimism: “I’m not overly concerned. It’s only three games, and Spurs managed a draw at Forest. It’s a tough start under a very competent manager in Oliver Glasner.
I saw the Brentford defeat firsthand, and while it was a heavy loss, it underscored that Tottenham were under‑prepared and deserved the result. Newcastle could have gone either way, but Spurs simply lacked the clinical edge. The early stage of the season means we should expect a period of adjustment, especially with so many arrivals and departures.” In a separate interview, De Zerbi defended his relationship with the club’s medical department, emphasizing that he has no complaints about the team’s doctors and works closely with them.
He reminded fans that Spurs endured a severe injury crisis in recent seasons, with key figures missing entire campaigns. The club has since launched an investigation into whether the pitch contributed to those injuries. De Zerbi clarified that he does not unilaterally decide when to substitute players; those decisions are guided by medical advice, aiming to protect long‑term fitness and avoid repeat scenarios like the prolonged absences of Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison. Speaking about the broader picture, Bridge argued that without De Zerbi’s leadership, Tottenham might already be fighting a relegation battle.
The manager has been given full authority to reshape the squad, making tough calls such as allowing Luka Vuskovic to move to Brighton and paying a substantial fee for Jan Paul van Hecke despite his contract situation. Bridge stressed that three games is a tiny sample size and that the true identity of this De Zerbi‑led Tottenham may not emerge until November, given the overhaul of the captaincy, forward line, midfield, and defence. Financial expectations add another layer of pressure. With a £332 million outlay, supporters and the board alike anticipate a return to European competition, ideally the Champions League, but at the very least the Europa League.
Additional home fixtures in Europe generate significant revenue, so a mid‑table finish is now considered the bare minimum target. Statistically, Spurs’ inability to find the net is linked to a scarcity of quality chances. Although they rank around the middle of the league for total shots, their expected goals (xG) per shot is the lowest, and their overall xG sits third‑lowest in the division, surpassed only by Coventry. Since the start of last season, the average xG per Premier League side per game has been 1.41, a benchmark Tottenham have yet to meet under De Zerbi.
Another concern is the lack of consistency in attacking selections. De Zerbi has deployed three different front‑three combinations across the first three league matches and has started ten different players in those positions during his ten league games in charge. This rotation extends to the entire starting XI: Tottenham have made eight changes to their lineup in the Premier League so far, the most of any club and tied for the most in the opening three games of a campaign. Physical output has also slipped.
Last season, De Zerbi’s side were outrun only once in seven games as they narrowly escaped relegation on the final day. This season, however, they have been outrun in every match, ranking second‑bottom for total distance covered and 16th for sprint distance, a stark contrast to their top‑five sprinting figures last term. Fans voiced a range of opinions on social media.
Some, like RichN, argued that it is unrealistic to expect immediate cohesion from a squad with nine or ten new first‑team players, especially when key creative talents such as Kudus, Kulusevski, Simons and Maddison remain injured or not fully match‑fit. Others, such as Russ K, expressed disappointment given the massive spending, calling the lack of goals a serious worry and suggesting that a striker like Troy Parrott would have been a valuable addition. Conversely, supporters like Mitch L and dbuk1 were less alarmed, pointing to incremental improvements and urging patience while the new signings settle. Several commentators referenced historical precedents, noting that Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta required five to six seasons to build his current side, implying that De Zerbi should be granted a similar runway.
Overall, the consensus appears to be that while the start is far from ideal—especially considering the financial investment—the scale of the squad overhaul justifies a period of adjustment. The key will be whether Tottenham can translate their considerable resources into a cohesive, creative, and physically robust unit capable of delivering the goals and points required for a European‑qualifying finish. Until then, supporters are urged to remain calm, give the manager time, and hope that the next few fixtures will reveal the true potential of this ambitious project.