Tottenham Hotspur have begun the Premier League campaign without a win or a single goal, despite splashing out over £330 million on new talent. Their most recent match, 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 fixture. The lack of firepower and points has left the team languishing at the bottom of the table, prompting a flood of questions about whether the new manager, Roberto De Zerbi, can turn the tide. The summer transfer window saw ten new faces arrive at the Tottenham training ground, a level of turnover the club has not seen since the 2008 season.
While the financial outlay suggests ambitions of European qualification – ideally the Champions League, but at least a Europa League berth – the early results tell a very different story. After three games, Spurs have secured only a solitary point and remain the lowest‑scoring side in the league. Their expected‑goals (xG) per shot is the worst in the division, and their overall xG sits third‑lowest, trailing only Coventry City in under‑performance.
Fans and pundits alike are debating whether three matches are enough to judge the project. Some, like Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge, argue that the sample size is too small to raise alarms. "I'm not concerned.
It's only three games," he says, noting that the draw at Forest was a hard‑fought point and that the team is still adjusting to De Zerbi's tactics. Others point out that the lack of clinical finishing – evident in the zero‑goal return – is a serious warning sign, especially given the high expectations attached to the summer spending. Injury concerns also loom large. De Zerbi has publicly praised the club's medical department, emphasizing a collaborative approach to player fitness.
Recent seasons have seen Spurs suffer prolonged injury crises, with key figures missing entire campaigns. The manager insists that any decision to substitute a player early is driven by medical advice, not personal whim, and he hopes this partnership will prevent repeat scenarios like the prolonged absences of Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison.
Strategically, De Zerbi has already made tough roster choices. He permitted Luka Vuskovic to move to Brighton and invested heavily in Jan Paul van Hecke, despite the defender having a year left on his contract. These moves reflect a desire to reshape the squad according to his vision, but they also mean that the team is still in a state of transition. With a new captain, a revamped forward line, fresh midfield options, and a restructured defence, cohesion cannot be expected overnight.
Bridge predicts that the "real Spurs" may not emerge until November, once the new personnel have had time to gel. Statistically, the early season picture is bleak. Tottenham have been outrun in every league game under De Zerbi this term, a stark contrast to the previous season when they were only beaten once in seven matches and escaped relegation on the final day. Their physical output has dropped dramatically, ranking second‑bottom for total distance covered and 16th for sprint distance.
Last season they were among the top five in both categories, highlighting a regression in work rate that could be linked to both tactical adjustments and the fitness of the squad. Supporter sentiment on social media mirrors this mixed outlook. Some fans, like RichN, argue that expecting immediate chemistry from nine or ten new first‑team players is unrealistic, especially when several creative talents such as Kudus, Kulusevski, Simons and Maddison remain sidelined or not fully match‑fit. Others, like Russ K, feel the spending should have produced a stronger start and call for a proven goal scorer – suggesting Troy Parrott as a potential target.
A more optimistic voice, Mitch L, believes the forward line will eventually click, praising the directness of newcomer Savio and predicting that a couple of goals will restore confidence. The broader narrative is that Tottenham are navigating a rebuilding phase under a manager known for his systematic approach. As former Brighton defender Lewis Dunk observed, De Zerbi’s teams often need time to internalise the system before they can “fly.” Patience, therefore, appears to be the prevailing theme among many observers. They argue that the club must allow the Italian coach to implement his ideas without the pressure of immediate results, especially given the scale of the squad overhaul.
Nevertheless, the financial stakes cannot be ignored. The £332 million investment creates an implicit expectation that the team will compete for European places. While the club has not officially disclosed its targets, the prevailing view among analysts is that a mid‑table finish is the bare minimum, with Champions League qualification being the ultimate goal. The lack of goals and the inability to dominate matches, however, suggest that the journey to those objectives will be longer than many supporters hoped.
Looking ahead to the upcoming fixture against Everton, Spurs will be keen to avoid a historic first – failing to score in their first four league games. A clean sheet for Everton would cement that unwanted record, while a goal for Tottenham could serve as a much‑needed catalyst.
The match, broadcast live on Sky Sports, offers a chance for the new signings to showcase their quality and for De Zerbi to fine‑tune his attacking combinations, which have already varied across three different line‑ups in three games. In summary, Tottenham’s early season woes stem from a combination of squad turnover, injury setbacks, tactical experimentation, and a dip in physical intensity. While the lack of goals is alarming, many experts argue that three games are insufficient to condemn the project.
The true test will be whether the team can translate its substantial financial outlay into consistent performances and, ultimately, the points needed to secure a European berth. Patience, strategic adjustments, and a return to fitness for key players will be essential if the Spurs faithful are to see their investment pay off.