'Not Football Manager' - De Zerbi says misfiring Spurs need time

Tottenham have failed to score in their opening three Premier League games and manager Roberto de Zerbi says it will take time to build his expensive squad into a team.

The new Premier League season is only three games old, but Tottenham Hotspur are already in a goal drought. Having failed to score in their opening three matches, the north London club are languishing in 16th place with just one point, and the pressure is mounting on new manager Roberto de Zerbi. However, the Italian coach remains defiant, insisting that building a team takes time and cannot be compared to a video game. De Zerbi took over the reins at Spurs in the summer, and the club backed him heavily in the transfer market, spending over €200 million on high-profile signings such as striker Alexander Isak and midfielder James Maddison. The expectation was to challenge for a top-four finish, but the reality has been starkly different. A 1-0 defeat to Leicester City was followed by a goalless draw with Everton, and then a 2-0 loss at Brighton. Three games, zero goals, and a growing sense of unease among the fanbase. Speaking after the Brighton defeat, De Zerbi acknowledged the team's struggles but urged patience. "We cannot expect to click overnight. This is not Football Manager, where you buy players and they instantly perform. Football is complex; players need to understand my tactical ideas and build relationships on the pitch. It takes time, and unfortunately, time is something we don't have in abundance," he said. De Zerbi's tactical philosophy is built on high pressing and possession-based football, which demands intense coordination and tactical intelligence from every player. However, with so many new faces in the squad, the team has looked disjointed in attack, lacking creativity and cohesion. In their three matches, Spurs have managed just 12 shots on target, a worrying statistic for a club with such attacking talent. The Italian coach, known for his meticulous approach, believes the new signings need time to adapt to his methods. "Isak is a fantastic striker; he proved that at Newcastle. But here, he has to learn new movements, new teammates, and even a new city. We cannot judge him after just a few games. I am confident that as the season progresses, they will find their form," De Zerbi explained. However, the Premier League is unforgiving, and Spurs' next fixture is a home clash against Manchester United. A defeat could plunge the club into a deeper crisis and intensify speculation about De Zerbi's future. The Italian, though, remains unfazed. "I understand the nature of football; results are what matter. But I believe in my players and my philosophy. If we stay the course, the results will come," he asserted. The fans are divided. Some echo De Zerbi's call for patience, pointing to the massive overhaul in the squad and the need for time to gel. Others are frustrated, questioning whether the heavy investment has been justified given the poor start. Social media is abuzz with debates, with some calling for a change in formation and others demanding more urgency from the players. De Zerbi, who previously impressed at Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk, is no stranger to pressure. He knows that in English football, patience is a rare commodity. "Tottenham is a great club with a rich history. We have the quality to turn this around. What we need now is time and support from everyone," he said. As the international break approaches, De Zerbi will have a chance to work with his squad on the training ground, hoping to iron out the kinks before the crucial clash with United. The coming weeks will be pivotal for both the team and the manager, as they seek to revive their season and silence the critics.

'Not Football Manager' - De Zerbi says misfiring Spurs need time

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