Zhipan Sport

£300m spent, bottom of the table... but Spurs boss De Zerbi 'not angry'

Aug 30, 05:15 AM

Having spent more than £300m in the summer, Tottenham find themselves bottom of the Premier League, without a point or a goal, but boss Roberto de Zerbi remains optimistic.

Tottenham Hotspur's start to the new Premier League season has been nothing short of disastrous. After splashing out over £300 million in the summer transfer window to bolster the squad, the north London club find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table, the only team yet to score a goal or register a single point. However, despite the mounting criticism and fan frustration, manager Roberto de Zerbi remains remarkably calm, insisting he is "not angry" and confident that the team will soon turn things around. De Zerbi's optimism is not entirely unfounded. During pre-season, Tottenham showed promising attacking flair and tactical discipline, with new signings gradually integrating into the system. But once the league campaign kicked off, the team hit a severe case of "culture shock." In the opening match against a mid-table side, Spurs dominated possession but squandered numerous chances, losing 1-0. In the second game, defensive errors led to a collapse against a stronger opponent. After three rounds, Tottenham have scored zero goals and conceded seven, exposing major problems at both ends of the pitch. Adding to the concern is a mounting injury list and a lack of cohesion among the new players. Several key starters are sidelined, and the understanding between new arrivals and existing squad members is clearly lacking. The absence of a creative midfielder has particularly hampered the team's transition play. De Zerbi has tried various tactical tweaks, but none have yielded the desired results. In a recent interview, he acknowledged the difficulties but refused to panic: "We are facing a tough moment, but it's not the end of the world. I see the effort the players are putting in during training, and I see positive signs in their performances." Regarding the stark contrast between the massive investment and the poor results, De Zerbi understands the criticism but insists that football is not a simple game of money. "We spent a lot, but new players need time to adapt to the pace and intensity of the Premier League. We cannot judge everything after just a few matches. Chelsea went through a similar phase last season, and they eventually proved themselves." He pointed out that the team has created chances but lacked luck in front of goal, while defensive mistakes are individual errors that can be corrected through training. The Tottenham fanbase has become divided, with some calling for an immediate change of manager and others choosing to back De Zerbi. The club's hierarchy, for now, has publicly supported the Italian, believing he has a long-term project that should not be derailed by short-term results. It is reported that De Zerbi still commands respect in the dressing room, with several key players publicly endorsing his tactical philosophy. The upcoming fixtures do not get any easier for Tottenham, as they face a run of mid-to-upper table teams. If they fail to pick up a win soon, the pressure on De Zerbi will intensify. But the Italian remains composed: "All I can do is keep working and make the team better. I believe in the players and in our plan. In football, things can change very quickly; we just need one victory to turn the tide." Historically, several Premier League teams have overcome poor starts to finish strongly, and Tottenham themselves have mounted comebacks after slow beginnings, such as in the 2015-16 season. De Zerbi is clearly hoping to replicate such a turnaround. However, the reality is that Tottenham's squad, while expensive, lacks the depth and stability required for a grueling season. If they cannot resolve their defensive issues soon, they may find themselves in an even deeper hole. Regardless, De Zerbi's positive attitude has injected a dose of optimism into the club. In football, confidence is often as important as tactics. Whether Tottenham can secure their first win in the next round remains to be seen.