Spurs’ Challenging Start to the Season
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi faces the task of addressing a perceived losing mentality within his squad, following a disappointing start to the Premier League season. Despite significant investment in new players, Spurs suffered a notable defeat in their first league match, raising concerns about the team’s resilience under pressure.
De Zerbi, who took over in March with the immediate goal of securing top-flight status, acknowledged his role often extends beyond coaching to psychology. While he successfully kept Spurs in the league last season with a final-day victory against Everton, the recent performance against Brentford suggested that financial outlay alone might not resolve deeper team issues.
The match saw Brentford dominate, with Keane Lewis-Potter opening the scoring after 12 minutes, followed by Vitaly Janelt doubling the lead before half-time. Michael Kayode extended Brentford’s advantage to 3-0 in the 49th minute. De Zerbi expressed his disappointment, noting a lack of fight and physical conditioning among his players, some of whom had recently returned from the World Cup or were new to the squad.
The manager commented on the team’s performance, stating, “Bad game. We lost and suffered the difference in the duels. It was the key of this game. We didn’t fight in the right way.” He also acknowledged that the physical condition of some players was not at the required level due to late returns and new arrivals.
New Signings and Transfer Strategy
Tottenham has been active in the transfer market, spending over £200m on six first-team players this summer. Among the new recruits, Sandro Tonali joined from Newcastle United for £100m. Other notable arrivals include Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52m, and Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and Martin Dubravka on free transfers.
Four new acquisitions—Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Sandro Tonali—made their debuts in the opening match. Tonali, in particular, was outshone by Brentford’s Mamadou Sangare, who was highlighted as the game’s outstanding performer. De Zerbi mentioned that Tonali, Senesi, and van Hecke were not in optimal physical condition, a factor known before the game.
In further transfer news, Tottenham is reportedly close to securing Savinho from Manchester City in a deal valued at £85m, which includes an initial £75m and an additional £10m in add-ons. Of these bonuses, £5m is understood to be guaranteed, potentially bringing the total to at least £80m for Manchester City. Savinho, a Brazil international, is expected to undergo a medical. Spurs are also in advanced negotiations for another Manchester City forward, Omar Marmoush, with talks progressing positively.
Addressing the Team’s Mentality
De Zerbi’s primary concern remains the team’s mental fortitude. He observed that despite the significant changes in personnel and transfer strategy, the team’s response to pressure mirrored past issues. The manager noted a lack of heart and fight, which he considers his biggest challenge. He stressed that simply acquiring new players with substantial funds is not enough to instill mental strength.
The club’s financial health is robust, with revenues of £549.2m, placing them as the ninth richest club globally according to the Deloitte Money League. This financial strength, coupled with a shift in strategy under new leadership, has enabled the club to invest heavily in the squad. The new leadership had promised fans to spend club revenue on the first team, a promise they are delivering on.
Despite the influx of new talent, De Zerbi believes the team’s problems run deeper than just personnel. He emphasized the need to change a culture where defeats have become common. The manager concluded that the spirit displayed by Brentford should serve as an example for his team, underscoring that the first XI should be capable of competing and achieving results.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Savinho had expressed a desire to leave the club since the beginning of the summer, making it difficult to convince him to stay.
Source: bbc.co.uk
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