Tottenham Hotspur's massive summer investment has created an immediate challenge for manager Roberto De Zerbi, whose key integration work has been halted by the international break. The club spent around £400 million on new players following two consecutive 17th-place finishes, but the team is now bottom of the Premier League with just two points from five matches.
De Zerbi, who has been in the job only a few months, has seen most of his squad depart for three weeks of international duty. This comes at a time when the Italian's passionate, ambitious approach requires maximum time on the training pitch to build a cohesive unit. The club's high expectations, fueled by the spending spree which targets a top-four finish and trophies, are already under severe pressure.
A stuttering start
The early season data makes for grim reading at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The team has scored only two goals while conceding eight, leaving them with a -6 goal difference and 13 points adrift of leaders Manchester City. Their recent form shows no wins, two draws, and three defeats, including consecutive losses to Liverpool and Aston Villa before the break.
The 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa on September 19th typified the issues. Tottenham conceded first and struggled to recover, a recurring problem this season. Late goals from Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke provided a glimmer of hope but could not prevent another loss. You can review the full, challenging start to the campaign in our standings.
Former manager Tony Pulis commented on the situation surrounding the club. "Big spending always means big ambitions," Pulis said. He also urged patience, adding, "Let's give De Zerbi a chance."
The break has frozen any momentum De Zerbi could build from the Villa match and denied him the chance to work with a full squad. With players like Richarlison, Mykhailo Mudryk, Wilson Odobert, and Xavi Simons already sidelined, the manager's options for consistent team-building have been limited from the outset. Fans can check the latest availability on the club's injuries page.
The road ahead
Attention now turns to a daunting trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on October 10th. United themselves are in 12th place, making it a key match for both clubs. De Zerbi will have a handful of days to reassemble his squad and prepare for a fixture that could define the early direction of his tenure.
The manager's immediate task is to improve a poor home record and instil a resilience that has been missing, particularly when falling behind in games. Integrating the summer signings and establishing a clear tactical identity is the multi-million pound puzzle he must solve quickly. Supporters looking ahead can see the schedule on our fixtures list.
Tottenham's next match is away to Manchester United on Saturday, October 10th.
Read the full report at BBC Sport Football
