Tottenham Hotspur are bottom of the Premier League table going into the international break after a 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa. The result leaves them with just two points from their opening five matches, a dismal start that has manager Roberto De Zerbi questioning the squad's resilience.
De Zerbi described Spurs as "too fragile", by which he seemed to be talking both of their physicality and mentality. The Italian, brought in last March to steer the club away from relegation danger, has seen his team lose three of their first five league games. They have scored only two goals all season, the second-worst attacking record in the division, while conceding eight.
A familiar pattern
The loss to Villa followed a familiar pattern of defensive lapses. Johan Manzambi opened the scoring for the visitors just before half-time, capitalising in the six-yard box. Nicolas Jackson added a second after the break, and Emi Buendía sealed the win with a fine finish into the top corner. Late goals from Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke provided only consolation for the home support at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
This latest setback means Spurs have lost their last two matches and are yet to win a league game this campaign. Their recent form reads zero wins, two draws and three defeats. They sit 13 points behind leaders Manchester City, a gap that already looks daunting.
Spending without success
The poor form comes despite significant investment. The club spent a net £175m on improving the squad after De Zerbi's arrival, including the headline £100m signing of Sandro Tonali. Other arrivals like Mateus Fernandes, van Hecke, Sávio and Omar Marmoush were brought in late, with curtailed preseasons. The hope was that this spending, and the absence of European competition, would allow for a fresh start after two grim seasons that ended with a final-day survival scramble.
Instead, the problems persist. Key players are returning from injury, with Richarlison, Mykhailo Mudryk, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons currently sidelined. But the underlying issues appear to be as much about confidence as personnel. After years where the club's stature allowed for poor form to be dismissed as a blip, the mood is now one of deep concern. Talk of European qualification seems wildly optimistic.
The immediate focus turns to the next fixture, a trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on 10 October. United currently sit 12th, making it a critical match for both sides. The international break offers a chance to reset, but the task facing De Zerbi and his players is stark. As one observer noted, the last two seasons were grim for Spurs, but this start feels as bad as it has ever been.
Read the full report at The Guardian Football
