Tottenham Hotspur remain without a win or a goal after four Premier League games, currently sitting 17th in the table with two points. Following their recent 0-0 draw at home to Everton, manager Roberto De Zerbi spoke about a “mental block” affecting his players, according to The Guardian. Frustrated fans booed the team off the pitch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
De Zerbi Attributes Struggles to ‘Mental Block’ and Fitness
De Zerbi stated that his team needs to “unblock” themselves psychologically, using the Italian word “sbloccarsi.” He acknowledged the difficulty for players facing four games without a win or a goal, but maintained that the team is “extremely strong” and capable of scoring and winning. The manager suggested that the players’ careers, where many have not scored “many, many goals,” contribute to the problem, and that solutions must come from the “quality of our play.” He observed a positive opening 30 minutes against Everton but noted a subsequent loss of “energy” and “confidence” due to the inability to score. De Zerbi believes extending that period of effective play to 60, 70, or 90 minutes will lead to wins, emphasising improvement in the “last third of the pitch.”
Pre-season Injuries and Late Signings Cited
Beyond the psychological aspect, De Zerbi highlighted several reasons for the slow start, including a lack of physical fitness. He reiterated a “familiar theme” about the pre-season tour, stating the season began “too late” for many reasons. A number of players, including Micky van de Ven, Domi Solanke, James Maddison, and Mateus Fernandes, sustained injuries during the long-haul tour to New Zealand and Australia. The impact of the World Cup on player return dates was also mentioned, alongside the late transfer window signings of Sávio and Omar Marmoush, who joined only ten days prior to his comments. For more on Premier League football, readers might be interested in whether England Qualifies for World Cup 2026.
On-Pitch Discussion with Mathys Tel
Following the goalless draw with Everton, De Zerbi was seen in a heated discussion with second-half substitute Mathys Tel. The London Evening Standard reported De Zerbi confirmed he was “coaching him on the pitch,” discussing the “body shape of a striker” and how Tel, who started his career as a striker before moving to winger, should position himself to “look at the goal” or “stay inside” on crosses. Despite having publicly criticised Tel’s performance against Nottingham Forest the previous weekend and dropping him to the bench for the Everton match, De Zerbi insisted, “I love Mathys as a player, as a guy. There is not a problem.” Information on other teams, such as Everton Scout Ivory Coast Star Guela Doue, remains of interest to fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is Tottenham Hotspur’s current league position?
A: Tottenham currently sits 17th in the Premier League table with two points after four games. - Q: Why does Roberto De Zerbi believe Spurs are struggling to score?
A: De Zerbi attributes the struggles to a “mental block,” a lack of physical fitness due to pre-season injuries and late player arrivals, and players not historically being high goalscorers. - Q: How many consecutive Premier League games have Spurs failed to score in?
A: Spurs have now played four consecutive Premier League games since the start of the season without scoring a goal. - Q: What was the nature of the interaction between De Zerbi and Mathys Tel?
A: De Zerbi explained he was coaching Tel on the pitch about his body shape and positioning as a striker, stating that while it was a heated discussion, there is “not a problem” between them.
