Roberto De Zerbi Faces Early Tottenham Test After Goal-Shy Start
Tottenham’s summer rebuild has yet to translate into Premier League momentum, leaving Roberto De Zerbi with an immediate test of his methods when Aston Villa visit on Saturday. Spurs have taken only two points from their opening four league matches, have not scored in the competition and sit 17th despite a major recruitment drive.
A costly rebuild has produced an early attacking problem
De Zerbi had already overseen Tottenham’s escape from a relegation threat after taking charge in late March, following unsuccessful spells under Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor. Survival gave the 47-year-old a platform for a substantial summer reset, with the head coach granted considerable influence over arrivals and departures.
Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Savio, Omar Marmoush and Mykhailo Mudryk were among the players brought in. The scale of that investment raised expectations that Spurs would move quickly away from the lower reaches of the table.
Instead, the side have made a familiar start, collecting two points from four Premier League fixtures without finding the net. Their Carabao Cup campaign has also ended, although the recent defeat to Liverpool offered some signs of the approach De Zerbi is attempting to establish.
Early sequence of De Zerbi’s Tottenham tenure
- De Zerbi arrived in late March with Tottenham facing the possibility of Premier League relegation.
- Spurs secured safety, ending a troubled period under Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.
- The club backed De Zerbi heavily in the summer market, allowing him to reshape the squad.
- Four league matches into the new campaign, Tottenham remain goalless and 17th with two points.
- Aston Villa’s visit on Saturday comes before the first international break of the 2026-27 season.
Zamora expects patience, but identifies a missing focal point
Former Tottenham forward Bobby Zamora believes De Zerbi should receive time to make the new group work. He viewed last season’s survival job as a success in itself and argued that the current campaign should be judged separately, given the number of changes made during the summer.
Zamora said De Zerbi had been allowed to recruit players he wanted and move on those he did not, adding that the situation may have been different under former chairman Daniel Levy. He pointed to De Zerbi’s opening months at Brighton, when results initially prompted concern before the manager’s ideas began to take hold after five or six games.
“I think Spurs will be fine with him and will begin to flourish,” Zamora said. “It is worrying for supporters at the moment, but I honestly think they will turn it around soon.”
He felt Tottenham were “all right” against Liverpool rather than outstanding, but said there were visible indications of De Zerbi’s intended style. His principal concern was at centre-forward, with Spurs still lacking a recognised leading striker and uncertainty remaining around Richarlison’s situation.
Management style could become part of the scrutiny
De Zerbi’s demanding, animated manner is another factor in a dressing room containing numerous new arrivals. Zamora described the Italian as a divisive character whose communication and intensity can be embraced by some players but interpreted negatively by others.
The former striker said De Zerbi’s touchline behaviour stems from his desire to win and help his players succeed, but warned that poor reactions from individuals can create friction. Establishing a united response will be important as Tottenham seek to settle an expensively assembled squad.
Villa match sets the next pressure point
Questions over De Zerbi’s position have surfaced after the poor opening, with the period leading towards the mid-November international break seen as a potential measure of whether results are improving. For now, Tottenham need a performance and a first Premier League goal against Villa to ease the tension around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
- Tottenham have two points from four Premier League games and are yet to score.
- The club are 17th after significant summer spending on eight named arrivals.
- De Zerbi previously guided Spurs away from relegation danger after joining in late March.
- Tottenham have already been eliminated from the Carabao Cup following their match with Liverpool.
- Aston Villa are the next opponents, with the fixture arriving before the first international break of 2026-27.
