Five new starters, three goals conceded, zero excuses
Tottenham’s season began with a beating at Brentford. Three in, none out, and five of the six summer arrivals in the starting XI. Roberto De Zerbi reached for nothing at full time.
“I think we are not a team yet, for many reasons. We can set a target once we are a team. Before that, we cannot say what we are capable of,” the Italian said.
Blunt words from a manager handed one of the most expensive squads in the division.
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What a blockbuster window actually bought
Spurs spent, and then spent again. Sandro Tonali came from Newcastle for 100 million pounds. Andy Robertson left Liverpool after nine years. Savinho arrived from Manchester City. Omar Marmoush signed on Sunday too, a loan with an option worth close to 58 million euros.
Six significant signings, a new manager, a new system, and a pre-season that barely happened. De Zerbi flagged the calendar without hiding behind it: “We are not physically ready. The players arrived late after the World Cup because, during the pre-season tour in Australia, we could not prepare them properly for this trip, we are not taking any risks.”
Autumn is not soon enough for this board
The former Marseille boss has been through this cycle before. At Brighton and at OM, his sides took weeks to absorb the possession patterns and the pressing triggers. What is different in north London is the patience available. Nobody writes those cheques and then waits until October.
“Now the aim is to become a team. You do not become a team just because of the summer transfer window, with the players on paper, no,” he said. Aimed at the dressing room, and at the directors, with seven days of the window still to run.
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