Tottenham's winless, goalless start: how concerned should Spurs be?
Tottenham have taken just one point from their opening three Premier League games and are yet to score a goal, making it their worst start to a league season since 2008. They host Everton on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, aiming to avoid an unwanted record.
- Fixture: Tottenham vs Everton, live on Sky Sports, Saturday
- Competition: Premier League
- Spurs' record: 0 wins, 0 goals, 1 point from three games
- Summer spend: £332m on 10 new players
- At stake: Avoid becoming the first Tottenham side to fail to score in their first four league games of a season
What was said
"I'm not concerned. It's only three games, and Spurs would've taken a draw at Nottingham Forest. It's a hard place to go under a very good manager in Oliver Glasner."
"I was at the Brentford game where Spurs were well beaten. I can fully appreciate that Tottenham being under-prepared is unacceptable, so I'll flip it round and say Brentford gave Spurs a good hiding and they fully deserved their win."
"Newcastle could have gone either way, but Spurs weren't clinical enough. But the reason why I'm not concerned is that it's still so early in the season."
"The last three games have shown me a little bit of a realisation that you can't expect it all to click so quickly when there have been so many incomings and departures."
"De Zerbi absolutely did not have any complaints about the medical team. He's working closely with the medical team."
"Let's not forget that in the last couple of seasons Spurs have suffered an injury crisis, with key players missing an entire season."
"Tottenham Hotspur have worked hard over the last few months to ensure that this doesn't happen again, including an investigation which looked into whether the pitch had a bearing on such serious injuries."
"To clarify, De Zerbi doesn't want to take players off at certain minutes, but he's instructed to do so by his medical staff. He's not challenging them or being divisive. He's working alongside them."
"If it wasn't for De Zerbi, there'd have been a very high chance Tottenham would be in the Championship right now. Spurs have given De Zerbi the keys to mould the squad how he sees fit. I'm of the opinion that he has earned the right to have those keys."
"He has made tough decisions, including allowing Luka Vuskovic to go to Brighton and to bring in Jan Paul van Hecke for a big fee despite him having a year to go on his contract."
"I must reiterate, it's three games in. For me, the start of the season for Spurs can be seen as post-transfer window. I think we won't see the real Spurs until maybe even November because there have been so many changes: new captain, new forward line, new midfield, new defence. It takes time."
"With the outlay, you have to expect that they must finish in European places. It won't be made public, but the aim must be to get back into Europe. Now, of course, when I say Europe, ideally it's the Champions League. But even if it was Europa League football, people are now more aware than ever that additional home fixtures generate revenue."
"Brad, in my personal view, mid-table is the very least they should be aiming for."
Bridge's message is clear: patience is required. He points to the scale of the rebuild under De Zerbi, with 10 new signings and a new captain, new forward line, new midfield and new defence. The reporter also dismisses suggestions of a rift between De Zerbi and his medical staff, explaining that the manager follows medical advice on substitutions to protect players from long-term injuries.
The fans' questions reflect a mix of anxiety and understanding. Some supporters are frustrated by the lack of goals and the heavy investment, while others urge calm, noting that key attacking players such as Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons have been unavailable or not match fit. Bridge himself insists that the real Spurs will not be seen until November.
The numbers
- Spurs have failed to score in their first three Premier League games for the first time since 2008.
- They had no shots on target in the 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest – their first league game without a shot on target in over four years.
- Tottenham rank mid-table for shots attempted but are bottom for expected goals (xG) per shot.
- Their overall xG is the third lowest in the Premier League.
- Only Coventry have underperformed their chances more than Spurs.
- Since the start of last season, the average xG per game by a Premier League side is 1.41, but Spurs are yet to reach that average in any game under De Zerbi.
- De Zerbi has started with three different attacking combinations in three league games and has used 10 different starters across his front three in his 10 league games in charge.
- Tottenham have made eight changes to their starting XI in the Premier League this season, the most of any side and their joint-most in the first three games of a campaign in the competition.
- Tottenham were only outrun once in De Zerbi's seven games in charge last season; this season they have been outrun in every game.
- They rank second-bottom for distance run and 16th for sprinting distance in the Premier League this season, having been in the top five under De Zerbi last season.
Deal details
No new transfers are reported in the source, but Michael Bridge references two recent deals: Luka Vuskovic was allowed to join Brighton, and Tottenham brought in Jan Paul van Hecke for a big fee despite him having a year to go on his contract.
Injury and availability
Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison and Xavi Simons are either still out or not match fit according to fan comments cited in the source. Michael Bridge adds that in the last couple of seasons Spurs have suffered an injury crisis, with key players missing an entire season, and the club has investigated whether the pitch had a bearing on those injuries.
Why Spurs' attack is misfiring under De Zerbi
The numbers paint a clear picture: Tottenham's problem is not volume of shots but quality. They rank mid-table for attempts yet bottom for xG per shot, meaning the chances they create are low-value. De Zerbi has rotated his front three constantly – three different attacking combinations in three league games and 10 different starters across the front three in his 10 games in charge. That lack of continuity is a major factor in the disjointed play.
Compounding the issue is the absence of creative players. Kudus, Kulusevski, Maddison and Simons have been unavailable or not fully fit, robbing De Zerbi of his most inventive options. Without them, Spurs have struggled to break down organised defences and have relied on hopeful efforts from distance. The manager's preference for a high-pressing, possession-based style also demands peak physical output, but Spurs have been outrun in every game this season and rank second-bottom for distance run.
Defensively, Spurs have been solid enough – the 0-0 at Forest was built on a resolute display – but the lack of goals is a serious concern. With Everton visiting on Saturday, De Zerbi must find a way to spark his attack. A goal would lift confidence and ease the pressure, but Everton will be well-drilled and will fancy their chances of keeping another clean sheet.
Talking points
- Is it fair to judge De Zerbi after just three games when he has integrated 10 new signings and is missing four key attackers through injury or lack of fitness?
- Should Spurs have signed a proven goalscorer in the summer instead of spending £332m on a broad overhaul? Troy Parrott is one name fans have suggested.
- Has De Zerbi's constant rotation of his front three hindered any chance of building momentum, or is it a necessary evil given the absences?
- Can Spurs realistically finish in the European places this season, or is a mid-table finish the best they can hope for?
What happens next
Tottenham host Everton on Saturday, live on Sky Sports. A win would relieve the growing tension and get their season up and running. Defeat or another goalless draw would intensify scrutiny on De Zerbi and leave Spurs facing a difficult international break. The manager will be desperate for a goal and three points to kickstart the campaign.
Frequently asked questions
How many games have Tottenham gone without a goal this season?
Spurs have failed to score in their first three Premier League games of the season, taking one point from a possible nine.
What did Michael Bridge say about De Zerbi's future?
Bridge said there would have been a very high chance Tottenham would be in the Championship right now if it wasn't for De Zerbi, and that the manager has earned the right to mould the squad.
Will Spurs be without key players against Everton?
According to the source, Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons are either still out or not match fit.
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