Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has called on his squad to overcome what he described as a psychological hurdle after his side's winless start to the Premier League season stretched further with a goalless draw at home to Everton.
The result leaves Spurs without a victory in four league matches, sitting 17th in the table with just two points on the board. Home supporters voiced their frustration as the final whistle sounded, with the team failing yet again to find the back of the net.
De Zerbi acknowledged the growing concern but pointed to a mix of physical and mental factors behind the sluggish start. He referenced the club's pre-season tour to New Zealand and Australia, during which several key players picked up injuries that have disrupted their preparation for the campaign.
"I said we started this season late for many, many reasons; too late," De Zerbi explained. He detailed the toll the World Cup and various fitness issues have taken on his squad, noting that Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke, James Maddison and Mateus Fernandes all suffered injuries during the tour. Fernandes, he said, lost around two weeks of work as a result. The Italian coach also mentioned that new arrivals Sávio and Omar Marmoush only joined full training roughly ten days ago, meaning he has only had the entire squad together for a relatively short period.
"I started to work with this whole group not last Thursday but two Thursdays ago," De Zerbi said, adding that he believes the team has not yet reached its ideal physical condition.
Despite the disappointing run, De Zerbi praised his players' performance in the opening stages against Everton, saying Spurs looked lively and threatening for the first half hour before fading. He suggested that the lack of goals may be affecting confidence levels among certain individuals within the squad.
"We played very well in the first 30 minutes and then maybe the energy, maybe the fact we didn't score... maybe we lost in some players a little confidence," he said. "We have to be not positive but realistic."
Turning to the Italian language for a fitting description, De Zerbi used the term "sbloccarsi" to capture what he believes his team needs to do. "There is a word in Italian – sbloccarsi – that literally translates as if we unblock ourselves," he said. "It is a mental block because four games, no wins, no goals scored... it is tough for the players."
The manager remained confident in his squad's quality, insisting that goals will come once the group finds its rhythm. He noted that, aside from recognized scorers like Solanke and Marmoush, many of his other players have not historically been prolific goalscorers, meaning the team must find alternative ways to convert its chances.
"The team is extremely strong, we can score goals and we can win games," De Zerbi said, adding that respecting the individual histories of his players is important when assessing expectations.
Looking ahead, De Zerbi identified specific areas for improvement, particularly in the final third of the pitch. He said Tottenham need to sustain their intensity throughout matches rather than fading after a strong start, and that sharper decision-making and more shots on goal, especially when space is available, will be crucial.
"If we extend that part of the game to 60, 70, 80 and 90 minutes, in my opinion, we are going to win many games," he said, while stopping short of placing blame on any individual. "I can't say nothing bad about the players."
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.