Roberto De Zerbi is discovering that words alone will not solve Tottenham's alarming start to the season. Four Premier League matches into his tenure, Spurs remain winless and have yet to score a league goal, a run that has left supporters restless and the Italian coach searching for answers beyond the training ground.
De Zerbi has taken an unconventional approach to addressing his side's toothless finishing, assigning players individual video clips to study at home—what he jokingly referred to as "homework" when speaking to reporters this week. The exercises focus on decision-making in the final third, positioning, and reaction speed, areas where Tottenham have repeatedly faltered despite generating promising situations in matches.
"In the meeting with the players, we spoke about the last third of the pitch, and I said, now I want to create individual clips for all players, for after dinner, for the players to go home and work and improve as a joke," De Zerbi explained. "I brought the homework to the players."
The lighthearted framing belies a genuine concern. Spurs have shown flashes of quality this season without converting dominance into results. Last weekend's draw with Everton was accompanied by boos from a section of supporters at full-time, an indication that patience is already wearing thin despite De Zerbi's insistence that his rebuilding project needs time.
Tottenham opened the campaign with a heavy 3-0 defeat to Brentford before showing incremental improvement, including a narrow Carabao Cup exit to Liverpool in which they created several opportunities to take the lead. Forward Omar Marmoush has been among those guilty of squandering good chances, unable to open his account for the club.
The schedule offers little immediate relief. Tottenham host a similarly struggling Aston Villa side this weekend before facing a difficult Manchester United and then newly-promoted, still pointless Coventry City after the international break. De Zerbi views these fixtures as a crucial test of whether his team can break their current cycle of promising starts followed by collapses in confidence.
"I don't know if we are able to make this click Saturday," De Zerbi admitted, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding when his side's fortunes might turn. Despite the pressure, he maintains full faith in his squad and the club's direction. "I believe in my players, I believe in this project, I have no doubt, I believe in this club," he said, adding, "For sure we have to improve."
Beyond tactical fixes, De Zerbi has emphasized rebuilding a sense of togetherness within the squad, pointing to team dinners—including a recent outing to Mayfair restaurant Bacchanalia—as vital to restoring morale. He noted that a similar visit last season preceded an upturn in form that ultimately secured Tottenham's top-flight status. "It's a pleasure going for dinner with my players," he said.
The manager has also stressed forming personal connections with individual players, citing young Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall as an example after his recent contract extension. "I would like to help the guy before the player, because he's a big potential," De Zerbi said, though Bergvall's hesitant finish at Anfield underlined the work still required.
De Zerbi has made clear that those not fully committed to his vision have the freedom to leave, a stance that has left forward Richarlison, last season's top scorer, without a route out of the club after failing to secure a summer transfer.
While the club's hierarchy has shown patience by backing De Zerbi and previously resisting pressure to dismiss predecessor Thomas Frank, the manager knows that goodwill has limits. "If [Spurs] lose, I lose," he said, aware that sentiment will only carry his project so far before results are demanded.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.