PrediQs research
What is Going Wrong for Roberto De Zerbi at Spurs?
When Tottenham Hotspur appointed Roberto De Zerbi on a five-year contract in March 2026, the mandate was clear: deliver exciting football and quickly climb the table. Yet, the current reality in North London is looking grim. With Spurs sitting on just a single point and desperate for their first league win of the new campaign, the early season optimism has completely vanished.
Between tactical growing pains, a mounting injury list, and dressing room drama, the club is facing an early crisis. Here is a breakdown of exactly what is going wrong on and off the pitch.
Roberto De Zerbi Tottenham Tactics: A Misfiring System The core of the issue lies on the pitch. The Roberto De Zerbi Tottenham tactics are famously built on a high-risk, high-reward philosophy of baiting the press and playing out from the back. However, the current squad is struggling to execute these demanding transitional patterns under pressure. Opponents are ruthlessly exploiting defensive vulnerabilities, forcing turnovers in dangerous areas and punishing Spurs' high line. De Zerbi’s unwavering commitment to this exact style means there is rarely a "Plan B," leaving fans deeply frustrated as the team leaks avoidable goals.
Spurs Injury News: The Solanke Void A manager’s system is only as good as the players available, and the latest Spurs injury news has dealt a massive blow to their attacking structure. Striker Dominic Solanke suffered a suspected hamstring injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers and has remained sidelined since. De Zerbi relies heavily on a dynamic forward who can press from the front and link play. Without Solanke, Tottenham lacks a focal point, making their prolonged possession phases look toothless in the final third.
The Richarlison Transfer Collapse Off the pitch, an unwanted saga has further disrupted the dressing room. The Richarlison transfer back to his boyhood club Vasco da Gama in Brazil 🇧🇷 spectacularly collapsed on deadline day due to a failure to agree on personal terms. Because the Brazilian window has now closed, the 29-year-old forward is stranded in limbo until January. Left entirely out of Tottenham's 25-man Premier League squad, Richarlison is now an expensive distraction, highlighting a severe breakdown in the club's transfer strategy and squad management.