A Troubling Start to the Season
Tottenham Hotspur are enduring a difficult beginning to their Premier League campaign, finding themselves in 17th place after four matches. The most striking statistic is their inability to find the back of the net, having not scored a single goal in the league this season. This goalless streak extends to over 400 minutes and marks the first time since September 2006 that Spurs have failed to score in four successive Premier League matches [1]. Their recent 0-0 draw at home against Everton highlighted these offensive struggles, with the team registering an expected goals figure of just 0.64 [2]. This result was also their third 0-0 draw in the last four games, further emphasizing the lack of attacking impetus [3].
Manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is the current head coach of Tottenham Hotspur [4], has acknowledged the team’s struggles. He cited pre-season injuries to key players like Mickey van de Ven, Mateus Fernandes, James Maddison, and Dominic Solanke, as well as late transfer window signings such as Sávio, as contributing factors to the slow start and a perceived ‘mental block’ within the squad [5]. Despite these challenges, De Zerbi maintains that he does not feel pressure regarding the club’s significant summer transfer spending, emphasizing a clear plan and project for the team [6].
Summer Signings and Injury Woes
Tottenham Hotspur were active in the summer transfer window, bringing in several notable players. Matheus Fernandes, Omar Marmoush, and Sávio were all summer signings, with Sávio joining late in the window [4], [5]. Sandro Tonali also arrived, becoming the most expensive Italian footballer in history [4]. Despite these investments, the team’s offensive output has been minimal. In the recent draw against Everton, Omar Marmoush and Sávio were played in attacking positions, but the team’s attackers reportedly lacked confidence and often opted against shooting in promising positions [1], [1].
Injuries have also played a part in disrupting the team’s rhythm. Mickey van de Ven, Mateus Fernandes, James Maddison, and Dominic Solanke all suffered injuries during pre-season in Australia [5]. Mateus Fernandes, for instance, lost 15 days of training due to his injury. James Maddison, who also sustained a shoulder injury, was available for selection against Everton and made a late substitute appearance, marking his return to action [7]. Other players like Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro were also unavailable due to injury for the Everton match [3].
Tactical Choices and Player Performances
In the recent goalless draw against Everton, Roberto De Zerbi’s starting XI featured Antonín Kinský in goal, with Mickey van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Archie Gray in defence [8]. Archie Gray started at right-back in place of the injured Pedro Porro [3]. Despite the defensive solidity, which has seen the team keep consecutive clean sheets in their recent draws [4], the offensive struggles persist. Jan Paul van Hecke missed a close-range chance early in the game, and Mateus Fernandes had Tottenham’s first shot on target in the second half, which was easily saved [2], [7]. The team’s inability to convert chances and a general lack of attacking confidence have been noted by observers [7].
Off the bench, James Maddison and Mohammed Kudus were introduced as substitutes, with Maddison returning from his shoulder injury [1]. The hope is that the return of key players and further integration of new signings will help to alleviate the current goal drought. However, the anxiety among players has been observed by fans, indicating a deeper issue within the squad [9].
What it means
Tottenham Hotspur currently sit in 17th place in the Premier League table with just 2 points from 4 games. Their record of 0 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, coupled with 0 goals scored and 5 conceded, paints a grim picture. The recent form shows two consecutive 0-0 draws against Everton and Nottingham Forest, following two losses against Newcastle United (0-2) and Brentford (0-3). This extended goalless run is a significant concern for a club with aspirations of European football. The next fixture sees Tottenham host Aston Villa in the Premier League. Given their current struggles in front of goal and their position in the lower half of the table, this match will be crucial for Tottenham to break their scoring duck and start climbing the league standings.
Sources
- BBC Sport: Toothless Spurs blank again as new era turns into a false dawn bbc.co.uk ↩
- Sky Sports: Winless Spurs remain goalless after another bore draw against Everton skysports.com ↩
- The Guardian: Tottenham still waiting for first league goal of season after draw against Everton theguardian.com ↩
- Football Italia: De Zerbi claims ‘I’d be the best coach in Italy’ after winless Tottenham start football-italia.net ↩
- The Guardian: De Zerbi says Spurs have ‘mental block’ after wait for league win continues theguardian.com ↩
- Football Italia: De Zerbi insists he’s not under pressure over Tottenham transfer spending football-italia.net ↩
- BBC Sport: Tottenham analysis: Goalless start stretches to 400 minutes bbc.co.uk ↩
- Football Italia: De Zerbi under pressure: Tottenham still without a goal after 4 games football-italia.net ↩
- BBC Sport: 'I think these Spurs players look anxious' bbc.co.uk ↩