Tottenham’s Rocky Start to the Season
Tottenham Hotspur enter their upcoming Premier League fixture against Everton in a precarious position, having failed to secure a win in their opening three league matches. The club has managed just one point from a possible nine, with two losses and one draw, and has yet to score a goal this season while conceding five [1]. This poor start comes despite significant summer transfer activity, including the acquisition of Sandro Tonali, who became the most expensive Italian player ever [2]. Coach Roberto De Zerbi, who took the helm at Tottenham, has expressed confidence in his new signings, stating that he trusts the qualities of players like Tonali, Andrew Robertson, Omar Marmoush, Mateus Fernandes, Sávio, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke [1]. These players are expected to feature prominently in the starting lineup as Spurs desperately seek to turn their fortunes around against an Everton side that has historically struggled at Tottenham’s home ground. Tottenham have won their last five home meetings against Everton by an aggregate score of 14-1 [3].
Squad Changes and Contract Disputes
The team’s challenging start is further complicated by significant squad issues, most notably the absence of last season’s leading scorer, Richarlison. The Brazilian forward, who netted 11 Premier League goals for Tottenham last season, has been left out of the squad due to an ongoing contract dispute [4]. Richarlison’s future at the club is uncertain, with reports of a disagreement over the remaining nine months of his contract and a failed deadline-day move to Everton [4]. While Tottenham can trigger a 12-month extension on his contract, the current situation has seen him sidelined [4]. In more positive news for the club, young midfielder Lucas Bergvall has signed a new contract with Tottenham, despite previous interest from other clubs like Chelsea and limited playing time last season [5]. Bergvall has already featured for 45 minutes in the Premier League this season, indicating his potential role in the squad moving forward [5].
De Zerbi’s Vision and Expected Lineup
Under Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham are looking to implement a new style of play, and despite the early struggles, the coach remains unfazed by the pressure surrounding the club’s transfer spending. De Zerbi emphasized that the club has a clear plan and project, but acknowledges the need for improved results and better performances [2]. For the upcoming match against Everton, the expected starting XI features several of the new recruits. Sandro Tonali, Omar Marmoush, and Sávio are all anticipated to start, bringing fresh impetus to the team [3]. They will be joined by Andrew Robertson, Mateus Fernandes, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke, as De Zerbi looks to solidify his preferred lineup and secure a crucial first victory of the season. The manager’s confidence in his new players will be put to the test as Tottenham aims to break their winless streak and climb out of the relegation zone.
What it means
Tottenham Hotspur currently sit in 18th position in the Premier League table with just one point from three games, having scored no goals and conceded five. This places them firmly in the relegation zone early in the season. Their recent form shows a draw against Nottingham Forest, preceded by losses to Newcastle United and Brentford, indicating a struggle to find consistency and attacking prowess. The last home game against Everton, however, was a 1-0 victory in May, which might offer a glimmer of hope. The next fixture sees Tottenham host Aston Villa, a match that will be crucial for De Zerbi’s side to start accumulating points and move away from the bottom of the table. The current form suggests a significant challenge ahead for Tottenham to secure a win and kickstart their campaign.
Sources
- Football Italia: De Zerbi: ‘I’m sure’ about Tonali’s quality, ‘can’t change my idea now’ football-italia.net ↩
- Football Italia: De Zerbi insists he’s not under pressure over Tottenham transfer spending football-italia.net ↩
- The Guardian: Premier League today: how to watch Spurs v Everton, TV channels & live stream theguardian.com ↩
- BBC Sport: Richarlison's move to Vasco da Gama falls through bbc.co.uk ↩
- BBC Sport: Bergvall signs Tottenham deal after saying he wanted to leave bbc.co.uk ↩