Roberto De Zerbi insists Tottenham are better than last season despite their ongoing goal drought and slow start.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has delivered an emphatic defense of his side’s tactical evolution, asserting that Spurs are performing at a higher standard than last season despite their recent struggles in front of goal. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s crucial Premier League encounter against Everton, the Italian manager addressed mounting scrutiny regarding Tottenham’s ongoing 270-minute goal drought with an optimistic evaluation of the squad’s foundational growth.
Relayed by The Spurs Watch on X, De Zerbi acknowledged the frustration surrounding recent scorelines while maintaining absolute conviction in his players.
“We are better than last season. It’s difficult to believe right now because we are not winning, not scoring but I am positive. I believe in my team, my players and the group. The players have big qualities and big potential.”
De Zerbi pointed to visible tactical adjustments between matchdays to demonstrate that his principles are taking hold within the squad. Rather than focusing purely on immediate results, the former Brighton manager highlighted structural improvements observed during their away fixture at Nottingham compared to their prior outing against Brentford.
“We are working well. In Nottingham, I watched something different than in Brentford for sure… I think we are in the right moment of improvement.”
The manager’s comments signal internal belief that Tottenham’s attacking patterns will soon yield goals once individual execution aligns with team structure.
Navigating Squad Constraints Ahead of Everton Match
De Zerbi’s public support comes at a pivotal juncture as Tottenham contend with a complex availability landscape. While young midfielder Lucas Bergvall recently signed a long-term contract extension to provide long-term stability, wide options remain severely restricted following Mykhailo Mudryk’s non-contact ankle injury and Dejan Kulusevski’s recent training setback. Additionally, striker Richarlison remains at the club after his proposed transfer to Vasco da Gama collapsed over personal terms on deadline night.
With James Maddison working back into match fitness alongside Bergvall, Sávio, and Omar Marmoush, De Zerbi faces a direct test of his philosophy against Everton. Translating positive training metrics and tactical progression into tangible three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be essential to validate the manager’s conviction that Spurs are truly moving in the right direction.
