De Zerbi admits Tottenham are still a work in progress after Brentford defeat
By Joel Masibo, August 23, 2026Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi conceded that his revamped squad has yet to develop into a cohesive unit after Spurs began their Premier League campaign with a disappointing 3-0 defeat away to Brentford on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
The result came despite Tottenham investing heavily during the summer transfer window, with five of their six new recruits featuring at the Gtech Community Stadium. Their lack of cohesion was evident throughout the contest.
Tottenham’s spending is expected to move beyond £300 million (approximately Ksh53 billion), with the club also progressing towards deals for Manchester City duo Savinho and Omar Marmoush.
De Zerbi acknowledged after the match that Tottenham were second best in several key areas and admitted the side is still some way from reaching the level he expects.
Not yet a team!
“I think we are not a team yet, for a lot of reasons. We can fix the target when you become a team. Before (we) become a team, we can’t say what we can do.
“We are not in the right point in physical condition for a lot of reasons. For the players, they came late after the World Cup because in Australia [pre-season tour] we couldn’t work in the right way for the trip; we don’t take risks for a lot of things,” the coach explained.
The Italian insisted, however, that the circumstances should not be used as an excuse, arguing that building a new squad and implementing a new tactical approach naturally requires patience.
“But (these) are not excuses, (this is) the normal situation when you are building a new project, a new process. I don’t want time, but we have to pass through these problems.
“I believe in my players, I believe in my club, I believe in myself. After the Hoffenheim game [final pre-season game last weekend], I said we are not in the right point, we are late for the start of the Premier League, but it’s a step; we have to improve quickly.
“We could fight stronger than we did today. We lost too many duels, we made too many mistakes in the timing when we wanted to push the pressure higher. We arrived second on the second ball; we didn’t win one second ball, one duel, one tackle, and it’s tough.”
De Zerbi said the immediate priority is to establish stronger relationships between the players rather than simply relying on the quality of their summer recruits.
“Now the focus and the target is to become a team because a team. You can’t become a team for the transfer market window – the player on paper, no.
“You become a team with the players; they find the connection between them, they find the spirit, they find the soul – it’s a process.” He said.
Next assignment
Tottenham now have an opportunity to respond when they welcome Charlton Athletic in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, before facing Newcastle United in their next Premier League fixture on Saturday.
De Zerbi believes the development of the squad will depend on two fundamental qualities: togetherness and an identifiable style of football.
“We have to become a team, and to become a team, in my home, there are two big conditions: the soul and the style of play, and today, we didn’t show the soul, and we didn’t show the quality of the play with the ball and without the ball.
“When we find these two conditions, I think we can become dangerous for everyone.
“Until we reach these conditions, we have to suffer, and today, I think this defeat is important for us because maybe we woke up stronger than we thought.”
He added: “We need time, but I think we are much better than we showed today. So, from Wednesday, we can show our qualities and who we are.
“But even if we win Wednesday or next Saturday, we need time to become a team,” he added.