LONDON — Tottenham Hotspur remain winless and goalless after three Premier League games despite a £332m summer outlay, held to a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest last weekend in a match where they failed to register a shot on target for the first time in over four years. Roberto De Zerbi's new-look side, featuring 10 new arrivals, sit on one point in their worst league start since 2008 and host Everton on Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 5pm with kick-off at 5.30pm.
The numbers underline the struggle. Spurs rank mid-table for shots attempted but sit bottom for expected goals per shot and third-lowest for overall xG, with only Coventry underperforming their chances by a wider margin. Since the start of last season the Premier League average is 1.41 xG per game, a mark Spurs have not reached in any game under De Zerbi. Physical output has also dipped — outrun in all three games this season after being outrun just once in seven games under De Zerbi last term — ranking second-bottom for distance covered and 16th for sprinting distance after finishing top five last season.
Sky Sports News Tottenham reporter Michael Bridge urged perspective, saying, "I'm not concerned. It's only three games, and Spurs would've taken a draw at Nottingham Forest. It's a hard place to go under a very good manager in Oliver Glasner." Bridge added that Brentford "gave Spurs a good hiding and they fully deserved their win" and that against Newcastle Spurs "weren't clinical enough," noting "you can't expect it all to click so quickly when there have been so many incomings and departures." On fitness management, Bridge said, "De Zerbi absolutely did not have any complaints about the medical team. He's working closely with the medical team," explaining the Italian is instructed by staff on timed withdrawals to protect players long-term after recent injury crises involving Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison and an investigation into whether the pitch contributed.
Turnover has been stark. De Zerbi has used three different attacking combinations in three league games and 10 different starters across his front three in 10 league games in charge, while Tottenham have made eight changes to their starting XI this season — the most of any Premier League side and joint-most in their first three games of a campaign. Bridge said De Zerbi has "earned the right to have those keys" after keeping Spurs up on the final day last season, pointing to tough calls such as allowing Luka Vuskovic to join Brighton and signing Jan Paul van Hecke for a big fee with a year left on his contract. With the investment, Bridge said the aim must be European places, ideally Champions League but at least Europa League, with mid-table the minimum.
History beckons on Saturday. If Everton keep a clean sheet, Tottenham will fail to score in their first four league games of a season for the first time. Bridge believes the real Spurs may not emerge until November given a new captain, forward line, midfield and defence, framing the opening weeks as a post-transfer window bedding-in period. Higher intensity, better chance creation and sharper finishing are now required to turn possession into points.