No one’s hitting the panic button just yet. But the alarm bells are definitely clanging in N17. After a summer of genuine hype over Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival, Tottenham Hotspur have stumbled out of the blocks with three straight Premier League draws. A 2-2 scrap with Everton, a 1-1 grind at Fulham, and a frustrating home stalemate against Brighton have left Spurs anchored in 14th place with just three points.
The performances haven’t been awful - De Zerbi is quick to point at the xG - but the results are killing the buzz. That’s exactly why pundit Chris Sutton used the big stage of the BBC’s Football Daily podcast to fire off some serious shade. His warning is blunt: if this winless streak stretches past the international break, De Zerbi’s high-risk, possession-heavy philosophy will drag Spurs into a "negative spiral."
The numbers back up the worry. Spurs rank 3rd in the league for Expected Goals created (6.4) and 5th for xG against (3.1). Yet they sit dead last - 20th - in pressing efficiency. Opta’s PPDA (passes per defensive action) clocks Spurs at a brutal 14.2, meaning opponents are strolling through their press with ease. All that pretty play in the final third is getting undone by a midfield far too easy to slice open.
📊 Spurs rank 20th in Premier League pressing efficiency (PPDA 14.2) - Opponents are bypassing De Zerbi’s press with alarming ease, leaving the backline exposed.
| Opponent | Date | Result | xG For | xG Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everton (H) | Aug 15 | 2-2 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Fulham (A) | Aug 22 | 1-1 | 1.9 | 0.9 |
| Brighton (H) | Aug 29 | 1-1 | 2.4 | 1.0 |
| Total | - | 3 draws | 6.4 | 3.1 |
The Tactical Disconnect and Selection Headaches
Drawing games is one thing. Looking structurally fragile while doing it is another. De Zerbi’s system hinges on relentless pressing and territorial control, but the early signs suggest it isn’t translating to the Premier League’s physical demands. Rodrigo Bentancur is a walking yellow card right now - 5 fouls and 2 bookings in just three matches. That’s a stat that screams "getting bypassed."
The injury list isn’t helping either. Key summer signing Daichi Kamada, the €28m maestro from Lazio, is still nursing a calf strain and won’t return until September 14. That’s a massive blow. The Japanese international was supposed to be the creative glue linking midfield to attack. Meanwhile, Richarlison is "fit and pushing" per De Zerbi, but he’s managed just 45 minutes all season. With Alejo Véliz shipped out on loan to Sevilla on August 30, the Brazilian suddenly looks like the only real focal point up top - and he’s barely played.
De Zerbi pushed back in Friday’s press conference, insisting the xG data shows performances "deserve more than three points." He’s technically right. But football doesn’t pay out on moral victories, and the table doesn’t lie. A side this possession-dominant should be converting chances, not settling for a point apiece against mid-table fodder.
The Coventry Cup Trap
Here’s where the mood could flip or fracture. Spurs travel to Coventry City on September 1 for an EFL Cup third-round tie, and bookies have them as 4/6 favorites. A win - even an ugly one - would buy some breathing room. But a loss? That would trigger the "major upset" headlines and turn Sutton’s warning into a self-fulfilling prophecy. De Zerbi needs a statement performance to reset the narrative before the September 13 international break.
Levy's Backing, Pochettino's Shadow
Behind the scenes, a political game is unfolding. Chairman Daniel Levy issued a public statement on August 28 backing De Zerbi - standard protocol when the wolves are circling. But The Athletic reports that the ghost of Mauricio Pochettino is hovering, "on standby" as a contingency option if Spurs can’t bank a win by the international break.
That’s the real danger of the "negative spiral" Sutton mentions. It’s not just about dropping points - it’s about losing the dressing room, the fanbase, and the board’s patience in one quick, ugly swoop. De Zerbi’s fiery touchline demeanor is a plus, but it won’t save him if the results don’t improve.
