Why the International Break Arrived at the Worst Moment for De Zerbi and Tottenham
Roberto de Zerbi faces a tough challenge with Tottenham after their big spending spree this summer. The club invested around £400 million in new players, an unusual move for a team that usually manages finances cautiously. This sudden investment pushed expectations sky-high among fans eager for trophies and top-four finishes, even though the club narrowly escaped relegation in the two previous seasons.
The early results and performances have been underwhelming, but it's unreasonable to expect immediate success given all the obstacles De Zerbi has faced. He only took over late last season when Spurs were 17th with seven games left, guiding them to safety with three wins and two draws. That achievement alone should grant him more time and patience.
A Manager Needs Time to Build a Team
Building a cohesive team demands much more than just signing players. It requires time on the training ground and personal interaction to develop unity and understanding. Unfortunately, most of De Zerbi's squad is now scattered across international duty for three weeks, halting any chance of working together as a group.
Other problems like poor home form and difficulty recovering after conceding first goals add complexity, but the main hurdle remains blending the many new signings with the existing squad. Creating a team that functions well and earns results will take patience and attention to details unseen by supporters.
Time Used to Be More Generous
In past decades, managers were given space to shape teams and build relationships. Now, after just five league games, some Spurs fans already question De Zerbi’s capability despite his proven track record elsewhere. His passion and direct approach deserve a fair chance to bear fruit before judgments are made.
New Players Need Time to Click Together
De Zerbi demands full commitment and has the board’s support, but assembling a team from so many new faces is never straightforward. When Tottenham signed numerous players in one window, it created a mix rather than a ready-made team.
Drawing from experience, Tony Pulis recalls needing to pair two very different defenders at Stoke, who required extensive training time to synchronize their styles. Similar challenges face De Zerbi, especially since Spurs lack a firm identity compared to clubs like Sunderland or Brighton, which have a clear style that helps integrate new arrivals.
Without that foundation, bringing in ten new players at once brings complications. Each personality and skillset adjusts at its own pace, made tougher without a proper pre-season together. Even after the campaign began, Spurs continued adding to their squad, further delaying cohesion.
Coaching Is About Understanding Players and Building Trust
De Zerbi must also learn which players grasp the importance of teamwork and adjust individual weaknesses accordingly. Pulis shares an example from his career where a pricey full-back clashed with coaching methods and was replaced by a younger player willing to prioritize the team's needs.
Off-pitch bonding matters too. Pulis emphasizes how he and his assistant spent time with South American players and their families to build respect and trust, recognizing cultural differences impact how quickly players settle.
One Premier League player Pulis coached had a surprising lifestyle that included late nights out, yet delivered high-quality performances. Though isolated initially, personal connections helped him integrate fully into the squad.
Such stories highlight how knowing players individually is crucial for a manager trying to mold a team from diverse parts.
