De Zerbi’s Spurs: £400m spent, two losses, and no answers yet

Tottenham’s £400m summer rebuild has arrived with two defeats and no clear answers. Under Antonio Conte, Spurs spent aggressively to reshape the squad, but Ange Postecoglou’s successor, Dejan De Zerbi, has inherited a group still searching for cohesion. The opening losses to Brentford (2-1) and Manchester United (2-0) exposed familiar frailties: midfield fragility, defensive disorganisation, and a lack of cutting edge. With the transfer window closed, the focus must shift from who arrived to how they are being used.

Spending big, but not yet smart

Tottenham’s outlay this summer exceeded £400m, yet the early returns suggest the club has prioritised volume over value. The arrivals of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski—both high-profile, high-cost additions—have not yet translated into Premier League impact. Maddison, a creative midfielder, has struggled to impose himself against organised defences, while Kulusevski’s direct runs and crosses have rarely troubled opposition full-backs. The disconnect between investment and output is stark. A midfield exodus last season—Emerson Royal, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, and Yves Bissouma all departed—exposed Postecoglou’s tactical reliance on mobility and pressing, but De Zerbi’s approach demands a different profile—one that Spurs have not yet assembled.

The Carabao Cup second-round win over Charlton Athletic offered a fleeting distraction, with Savio scoring and assisting in a 5-1 rout. Yet cup football is not the acid test. The Premier League’s intensity demands consistency, and Spurs have failed to provide it. The question now is whether De Zerbi can coax more from a squad built for a different system.

Defensive chaos and midfield misfires

Tottenham’s backline has been porous, conceding late in both defeats. Against Brentford, defensive errors from Cristian Romero (57’) and Destiny Udogie (78’) allowed two late goals, while at Old Trafford, a lack of organisation in midfield left the defence exposed. Sandro Tonali’s struggles epitomise the broader issues: his inability to shield the back four has left Spurs vulnerable to counter-attacks. The midfield, once a Postecoglou strength, now looks like a liability.

De Zerbi’s tenure has also highlighted a cultural shift. Postecoglou’s high-pressing, attacking football demanded relentless energy, but his successor favours a more structured, possession-based approach. The squad’s adaptation has been slow. The defensive frailties were evident in the 3-1 loss to Chelsea, where Spurs were outplayed in midfield and struggled to regain possession. The personnel may have changed, but the problems remain.

Where do Spurs go from here?

The transfer window is closed, but the tactical questions remain unanswered. De Zerbi must decide whether to double down on his system or adjust to the players at his disposal. The squad’s depth is questionable, with injuries and fatigue already impacting selection. The upcoming fixtures—including a trip to Manchester City on 14 August—will test the resolve of both manager and players.

Tottenham’s summer spending was meant to deliver a title challenge. Instead, it has exposed deeper issues. The club’s hierarchy must now decide whether De Zerbi is the right man to oversee the next phase of the project. The £400m gamble has bought time, but not results. The real test is whether Spurs can turn potential into performance before the window for excuses closes.