De Zerbi urges patience after goalless draw: "This isn't Football Manager"
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi failed to secure a win after a scoreless home draw but asked for patience, noting most of his squad has trained together for barely a week. The team has yet to score in its first three Premier League matches despite generating 3.3 expected goals.
Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi has asked for patience following a goalless home draw, comparing the situation to the video game Football Manager, where success can supposedly be achieved through player names alone.
"We bought very good players, but you can't build a team just from names," the Italian coach said, adding that he was disappointed with the result but satisfied with the performance, given that the whole squad had only started working together the previous Thursday.
Four new signings in the starting XI
Tottenham brought in ten first-team-level players over the summer, and four of them — Sandro Tonali, Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons and Omar Marmoush — started against Nottingham Forest. Although Tottenham dominated possession, the club failed to register a single shot on target in a Premier League match for the first time since April 2022.
De Zerbi identified decision-making in the final third as the biggest issue, pointing to a moment when a better passing option down the flank was missed after a shot from Marmoush.
Mudryk's return
Mykhailo Mudryk came on in the second half, making his first official appearance in more than 21 months and his first Premier League outing since November 2024. The Ukrainian joined the club on loan from Chelsea on the final day of the transfer window after his previously imposed four-year doping ban, related to a positive meldonium test, was overturned. De Zerbi said Mudryk needs time and work, as does Mathys Tel, who plays in the same position.
Despite registering 38 shots and accumulating 3.3 expected goals across their opening three Premier League matches, Tottenham have yet to find the net this season. The coach nonetheless emphasized that progress is already visible in the team's spirit and organization.
