Market activity

As a result, the club was very active in the summer transfer market.

Big departures

• Djed Spence left after finishing the season without a goal or assist; combined with a low rating, it was the weakest output among players with regular minutes.
• Cristian Romero, Tottenham’s best performer in the Premier League last season by Sofascore rating, also moved on.
• João Palhinha departed too — Spurs’ second-best player by Sofascore rating in the league last term, posting 7.02 across 33 appearances (level for most minutes with Micky van de Ven) and an eye-catching five goals from defensive midfield.
• Randal Kolo Muani exited after the lowest average rating among regulars (6.48) and a thin return of 1,670 minutes for just one goal and one assist as a forward.

Big arrivals

• Sandro Tonali joined from Newcastle.
• Omar Marmoush and Sávio were added to bolster the front line.
• Jan Paul van Hecke arrived from Brighton, with Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth among the defensive reinforcements.

Marmoush has featured in just over half of Spurs’ Premier League matches so far but flashed plenty: among league forwards he ranked second for shots per 90 and second for touches in the box per 90, while staying competitive for goals and assists per 90, and key passes per 90. Sávio also impressed with his presence in the penalty area — among 68 wingers league-wide, he ranked third for touches in the box per 90.

Van Hecke’s game has stood out for progressive distribution — he ranked fifth among centre-backs for long passes — and solid defensive reading, reflected in a high interceptions count. Tonali’s numbers have been steady if unspectacular for his role, with three goals and six assists. Given his age and currently modest output, Mateus Fernandes looks more like a high-upside investment than an immediate difference-maker.

Early returns: (in)effectiveness of the overhaul

Despite the summer signings and a squad that on paper looks powerful again, the season has once again gotten off to a very poor start. In four Premiership matches played, Spurs have failed to record a single win, drawing two and losing two, which currently leaves them in 17th place in the table. If that fact alone doesn’t seem so bad to someone, then they will change their mind with the following statistic: in those 360 minutes of play, Tottenham is still waiting for its first goal of the season in the Premier League, having conceded 5. They are not alone in this regard, as Coventry, the league’s worst team with four losses, zero goals scored, and ten conceded, ensures they are not.

Unlike some other clubs that struggle to convert and squander a large number of chances, the situation at Tottenham is quite different. In terms of expected goals per game (0.86), they are second-to-last in the league, and they also rank in that category for shots on target per game (3.00). Nor do they dominate in aerial duels, where they rank 18th with just 44% of aerial duels won.

Despite their discipline (only one yellow card per game, the fewest of any team) and their dominance in possession and assists, the Spurs lack a threat. De Zerbi faces many issues that need to be resolved as soon as possible to prevent a repeat of last season’s scenario.
The next opportunity to turn things around is the match against Aston Villa, scheduled for Saturday. Aston Villa has also gotten off to a very poor start to the season, with just one point in four matches, so both teams will certainly be fighting for points.