Roberto De Zerbi says Tottenham Hotspur have a mental block after their wait for a Premier League win continued with a 0-0 draw against Everton. The Italian manager admitted his players must "unblock" themselves psychologically after a fourth consecutive league game without a goal.
Spurs sit 17th in the table with just two points from four matches, and were booed off by frustrated fans at the final whistle. De Zerbi pointed to injuries sustained on the pre-season tour to New Zealand and Australia, the impact of the World Cup on player return dates, and late transfer window signings as contributing factors.
De Zerbi's Explanation for Tottenham's Slow Start
De Zerbi offered a range of explanations for Spurs' difficult opening to the season. Chief among them were the injuries picked up by a clutch of players during the long-haul pre-season tour. He also lamented how the World Cup affected the return dates of certain squad members, and noted that summer signings Sávio and Omar Marmoush arrived late in the transfer window.
The manager highlighted a positive opening 30 minutes against Everton but conceded his side ran out of steam. "There is a word in Italian – sbloccarsi – that literally translates as if we unblock ourselves," De Zerbi said. "[It is] a mental block because four games, no wins, no goals scored … it is tough for the players."
Key Statistics Behind Spurs' Struggle
Tottenham's attacking output has been a major concern. Despite creating chances, they have failed to find the net in the league this season. De Zerbi acknowledged that beyond Dominic Solanke and Marmoush, other players have not scored many goals in their careers and the team must find goals from across the squad.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Premier League Position | 17th |
| Points | 2 |
| Goals Scored | 0 |
| Games Without a Win | 4 |
| Goals Conceded | 2 |
What This Means for Tottenham's Season
The pressure is mounting on De Zerbi and his players. With no league wins and no goals, Spurs are already playing catch-up in the race for European qualification. The mental aspect of the game is clearly weighing on the squad, and the manager's admission of a psychological block highlights the challenges ahead.
De Zerbi remains confident in the quality of his squad, stating: "The team is extremely strong, we can score goals and we can win games." However, he stressed the need to respect the history of the players in their careers and to find goals from those who have not been prolific in the past.
- Injury crisis: Pre-season tour injuries have disrupted preparation.
- World Cup impact: Delayed returns affected fitness levels.
- Late signings: Sávio and Marmoush joined late in the window.
- Mental block: De Zerbi admits psychological hurdle must be overcome.
- Fan frustration: Boos at full-time reflect growing discontent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did De Zerbi say about Tottenham's mental block?
De Zerbi said his players have a mental block after four league games without a win or goal. He used the Italian word "sbloccarsi," meaning to unblock oneself, and stressed the need to overcome this psychological hurdle.
How many games have Tottenham gone without a win?
Tottenham have gone four Premier League games without a win, drawing two and losing two, and have failed to score in any of those matches.
What factors did De Zerbi blame for Spurs' slow start?
De Zerbi cited injuries on the pre-season tour to New Zealand and Australia, the impact of the World Cup on player return dates, and late transfer window signings as key reasons for the slow start.