De Zerbi: Tottenham 'not a team' after Brentford defeat 2026

Roberto De Zerbi criticized Tottenham after their 3-0 defeat to Brentford, saying they are 'not a team' yet. The Italian manager was visibly frustrated as his side were outclassed at the Gtech Community Stadium, leaving him to question their physical conditioning and fighting spirit.

De Zerbi's Post-Match Outburst

Speaking after the match, De Zerbi did not hold back. He claimed that Tottenham are not a team and that they lost too many duels, second balls, and tackles. He also pointed to the pre-season tour of Australia as a factor, though he insisted it was not an excuse. 'We are not in the right physical condition for a lot of reasons,' he said. 'Some players came back late from the World Cup. In Australia we don't work in the right way but it is not excuses.'

The manager emphasized that building a new project takes time, but he refused to lose confidence in his players. 'I believe in my players, my club, myself. We are working well. We have to improve quickly,' he added. De Zerbi also highlighted the absence of key defenders like Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, and Micky van de Ven, as well as Rodrigo Bentancur's late return from pre-season.

New Signings and the Project

Tottenham handed debuts to Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali. They are also close to signing Omar Marmoush and Savinho from Manchester City. However, De Zerbi stressed that a team cannot be built on paper alone. 'You become a team when the players find a connection, a spirit, a soul. It's a project,' he said.

The defeat raises questions about Tottenham's readiness for the season, especially after spending over £300m this summer. Brentford, under Keith Andrews, started their second year in the Premier League with a statement win, showing the gap between the two sides on the day.

Key Stats from the Match

The table clearly shows Tottenham's struggles in physical battles, which De Zerbi highlighted. Brentford were more aggressive and clinical, punishing Spurs' lack of intensity.

What This Means for Tottenham

This loss is a wake-up call for Tottenham. With a new manager and several new signings, they need time to gel, but the Premier League is unforgiving. De Zerbi's comments suggest he expects a rapid improvement in attitude and fitness.

• Tottenham must improve their physical conditioning to compete in duels.
• The new signings need to integrate quickly into the team's system.
• De Zerbi's project requires patience, but results must come soon.
• Brentford showed that organization and fight can overcome individual talent.

FAQ

As Tottenham prepare for their next match, all eyes will be on how quickly De Zerbi can turn this group into a team. The manager's honesty is refreshing, but fans will demand results soon.

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