Tottenham went into the international break bottom of the table after five games, and the same concerns that have existed for the last two seasons remain. Spurs spent more than £300million over the summer and still lack intensity despite having a head coach in Roberto De Zerbi who is expected to bring exactly that.
Spurs are keeping the faith for now, but they are going to have to step things up after the break to avoid pressure growing. It's far from just De Zerbi's job, though, with plenty of players struggling. Here we take a look at the players who need to get it together quickly after the break.
Sandro Tonali
Tottenham spent up to £100million to sign Tonali, and what they have seen from him so far just isn't good enough. At times, the Italian looks like he has never played Premier League football before, and he was signed because of his talent, yes, but also because he was seen as a plug and play option, someone who wouldn't need too much time to bed in.
Tonali is not impacting games, and he is going to have to find a way to do so before pressure really starts to build.
Omar Marmoush
There is a case to be made that Marmoush is Tottenham's worst performing player currently. He is averaging almost three unsuccessful touches per game (2.8) and he is neither a reference point or someone who is effectively stretching rhe opposing defensive line. He is offering little to nothing up top, and he is supposed to be a difference-maker for this Spurs side. He needs to up his game and quickly.
Mathys Tel
Tel is averaging spot on three unsuccessful touches per game, and despite being a winger, he isn't even averaging one key pass per game. That's low production for a player who is being relied upon to be a creator out wide. Tel is still young and his best football may be ahead of him, but he is not showing that he is on track to be a top player. The growth just hasn't been there and he needs to start taking steps forward.
Dominic Solanke
The same issues still exist with Solanke, who has not brought goals to Spurs since arriving on a big-money deal. That's not always an issue for the type of striker he is, but he has to start at least racking up 10-15 goals per season. He is yet to hit the net and he is only managing one shot per game. He has to be more active in front of goal.
Lucas Bergvall
Bergvall hasn't been a starter for the most part, but he has struggled off the bench, and it remains baffling that he wants to play a hybrid midfield role. He has the skill set to play as an attacking midfielder, or even as a winger of a certain kind, but he just doesn't look an effective enough box-to-box midfielder. Bergvall isn't getting on the ball enough, and certainly not in key areas.
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