Tottenham Hotspur have claimed just one point through their first three matches of the 2026/27 Premier League season, and whlie there is still plenty of time for Spurs to improve, it is more than fair for fans to be upset because the dropped points now do matter at the end of the season when the final tally is made for European places.
There was a lot of hope that the 400 million pounds spent on players would yield immediate results, but, so far, only Mateus Fernandes and Savio have looked likely to meet their asking prices. The rest have been somewhere between middling to poor, including players Roberto De Zerbi pounded the table for.
Omar Marmoush showed real spark in his debut, but he was one of the chief players responsible for the 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest, wasting possession in the final third while failing to take advantage of some great chances.
Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali aren't meeting expectations
Jan Paul van Hecke and Sandro Tonali have both shown signs of growth, but at a combined 150-160 million pounds, the duo have not at all met their asking prices. And with Rodrigo Bentancur outplaying Tonali and Van Hecke not looking decisively any better than Cristian Romero, who was sold to Atletico Madrid for less than Van Hecke was bought despite the Dutchman having just one year on his contract, things are not looking good for De Zerbi's pet favorites.
But it's not just the new signings. French left winger Mathys Tel has been an outright disaster these last two games against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, while Conor Gallagher was one of the worst players on the pitch on Matchday 1 against Brentford. And whlie he was better on Matchday 3 in the No. 10 position again vs. Forest, if you look at his actual creative output and what is expected from a No. 10 at this level, you really have to say that Gallagher was not good enough in fulfilling his opportunities.
The new players are of higher quality and should obviousy be getting a longer leash from Roberto De Zerbi and the Tottenham organization, but it is fair to question both the fees paid and how many chances should be given to underperforming players if the goal is, ultimately, to win the Champions League.
And whlie those are more long term questions, the short term questions of Mathys Tel and Conor Gallagher starting are directly costing points in the table. Every manager is entitled to his opinion and expertise, but it is troubling that so many of De Zerbi's chosen ones don't yet look like they are meeting expectations, even in his own system.
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