Former Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes Roberto De Zerbi will inevitably come under pressure after the club's extensive summer revamp.
The Spurs have splashed over £300 million yet have failed to secure a win or even register a goal in the new Premier League season.
However, Friedel does not view the club's poor start as a sign of how the rest of the season will pan out:
I’m glad Tottenham are spending money. I think they've overpaid for some transfers and wages, but the new players have definitely strengthened the squad.
I don’t believe that a bad start reflects how the entire season will go. If the team fails to qualify for Europe, the hierarchy will surely be unhappy.
I’m confident the manager will feel the heat due to the investment made. We’re talking about over £300 million now, and De Zerbi has likely had a significant influence in selecting those newcomers. Of course, if results are not forthcoming, the pressure will build, but he understands this.
The American suggests that one of the issues at hand might be the volume of changes made in such a short span:
I think he’s already proven his worth as a coach and knows what he wants from his system. Sometimes, when you change so many players, it takes time for everything to gel. It can happen quickly, but a high turnover increases the likelihood that more time will be needed.
Friedel also highlighted Tottenham’s long-standing struggle to compete with top clubs when it comes to signing players. He pointed out that offering higher wages might be one way to sway a player's decision towards the Spurs — a move that carries its own risks:
When it comes to competing, most players will still prefer Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, or Chelsea. Therefore, often the tipping point can be a higher salary.
There’s nothing wrong with that if the player is fully committed to the team. But if you’re overpaying, it raises the question: are you getting the right attitude in the dressing room? Is the player only there for the money?
Despite the rocky start, Friedel does not see any cause for alarm just yet, insisting that Spurs are still capable of vying for a return to European competition:
I wouldn’t hit the panic button just yet. What’s happened over the last 24 months cannot be fixed in just one transfer window.
I still think that based on De Zerbi’s track record, they’ll be in contention for either a Champions League spot or targeting the Europa League or even Europa Conference League.
One significant issue remains the attack, as Tottenham heads into their match against Everton without a single goal to their name in the opening three fixtures of the Premier League:
If you go three, four, or five matches without scoring, it’s concerning at any stage of the season. That issue needs addressing. I’m sure they’re working on it in training and trying to instil confidence in the attacking players.
