adminJamie Redknapp has strongly criticised Tottenham Hotspur and manager Roberto De Zerbi following their disappointing opening to the Premier League campaign, describing their inability to score as “diabolical.”
Spurs entered the new season under significant pressure after finishing 17th in the Premier League in back-to-back campaigns and coming dangerously close to relegation last season. The club responded by investing around £300 million during the summer transfer window, hoping the major spending would help transform their fortunes.
However, Tottenham’s start has once again raised serious concerns.
De Zerbi, who was brought in towards the end of last season with the task of steering the club away from relegation trouble, has yet to see his attacking philosophy produce the desired results in the Premier League.
Tottenham conceded five goals across their opening two matches, but they have since tightened up defensively by recording consecutive clean sheets. The major problem, however, remains at the opposite end of the pitch.
Spurs are still without a single Premier League goal this season.
Redknapp, speaking on Sky Sports, admitted that Tottenham’s failure to score has taken him completely by surprise, particularly given the quality and attacking options available within the squad.
“Out of all the things they have done spending £300 million, one of the problems I thought when they assembled this squad would not be a lack of goals. I did not see that one,” Redknapp said.
“I thought they might struggle to win games, but when you look at the players they have got in midfield — Fernandes, Tonali, Marmoush, Savinho, and even Kudus coming off the bench — surely there are goals in this team.
“But to not score in the Premier League in six hours of football is absolutely diabolical, whatever way you look at it.”
Redknapp acknowledged that there were signs of improvement defensively during Tottenham’s latest goalless draw with Everton, particularly from their centre-backs.
“They defended better today. I think the two centre-backs were better than what they have been, but there’s just not enough,” he added.
“Solanke is up front and I look at the team that has started to take shape, but they have to find the net. How could you not score in six hours of football?”
De Zerbi Under Pressure to Take Responsibility
Redknapp’s criticism comes after fellow pundit Chris Sutton also questioned De Zerbi’s role in Tottenham’s disappointing start.
Before the Everton game, Sutton insisted that the Spurs manager needed to accept some responsibility for the team’s poor performances rather than placing the blame entirely on his attacking players.
“This is absolutely massive for Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi. First and foremost, though, he needs to take a bit of responsibility for his side’s poor results,” Sutton said.
Sutton was particularly critical of De Zerbi’s reaction following the goalless draw against Nottingham Forest, when the manager appeared to put some of the responsibility on Tottenham’s forwards.
“He blamed the Spurs strikers after their 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest, but at least he has got some in his squad,” Sutton added.
Despite Tottenham’s huge summer investment and the attacking talent at De Zerbi’s disposal, the team’s inability to score has quickly become one of the biggest talking points surrounding the club.
Sutton believes Tottenham will eventually break their drought, but the pressure on De Zerbi is already beginning to grow.
“Spurs are a ‘law of averages’ team, or at least that’s the way I see it. Eventually they have to score and eventually they have to win too, but I don’t see both things happening this weekend.”
With Tottenham still searching for their first Premier League goal, De Zerbi now faces increasing pressure to find an attacking solution before their frustrating start develops into another difficult campaign.
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