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Every word De Zerbi said on four Tottenham players who impressed him and what Savio and Tel must do

Submitted by daniel on

Here's every word the Tottenham Hotspur head coach said after the goalless draw at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi dished out plenty of praise and criticism to his players after the 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday in the Premier League.

It was a match low on quality from both sides but Spurs showed more organisation in their defending and midfield. They created chances but did not manage to put one of their 12 shots on target. They did however grab their first point of the Premier League season and end a four-game losing streak to Forest.

The best chance of the first half for Spurs fell to Omar Marmoush after Pedro Porro picked him out with a curling pass. The Egyptian ran on and scuffed his low shot beyond the left-hand post though. In the final stages of the half, Antonin Kinsky denied Morgan Gibbs-White in a one-vs-one moment. The assistant's flag went up soon after but the England international looked like he might have just been onside.

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Spurs escaped after a mess in the 66th minute. Gibbs-White was played in by James McAtee and his shot was deflected up into the air by Kinsky's hand. Sandro Tonali missed his clearing kick while running back to goal but just about managed to stop the ball on the goal line only for Neco Williams to force it over. However, VAR reviewed the footage and said the full-back used his hand to do so.

Both sides looked for openings in the final stages but neither had the quality or finishing to take the three points home.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to De Zerbi after the match. Here's the full transcript from the press conference at the City Ground.

Not what you wanted going forward today, but behind it felt like an organised performance in this environment?

I think we played well but in the last third we have to improve. We have to take the better decisions. We have to keep more calm when we are very close to doing something important in the last third.

I remember the chance when Marmoush shot at goal [in the second half], the way we had Robertson overlapping. If we take the right decision and we play with Robertson then on the second post there is Kudus to score like this.

Or how many crosses went over the second post? From Mathys Tel, two times, Savio, one time. Savio I think it's the last decision. The ball from Pedro Porro on Mateus Fernandes when he played with Kudus and then for the header of Solanke, Mateus was completely alone to go forward to score.

Anyway, I'm very happy for the spirit of the team, for the organisation, with and without the ball. We didn't suffer nothing. Their style of play is very clear, long ball and second ball. But even this second ball, we won many, many duels. They have good players and taking points in this stadium is not so easy.

We are not happy because we didn't win, but I think this is the right spirit and the right way to move on in this moment. Because we started just last Thursday to work [all] together and to create, to build the team, to build the organisation. It's not enough the paper, the transfer market.

What did you make of Rodrigo Bentancur today, it felt like he won a lot today?

Great game, great game, Bentancur, great game Tonali, Gallagher. Gallagher as well, Tonali as well, Bentancur as well. Micky van de Ven, great game. I'm sorry because Savio and Destiny [Udogie] in that moment, I think they could play something more than 60 minutes. But there was a plan with the medical staff to not take risks. In this moment, I can't decide like the pitch says.

I think fans will understand, you've signed a lot of players, it's going to take a while for it to gel but we're used to your teams at Brighton playing free-flowing football. Are you concerned that your team didn't have a shot on target?

No, we could score three or four goals today. Because if you take the wrong decision, you don't score. But for me, it's a chance to score.

Mykhailo Mudryk came on for his first game in nearly two years, what did you make of his performance?

He's not ready yet. He's working to reach the best physical condition. He needs time, he needs work. In that position, we have Mathys Tel, big potential. But also Mathys takes too many wrong decisions, and Mudryk. So, two big players, two big potential players.

But anyway, if we want to score, I think Marmoush has 15 goals. Solanke, the chance header for Solanke, I consider a chance to score. It's not a shot on goal. But how many shots did Nottingham have today? I think, anyway, it was a good game.

Could I just ask about the agreement with the medical team? Could you just clarify that? So they say before the game...

Yes before the game, the plan was Savio and Udogie around 60 minutes, because it's dangerous, no?

And you're happy with that?

No, I'm not happy. But football is like this. Savio has not the best physical condition to play 90 minutes. He's an important player for us, a crucial player. Destiny is another crucial player for us. I think Kudus and Robertson, they played well. But, you know, to start one game like today, it's not so easy to come in from the bench and adapt immediately.

I'm not happy when we have the plan, but it's for my advantage, for my business, the management of the players after injuries.

You mentioned that Tonali played well. Was that more like what you expect to see from him and did you see over any improvements in his physical level?

I think he can play one step more, but he played the best game so far. Also, Gallagher played very well. Marmoush gives us the quality in the play.

Was it a tactical decision to bring Gallagher into the midfield or was there anything wrong with Fernandes?

You know, I have experience enough to know what this stadium is. This stadium is England football. And Gallagher, he knows better this type of games. Mateus becomes, for sure, in my time in Tottenham, one of the best players. But I'm lucky because I have more players, many players, and I have to find the right balance, the right first XI, if I can, before the game.

You mentioned all the mistakes you've made in the last third of the pitch. How can you coach that?

Meeting, watching, analysing together with the players. Also, I think, winning the games, because, you know, the confidence, the enthusiasm, it can be crucial to find the right decision.

But I love these players. I spoke now about Marmoush. But Marmoush, we have to analyse if he has, or not, 15, 12 goals. I think, yes, because he has all the qualities, enough to score that number of goals. He has to improve, of course. Like Domi Solanke, I think if Domi is fit, is in the best physical condition, the chance he had was completely different.

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Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham highlights - VAR disallow goal as Spurs fail to entertain

Submitted by daniel on
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham LIVE - All the action from the City Ground - football.london

We've got all the action from Tottenham Hotspur's third Premier League match of the season as they make the trip to face Nottingham Forest

Tottenham Hotspur are in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon at Nottingham Forest and football.london will be bringing you all the latest updates.

The critics are out for Spurs already after defeats in their opening two Premier League matches at Brentford and at home against Newcastle. With 10 new arrivals this summer for Roberto De Zerbi and more than £300million spent, there will be pressure if the new signings do not start to gel quickly.

A trip to Nottingham is unlikely to be a kind fixture with the north London side having struggled against Forest in recent years. However, De Zerbi does have summer signing Savio fit again following his sparkling debut against Charlton in the Carabao Cup, while new Chelsea duo Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo could also be thrown straight into the matchday squad.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold is in Nottingham for the game. Scroll down for all of his live updates from the City Ground.

Key Events

Tottenham player ratings vs Forest

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Full-time

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Goal ruled out

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Here's the Nottingham Forest team

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Confirmed Tottenham team

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Tottenham player ratings vs Forest

Tottenham took home their first point of the Premier League season after a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon and here are our Spurs player ratings.

Full-time

All over.

It finishes Nottingham Forest 0-0 Tottenham.

Over

Fernandes sends Kudus down the right and he floats a cross into the box. Solanke flings himself at the ball but can only loop it onto the roof of the net and over.

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More subs

Solanke and Fernandes replace Marmoush and Gallagher.

Another sub

Mykhail Mudryk coming on for his Spurs debut and his first competitive match action for almost two years. He replaces Tel.

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Worrying stat

We are approaching 75 minutes played and Tottenham are yet to have a shot on target.

Over

Marmoush sends a shot well over when he had Kudus free to pass to on the other side of the Forest box.

Goal ruled out

Calamity defending from Spurs but they get away with it. Gibbs-White's shot is deflected up into the air by Kinsky's hand and Tonali's misses his kick as he's running back to goal. Tonali eventually does stop the ball on the goal line but Williams forces it over. However, VAR reviews the footage and says he used his hand.

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Spurs subs

Kudus and Robertson replace Savio and Udogie. Both players coming off haven't got the required fitness levels yet.

Wide

Van de Ven heads just wide from a good position from a Spurs corner.

Peep

We're back up and running for the second half here at the City Ground.

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Half-time and here are our Spurs first half player ratings

Antonin Kinsky 7

Pedro Porro 7

Jan Paul van Hecke 6

Micky van de Ven 7

Destiny Udogie 6

Rodrigo Bentancur 6

Sandro Tonali 6

Savio 5

Conor Gallagher 5

Mathys Tel 5

Omar Marmoush 6

Save

Kinsky denies Gibbs-White in a one-vs-one, although the flag went up soon after.

Over

Gibbs-White fires an effort well over from the edge of the Spurs box.

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Close

Big chance for Omar Marmoush. Lovely curling ball from Pedro Porro into his path and the Egyptian runs on and scuffs his shot just past the left-hand post.

Shot

A low shot from distance from McAtee is comfortable for Kinsky.

Peep

We're up and running.

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Kick off is approaching

Just seven minutes to go until we kick off and the teams are in the tunnel.

'Fragile defensively'

Iain Dowie has backed Roberto De Zerbi to be a success at Tottenham - but insists he must start winning soon.

He told Boyle Sports:

I like the manager at Tottenham, I have to say. I’ve seen a lot of his drills and his intensity, but they look fragile defensively. They need a structure. It’s all well and good having all these attacking midfielders like Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, but while they are box-to-box, do they have a defensive structure? That is something he’s going to have to be very aware of. They got exposed badly against Newcastle and Roberto De Zerbi knows, given that performance at Brentford as well, he’s got to start winning and winning big soon.

Match stats

Nottingham Forest have won their last four Premier League matches against Tottenham Hotspur – they’ve never won five league games in a row against Spurs.

Spurs have lost 3-0 against Brentford and 2-0 against Newcastle in the Premier League this season. They’ve lost each of their first three league games in just four previous campaigns – 1912-13, 1958-59, 1974-75 and 1979-80.

Only Bruno Fernandes (22) has been involved in more Premier League goals in 2026 than Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White (17 – 13 goals, 4 assists), with Gibbs-White’s 13 goals the most in the competition so far this year.

Spurs striker Dominic Solanke has been involved in six goals in four league appearances against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (4 goals, 2 assists), including his only senior career hat-trick to date (for Bournemouth in December 2023).

Stats provided by BOYLE Sports.

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Mykhailo Mudryk question

Teddy Sheringham has questioned Mykhailo Mudryk's loan move from Chelsea, with the winger potentially set to be included in the Spurs squad for this afternoon's clash.

Speaking to BetVictor Online Casino, Sheringham said: “Mykhailo Mudryk at Spurs? For me, it's just another fair weather type winger like they've already got. Adding another one just brings more problems for the squad, the way I see it.

“He's a decent player, I wouldn't say he's great, but you're going to end up paying top money for someone who is just good, not great. It won’t transform the team. They were linked to Gakpo and Mudryk, but they already have players like that.”

Latest odds

Nottingham Forest 17/10

Draw 23/10

Tottenham 13/8

Odds via bet365

Vinai Venkatestham has spoken

Vinai Venkatesham has spoken about Spurs' 'significant' transfer window, albeit doing so on a different platform. You can read everything he had to say by heading right here.

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Alan Shearer prediction

Speaking to Betfair, Alan Shearer said:

I've not seen anything from Spurs that suggests that they can have a good season. I guess it's been alarming really, the first two results and how it has happened. I feel for the Spurs fans. You can imagine the noise increasing if it goes against them again tomorrow, and I think it will. I'm going to go for a home win for Forest. Some of De Zerbi’s comments to say some players aren't fit, particularly Tonali who wasn't even at the World Cup, would be the most alarming thing for me. This is already a huge game because you can just imagine the noise already if Spurs get beaten again tomorrow.

Here's our Spurs loan latest

A huge Spurs loan latest with 17 players, including an unusual aspect to Souza's move, a big claim about Kota Takai, Yang Min-hyeok injured, another winger catching the eye and how Vicario, Dragusin, Jamie Donley, Mason Melia and many others are getting on. You can read that by clicking right here.

Here's the Nottingham Forest team

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Confirmed Tottenham team

Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Tonali; Savio, Gallagher, Tel, Marmoush. Subs: Dubravka, Robertson, Senesi, Gray, Bergvall, Fernandes, Kudus, Mudryk, Solanke.

A Kulusevski update

Roberto De Zerbi also provided a Dejan Kulusevski update, explained if James Maddison is available tomorrow, spoke more on Richarlison and his contract offer, plenty of good stuff on Mudryk, Marmoush and selling lots of Spurs' physical players. You can read that all by going right here.

Here's every word De Zerbi said

We've got every word De Zerbi said at his press conference yesterday on his Richarlison decision, what Bergvall's agent told Johan Lange, he was asked about Tonali not being fit enough, Mudryk, Spurs injury news, Savio, Maddison and plenty more. You can read the full transcript right here.

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Arsenal and Tottenham can both offer Victor Osimhen one thing he wants in transfer battle

Submitted by daniel on

Arsenal and Tottenham have locked horns over a potential move for Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen

Tottenham and Arsenal can both offer Victor Osimhen his dream squad number as an incentive for a potential transfer.

The north London clubs have registered an interest in the Galatasaray striker this summer. Osimhen has been a prolific forward for the Turkish side, scoring 61 goals and assisting 16 times in 75 appearances.

This form has attracted interest from multiple suitors during the transfer window. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Al-Hilal and Manchester United have all been keeping tabs on the 27-year-old.

Osimhen refused to rule out a move away from Galatasaray last week after being linked with a move to the Gunners. He said: "There are always rumours during the transfer windows.

"I’ll focus on my job. I’m focused on my work. We’ll see and think about what comes next then."

Now, Mikel Arteta or Roberto De Zerbi could utilise the No. 45 to tempt Osimhen away from Turkey and to England. The striker has worn that number since he joined Galatasaray in 2024.

Osimhen also wore No. 45 during his time at Belgian side Royal Charleroi SC in 2018. The Nigerian international has worn the numbers three, seven, nine, 12, 16 and 18 throughout his career.

His other most common number was the No. 9 at Napoli, where he lifted the Serie A title and won the African Footballer of the Year award during the 2022/23 campaign. However, neither club has this number available right now with Richarlison occupying the shirt at Spurs and Gabriel Jesus sporting it at Arsenal.

Both Arteta and De Zerbi can offer Osimhen the No. 45 instead, with Jack Henry-Francis the last to wear it at the Emirates Stadium.

Alfie Devine wore the No. 45 for Spurs during the 2022/23 season and it has remained vacant since. Despite the transfer speculation, Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek is adamant that Osimhen won't be sold this summer.

Both Spurs and Arsenal are still ready to battle for the striker's signature. Osimhen is valued at around £58m according to recent reports and could be open to a move to England.

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