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What could go wrong did go wrong on Saturday, but spirits still high at Spurs

Sam Tabuteau

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Tottenham came crashing back down to earth on Saturday.

A humbling start to the Premier League season saw them lose 3-0 away at Brentford in a stark reality check.

After a lavish summer of spending, expectations were high heading into the new campaign. But against Brentford's experience and intensity, Spurs were overwhelmed.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side could not live with Brentford’s suffocating press, and the Spurs boss admitted afterwards that a disrupted pre-season had left his team ill-prepared physically.

Their performance, from the chaotic defending to the disjointed pressing triggers, lacked cohesion as Spurs started four debutants, with £85million summer signing Mateus Fernandes also coming off the bench.

Jan Paul van Hecke was one of five debuts on Saturday

PA

Spurs looked like strangers as they fell 3-0 behind inside 49 minutes, with De Zerbi later declaring that his side were not yet a team.

“I think we are not a team yet, for a lot of reasons,” De Zerbi said in his post-match press conference. “Yesterday (last Friday) in the press conference, when you asked me what is the target, we can fix the target when you become a team. Before becoming a team, we can't say what we can do.

Stopping short of excusing his team’s performance, De Zerbi hit on the main issue that Spurs need to address over the coming weeks.

After a summer of change, it will take time for his side to build an understanding with each other.

“You can't become a team for the transfer market window,” he continued.

“You become a team with the players. They find the connection between them, they find the spirit, they find the soul.”

With players arriving back late from the World Cup, and De Zerbi opting to be cautious with the fitness of James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie and Fernandes. The team that started against Brentford is unlikely to start together again.

Mikey Moore is expected to leave on loan, while Spurs are hoping to sign Manchester City duo Omar Marmoush and Savinho in the coming days as they look to overhaul their attack.

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More changes are expected, which means more upheaval is likely. This, though, should come as no surprise. Spurs were never going to become a winning machine overnight after successive 17th-place finishes in the Premier League.

De Zerbi is calm. He believes in his players and the direction the club is heading, but he has called for patience.

He knows this project will take time, and he acknowledges that his team will need to “suffer” at times this season.

There is work to do across the board. The defence that played together against Brentford sported three debutants and 20-year-old Archie Gray, who, while making history by being named as Spurs’ youngest-ever captain, is not a natural right-back.

The midfield combination of Lucas Bergvall and Sandro Tonali struggled to cover the gaps, while Brentford bullied Spurs’ attack.

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong on Saturday, but De Zerbi hopes this performance can act as a wake-up call.

In truth, Spurs only have to look at Brentford, who found themselves 3-0 down at half-time against Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend last season, to understand that a line can be drawn under one bad performance.

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Spurs hoping for triple boost this week

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Tottenham’s season has begun in disastrous fashion, but there is potentially good news on the injury front.

A chastening 3-0 defeat at Brentford was the nightmare start no one at big-spending Spurs wanted, and manager Roberto De Zerbi insisted after the game that his players are not yet fit enough to compete in the Premier League.

Spurs are still without seven first-team players, but at least two could return this week with Spurs in Carabao Cup action on Wednesday before welcome Newcastle to town for their first home game of the top-flight season.

Here is all the latest Tottenham injury news and potential return dates...

Micky van de Ven

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Micky van de Ven

Micky van de Ven has been named as the new club captain, but had to watch on from the sidelines at Brentford on Saturday.

The defender picked up an injury during pre-season which prevented him from playing any minutes ahead of the season, and is now playing catch-up.

Speaking to reporters last week, De Zerbi said: “He worked with the group [on Friday], he's going very well.

“He suffered a problem during the pre-season in Australia, I don't know, the flight, I don't know, something, not a big problem, but not right to work.”

Potential return date: Newcastle (H) on August 29, 2026

Pedro Porro

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Pedro Porro

Pedro Porro, named as first vice-captain, was also absent at the Gtech Community Stadium, and, again, was unable to feature during pre-season after returning late following Spain’s World Cup win.

However, Porro is also considered nearing a return to match action as he is in training and working up his match fitness after three weeks off.

Potential return date: Newcastle (H) on August 29, 2026

Mohammed Kudus

PA

Mohammed Kudus

Mohammed Kudus has not played since January, but is “almost ready” to return to action, says Roberto De Zerbi.

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The Ghanaian, who returned to his homeland last week due to a family bereavement, is back in training after undergoing surgery on a quad injury.

“Kudos is almost ready, that is a big point for us,” De Zerbi said last week, adding: “It's important also the management of the players, when the players have some problem, we have to stay calm, don't take risks.”

Potential return date: Nottingham Forest (A) on September 5, 2026

James Maddison

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James Maddison

James Maddison is said to be an injury doubt for Wednesday’s visit of Charlton in the Carabao Cup after landing awkwardly on his shoulder during the defeat at Brentford.

The midfielder came off the bench at the weekend, but was unable to turn the tide for Spurs as he continues to build up match fitness.

A knock for Maddison will further hamper his efforts to get match fit. Roberto De Zerbi will provide an update on the player at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

Potential return date: Newcastle (H) on August 29, 2026

Pape Matar Sarr

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Pape Matar Sarr

Pape Matar Sarr picked up a hamstring injury last week to rule him out of the opener at Brentford.

The midfielder, who is attracting transfer interest, was able to play during pre-season but saw his fitness take a knock with what is said to be a “minor” issue.

De Zerbi said of Sarr on Friday: “He felt pain in his hamstring two days ago. Nothing important, but we don’t take risk with him and especially in this moment."

Potential return date: Newcastle (H) on August 29, 2026

Dejan Kulusevski

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Dejan Kulusevski

It has been almost a 18 months since Dejan Kulusevski last played for Spurs, but he is back on the training pitch and working up his fitness after serious knee injury.

De Zerbi and Spurs are taking their time with Kulusevski, but the Sweden star remains on course to return to action in the first half of the season.

The Spurs boss said last week: “He's working, not with the group but with the individual coach.

“I'm observing him a lot, because first of all, he suffers too much, and as a human situation, it's been tough for him, and every one of us we are close with him for this period.

“Then he's a different player, he's a special player, if he's fit and he's available, he's a different player, like Xavi Simons."

Potential return date: Unknown

Xavi Simons

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Xavi Simons

Talking of Xavi Simons, he was at the Brentford Stadium on Saturday to support his team-mates, but is not expected back on a pitch until next year.

The Dutch star suffered anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the final games of last season, and was subsequently ruled out for about nine months.

Potential return date: Early 2027

Wilson Odobert

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Wilson Odobert

Wilson Odobert suffered the same injury a few months before Xavi Simons, and will hope to get back on the pitch before the end of 2026.

Potential return date: Late 2026

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Spurs have plenty to do in the final days of the transfer window

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Sam Tabuteau

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Despite spending £237million on new players this summer, Tottenham still have work to do before the end of the transfer window.

A humbling 3-0 defeat to Brentford handed Spurs a stark reality check on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side were second best across the park, but it was in attack where they looked particularly lifeless. That is an area Spurs are attempting to address in the final week of the window.

Spurs are also expected to finalise a number of departures before 11pm deadine on September 1, with De Zerbi unable to guarantee players the minutes they need after a summer of upheaval.

Saturday’s defeat to Brentford exposed many of the issues that must be addressed before the close of the window, with De Zerbi admitting his side are not yet a team.

It also pressed home how important it is that Spurs make the necessary adjustments in attack.

With plenty of movement expected before the end of the window, Standard Sport had a look at who could arrive and who could leave before the end of the window.

Omar Marmoush and Savinho

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What do Spurs need?

Spurs flew out the blocks to revamp their midfield and defence early in the window, but have so far struggled to overhaul their attacking options.

It was glaringly obvious against Brentford that Spurs are short of quality in attack and they are expected to address this in the coming days.

De Zerbi ideally wants three attacking signings before the end of the window, with two wingers and a striker on his shopping list.

It is feasible that they get a winger and a striker through the door in the next week, but a third attacking addition at this stage looks difficult to pull off.

Despite selling Djed Spence to Inter Milan, De Zerbi seems to have ruled out signing a replacement right-back this summer.

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Asked if he wants to replace Spence, De Zerbi said: "In this moment no. We have Archie Gray, he prefers playing in the midfield position, but he can play very well also as a right-back.

“I think we are good. I don't want 25, 26 players, I want 21, 22. That's enough."

Cody Gakpo

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Who could they sign?

It has been no secret that Spurs are interested in bringing Manchester City winger Savinho to the club, having been engaged in talks with the 22-year-old since last summer.

That deal now appears close to completion. Spurs last week agreed a deal worth up to £85million for the Brazilian, who was absent from City’s matchday squad for their 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday, and is expected to undergo a medical over the coming days.

Spurs want to add Savinho’s City team-mate Omar Marmoush to their ranks before the window shuts.

Amid reports of a loan move to Spurs, with a £50m conditional obligation to buy at the end of the season, Marmoush was an unused substitute as City struck late to secure victory in Enzo Maresca’s first league game in charge.

Standard Sport understands that talks continue between the two clubs but, as on Monday morning, an agreement had not yet been reached.

Cody Gakpo, who scored as Liverpool secured a 2-2 draw away to Newcastle in their opening game of the season, is also high on Spurs’ list of attacking targets.

A deal for the 27-year-old is expected to be much more difficult to pull off, though, with Liverpool adamant they would need to sign a replacement first before entertaining talks.

Gakpo also has four years remaining on his Liverpool contract and will not come cheap.

Richarlison

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Who could they sell?

The sight of 19-year-old winger Mikey Moore starting against Brentford tells you all you need to know about how Spurs have struggled to add to their attack.

Moore had been expected to leave Spurs on loan this summer, with Bundesliga side Koln heavily linked.

But with a deal for Savinho dragging on, Moore has been kept around and given minutes by De Zerbi.

His inexperience shone through against Brentford, though, and he will likely get the green light to leave on loan once Savinho arrives.

Pape Matar Sarr is also expected to leave on a permanent deal, with De Zerbi unable to guarantee him the minutes he wants in midfield.

Galatasaray and Aston Villa are believed to be among the clubs interested in a move for the Senegal international.

With Marmoush expected to come in and bolster Spurs’ striking options, Richarlison’s future has also been cast further into doubt.

De Zerbi admitted during the club’s pre-season tour that the Brazilian striker has thought about leaving Spurs this summer and he has interest from several clubs.

With Spurs holding the option to extend his contract by a further 12 months, until 2028, they are expected to hold out for a sizeable transfer fee.

Richarlison was Spurs’ top goalscorer in all competitions last season but struggled with Brentford’s physicality at the weekend.

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Omar Marmoush and Savinho are on course to make their Tottenham debuts against Charlton or Newcastle next week.

Spurs host their London rivals in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night and then welcome the Magpies to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, August 29, for their first home league game of the new season and will be looking to bounce back from the 3-0 loss to Brentford.

Roberto De Zerbi’s hopes of an immediate reaction from his side are set to be boosted by the availability of two new signings.

Fabrizio Romano has since reported that Tottenham have now reached a verbal agreement with Man City to sign Omar Marmoush on loan, which includes a mandatory purchase option for £50m.

With Marmoush set to undergo a medical on Monday, he could make his debut against Charlton provided the deal is finalised before the cup tie.

Failing that, Spurs must register the Egypt international - and Savinho - by 12pm BST on Friday to have them available for selection in the Premier League against Newcastle.

Tottenham's summer spending will reach the £300m mark once Savinho’s move is finalised, and De Zerbi insists the club are not finished yet in the transfer market.

“It is not right to speak about players until they are official,” De Zerbi said in response to a question about Savinho before the Brentford game.

“Just to say, I am very happy. We have not finished yet in the transfer market. It is an important part.

“So far, we have had a great [summer for] signings. Great players and personalities. But you don’t win the game with big-name players. We have to deserve to win games.”

New Spurs signings but same old problem in nightmare start to the season

Defeat: Tottenham suffer nightmare start

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Sam Tabuteau

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Tottenham Edition

Your weekly briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau

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Tottenham were left stunned as they kick-started their Premier League campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

In what was supposed to be the start of a new era under Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs never got going and were punished emphatically as they fell 2-0 behind inside 33 minutes.

Goals from Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt saw Brentford take advantage of a fast start, and from there Spurs had no answer.

Michael Kayode struck Brentford’s third shortly after half-time and Igor Thiago could have made it four from the penalty spot, but the game was as good as won long before then.

Roberto De Zerbi looked furious on the touchline

Getty

Spurs overwhelmed on opening weekend

This was supposed to be the dawn of a new age for Spurs as they looked to catapult themselves from the depths of relegation to European contention once more.

On this performance alone, though, Spurs remain a long way from matching their ambitions, and De Zerbi already finds himself with a lot of questions to answer.

Expectations were high after an aggressive summer of spending, but Spurs’ new-look squad, sporting four competitive debuts, struggled for cohesion and confidence.

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Brentford were the better team from start to finish, their intensity overwhelming Spurs from the outset, and they got the goals their performance deserved.

A harrowing display and one that showed a concerning lack of personality as Spurs sank without a trace and let Brentford come onto them.

Second-half substitute Mateus Fernandes was the only player who looked capable or confident enough to try to get Spurs back into the game, but he can’t do it on his own.

Shared responsibility remains an issue for Spurs, and on this display there was little evidence that lessons have been learned from last season despite the changes in personnel.

Mamadou Sangare ran the show

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Tonali overshone by Sangare

This game was always going to be won in the midfield, and so it proved as Brentford’s club-record signing, Mamadou Sangare, announced himself to the rest of the league in style.

A lot of noise has been made about Sangare’s £41million move from Lens, so pivotal was his role in helping them push Paris Saint-Germain all the way in the Ligue 1 title race last season.

But Spurs will have felt they had enough to get to grips with the Mali international, boasting a club-record signing of their own in £100m man Sandro Tonali.

In truth, Tonali struggled as Sangare ran the show, breaking in behind after a neat one-two before cutting the ball back to Keane Lewis-Potter.

Brentford were unrelenting, and Sangare was all over Tonali. The Italian tried to inject pace and rhythm into Spurs’ game with the ball, but out of possession he could not get close to Sangare.

If one battle summed up Brentford’s dominance over Spurs, it was Sangare versus Tonali. Spurs, in search of some control, were suffocated by Brentford and Sangare.

Archie Gray was captain for the first time

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Captain Gray makes history - but will want to forget

A remarkable achievement for a remarkable young man, but a day he will want to forget quickly.

Archie Gray has been put through the wringer during his fledgling career and has always stood up and been counted, so it is no wonder Roberto De Zerbi feels he is deserving of the captain’s armband.

At just 20 years and 163 days old Gray became the youngest Spurs player to take the armband in a competitive match this evening.

Beating Steve Perryman’s record, the versatile youngster should have been able to enjoy a momentous achievement, and yet as he trudged off the pitch to jeers of “you should have signed for the big club”, Gray will have wanted the ground to swallow him up.

It was by no means entirely his fault, but Spurs looked powerless to contain Brentford, and Gray looked at a complete loss to do anything about it.

A chastening evening for Gray, but he should not be made to forget how impressive it is for a man of his age to be captaining a club of Spurs’ stature.

For Spurs, though, it is perhaps reflective of the leadership void De Zerbi wants to address that Gray was thrust into a position of such responsibility.

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Spurs spent part of the summer in Asia, while a number of players arrived back late after the World Cup

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Sam Tabuteau

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Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that he knew Tottenham would not be ready for the start of the Premier League season after a disjointed pre-season left his players struggling for fitness.

Spurs were humbled 3-0 by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, with the Bees’ intensity overwhelming De Zerbi’s side from start to finish.

Missing key players Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro, who returned late from the World Cup, Spurs named a mismatched defence that had not played together in a competitive game before.

There were also changes in midfield, where Mateus Fernandes and James Maddison were not deemed fit enough to start, and De Zerbi admited his team have not come into the new season in the right physical condition.

“For many reasons,” he replied when asked why his team were unable to control the game. “I think we are not a team yet, for a lot of reasons. Yesterday in the press conference, when you asked me what is the target, we can fix the target when you become a team. Before becoming a team, we can't say what we can do.

Roberto De Zerbi

PA

“For sure, we are not in the right point in physical condition for a lot of reasons. For the players, they came late after the World Cup, because in Australia we couldn't work in the right way for the trip, don't take risk for a lot of things, but are not excuses.

“They are the normal situation when you are building a new project, a new process. I don't want time, but we have to pass through these problems. I couldn't lose confidence in my players. I believe in my players, I believe in my club, I believe in myself. I think we are working well, but in this moment.”

Spurs ended pre-season unbeaten, rounding off their preparations last weekend with a comfortable 3-0 win over Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Despite his side’s comprehensive victory, though, De Zerbi said he knew after the game that Spurs were behind schedule in terms of their fitness.

Bergvall in the next two years, he will not lose that ball in that moment of the game ... there are steps to become better.

Roberto De Zerbi

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“I knew after the Hoffenheim game, I said we are not in the right point, we are late for the start of the Premier League. But it's a step, we have to improve quickly,” De Zerbi continued.

“Anyway, we could fight stronger than we did today. We lost too many duels, we made too many mistakes in the timing when we wanted to push the pressure higher. We arrived second for the second ball, we didn't win one second ball, one duel, one tackle, and it's tough.

“But if you analyse everything, you can find that we played with one [born in] 2007, one 2006.

“Lucas Bergvall, the second goal. I think he didn't play bad today, even if I substituted in the half-time. But Lucas Bergvall in the next two years, he will not lose that ball in that moment of the game. But there are steps to become better.

“Now the focus and the target is to become a team. Because a team, you can't become a team for the transfer market window, for the players, the new players, the paper, the player of the paper, no. You become teams with the players, they find the connection between them, they find the spirit, they find the soul, like I said yesterday, and it's a process.”

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A London derby is the headline act on the opening Saturday of the new Premier League season as Tottenham make the short trip from north to west to face Brentford. Despite successive 17th-place finishes and only escaping relegation on the final day in May, expectations are high at Spurs as their big-spending summer transfer window continues, with £100m signing Sandro Tonali expected to headline a flurry of competitive debuts. However, familiar issues persist as Roberto De Zerbi begins his first full campaign in charge, with a number of key players absent today.

That number includes injured new captain Micky van de Ven and World Cup winner Pedro Porro, while Savinho has not signed in time to feature as Spurs also push to land Manchester City team-mate Omar Marmoush. Brentford should provide a stern first test for Tottenham’s new era, having impressed under Keith Andrews last term and only missed out on last-gasp European qualification on goal difference.

Tottenham have an agreement to sign winger Savinho from Manchester City for £75million, plus £10m in potential add-ons, and are also targeting his City team-mate Omar Marmoush.

Savinho’s signing would take Tottenham’s summer spending beyond £300m, having twice smashed their transfer record this window with the £85m arrival of Mateus Fernandes followed by Sandro Tonali ‘s £100m move from Newcastle.

“It is not right to speak about players until they are official,” De Zerbi said in response to a question about Brazil international Savinho.

“Just to say, I am very happy. We have not finished yet in the transfer market. It is an important part.

“So far, we have had a great [summer for] signings. Great players and personalities. But you don’t win the game with big-name players. We have to deserve to win games.”

The Spurs boss added: “We are working very well with Johan Lange, with Vinai [Venkatesham], and with Nick [Beucher] — with the whole board.”

De Zerbi gave his verdict on start at Spurs, having been appointed in March and successfully guiding the club away from relegation on the final day of the previous season.

“It feels like I’ve been here ten years, but just three months,” De Zerbi said.

“Three very intense months. We can’t forget what happened last season. It’s a big lesson for us. We are building a big project.”

The Italian set out his two “big challenges” for Tottenham this summer, which he said he hopes his team will achieve as soon as possible.

He continued: “Now the big challenge — the first two targets — we are very clear in ourselves, is to find the soul of the team. The second target is to improve in our organisation of football, with the ball and without the ball.

“Our style has to be the key of our season. These two characteristics I want to find as soon as possible.”

Tottenham will be without Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro for their first game of the new Premier League season.

The pair has been joined on the sidelined by Pape Matar Sarr, who has picked up a hamstring injury in the days leading up to Saturday’s trip to Brentford.

Roberto De Zerbi told reporters on Friday: “Micky is not on the list for tomorrow, like Pedro Porro.

“Pape Matar Sarr no, because he felt some pain in his hamstring today. Nothing serious, but we don’t take risks.

On Van de Ven, De Zerbi added: “Today, he worked the group, and he is going very well.

“He suffered a problem during the pre-season of Australia, I don’t know if it was the flight, but not a big problem.

“We have [Marcos] Senesi, we have Ben Davies and in the right condition to play the game tomorrow.”

The absence of Van de Ven and Porro for the trip to west London means Spurs will be without their new captain and first vice-skipper for the first game of the new season.

As detailed by De Zerbi, Ben Davies is third, but is not expected to start on Saturday, while Maddison in fourth is lacking match fitness.

Archie Gray, fifth on the leadership list, could be wearing the armband while deputising at right-back for Porro.

The Brazilian has been a long-term target of Tottenham, who tried and failed to sign Savinho last summer.

Standard Sport understands Spurs have agreed to pay £75m for Savinho, with an additional £10m in performance-related add-ons, £5m of which are considered highly achievable.

It will be a club-record sale for City, and the third time this summer that Spurs have spent £85m or more on a player. Their club-record signing before the window was the £65m spent on Dominic Solanke two years ago.

The 22-year-old must be registered before 12pm on Friday to be in contention to make his debut in Spurs’ opening game of the new Premier League season, against Brentford, on Saturday night.

City rejected a Spurs bid for Savinho last summer, deciding they wished for the Brazilian to stay with them throughout the 2025-26 campaign.

But Savinho struggled for game time and now, a year on, is being allowed to leave. Palmeiras winger Allan Elias has reportedly been idenitifed as a replacement for Savinho.

After the season ended, he and his representatives were clear that more game time in the season ahead was a priority for Brazil international.

Spurs are now prepared to move on to securing their second City target of the summer. They are in talks to sign Savinho’s City team-mate Omar Marmoush.

Tottenham are also interested in Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, but it remains to be seen whether they would look to advance that deal if they managed to secure Marmoush as well as Savinho.