Football London

Roberto De Zerbi's biggest problem exposed amid £320m Tottenham boost  Football London

The Tottenham Hotspur owners have pumped another big injection of cash into the north London club amid their Premier League struggles

The Lewis family have pumped another £120million into Tottenham Hotspur as they look to continue to back the overhaul of the club.

football.london exclusively broke the news back in June that Spurs ' owners had injected £100million into the north London outfit with more to come and that has now arrived in the form of a further £120million for working capital. That takes the Lewis family's investment into the club to £320million in the past year alone, incrementally increasing their stake in the club.

The family, with Vivienne Lewis and her son-in-law Nick Beucher the most prominent members in terms of backing the club, promised at the end of last season to invest in the club and in a statement said that "actions will speak louder than words". They swatted away three approaches to buy Tottenham from parties claiming interest, while reaffirming their commitment by making further investment to help improvements on and off the pitch.

The club signed 10 new players in the summer with an outlay of almost £400million, including add-ons, while selling and loaning various players for a sum that could recoup more than half of that.

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On the pitch, Roberto De Zerbi's new-look side is yet to click, without a Premier League win or goal in their first four matches of the season and on Tuesday night they exited the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool.

Former Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was invited to add his proportionate share to the previous £100million in order to not dilute his portion of the club but failed to do so.

Levy was the subject of a claim from Eight Sports Capital Limited that they had a legally binding sale and purchase agreement for a large portion of his stake in ENIC.

Every word De Zerbi said on Maddison problem, Porro update and hint at his key four Tottenham attackers  Football London

Roberto De Zerbi is speaking to reporters following Tottenham's 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat at Liverpool on Tuesday night.

The first chance of the night was a big one for the visitors on 12 minutes. Conor Gallagher sent Destiny Udogie down the left and his low cross was diverted to the free Lucas Bergvall but Giorgi Mamardashvili got a toe to his low shot from eight yards. Liverpool had a big chance four minutes later when Dubravka had to deny Lewis Koumas one-vs-one after the Liverpool man turned Senesi to race into the box.

The deadline was broken on 21 minutes with Alexis Mac Allister unmarked in the box to curl an effort into the top right corner of the net after an Udogie tackle sent the ball to his feet. There should have been a Spurs equaliser just after the half hour mark as a rapid break ended with Udogie's low cross being sent over the crossbar by Kudus from about six yards out.

It was the hosts who found the next goal on 54 minutes, Gray giving too much space to Cody Gakpo, linked with Spurs for most of the summer, and the Dutchman fired a low effort inside the right-hand post.

Gallagher gave Tottenham hope when he headed home Mateus Fernandes' corner from close range in the 69th minute.

As the rain poured down, Dominik Szoboszlai was denied by Dubravka and at the other end Giorgi Mamardashvili made a brilliant reaction save from Omar Marmoush's deflected shot. Spurs had their chances, but ultimately the game was decided by a world class finish as Szoboszlai struck a swerving half-volley into the net from distance with remarkable technique.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to De Zerbi after the game. Scroll down down for his latest updates from the press conference at Anfield.

Here's every word De Zerbi said

You can read a full transcript of Roberto De Zerbi's press conference by heading right here or scroll down for some highlights.

On Dubravka's debut

Good. He's a good guy, good goalkeeper. I'm sorry, and it's my responsibility. Because maybe in the middle of the first half we didn't recognise the clear situation man-to-man. And we had to do totally different than play close, close, close and short. But is a process. It was the first game for Dubravka. In the second half he played very well.

The Spurs boss on the game

We have to shoot more times, we have to shoot better, we have to finish better the clear situations, but we are sorry for the result, disappointed, frustrated for the result. I think, unfair, but we have to accept and to be stronger than this unlucky moment, because I'm honest, I'm honest with myself and I'm honest with you, I think in these five, six games, we have been for sure not lucky with Newcastle, with Everton, even with Nottingham and tonight as well. A lot of things, because the first goal we conceded we didn't defend in the right way, and the second goal we could be closer with Gakpo, but have to understand if we are in the right way or not, I think watching the game, the last three games, four games, maybe until minute 60 with Newcastle, I think we are in the right way. I believe in my players, I have a big confidence, a big opinion of my players, and when we arrive to find the click, to win a game, I think we enjoy with these players, because the qualities of the players are incredible. Have a look at Marmoush, Savio, Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Mateus Fernandes, Robertson, don't forget Pedro Porro. Solanke, Solanke top, he's a good player. It's a tough moment, but we have to be stronger to prepare our best for the next game with Villa and to find this click.

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Some good injury news

Roberto De Zerbi says Pedro Porro will be back for Spurs to face Villa.

Here are our Spurs player ratings

You can find our Tottenham player ratings after that cup exit by heading right here.

Roberto De Zerbi will be here shortly

Plenty for the Tottenham boss to discuss after that cup exit.

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Tottenham went down battling in a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday night and here are our Spurs player ratings.

Roberto De Zerbi made eight changes to his Spurs team after the goalless draw with Everton on Saturday with a defence that has never played together while Andoni Iraola made 10 changes to his starting XI following the stalemate against Fulham. Spurs came into the game without a victory at Anfield in their previous 17 matches, the last win coming all the way back in May 2011.

De Zerbi handed summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo his full debut at centre-back with Martin Dubravka making his bow between the sticks. Mohammed Kudus made his first start for the club since January 4 and Marcos Senesi, Conor Gallagher, Destiny Udogie, Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel all came into the team with 20-year-old Archie Gray captaining the side.

The first chance of the night was a big one for the visitors on 12 minutes. Gallagher sent Udogie in down the left and his low cross was diverted to the free Bergvall but Giorgi Mamardashvili got a toe to his low shot from eight yards. Liverpool had a big chance four minutes later when Dubravka had to deny Lewis Koumas one-vs-one after the Liverpool man turned Senesi to race into the box.

The deadline was broken on 21 minutes with Alexis Mac Allister unmarked in the box to curl an effort into the top right corner of the net after an Udogie tackle sent the ball to his feet.

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There should have been a Spurs equaliser just after the half hour mark as a rapid break ended with Udogie's low cross being sent over the crossbar by Kudus from about six yards out.

It was the hosts who found the next goal on 54 minutes, Gray giving too much space to Cody Gakpo, linked with Spurs for most of the summer, and the Dutchman fired a low effort inside the right-hand post.

Gallagher gave Tottenham hope when he headed home Mateus Fernandes' corner from close range in the 69th minute.

As the rain poured down, Dominik Szoboszlai was denied by Dubravka and at the other end Mamardashvili made a brilliant reaction save from Omar Marmoush's deflected shot.

Spurs had their chances, but ultimately the game was decided by a world class finish as Szoboszlai struck a swerving half-volley into the net from distance with remarkable technique.

It decided a cup game that saw the visitors have 17 shots but not get anything from it while Liverpool produced three fine finishes.

Here are our Spurs player ratings from the match:

Martin Dubravka

His first real involvement was to deny Koumas in a one-vs-one chance. Couldn't do much about Mac Allister's clinical finish. Saved from Szoboszlai in the 82nd minute but could not get near the Liverpool midfielder's late wonder goal. 7

Archie Gray

Captain again and put in a solid enough shift in the first half. Gave Gakpo too much space though in the box for his goal before the hour mark. Found Isak tough to deal with in the final stages and got outmuscled by the striker for a Liverpool chance. 5

Tosin Adarabioyo

A solid full debut from the centre-back. None of the goals were really his fault and he did most of what he had to do pretty well. 7

Marcos Senesi

Turned by Koumas for a big chance 16 minutes in. Played a lovely ball over the top into Udogie's run into the Liverpool box 25 minutes in that the Italian couldn't control. Summed up his first half really, a couple of strong moments and a couple of shaky ones. Grew into the game in the second half and tried to work the ball forward. 5

Destiny Udogie

Put in a good low cross that Bergvall should have scored from early on. Was involved at the start and end of a rapid break that saw Kudus fire over the crossbar. Was unfortunate to see his challenge on Ngumoha poke the ball to Mac Allister to score. If he can stay fit then he offers a lot down the left. 7

Rodrigo Bentancur

Started the game well but after picking up a yellow card he was walking a tightrope and slid into one challenge that could have brought a second booking before being taken off. 6

Lucas Bergvall

Made a good sliding tackle to stop Gakpo running towards the Spurs box in the opening five minutes. Should have opened the scoring on 12 minutes with a free hit from eight yards but the keeper saved. Went on a couple of second half runs as the game stretched and made some important tackles, including one in the final 10 minutes in the Tottenham box. That showing will have helped his confidence. 7

Mohammed Kudus

His first start since the early days of 2026 and it showed at times with his hesitancy. Sent an effort over the crossbar from six yards from Udogie's low cross after the half hour mark. Had an effort saved by the keeper just after the hour mark after being teed up by Marmoush. Important minutes for the Ghana international even if he didn't have the end product on his return to the starting line-up. 5

Conor Gallagher

His technique is wildly inconsistent. At times it's excellent, at others its all over the place. But he gives plenty more on top to the team. Sent Udogie away down the left for Bergvall's early chance. Had an effort deflected over the crossbar. Battled away and then headed home from Fernandes' corner to give Spurs hope. 7

Mathys Tel

Plenty of huff and puff with nothing at the end of it other than a low cross that Kudus should have scored from. 5

Omar Marmoush

Struggled until about the hour mark and then started to find space for his dribbles forward and was denied a goal by the keeper's reactions. 6

Subs

Mateus Fernandes

Swung in the corner that Gallagher headed in. Tried to drive Spurs forward late in the game. 6

Andy Robertson

Got a great reaction back at Anfield and he tried to get the ball into the box as much as possible when out wide. 5

Savio

Went on a couple of runs and should have put a shot on target after one of them rather than sending it across the face of goal. 5

James Maddison

A bright cameo with plenty of glimpses of the old Maddison. He wasn't on for long but he was dangerous throughout his appearance and looked sharp. Played a through ball to Marmoush which was lacking before his arrival. 6

Dominic Solanke

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A staunch critic of Roberto De Zerbi has crawled out of the woodwork following Tottenham Hotspur's disappointing start to the new season

Christophe Dugarry has slammed Roberto De Zerbi's management style following a disappointing start to the new Premier League season. In the summer transfer window, Johan Lange forked out well over £300m on new players to bolster the squad, but Tottenham Hotspur are yet to win a game, let alone score a goal.

The Lilywhites sit fourth from bottom in the English top-flight, with just a point stopping them from falling into the relegation zone. For the first time in the club's history, they have failed to find the net in each of the first four games of the campaign.

Dugarry, a staunch critic of De Zerbi, has since crawled out of the woodwork, accusing him of pulling off a 'heist' at Hotspur Way. During an appearance on French television channel RMC Sport, the former AC Milan, Barcelona, and Olympique Marseille striker described the Italian as 'completely delusional'.

"He signed for five years [at Tottenham], the heist he pulls off, without the balaclava... It’s insane," said Dugarry, as quoted by Sport Witness. "And now they pay you every week in England, so you can go.

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"What he’s doing is magnificent. He’s proven so much in football that he’s incredible," he sarcastically added. Dugarry also doubted whether De Zerbi has what it takes to manage at the very highest level.

"I never understood what this man’s true level was," added the 54-year-old, who enjoyed a couple of years with Birmingham City in the Premier League, scoring six goals in 30 games, during the early 2000s.

"I’m told he did well at Brighton, Sassuolo, and I don’t remember where else. For me, he’s not an absolute benchmark for coaching big clubs; he had his chance. For now, he’s struggling to seize it."

In reference to the Tottenham boss' spell at Marseille, when he left 'by mutual agreement' just months before taking the reins at Spurs, Dugarry then urged a senior official to stop him in his tracks.

The former France international said: "But for me, the turning point came after three months, when things weren't going his way, he said: 'If I'm the problem, I'm leaving.' I realised the guy was off his rocker!"

Dugarry also took a swipe at De Zerbi for his management of Mathys Tel. Following Spurs' goalless draw to Everton at the weekend, the Italian went viral on social media when the television cameras spotted him exchanging a few words with the 21-year-old forward.

In the post-match press conference, De Zerbi explained the incident, claiming that he just wanted Tel to improve his body shape when leading the frontline. The Tottenham gaffer defused the situation, adding that he 'loves' the Frenchman and there was 'not a problem'.

Despite this, Dugarry tore into De Zerbi again. He said: "I can’t even talk about him as a coach, but when you’re still capable of making statements like that, post-match, pre-match. During the match, I saw him; he went after Mathys Tel on the pitch.

"The statements he made about this guy and that, he’s completely out of it. It’s astounding to have so little lucidity about what you say. Isn’t there anyone around him who’s going to tell him, ‘Just shut up!’? He’s completely delusional."