Football London

The Tottenham Hotspur boss is speaking to reporters after the goalless encounter against Everton on Saturday in the Premier League

Roberto De Zerbi is holding his press conference following Tottenham's 0-0 draw against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Spurs kicked off the encounter with tempo, finally looking like a De Zerbi team, but struggled to actually test Jordan Pickford in the Everton goal until substitute Lucas Bergvall's late effort. Jan Paul van Hecke and Mateus Fernandes wasted good opportunities in the first period.

Otherwise the visitors had the better opportunities with Antonin Kinsky called upon to make three saves, one through his own mistake in presenting the ball to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the second half. Former Spurs man Brennan Johnson also fired over from a good position.

Despite some late pressure, Tottenham could not find a way through and remain without a goal and a victory in the Premier League this season. It is the first time in their history that the north London club have not scored in the opening four matches of a league season.

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

Here's every word De Zerbi said

We've got every word Roberto De Zerbi just said on what he was saying to Mathys Tel on the pitch after the final whistle, the Italian word that sums up why Spurs aren't scoring goals and a four minute answer to my first question. You can read the full transcript by heading right here or scroll down for some highlights.

A long answer from De Zerbi

I am honest, I am always honest with you because when we play bad, I say we played very bad but when I come in press conference, 99 per cent I am honest. Like with the players and like with the club. I said we started this season late in many, many reasons and too late. Many players at the World Cup, many injuries, many problems in Australia. Mateus Fernandes, Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke and for not our responsibility or our club responsibility. We brought two players late, Savio and Marmoush, and I started to work with this (whole) group not last Thursday but two Thursdays ago. So, I think we have not the right physical condition yet. I think we played very well the first 30 minutes and then maybe the energy? Maybe the fact we didn’t score? Maybe we lost in some players a little confidence. We have to be not positive but realistic. If we extend that part of the game 30 minutes to 60, 70, 80 and 90, in my opinion, for my belief, we are going to win many games. We have to improve in the last third of the pitch, for sure. The last decision, the last pass and we have to shoot more times especially when we have space and time to do; we have to do with the right spirit, but I can’t say nothing bad. I know how the players are working, I think we are in the right way but it’s tough to explain because four games without goals is tough to accept. We are sorry for the fans, but the fans they went behind the players. When the players in the first 30 minutes, they played very well, it was a hot, hot stadium and then everyone like me, like every fan inside of Tottenham or the people inside of the club, we were sad because 75 times in the goal area and not shoot enough to explain the quality of the play we did and also in the second half. I watch many, many games where the winning team created less than us in the second half. What is the problem? The problem is the goal and the most important problem, the real problem is the players have to be focused on the first 30 minutes and the improvements we can do and we have to do. Not about social media, not about the journalist because today if we had won, now we stay in different way. With smile, great first half, great spirit in the second half and great, great, great but the result change the opinion. In my opinion, no? Because I am a coach and not a journalist or a fan.

More from the Spurs boss

I came last season when the s*** was like this (puts his hand up to his forehead), you know? S***, I repeat. And I've always been, not positive, but realistic. Now I explained, I'm sorry for the results, but it's not immediate, no? Not the improvement, not immediate to make a team. Today we played as a team. We didn't score, we didn't win, but today and Nottingham I think we played as a team. And I can't say nothing as an attitude, as a behaviour of the players, no, no. I said to stay calm, maybe to not lose the confidence because we are not scoring, we are not winning. Stay calm, improve, work hard and individually try to understand where is the improvement, no? I spoke with Mathys Tel just at the end of the game to explain what was his position today.

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De Zerbi is here

There is a word in Italian that literally translates as we unblock ourselves. I think the team is incredibly strong and we can win games. We can find the goals with the quality of our players. The full-backs and their quality. Andy Robertson was very good today but we didn't maybe trust his crosses enough.

David Moyes is here first

It felt like Tottenham had more [shots on target] than we did. Was I happy with the performance? No, not really. I told the players about coming here and our club's record here. Tottenham were so good for 20 minutes, put us under so much pressure and we struggled to get out of it. We didn't play well enough today though and turned the ball over too much.

Here are our Spurs player ratings

You can find our Spurs player ratings after another goalless display by heading right here.

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Tottenham failed to score for the fourth consecutive Premier League game which led to Jamie Redknapp issuing a brutal verdict

Jamie Redknapp has brutally stated it is "absolutely diabolical" that Tottenham are yet to score in the Premier League after spending £300million. Roberto De Zerbi was given a transfer war chest after helping the club avoid relegation but his 10 new signings are yet to settle into the squad.

Over half of those started Saturday's goalless draw against Everton with Spurs again creating minimal chances and managing just two shots on target. One of those came from £85million arrival Mateus Fernandes with Sandro Tonali and Savio, who could cost a combined £185m, failing to create.

Tottenham have looked far more solid defensively but their lack of end product is becoming a real issue with Redknapp making it clear there are a number of issues that need solving.

He said on Sky Sports: "After spending £300m, I didn't think there would be a problem scoring goals. But to not score in six hours of football is absolutely diabolical."

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"They have not got the right balance in the team. There are so many problems to solve in a game just to score a goal."

Fellow pundit Ashely Young added: "As professionals you'll be thinking 'six hours and we've not scored a goal', it's a disgrace. It is not good enough at all and there needs to be a big conversation amongst the players.

"We've brought in players and we're just not scoring goals. We're not creating chances and we don't look like a team that is going to score."

Roberto De Zerbi also pulled no punches when delivering his assessment of the game which included some swearing but the Tottenham boss did admitted he was at least happy that his side played like a team.

He said: "I came last season when the s*** was like this (puts his hand up to his forehead), you know? S***, I repeat. And I've always been, not positive, but realistic. Now I explained, I'm sorry for the results, but it's not immediate, no? Not the improvement, not immediate to make a team.

"Today we played as a team. We didn't score, we didn't win, but today and Nottingham I think we played as a team. And I can't say nothing as an attitude, as a behaviour of the players, no, no. I said to stay calm, maybe to not lose the confidence because we are not scoring, we are not winning.

"Stay calm, improve, work hard and individually try to understand where is the improvement, no? I spoke with Mathys Tel just at the end of the game to explain what was his position today."

The Lilywhites have scored five goals this season but all of those came in the Carabao Cup win over Charlton. Their next clash in that competition arrives next Tuesday and is away at Liverpool.

Tottenham's final opportunity to score in the Premier League will come next Saturday lunchtime at home to Aston Villa, who only just scored their first goal in the competition at the fourth attempt.

Here's every word the Tottenham Hotspur head coach said after the goalless draw with Everton on Saturday

Roberto De Zerbi launched into some passionate answers in his press conference after Tottenham's 0-0 draw against Everton on Saturday evening.

Spurs started well and pinned Everton in their box in the opening 20 minutes of the Premier League clash but Jan Paul van Hecke and Mateus Fernandes wasted good opportunities.

Otherwise the visitors had the better chances with Antonin Kinsky called upon to make three saves, one through his own mistake in presenting the ball to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the second half. Former Spurs man Brennan Johnson also fired over from a good position.

Despite some late pressure with substitute Lucas Bergvall forcing Jordan Pickford into a save, Tottenham could not find a way through and remain without a goal and a victory in the Premier League this season.

It is the first time in their history that the north London club have not scored in the opening four matches of a league season.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to De Zerbi after the draw. Here's the full transcript from the press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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It was such a strong start with a fast tempo – why did it not translate into goals?

I am honest, I am always honest with you because when we play bad, I say we played very bad but when I come in press conference, 99 per cent I am honest. Like with the players and like with the club. I said we started this season late in many, many reasons and too late. Many players at the World Cup, many injuries, many problems in Australia. Mateus Fernandes, Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke and for not our responsibility or our club responsibility.

We brought two players late, Savio and Marmoush, and I started to work with this (whole) group not last Thursday but two Thursdays ago. So, I think we have not the right physical condition yet. I think we played very well the first 30 minutes and then maybe the energy? Maybe the fact we didn’t score? Maybe we lost in some players a little confidence. We have to be not positive but realistic.

If we extend that part of the game 30 minutes to 60, 70, 80 and 90, in my opinion, for my belief, we are going to win many games. We have to improve in the last third of the pitch, for sure. The last decision, the last pass and we have to shoot more times especially when we have space and time to do; we have to do with the right spirit, but I can’t say nothing bad.

I know how the players are working, I think we are in the right way but it’s tough to explain because four games without goals is tough to accept. We are sorry for the fans, but the fans they went behind the players. When the players in the first 30 minutes, they played very well, it was a hot, hot stadium and then everyone like me, like every fan inside of Tottenham or the people inside of the club, we were sad because 75 times in the goal area and not shoot enough to explain the quality of the play we did and also in the second half.

I watch many, many games where the winning team created less than us in the second half. What is the problem? The problem is the goal and the most important problem, the real problem is the players have to be focused on the first 30 minutes and the improvements we can do and we have to do. Not about social media, not about the journalist because today if we had won, now we stay in different way. With smile, great first half, great spirit in the second half and great, great, great but the result change the opinion. In my opinion, no? Because I am a coach and not a journalist or a fan.

At the full time whistle you went over to Tel, it looked like you were coaching him, what did you say?

Yes, I coached him on the pitch. What did you understand?

I was trying to work it out, can you explain?

The body shape. He is a striker and the striker can play with the shoulder on the goal. If we are playing with Maddison, Kudus and Savio, he has to play as a striker and the striker has to look at the goal or the cross from Robertson. He has to stay inside because he started as a striker eh? Now he is playing as a winger but he started his career as a striker, but I love Mathys as a player, as a guy and there is not a problem.

How much is the fact that Spurs haven’t scored on the players’ minds?

I think there is a word in Italian (sbloccarsi) that literally translates as if we unblock ourselves. I think the team is extremely strong…and we can score goals, and we can win games. And then we have to respect the history of the players in their careers.

Forget [Dominic] Solanke or [Omar] Marmoush. The other players, they didn't score many, many goals in their career and we have to find these goals.

I think we can find the goals with the quality of the play, with the full-backs, because we have great full-backs. Robertson today played very well. I don't know if we believe in the cross and we prepared the game exactly in that way.

When you say unblock ourselves in Italian, do you mean a mental block?

A mental block, because four games, no wins, any goals scored. It is tough also for the players because they are human and they are very good guys, and I asked them to follow me because if last season I was positive, I can't understand why I can not be the same this season.

In Italy, for example, now I should be the best coach, no? Two games, two clean sheets. Two clean sheets? (Turns to Italian reporter) Tomorrow, what will you write? Clean sheets or no goals? Explain to me what you want (to write). I'm right, I guess.

You said you're late, but you're very late now. It's five games in, so I guess some people will say it sounds a bit like excuses as other clubs have had to deal with pre-season and late signings?

First of all, four games, not five. After Aston Villa it will be five games.

You played in the cup as well..

But yes, 5-1 and we scored five goals against Charlton. We won by scoring five goals. So we speak about the Premier League, it's four games. I think the people and the fans, I think they already understood if I take an excuse or not.

I came last season when the s*** was like this (puts his hand up to his forehead), you know? S***, I repeat. And I've always been, not positive, but realistic. Now I explained, I'm sorry for the results, but it's not immediate, no? Not the improvement, not immediate to make a team.

Today we played as a team. We didn't score, we didn't win, but today and Nottingham I think we played as a team. And I can't say nothing as an attitude, as a behaviour of the players, no, no.

I said to stay calm, maybe to not lose the confidence because we are not scoring, we are not winning. Stay calm, improve, work hard and individually try to understand where is the improvement, no? I spoke with Mathys Tel just at the end of the game to explain what was his position today.

How far away are Tottenham from being at their best physically?

I don't know. Now we play Tuesday in Liverpool and we play with all other players but it will be a very important match for us. We can improve playing in the games, we can improve during the week. I think Rodrigo Bentancur, he came late after the World Cup and he's crucial for us. And I didn't want to change him today, but I thought maybe he finished his energy in that moment of the game.

Sandro Tonali, for example, played better in the second half. Robertson, JP van Hecke, they stayed directly for the first period of the pre-season. Micky van De Ven suffered an injury in Australia. Domi Solanke, the same. Maddison, the same. Savio and Marmoush, they came 10 days ago. Mateus Fernandes suffered an injury in Australia. He lost 15 days and it's not so quick.

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Richarlison has taken to social media to explain the breakdown of his move to Vasco da Gama from Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison has blamed Spurs for the breakdown of his move to Vasco da Gama.

football.london understands Spurs agreed a deal with the Brazilian outfit for the 29-year-old, with Vasco da Gama unable to agree personal terms.

However, the player has taken to social media to blame Tottenham for reaching their loan limit, blocking his move to his home country.

Taking to Instagram, translated via geGlobo, the Brazilian said: "Hey there, Vasco fans. This week has been pretty hectic. I decided to take some time to thank the Vasco fans. Pedrinho, Felipe.

"We were very close to me signing with Vasco. My team, the team of my whole family.

"It was a close call. I had made it very clear to Pedrinho and Felipe from the beginning of the conversation that I wanted to play for Vasco until December. When other clubs and other offers came up, I made it clear that they were my priority.

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"This time, it was a close call. Unfortunately, Tottenham reached the loan limit, so it didn't work out either. But that's it. I wanted to thank you, the Vasco fans, who sent many kind messages.

"Asking what time and day I would be at the airport so they could come and have a party and pick me up. But let's leave that for another time. I believe I'll be at São Januário, in Barreira, soon.

"You know how much I care about you all, and one day I will realize this dream, which is mine, my grandfather's, and my family's. I'm speaking from the heart because I really want to be at Vasco. That's it. Thank you all very much.

"Soon we will be wearing the Vasco shirt. There's even one over there, there are many over there. I found this one, and since Pedrinho has been at Vasco, in charge, he sends me many Vasco shirts, at every launch, he knows I'm a Vasco fan. Thanks. Soon we will be at São Januário, in Barreira, and "that's us"

Richarlison has been attempting to engineer a departure from the club following his omission from Roberto De Zerbi's 25-man Premier League squad.

The 29-year-old had been pushing for an exit before the British transfer window closed on September 1, with former club Everton exploring a sentimental reunion, but that deal fell through at the eleventh hour.

Trabzonspor also made efforts to secure his signature, tabling offers of £15million and £20m, but a transfer failed to come to fruition.

Richarlison took part in the first team's warm-up session on Thursday, yet his absence from the Premier League squad means he cannot feature until January at the earliest.

I left Tottenham for Everton after telling Spurs boss I'd never play for the club ever again  Football London

Tottenham Hotspur will face Everton in the Premier League this weekend with both clubs expected to have players unavailable for selection

Tottenham Hotspur and Everton will both have players on the sidelines when they meet in the Premier League this weekend. Spurs will host the Toffees at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday evening as they look to secure their first victory of the season.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side are without a win in their first three Premier League games, and earned their first point last week in a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.

Everton also secured a point last weekend as David Moyes and Co. drew 2-2 with Manchester United, with summer signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles equalising in stoppage time.

Spurs will be without some key players this weekend, while Everton will also have to deal with some absentees of their own.

Tottenham will be without summer signing Mykhailo Mudryk, who suffered an ankle injury and faces a spell on the sidelines.

"It was a stupid injury of Mudryk, and we hope he can be back as soon as possible. For him and for us," De Zerbi told reporters on Friday.

"For him, because he suffered too much and for us because we lost one player, an important player. He played 20 minutes, 15 minutes in Nottingham. He played well, but it's the normal process when one player doesn't play for a long time."

There will also be no Dejan Kulusevski for Spurs, who is in the latter stages of his recovery from an injury he suffered back in May 2025.

"Kulusevski is not working with us in the last week, not big problem," De Zerbi said.

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James Maddison could return for Tottenham, though, with the midfielder recovering from a shoulder injury in the early weeks of the season.

However, Spurs will still be without long-term absentees Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert, who are still expected to be on the sidelines for several months.

For Everton, they are expected to only have one player unavailable when they make the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Christian Norgaard will not be part of the Everton squad that faces Tottenham, with the former Arsenal midfielder still recovering from a muscle injury.

James Garner also handed Everton an injury scare during the draw with Manchester United, but the midfielder is suspected to have suffered from cramp and should be available to face Tottenham.

Tottenham predicted team vs Everton - Pedro Porro surprise with Solanke and Kudus decisions  Football London

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