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Roberto De Zerbi is coming under increasing levels of scrutiny at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Italian was supposed to be leading Spurs into a new era this season.

A massive summer spend felt as if it was going to lead to a major turnaround after struggles in recent seasons.

Things haven't worked out that way as the Lilywhites are yet to win or even score in the Premier League.

There has been very little positive to say about the N17 outfit throughout this run.

Gary Lineker can't quite believe how bad Tottenham have been and now fears for De Zerbi's future.

What has Gary Lineker said about Roberto De Zerbi?

The Carabao Cup looked to be the distraction that the North Londoners needed in midweek.

After the struggles of the league, a trip to face Liverpool should have been something to be positive about.

Instead, the Lilywhites fell to a 3-1 defeat against a rotated Reds side that featured five players under the age of 22.

That was far from a good look, even with Conor Gallagher getting on the scoresheet.

Lineker now fears for De Zerbi should he not get back on the winning trail immediately.

Speaking on Friday's episode of Stick to Football, he said: "They've had a dreadful start, haven't they? Yes, they've got two draws, but both goalless. He needs to turn things around pretty quickly."

That was echoed by Alan Shearer, who looked ahead to Saturday's all-important meeting with Aston Villa.

The Newcastle legend added: "Can you imagine having defeat on the weekend going into the international break with three weeks off, off the back of that start? That's why they desperately need a win at the weekend."

Everything that the ex-England internationals have said is spot on, but just how bad has it been for De Zerbi?

Roberto De Zerbi told what needs to happen to avoid Tottenham sack ahead of crucial Everton clash What is De Zerbi's record at Tottenham?

The 47-year-old had once looked to be a coup of a pick-up given where Spurs were in the table.

It doesn't necessarily look like that now.

Having now managed 13 games on Hotspur Way, his record is far from good enough.

Just four victories are outweighed by four draws and five defeats, with a win rate of 31 per cent, summing everything up.

An average of 1.2 points-per-game makes his Tottenham stint the worst of his last five jobs, stretching back to 2018.

Everything was summed up by his Lilywhites side clocking up 56 per cent possession, 2.24 expected goals and four big chances in the defeat against Liverpool.

Despite dominating in the stats, his side fell to yet another defeat.

If De Zerbi can't get a season first against Aston Villa, it could be a long international break for the Italian.

If he keeps his job, that is.

The long road back for Kulusevski

Tottenham fans have faced a grueling wait to see Kulusevski back in competitive action, with the Sweden international absent since the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign. A severe right patella injury essentially placed his career on a 19-month hiatus, a period that saw him cruelly forced to miss out on the summer World Cup.

However, after a lengthy rehabilitation process that included a minor setback during his initial return attempt in August, the 26-year-old is finally back in full training with the senior squad, providing a massive psychological lift to a side currently searching for their first league win of the season.

While the upcoming clash against Aston Villa on Saturday will come too soon for a matchday involvement, the technical staff is eyeing a competitive comeback in October or November.

De Zerbi evaluates a major boost

Addressing the media regarding the Swede's status, De Zerbi was full of praise for both the player's ability and his character during a difficult period away from the pitch. "We have to manage Deki in the best way we can, with the medical staff, physical staff, but it's a great thing for us," the former Brighton boss explained. "He's a good player, he's a good guy and he deserves to play again."

Kulusevski's importance to the Spurs setup cannot be overstated, particularly given his influential form prior to the injury. He was widely considered the club's standout performer during a turbulent 2024/25 season before the knee issue forced him to sit out the entirety of the following year.

Maddison returns to the fold

Kulusevski is not the only high-profile creative talent working his way back to full sharpness. James Maddison has also endured a frustrating cycle of injuries, including an ACL tear last August that required a heroic effort to return for the end of the previous season. Despite helping Spurs avoid the drop, Maddison has dealt with further shoulder complications during the current campaign.

Speaking on Maddison's fitness and his unique impact on the pitch, De Zerbi noted that the 29-year-old offers qualities that are rare within the current squad. The manager confirmed that Roberto De Zerbi updates on the availability of Pedro Porro, Sandro Tonali and James Maddison, indicating that all three are in contention for the Villa match. "Listen, James is working with the team in the last 10, 15 days. Maybe less than 15 days and even if he's a technical player, he needs to be fit, to stay in a good condition."

Turning the season around

Tottenham enter the weekend in a precarious position, having failed to secure a victory or even score a single goal in their first four Premier League outings. This poor run of form has put pressure on the new regime, but the manager remains steadfast in his belief that the results will follow if the players maintain their composure.

The availability of Pedro Porro and Sandro Tonali, both of whom missed the midweek cup defeat to Liverpool, provides further depth for a squad that has looked stretched in recent weeks.

The long road back for Kulusevski

Tottenham fans have faced a grueling wait to see Kulusevski back in competitive action, with the Sweden international absent since the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign. A severe right patella injury essentially placed his career on a 19-month hiatus, a period that saw him cruelly forced to miss out on the summer World Cup.

However, after a lengthy rehabilitation process that included a minor setback during his initial return attempt in August, the 26-year-old is finally back in full training with the senior squad, providing a massive psychological lift to a side currently searching for their first league win of the season.

While the upcoming clash against Aston Villa on Saturday will come too soon for a matchday involvement, the technical staff is eyeing a competitive comeback in October or November.

De Zerbi evaluates a major boost

Addressing the media regarding the Swede's status, De Zerbi was full of praise for both the player's ability and his character during a difficult period away from the pitch. "We have to manage Deki in the best way we can, with the medical staff, physical staff, but it's a great thing for us," the former Brighton boss explained. "He's a good player, he's a good guy and he deserves to play again."

Kulusevski's importance to the Spurs setup cannot be overstated, particularly given his influential form prior to the injury. He was widely considered the club's standout performer during a turbulent 2024/25 season before the knee issue forced him to sit out the entirety of the following year.

Maddison returns to the fold

Kulusevski is not the only high-profile creative talent working his way back to full sharpness. James Maddison has also endured a frustrating cycle of injuries, including an ACL tear last August that required a heroic effort to return for the end of the previous season. Despite helping Spurs avoid the drop, Maddison has dealt with further shoulder complications during the current campaign.

Speaking on Maddison's fitness and his unique impact on the pitch, De Zerbi noted that the 29-year-old offers qualities that are rare within the current squad. The manager confirmed that Roberto De Zerbi updates on the availability of Pedro Porro, Sandro Tonali and James Maddison, indicating that all three are in contention for the Villa match. "Listen, James is working with the team in the last 10, 15 days. Maybe less than 15 days and even if he's a technical player, he needs to be fit, to stay in a good condition."

Turning the season around

Tottenham enter the weekend in a precarious position, having failed to secure a victory or even score a single goal in their first four Premier League outings. This poor run of form has put pressure on the new regime, but the manager remains steadfast in his belief that the results will follow if the players maintain their composure.

The availability of Pedro Porro and Sandro Tonali, both of whom missed the midweek cup defeat to Liverpool, provides further depth for a squad that has looked stretched in recent weeks.

Tottenham will be boosted by the return of vice-captain Pedro Porro as they look to end their goalless and winless start to the Premier League season at home against Aston Villa.

Despite improving performances, Spurs remain without a single goal or victory in the top-flight this season after four games and were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the third round by Liverpool on Tuesday.

Head coach Roberto De Zerbi will desperately want to head into an extended three-week international break with some momentum and knows his side have a good opportunity to kick-start their season by inflicting more pain on Aston Villa.

Unai Emery's side are also without a league win this season but secured their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 3-1 win over Coventry on Wednesday.

While Spurs' main issues on the pitch have come in attack, they have also struggled for fitness again, with De Zerbi bemoaning an unstructured pre-season that has left his players physically off the mark.

The club's revamped medical team have also taken a more cautious approach to player returns, keen to avoid a repeat of the injury crisis that has derailed their last two seasons.

De Zerbi has therefore struggled to name a settled starting lineup so far this term, with first-choice full-backs Porro and Destiny Udogie left out as a precaution as Spurs drew 0-0 at home to Everton last weekend.

Porro and Udogie will both return to the side against Villa, however, with Udogie impressive even as Tottenham fell 3-1 to Liverpool at Anfield.

There remains doubt over the fitness of club-record signing Sandro Tonali after he missed the trip to Merseyside with an unspecified knock, while James Maddison is being managed carefully and is still yet to start a game this season.

Dejan Kulusevski was not named in the squad to face Liverpool and has struggled to put together a full week of team training as he eases his way back to fitness after nearly a year-and-a-half out injured.

He is unlikely to be involved against Villa, while Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are long-term absentees.

Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who was signed on loan from Chelsea on Deadline Day, remains out with an ankle injury suffered in training.

De Zerbi described the injury, which came after Mudryk made his first competitive appearance in nearly two years against Nottingham Forest, as "stupid", with the 25-year-old set to be out until after the international break.

Predicted Tottenham XI (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Gallagher; Savio, Fernandes, Marmoush; Solanke

Injured: Simons, Odobert, Mudryk

Doubts: Kulusevski, Tonali

Time and date: 12:30pm BST on Saturday September 19, 2026

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

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