Overview
- Tottenham are bottom of the Premier League with two points and no wins from their opening five league matches after Saturday's 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa.
- The team has scored only two league goals in those five games despite a summer spend reported between £300m and £400m on a large intake of new signings.
- Roberto De Zerbi faces mounting pressure as pundits and former staff question his tactics and man-management, but multiple reports say the club is not expected to dismiss him during the current international break.
- Internal criticism has surfaced publicly, with players pointing to poor game management, low energy and defensive mistakes as immediate on-field causes of the slump.
- Former scouts and commentators argue the problems reach the boardroom and recruitment process, and the club is drawing up contingency lists that name Eddie Howe and Mauricio Pochettino as possible replacements.