Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi is facing an unfamiliar challenge as his team struggles to find the net in the early stages of the Premier League season. Despite his reputation for cultivating dynamic, high-scoring teams, Spurs have failed to score in their first four league matches under his leadership.

This weekend’s fixture against Aston Villa—who themselves have only managed one league goal so far—presents a rare contest between two sides with limited offensive output this campaign. De Zerbi acknowledged the unusual nature of Tottenham’s goalless start, stating that while he has experienced conceding many goals in his career, not scoring at all is new to him.

In response, De Zerbi said the team is working on improving their attacking play but emphasized the importance of remaining calm through this period of difficulty. He believes the performances have been strong enough to have secured more than the two points currently on the board.

The club’s decision to sell promising young striker Will Lankshear to Middlesbrough during the summer transfer window has drawn attention, especially as the 21-year-old has thrived in the Championship, scoring eight goals in his first 10 matches. Lankshear was largely absent from De Zerbi’s plans, having spent last season on loan at Oxford United and departing for Middlesbrough shortly after returning to Spurs’ pre-season.

De Zerbi defended the decision to offload Lankshear, citing the presence of other forwards such as Dominic Solanke and Omar Marmoush, and referenced an unexpected change in the potential acquisition of former Everton striker Richarlison—decisions made without his input. His stance is that three strikers in the squad is sufficient.

Meanwhile, Tottenham did notch a goal this week in their 3-1 Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool, courtesy of midfielder Conor Gallagher, who scored with a header from a corner. Gallagher, a player De Zerbi admired prior to joining Spurs and attempted to sign during his time at Brighton, has earned 22 caps for England but has seen his playing time limited under Chelsea’s former coach Thomas Tuchel.

De Zerbi expressed strong support for Gallagher, highlighting the midfielder’s mentality, intelligence, and willingness to fight for the team. Since De Zerbi’s arrival last season, Gallagher has featured regularly, a contrast to his earlier absence from the lineup under previous management.

With Spurs searching for goals and consistency, De Zerbi remains focused on fostering confidence within his squad, maintaining a steady approach as he works to reverse the team’s slow start.