Tottenham Hotspur’s opening Premier League fixtures have raised questions about the team’s attacking readiness, but analysts suggest it is premature to sound the alarm. The club has started the season with two consecutive defeats without scoring, a situation not seen since 1974, yet broader circumstances point to a rebuilding phase rather than an immediate crisis.
On Saturday, Tottenham lost 2-0 to Newcastle United at St James’ Park. While Tottenham controlled 58 percent of possession and registered 17 shots, they were unable to convert any, despite six shots on target. Newcastle, by contrast, scored twice from just two attempts on goal, with second-half finishes by Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa sealing the result.
The fundamental issue for Spurs has been their lack of penetration in attack, a problem that has persisted for more than a year. This downturn correlates with injuries to key attacking players, including Xavi Simons (April), Mohammed Kudus (January), Dominic Solanke (August 2025), James Maddison (July 2025), and Dejan Kulusevski (May 2025). Additionally, replacing the creative and goal-scoring roles formerly occupied by Son Heung-min and Harry Kane remains unresolved.
Tottenham’s summer spending totaled around £380 million, primarily directed towards strengthening defence and midfield. However, the club has yet to establish a fully effective attacking trio. The lineup against Newcastle featured Mathys Tel, Omar Marmoush, and Pedro Porro—players still seen as less experienced or in development—compared to Newcastle’s more established front three of Elanga, Wissa, and Harvey Barnes.
New signings Omar Marmoush and Sávio have recently arrived from Manchester City, with Iliman Ndiaye expected to join soon from Everton. Some players, including Sávio, were not available early in pre-season due to delayed transfers and fitness issues; Sávio, in particular, was sidelined by muscle fatigue in the days leading up to the Newcastle game. Kudus appeared as a substitute, marking his first match since January. James Maddison remains a few weeks away from full fitness, while Kulusevski, recovering from a complex knee injury, has returned to training but will be gradually reintroduced. Meanwhile, Simons and Wilson Odobert are still long-term absentees.
Despite the setbacks, Tottenham showed encouraging signs during the middle portion of the Newcastle match, demonstrating improved ball control and the ability to play out from the back—elements lacking for much of last season. Manager Roberto De Zerbi’s squad could soon feature a stronger offensive lineup once key players regain fitness, potentially including Ndiaye, Kudus, Kulusevski, Sávio, Tel, Odobert, Maddison, Simons, Marmoush, and Solanke.
Early results are widely regarded as an unreliable indicator of a team’s potential trajectory. Spurs’ 2025–26 campaign began with two wins under Thomas Frank before a subsequent struggle in the league. For now, while Tottenham’s attacking concerns are clear, the current difficulties largely stem from circumstances beyond their immediate control rather than a fundamental tactical failure.