Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has intensified his efforts to end the club’s goalless start to the Premier League season, combining team-building activities with tactical adjustments ahead of their Carabao Cup fixture against Liverpool on Tuesday. Despite a near £400 million investment in new players during the summer transfer window, Spurs have yet to score in their opening four league matches, continuing a troubling pattern for the north London side.
De Zerbi, who led the club to safety last season, has revived a strategy of fostering camaraderie by treating his squad to dinner at the upscale Italian restaurant Bacchanalia in Mayfair—a venue linked to a turnaround in form during a previous relegation battle. The head coach personally covered the bill, acknowledging the expense but emphasizing team spirit as the driving factor. “I’m older than the players and it’s a pleasure going for dinner with them,” he said, adding with a smile that as long as his own expenses on cigarettes are covered, the gesture is worthwhile.
The team’s struggles extend beyond scoring, with visible difficulties in timing and positioning during attacking moves. De Zerbi has addressed these issues by producing video clips for his players to analyze individual and collective errors, particularly in the final third. His focus includes improving crosses, assists, and coordinated runs into the penalty area. “We attacked the goal not in the right way,” he remarked after a recent home draw against Everton, highlighting the lack of synchronization among strikers, wingers, and midfielders.
One key figure in De Zerbi’s plans is striker Dominic Solanke, who has battled injuries this season and struggled to regain full fitness and form. The manager expressed confidence in Solanke’s potential, recalling the player’s prolific period at Bournemouth and their time together at Brighton. De Zerbi emphasized the importance of both physical condition and mental confidence, calling Solanke a “sensitive guy” who requires trust and consistent playing time to rediscover his scoring touch. “I believe he can score 10 to 15 goals,” De Zerbi stated, signaling optimism about the forward’s contribution if he remains fit and confident.
Tottenham face an uphill challenge at Anfield, where they have not won in 17 attempts since May 2011. De Zerbi hinted at possible rotation in the squad ahead of the cup tie but stressed the need for players to seize their opportunities. With no Premier League goals scored so far and pressure mounting, the manager aims to consolidate his new project through a combination of improved mental resilience, tactical discipline, and stronger individual performances.
As Spurs look to break their scoring drought, De Zerbi’s blend of humor, patience, and detailed coaching marks an ongoing effort to stabilize a team in transition and regain a positive trajectory in both domestic league and cup competitions.