Roberto De Zerbi insists Tottenham are better than their 3-0 defeat to Brentford suggested and urges patience.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has called for calm and perspective following a humbling 3-0 defeat against Brentford on the opening weekend of the 2026-27 Premier League campaign. Despite the miserable start at the Gtech Community Stadium, the Italian tactician remains resolute that his squad possesses far greater footballing quality than what was on display during a chaotic afternoon in West London.
With a quick turnaround ahead, Spurs return to action on Wednesday night in the League Cup against Charlton Athletic before turning their attention back to the Premier League on Saturday. For De Zerbi, these upcoming fixtures present an immediate opportunity for his squad to clear their heads, correct positional errors, and demonstrate their true capabilities on the pitch.
Speaking to Football London in his post-match press conference, De Zerbi offered a candid yet measured assessment of where his squad currently stands in their ongoing tactical transformation. The Italian boss refused to panic, making it clear that isolated results will not define the overall trajectory of the club’s development. Addressing the media, De Zerbi emphasized the necessity of patience as the club navigates a broad transition:
“We need time but I think we are much better than we showed today. So from Wednesday we can show our qualities and we can show who we are. Even if we win on Wednesday or next Saturday we need time to become a team.”
De Zerbi’s insistence that Tottenham require time stems from the extensive roster overhaul taking place across Hotspur Way this summer. Following last season’s grueling fight against relegation, the squad is working through a major personnel and identity evolution.
The Complex Reality of Rebuilding Tottenham
Integrating fresh defensive arrivals such as Marcos Senesi alongside potential incoming frontline talent requires significant time on the training pitch to establish natural tactical chemistry. Furthermore, managing raw young prospects like 20-year-old Lucas Bergvall through high-profile learning curves demands a patient hand, especially as the team adapts to life without Guglielmo Vicario following his departure to Juventus.
🚨🎙️ Roberto De Zerbi says his #THFC side NEEDS TIME: ⏳
“We need time but I think we are much better than we showed today. So from Wednesday we can show our qualities and we can show who we are. 👀
Even if we win on Wednesday or next Saturday we need time to become a team.” pic.twitter.com/J9X6lTnKW1
— Hotspur Lane (@HotspurLane) August 22, 2026
Crucially, De Zerbi made a point to temper expectations regardless of how the team performs in their upcoming fixtures against Charlton and on Saturday. In his view, winning individual football matches in the short term is entirely distinct from constructing an elite, self-sustaining team culture. True tactical cohesion requires deep positional discipline, physical endurance, and shared understanding under intense pressure. While securing positive results in the coming days would offer welcome momentum, the Italian manager remains steadfastly focused on the bigger picture: building a resilient, dominant Tottenham Hotspur side capable of sustaining success throughout the long season ahead.