Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Tottenham Hotspur's disastrous start to the Premier League season continued as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle United, and it was a bad day for former Magpie Sandro Tonali.
Tottenham were hoping to bounce back from their disappointing opening day 3-0 defeat to Brentford when they host the Magpies, but after a goalless first half, goals in the second 45 minutes from Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa gave the visitors all three points to take back to Tyneside.
It now means that Spurs have conceded five goals without scoring themselves, despite eight new players arriving in a huge summer transfer spend.
It may take time for the players to gel together, but De Zerbi also knows he doesn't have lots of time to get things right if he wants the north London outfit to be battling at the right end of the Premier League table this season.
Tonali is now Tottenham's club-record signing after his £100m move from St James' Park in the summer, but the Italy international has largely flattered to deceive in a white shirt so far.
The 26-year-old got off to the worst possible start against his former employers as his dangerous pass saw captain Micky van de Ven pick up a yellow card in the second minute, placing him on a tight-rope for the remainder of the game.
Things didn't get much better for Tonali, as he played Wissa onside for Newcastle's second goal, all while being booed by the travelling contingent throughout, before his substitution in the 75th minute.
De Zerbi may already be facing a decision on Tonali's spot in the XI, but there is another player who should be in danger too.
De Zerbi Should Drop Van Hecke for Forest
Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
It's fair to say it hasn't been the best start to the season defensively for Tottenham, with five goals conceded in their two Premier League matches.
Perhaps it isn't too surprising, given the north London outfit have tested two different centre-back combinations against Brentford and Newcastle, but it should be time for a third against Nottingham Forest next time out.
Like centre-back partner Marcos Senesi, Van Hecke was given a 4/10 rating by Alasdair Gold for his showing against the Bees, losing plenty of duels during the game.
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Van Hecke vs Newcastle
Minutes
Touches
Tackles
Blocks
Interceptions
Big chances missed
Duels won
It was the Argentine who was dropped to the substitutes' bench against Newcastle as captain Micky van de Ven came into the XI, and De Zerbi would have been hoping that two Dutch players who had played together for their national side would have been comfortable alongside each other.
Van Hecke's defensive frailties were exposed again against the Magpies though, while there were some obvious communications issues between the two Dutch centre-backs despite their history.
Tottenham and De Zerbi obviously think big things of Van Hecke, as shown by Johan Lange's praise when he joined.
Jan Paul is an outstanding defender who has excelled in the Premier League and at international level, and someone we have been tracking for a number of years.
"As well as his technical qualities and strong defensive instincts, he also has the maturity, character and professionalism that we look for when recruiting players."
However, with nothing to lose and results so far not going their way, Senesi deserves his chance alongside the captain against Forest next time out, as De Zerbi continues to search for his strongest partnership at the heart of his new-look defence.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi celebrates win at Aston Villa
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi celebrates win at Aston Villa