Change was supposed to bring a fresh start for Tottenham Hotspur, but the opening match of the 2026/27 campaign felt painfully familiar. The new chapter under Roberto De Zerbi began with a harsh lesson as Brentford cruised to a 3-0 victory on Saturday. This setback follows a massive summer spending spree, with over £300 million invested to reshape the squad for the Italian coach, and more arrivals are expected shortly.
Tottenham failed to register a single shot on target during the opening half and were consistently outmuscled across the pitch. Keane Lewis-Potter broke the deadlock for Brentford, with Vitaly Janelt adding a second before Michael Kayode sealed the win. Several new faces were in the starting lineup, but the side looked fragmented and never found the energy needed to challenge their opponents.
Where did it all go wrong for Tottenham?
Spurs appeared as a group of individuals rather than a cohesive unit on the pitch. De Zerbi admitted his team was not physically prepared and lacked the sharpness required to compete effectively. Young talent Archie Gray’s assessment matched his manager’s view. The teenager noted that Tottenham lost the battles across the field and failed to hit the expected standards.
Beyond the lack of unity, there were tactical issues that De Zerbi must fix quickly to avoid similar heavy defeats.
Spurs could not handle Brentford’s pressing game, posed little danger in the final third, and kept losing individual duels. Missing key players like Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro due to injuries made things harder, but that alone does not excuse a display where Tottenham looked hesitant and unsure with the ball. This is the biggest worry following the match. De Zerbi has the tools for his preferred style, given the club’s transfer activity, but bringing in new players does not instantly create understanding between them.
Tottenham closing in on Savinho and Marmoush
The solution to their current issues might still come from the transfer window. Tottenham have reached an agreement worth around £85 million for Manchester City winger Savinho, who is currently undergoing his medical checks. In addition, Spurs are near to securing Omar Marmoush as they look to boost their attacking options further. This potential double swoop from Manchester City could greatly enhance De Zerbi’s forward lineup.
Savinho brings explosive speed, strong dribbling skills, and the ability to stretch defenses out wide. Marmoush offers flexibility, combining pace, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing while being effective both through the middle and on the flanks. Whether these two can resolve the deeper issues exposed at Brentford remains uncertain. Based on what we have seen, Savinho could deliver the kind of individual brilliance Tottenham lacked in that match, while Marmoush could provide De Zerbi with another agile striker to exploit spaces and create chances. Together, they should make Spurs far less predictable going forward.
That leaves the midfield, which, even with Tonali and others now available, still appears exposed. Savinho and Marmoush can improve Tottenham’s attacking play significantly, but they cannot alone transform a side that lacked determination, unity, and physical readiness into a polished outfit. This rebuilding process is far from complete, and supporters should keep their expectations in check.