'Money cannot buy mentality' - Austin on same page as De Zerbipublished at 12:15 BST
12:15 BST
Image source, Getty Images
Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin believes Tottenham's current form is "alarming", particularly when bringing the length of Roberto de Zerbi's tenure and the club's transfer window spending into the equation.
Tottenham have only won three of their past 23 league games on home soil, with the latest sucker punch coming in Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Newcastle United.
"They have been in the exact same position in the Premier League for the past two seasons," Austin said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "But we all thought they would be a different proposition this year because they have spent money.
"The alarming side of it all is Roberto de Zerbi came in with six games to go at the end of last season, compared to Matthias Jaissle with two and a half to three weeks of pre-season under his belt - yet Jaissle has delivered two exciting performances.
"So it doesn't matter how much money you spend. As De Zerbi said: 'Money cannot buy mentality.' As an ex-professional footballer, I know it is something you cannot put a price tag on.
"They have all of these players in, but it is about gelling them now. It will take time, I really do understand that, but Tottenham, collectively, need to understand where they are at the moment."
Spurs in advanced talks for Toffees' Ndiayepublished at 12:14 BST
12:14 BST
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham are in advanced talks to sign Iliman Ndiaye from Everton, with Richarlison set to move in the opposite direction.
Although a deal for Ndiaye is largely agreed between the two clubs, it remains unclear whether he will make the switch to north London, with Manchester City among the clubs to have expressed an interest.
Everton are open to selling Ndiaye, 26, after he rejected multiple contract offers and held talks with Saudi club Al-Hilal earlier this summer.
Meanwhile, Everton have agreed terms in principle to re-sign striker Richarlison after he told Spurs head coach Roberto de Zerbi "too many times that he wants to leave".
Nigel: I thought the first half was good and everyone turned up, but we were outplayed by Newcastle's fantastic goalie.
Steve: Much of the same from last season. New signings need to gel, but how long that will take with Tottenham, you never know. There are no easy games in the Premier League and I feel sorry for the supporters, who have suffered for too long. You can see why Harry Kane moved on.
Robert: I am fed up with constant excuses from Spurs about poor performances. This has been happening for several years. There are no excuses for their lacklustre performances this season.
Martin: We normally do well at the start of a season and then fade away. Hopefully, these two defeats will dispel complacency and compel a more determined and humble attitude.
Newcastle fans
Richard: Wissa and Elanga are brimming with confidence at the moment and long may it last. The solidity that Gonzalez brings is going to be really important. A lot of work ahead but it's looking good.
Derek: Brilliant is all you can say. The two goals we scored were top class.
Karl: Fantastic start for the new manager after Eddie's exit and the loss of some huge players. The manager has come in and been a revelation. This is a guy who is a perfect fit for our emotional club and fanbase. Very optimistic for the new season and silencing some doubters.
Phil: I like the positive way Jaissle has approached the job. Key improvements from Elanga and Wissa, and what a signing Gonzalez is. He has a real eye for a pass and, on Saturday's evidence, is a more than adequate replacement for Tonali. I'm still concerned about the roles of Barnes and Woltemade in the team. However, a brilliant team performance from the lads, which bodes well for the rest of the season.
Old questions return early in seasonpublished at 08:37 BST
08:37 BST
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi said he was "not angry" and there was "no panic" after his side's second loss in two games - but it was a depressingly familiar story for the club's fans.
With more than £300m spent in the summer, Spurs fans were expecting a push to get back into Europe, having won the Europa League two seasons ago and been in the last 16 of the Champions League in March.
Instead, in the Premier League it is played two, lost two, scored none, 20th out of 20.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Joe Hart was not as positive about Spurs' performances and said: "The frustration in the stadium, and among the fans, will be they are looking at that Spurs team and wondering what they are trying to achieve.
"When you see a Newcastle side who have been through massive change over the summer - and a more difficult change than Spurs have - it's hard as in two games you can clearly see what [Newcastle boss] Matthias Jaissle is trying to do. The players are on board with it and they are flying.
"The concern for Tottenham is they can't say the same. But there's been a lot of change and it's not easy to bed in that many players under so much pressure.
"Hardly anyone has been able to find the remedy at the club so it's not like it's an easy fix. They've not just suddenly fallen off a cliff, they've been struggling in the league for a while.
"Roberto de Zerbi needs to get his new players to settle in quickly as the Premier League comes at you so fast, and it feels like his team are second-guessing everything at the moment."
But the Black Cats have returned to the table and opened discussions over a permanent offer for Danso.
Personal terms are not said to be an issue for Danso if the clubs agree a fee.
Club-to-club talks are progressing but as of yet there is no agreement.
Tottenham are likely to require a replacement before sanctioning an exit for Danso, with manager Roberto De Zerbi wanting that player to have Premier League experience.
Danso was signed on loan from Lens in January 2025 and the deal was made permanent later that year with Spurs paying the French club £20.9m.
Sunderland are also interested in signing Lyon winger Malick Fofana after previously making an offer for Marseille's Igor Paixao.
Fofana, 21, is open to a move to the Stadium of Light after being linked with a switch to Roma earlier this summer.
However, the Belgian is just one of a number of options being considered by Sunderland. Paixao has been the subject of a formal bid, while the Black Cats have also been linked with Manchester City winger Jack Grealish.
Grealish is understood to be prioritising a move to Everton, despite attracting interest from his boyhood club Aston Villa.
Sunderland are also keen on signing a centre-back before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
'Same questions' being asked around Spurs - Greenpublished at 12:41 BST 30 August
12:41 BST 30 August
Image source, Getty Images
Former Premier League goalkeeper Rob Green speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live after Tottenham's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle: "For Tottenham, the same questions that were last season are still here this season.
"Performances like this will indicate that they need a vast improvement from this set of players that have come into this club.
"They will need the characters as much as anything to turn this around.
"It doesn't take much for these Spurs fans to turn and the belief start to drain from the players and from the fans."
Tottenham 0-2 Newcastle: What de Zerbi saidpublished at 20:34 BST 29 August
20:34 BST 29 August
Media caption,
Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi, speaking to BBC Sport: "Disappointed for the result because until the first goal we conceded I think we played better than Newcastle. We lost ball possession in the first half because we didn't defend in the right way, the distance between the defenders and attackers was too big.
"We can improve in the defensive phases but today was an unfair result.
"At the beginning of the second half we had some chance to create the potential chances. We created many chances to score, we have to improve the last decision, because that will make a difference. At the end we are disappointed for the result and our fans. We are working to be a great team. When we become a team I think we can change the story of the last two seasons for Tottenham.
"We are working to be good on the pitch, if you believe in work and training then you have to improve day by day."
Did you know?
Since the start of last season Tottenham Hotspur have lost the joint-most Premier League home games (11 – level with Wolves).
Tottenham Hotspur have lost their opening two matches of a league campaign without scoring for the third time in their history, previously doing so in the 1947-48 (2nd tier) and 1974-75 (top-flight) seasons.
Analysis: Pre-season optimism evaporatespublished at 19:55 BST 29 August
19:55 BST 29 August
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Spurs have finished 17th in the Premier League the past two seasons, staying up on the final day of 2025-26.
But hopes were high for a much-improved campaign after manager Roberto de Zerbi spent over £300m in the summer, more than any other team.
Yet, after an awful performance in the 3-0 loss at Brentford last week, Tottenham followed that up with another defeat, thousands of fans leaving the ground before the final whistle.
Winger Savio, known as Savinho while at Manchester City before his £75m summer move, had made an impressive debut, scoring in the midweek 5-1 Carabao Cup victory over Charlton, but was ruled out because of what De Zerbi called "muscle fatigue".
Striker Richarlison and midfielder James Maddison were also not included, but De Zerbi will be worried by the amount of chances Spurs missed, while they also conceded goals to both shots on target that Newcastle registered.
Marmoush should have hit the target but volleyed wide in the first half, and also fired wide after a bright run from the halfway line, and later had an effort comfortably saved by Lukas Hornicek.
Pedro Porro, playing in a more advanced position than normal at right wing had a number of opportunities, but had one shot blocked by a sliding Lewis Miley and another effort tipped over.
Substitute Dominic Solanke flicked the ball goalwards late on, only for Lewis Hall to clear off the line on another frustrating evening.
Spurs have now only won three of their past 23 home league games. Any pre-season optimism has gone.
Luton sign Tottenham forward Donley on loanpublished at 15:06 BST 29 August
15:06 BST 29 August
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Jamie Donley featured for Tottenham Hotspur in pre-season friendlies this summer
Luton Town have signed Tottenham Hotspur forward Jamie Donley on a season-long loan deal.
The 21-year-old Northern Ireland international has previously had loan spells with Leyton Orient, Stoke City and Oxford United.
"Jamie's a quality player and someone who we have kept our eye on since January," boss Jack Wilshere told the club website., external
"He's a player that can make the difference in the final third, and he also gives us something different in the centre of midfield, being left-footed."
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Newcastle" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.
Sutton's predictions: Tottenham v Newcastlepublished at 11:07 BST 29 August
11:07 BST 29 August
We all thought this was going to be Tottenham's season but their defeat by Brentford was one of the extreme results at the weekend.
Roberto de Zerbi's said after the game that the players weren't fit enough, lost all the duels, weren't physical enough then used excuses about the pre-season and players coming in after the World Cup.
It looks like Newcastle are going to be the counter-attack kings this season. They've brought Nico Gonzalez in but whether he'll start I'm not sure but they have got pace as well.
Anthony Elanga scored last week having not scored at all in the Premier League last season but I have to say I haven't got a clue what this will be. I'm going to go for a Spurs win but I couldn't tell you why.
Tottenham v Newcastle United: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:06 BST 28 August
19:06 BST 28 August
Big-spending Tottenham host a Newcastle side that boast an excellent recent record against the north Londoners. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes..
After making such a shocking start to the season against Brentford last Saturday, Tottenham's 5-1 victory against Charlton in the League Cup at least provided a much-needed fillip.
The manner of Spurs' insipid defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium was as bad as anything seen under Thomas Frank or Igor Tudor last season and was of great worry to boss Roberto de Zerbi and fans alike.
Brentford had an xG of 3.87, six big chances and their 26 shots was the most Spurs had faced in 142 Premier League fixtures dating all the way back until October 2022.
The Lilywhites have accrued just 79 points from their last 77 Premier League matches since the start of the 2024-25 campaign, a tally that is under half Arsenal's total of 162 across the same period.
Just 36 of those points have come at home and surely top of De Zerbi's to-do list this season will be getting the club back to winning ways in front of their own supporters.
The north Londoners have a poor recent record against the Geordies with only one win in eight league encounters (D1, L6) and no clean sheet in 14.
Not only that, but Newcastle's tally of 13 away wins at Spurs in the Premier League is more than they've recorded against any other club.
One thing that has been guaranteed in meetings between these sides is goals. It is the most played fixture in Premier League history to never end 0-0, with at least one goal scored in all 62 of their meetings.
Fans were thrilled with the cameo by new recruit Savio against Charlton as he notched a goal and an assist on his debut. At £75m (rising to £85m with add ons), he's remarkably only the club's third most expensive signing of this summer alone following their unprecedented splurge in the transfer market.
But other than netting nine times for Girona in 2023-24, the Brazilian has never scored more than once in a top-flight season, a figure De Zerbi wants a huge improvement on. "The best wingers score many goals," the Spurs boss says. "I spoke with him: we put the (target) on 10-12 goals because we need 10-12 goals from the wingers."
Newcastle looking to build on promising start
After such a challenging and downbeat summer Newcastle fans were heartened and enthused by their performance against Liverpool under new boss Matthias Jaissle.
They put in a display full of pace and attacking endeavour and were only denied three points due to Dominik Szoboszlai's last-minute penalty.
At the forefront was player-of-the-match Yoane Wissa. After scoring just one league goal in an injury disrupted first season with the Geordies he had been written off in many quarters, but was superb operating in a new number 10 role.
Another player rejuvenated after suffering a tough debut campaign on Tyneside was Anthony Elanga. Having failed to score a Premier League goal, he finally got off the mark last week and it's surely no coincidence that his side played a style of football that wasn't dissimilar to the one he excelled in at Nottingham Forest.
And continuing on a theme, Joe Willock scored in the Premier League for the first time since February 2024 to end a run of 61 games and 40 shots without a top-flight goal.
One failing from last season that reared its head again was the surrendering of leads. The Magpies took their tally of points dropped from winning positions since the start of last season to a whopping 29.
De Zerbi on Marmoush, Maddison, and 'one more player'published at 15:05 BST 28 August
15:05 BST 28 August
Flora Snelson BBC Sport journalist
Spurs boss Roberto de Zerbi has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Newcastle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 17:30).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
New signing Omar Marmoush is available to play, as is Micky van de Ven. Mohammed Kudus may have to come off the bench. James Maddison is a doubt after experiencing pain in his left shoulder during the Brentford defeat.
Marmoush is "a very smart player who understands football like a coach". De Zerbi said the Egyptian has qualities no-one else on the squad has, and that he could play as a central striker or a number 10.
De Zerbi said that he is "very happy" with Spurs' transfer business so far, that it has exceeded the expectation he had at the start of the window.
He praised the potential of the young players they have brought in, as well as the "atmosphere and behaviour" which arrived with the more experienced players Spurs have attracted during the window.
Asked about further business to be done, De Zerbi suggested "one player more in one specific position" and noted that he and the owner went for dinner on Thursday and they are on the same page.
On players knowing their place in the squad: "I've been very clear with players, I've told players that if you speak clearly from the beginning, you can't expect surprise. To stay here, they have to feel happy and proud. It's a long and emotional season because we are building a new project with new players. We need the right spirit, first of all, then the right qualities and the organisation of the play."
On players who might want to leave: "If you want to leave and you have not found an offer, it's your problem, not mine. I give respect, I kiss you, I hug you and you have to stay calm inside of the dressing room - not speak too much - because the rules have been clear from the beginning and the end. It's not my problem."
He believes the rules around balancing foreign and homegrown players in each squad are "right".
De Zerbi acknowledged that his team "have to play better, much better" than they did against Brentford.
He clarified that Spurs need time "to play our best" but that they still have the quality to win the game.
On Pape Matar Sarr: "He's good, [but] we have to see in the last day of the market what can happen with him."
On Maddison: "With James, I think we have to find the right plan. He is really positive guy. We are lucky to have James in our team."
'I loved what De Zerbi had to say' - Marmoush seals Spurs switchpublished at 16:03 BST 27 August
16:03 BST 27 August
Image source, PA Media
New Tottenham signing Omar Marmoush says the project under Roberto de Zerbi was "very attractive for me".
The 27-year-old Egypt forward has signed on a season-long loan from Manchester City, with an obligation to buy next summer.
He is the second played to join Spurs from City this summer, after Savio's £75m move.
"It feels amazing to be here," he told club media. "I'm so excited to get started with the team and I can't wait to meet the fans.
"Tottenham Hotspur is one of the biggest clubs in England, if not the world, and the project was very attractive to me.
"I've spoken with the head coach, I loved what he had to say and I'm sure our passion for the game will go very well together."
Marmoush scored 16 goals in 62 appearances for City following his move from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025, but had to play second fiddle to Erling Haaland for much of his time at Etihad Stadium.
De Zerbi added: "Omar is exactly the kind of player we want at this club - ambitious, hungry and determined to make a difference.
"He has incredible attacking quality but what I also love is his desire to improve and to win.
"He brings pace, intelligence and a real threat in front of goal, and I believe he can take our attacking play to another level."
Image source, Getty Images
