Why Is Roberto De Zerbi Facing Criticism At Tottenham? North London 2026

Key Points

• Tottenham Hotspur are still without a win in their first three games of the Premier League season as they were held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest, which is a 52-year record of not scoring in the opening three matches of the season.
• There is immense pressure on Roberto De Zerbi’s squad selection choices, and more so on his insistence on using midfielder Conor Gallagher rather than summer signings like Mateus Fernandes in the number 10 position.
• Gallagher arrived on loan at Tottenham in January 2026 in exchange for €40 million after disappointing performances at Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, turning down moves from Aston Villa.
• De Zerbi had to defend his selection of Gallagher over Mateus Fernandes on the bench and said that he was familiar with the physical nature of English football, while Fernandes would turn out to be “one of the best players” at the club.
• Tottenham Hotspur’s attack, comprising summer signing Omar Marmoush and winger Mathys Tel, seemed isolated as Gallagher managed no shots and failed to create even a single goalscoring opportunity.

Tottenham (North London News) September 7, 2026 — Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi finds himself under expanding tactical scrutiny following a winless start to the 2026/27 Premier League season, with key selection decisions—most notably his continued preference for midfielder Conor Gallagher—drawing sharp questions from supporters and media alike.

Despite avoiding relegation last term and overseeing a high-profile summer squad overhaul, De Zerbi’s team recorded a 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The result secured Spurs’ first point of the campaign following a Matchday 1 defeat to Brentford and a 2-0 home loss against Newcastle United. However, by failing to find the net in their opening three top-flight fixtures, Tottenham equalled a 52-year-old club record for failing to score in their first three league matches of a season.

The central focal point of debate surrounds De Zerbi’s tactical deployment of Gallagher as an attacking playmaker. Signed during the January 2026 transfer window for a fee exceeding €40 million after spell endings at Stamford Bridge and Atletico Madrid, Gallagher was chosen over competing interest from Aston Villa. While the former Chelsea player gained plaudits for his industrious displays in helping Tottenham avoid the drop last spring, his ongoing inclusion in the ‘Number 10’ role is coming under heavy examination due to a lack of offensive productivity.

Why did Roberto De Zerbi start Conor Gallagher over Mateus Fernandes against Nottingham Forest?

Following the goalless stalemate in Nottinghamshire, Roberto De Zerbi addressed questions regarding his selection of Gallagher in place of Portuguese youngster Mateus Fernandes. Fernandes had performed admirably in James Maddison’s absence against Newcastle, yet was dropped to the bench until an 83rd-minute cameo.

As reported by Ben Knapton of Sports Mole, De Zerbi stated:

“You know, I have experience enough to know what this stadium is. This stadium is England football. And Gallagher, he knows better this type of games. Mateus becomes, for sure, in my time in Tottenham, one of the best players. But I’m lucky because I have more players, many players, and I have to find the right balance, the right first XI, if I can, before the game.”

According to match data published by Google Sports Data, Gallagher completed 32 of his 36 passes (88% passing accuracy) and won nine of his ten ground duels over 83 minutes at the City Ground. However, as highlighted by sports coverage across LiveScore and Sports Mole, the England international failed to register a single shot on target, failed to create a chance for forwards Omar Marmoush and Mohammed Kudus, and completed zero crosses.

How are Tottenham’s recent tactical adjustments impacting team performance?

As reported in analysis published by LiveScore, De Zerbi’s tactical setup placed Gallagher ahead of a double pivot comprising Sandro Tonali and Rodrigo Bentancur. Despite dominant periods in midfield possession, the absence of a natural playmaker severely limited service to the frontline.

Further reporting from LiveScore detailed that French winger Mathys Tel experienced another difficult outing on the left flank before being replaced. Deadline day loan signing Mykhailo Mudryk made his debut off the bench, but was noted as lacking sharpness.

Addressing the performance of his wide players after the match, as reported by football.london, De Zerbi stated:

“He [Mudryk] is not ready yet. He’s working to reach the best physical condition. He needs time, he needs work. In that position, we have Mathys Tel, big potential.”

Background of the particular development

The current operational pressure on De Zerbi follows an eventful eight months at Tottenham Hotspur. Appointed during the 2025/26 campaign to stabilize the club during a relegation battle, the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss successfully guided Spurs to Premier League safety.

During the January 2026 window, Tottenham sanctioned a €40 million deal to acquire Conor Gallagher. Gallagher had previously departed Chelsea for Atletico Madrid, but saw limited starting opportunities in Spain. Upon arriving in North London, Gallagher established himself as a key engine room presence under De Zerbi, earning praise for his work rate during the club’s survival fight.

Ahead of the 2026/27 season, Tottenham committed over £350 million in transfer expenditures to rebuild the squad. The recruitment included attacking talents such as Omar Marmoush, Savio, and Mateus Fernandes. However, despite the influx of international personnel, De Zerbi’s continued tactical preference for Gallagher in an advanced central role—rather than as a box-to-box midfielder—has coincided with a central goal drought, leaving Spurs searching for their first league goal of the campaign.

Prediction: How this development can affect Tottenham Hotspur supporters and club trajectory

If Roberto De Zerbi maintains his current tactical structure without yielding central goalscoring output, the situation is likely to affect the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase and the club’s broader season objectives in several key ways:

• Erosion of Supporter Patience: While match-going fans initially backed De Zerbi for steering the team clear of relegation last season, repeated goalless outings combined with high transfer expenditure risk alienating the fanbase, increasing vocal frustration during home fixtures at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
• Midfield Hierarchy Friction: Continued selection of Gallagher in advanced roles at the expense of natural creative playmakers like Mateus Fernandes could hinder the integration and development of newly acquired talent, potentially creating friction regarding squad rotation.
• Pressure on Domestic Objectives: Dropping eight points out of a possible nine in the opening three weeks places Tottenham at an immediate disadvantage in the race for European qualification spots, increasing operational pressure on upcoming fixtures following the international break.