The north London club, which has not secured a top-flight league title since 1961, has faced significant challenges in recent years, narrowly avoiding relegation in each of the last two seasons. Despite these struggles, the current campaign has seen a shift in momentum, with the team sitting in ninth place after a difficult start. De Zerbi believes that the vision set by the club's leadership, including the Lewis family and technical director Johan Lange, provides a necessary foundation for progress.
Building a Winning Mentality
Addressing the skepticism surrounding the club's lofty goals, De Zerbi emphasized that ambition must be backed by tangible performance. He noted that while the executive's comments were encouraging, the responsibility lies with the players and coaching staff to demonstrate the required standards on a daily basis. According to the manager, words are insufficient without a consistent, game-by-game commitment to improvement.
The manager highlighted the significant changes implemented at the club over the past two seasons as evidence of a new direction. Following a summer transfer window that saw the arrival of players such as Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, expectations were high, though the team initially struggled to find form, failing to secure a win in their opening six league fixtures.
Turning the Tide
The team's fortunes have improved significantly since that winless start. A crucial draw against Manchester United served as a catalyst for a positive run, which included victories over Coventry City, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace. This sequence of results has successfully lifted the side away from the lower reaches of the table, providing a platform for the remainder of the season.
As Tottenham prepares for their upcoming fixture against Leeds United, they currently trail league leaders Arsenal by 12 points. De Zerbi remains adamant that the path to success is found in the team's collective attitude. By maintaining a hungry approach and fighting for every result, the manager believes the squad can continue to evolve and eventually meet the high expectations set by the club's hierarchy.
