Tottenham: Money isn't enough for De Zerbi

Spurs narrowly avoided relegation last season. This year, they went all out: over $500 million spent in the last transfer window. Yet, on Saturday, facing Newcastle, the same mental fragility resurfaced. The absences of Harper and Fox before the clash further complicated Roberto De Zerbi’s task. “We have the players, but not always the necessary mindset,” he conceded after the match.

A massive recruitment drive, lackluster results

Tottenham made the most expensive transfers of the summer: signings like Micky van de Ven or James Maddison to bolster the squad. Yet, despite these record investments, the results have struggled to follow. Newcastle, in difficulty early in the season, capitalized on the same tactical and mental errors that have cost Spurs dearly in the past. The 2-1 home defeat confirmed that money alone isn’t enough to turn a team into a war machine. De Zerbi, brought in at the start of the season to inject new energy, already appears under pressure. His team, despite quality individuals, struggles to find the cohesion needed to compete with the Premier League’s top sides. Criticism of his management is mounting, while expectations were sky-high after a season fighting relegation.

The missing link: mentality

Spurs’ problem isn’t talent—it’s mindset. Against Newcastle, a team in transition, Tottenham once again showed gaps in handling key moments. Defensive errors, missed chances, and a lack of response after conceding the opener sealed their fate. “We have to work on our mentality, that’s clear,” De Zerbi admitted, visibly frustrated by another underperformance. Fans, accustomed to promises of renewal, are starting to doubt. The club is banking on a long-term rebuild, but patience is wearing thin. With another defeat against a struggling side, Tottenham has once again proven that millions spent aren’t enough without a true cultural shift. The examples of Liverpool or City, which combine recruitment with mentality, starkly highlight the gap between Spurs’ ambitions and on-field reality.