SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 29: Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi reacts during the Sydney Super Cup match between Sydney FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Allianz Stadium on July 29, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendan Thorne/Getty Images)
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi insists he is “certain” about the quality of Tottenham’s summer signings, including Sandro Tonali: “Even if they don’t play well, I can’t change my mind now.”
De Zerbi’s Spurs are still winless in their first three Premier League games of the season, with two losses and one draw so far.
Tomorrow, they will face Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Last summer, Tottenham Hotspur spent around 115 million euros to sign Tonali from Newcastle, making him the most expensive Italian player ever.
The Italian, like most of his Tottenham team-mates, has failed to impress so far, but De Zerbi has no doubts about his ability.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton: De Zerbi’s pre-match press conference
When asked what he expected from his new signings in the upcoming games, De Zerbi responded (via london football): “These qualities are for sure, because I am very confident in the quality of Robertson, Senesi, Mateusz Fernandez, Tonali, Savio, J.P. van Herk and Marmouche.
“I’m sure. Even if they don’t play well, I can’t change my mind right now. Then I want to see a team with a lot of grit, a lot of energy, trying to dominate the game, dominate the pressure with the right spirit, the spirit that I like.”
Tottenham Hotspur’s most recent match was an away draw against Nottingham Forest.
“In Nottingham we had a normal Premier League game against a physical team, a second-goal team,” De Zerby said.
“I don’t think we conceded a goal. We had a clear chance from a set piece from Mickey van de Veen and two huge potentials.
“In the first half Tonali came on for Savino, in the second half Mamouch came on for Kudus and Andy Robertson. So I think it was a normal game. Of course we can play better. We are not happy. Pressure, no.
“The same goes for Everton, because Tarkovsky, Branthwaite, Pickford, Dewsbury-Hall, all of them, Mykolenko, Golarish, are very good players and very good physically,” added De Zerby.
“They know the Premier League very well but I think we have to focus on our strengths.
“We have to focus on what we have to do on the pitch and the game and not think about other things in our heads.”
Tonali is expected to be part of the Italy squad for the upcoming international break, with Roberto Mancini naming the Azzurri squad next week.