Tottenham’s Premier League goal drought is already historic after four games. De Zerbi’s boys have created chances but converted none in the division, and the summer rebuild hasn't yet produced anything that feels like a reliable source of goals.
Omar Marmoush is the player signed to lead the line. The Egyptian arrived on loan from Manchester City with an obligation to buy and is widely viewed as the most likely long-term No. 9.
He is the highest-projected attacker in the squad and offers movement and finishing that Solanke and Richarlison have not consistently provided.
Dominic Solanke remains the other registered senior centre-forward. He scored in the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Charlton and is the most experienced Premier League striker available. The problem is, he appears to be unintelligent and is not a high-volume finisher at this level.
Wide players and attacking midfielders will have to contribute more than they have so far:
Sávio (Savinho) scored against Charlton and is one of the more direct options.
Mohammed Kudus is only just returning from a long-term quad injury and has looked occasionally sharp off the bench.
Mathys Tel can play as a U21 and offers pace and shooting, but he’s distinctly second tier.
James Maddison and Mateus Fernandes are the most likely midfield goal threats once the attack clicks. Sandro Tonali can also arrive in the box.
In short, the goals are supposed to come from Marmoush first, Solanke second, and then a rotation of Sávio, Kudus, Tel and the new midfield creators. Until that group starts converting the chances De Zerbi’s possession system is generating, the drought will continue.
The upshot staring Roberto in the face is that his new and improved squad is rather too dysfunctional.
The gaffer had it right when he joked that in Italy, they would be hailing him for his clean sheets, but the glaring issue
This season’s first four Premier League games (2026-27) are a big drop from last season’s start (2025-26). Spurs have 2 points from four games, zero league goals, and sit 17th. Last year they had 9 points, eight goals, and a much stronger early position.
This season (2026-27)
Brentford 3–0 Tottenham (away)
Tottenham 0–2 Newcastle (home)
Nottingham Forest 0–0 Tottenham (away)
Tottenham 0–0 Everton (home)
Record: 0 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses. Goals: 0–5.
Spurs have not scored in their first four league games — the first time that has happened in club history across the top four divisions — and the goalless run is their longest at the start of a season. Spurs are back once more in 17th after four matches.
Last season (2025-26)
Tottenham 3–0 Burnley (home)
Manchester City 0–2 Tottenham (away)
Tottenham 0–1 Bournemouth (home)
West Ham 0–3 Tottenham (away)
Record: 3 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss. Goals: 8–1.
That was a strong opening: two convincing wins sandwiching a shock victory at the Etihad, then a home defeat to Bournemouth before another away win. They were well clear of the bottom half after four games.
The contrast is stark:
Last year Spurs had eight different contributors across the four games and a statement win at the Etihad. This year they have drawn a complete blank in front of goal in the league.
Mathys Tel has drawn plenty of abuse, and Roberto's brief but very public dressing-down at full-time is likely to be a catalyst for whatever comes next. Personally, I think he’s out of his depth.
For me, players like Savio, Kudus and Marmoush are the ones to watch for ‘green shoots’, but I tell you this: if the inability to score continues, then it will be De Zerbi’s job to change his tactics. It’s that simple.
The best and most effective way of scoring is to be more direct. All this possession nonsense is not working, not will it.
I think we have to give some credit to Everton's solid defending. They set up well against us and scrambled minds with the constant threat of a counter. And therein lies De Zerbi's problem. We are going to have difficulty breaking down disciplined defences, particularly at home. As you say, eventually he will need to change tactics.