Tottenham's start to the Premier League season has been deeply troubling, and the pressure on Roberto De Zerbi is intensifying with every passing week. Three matches in, Spurs have collected just one point, have not scored a single league goal, and sit 18th in the table. A goalless draw at Nottingham Forest on September 5 extended that scoring drought, with a late VAR decision denying Forest a winner but doing little to mask Tottenham's attacking failings. De Zerbi was furious afterwards, publicly calling out his forwards and singling out summer signing Omar Marmoush as a player who must improve quickly.

The squad situation is not helping. Mykhailo Mudryk, who had only just returned from a 22-month suspension to make his Spurs debut against Forest, has now suffered an ankle injury in training that could keep him out for up to two months. With Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski also unavailable, De Zerbi's attacking options are severely limited. Kulusevski is edging closer to fitness after 477 days out, but he will not be ready this weekend.

Off the pitch, there are brighter signs. Lucas Bergvall has signed a new contract, committing his future to the club after months of transfer speculation, while £85m midfielder Matheus Fernandes has spoken confidently about the project under De Zerbi. Whether that belief translates into results begins against Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.