It looked as if Tottenham’s season might be finished. No Premier League wins in 2026 and questions over whether Roberto De Zerbi would last long enough to manage a Championship campaign. But four matches in, Spurs are out of the relegation zone and finally building momentum.
De Zerbi arrived promising pragmatism, aware he had limited time to turn the club’s fortunes. His methods are usually demanding — Brighton players described his early weeks as “horrendous” as they adapted — but Tottenham have already shown clear signs of his influence. Only Georginio Rutter’s last-minute equaliser for Brighton prevented De Zerbi from delivering three wins in his first four games.
One hallmark has been a more effective high press. Since his arrival Spurs lead the division for regaining possession in the final third, averaging 5.3 recoveries per game — a marked increase compared with earlier in the season. The improvement comes with nuance: overall running and sprint numbers are slightly down (sprints nearly 10% lower), indicating Spurs are pressing smarter, not just harder.
That press has not immediately produced a spike in shots or xG created; only Xavi Simons’ strike against Brighton can be directly tied to turnovers. Its main benefit has been defensive: Spurs have conceded far less expected goals under De Zerbi, averaging 0.79 xG per game — almost half the 1.52 xG per match they were allowing before his arrival. That shift has taken the team’s average goal-difference per game from negative to positive. Some conceded goals have been cruel — a Mitoma wonder and Nordi Mukiele’s long-range deflected strike — suggesting results might yet improve further with a little luck.
Midfield selection was an early stumbling block. De Zerbi’s first game at Sunderland featured Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall alongside Conor Gallagher and ended in a 1-0 defeat, inviting criticism about balance from pundits including Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane. De Zerbi adapted quickly, prioritising more industrious profiles. Gallagher has since been paired with Rodrigo Bentancur, and Joao Palhinha joined them for the Villa win — the first start together this season. That trio out-worked and out-duelled Aston Villa’s midfield despite playing fewer minutes, dominating the middle of the park and setting the tone with tackling and ball-winning.
Numbers don’t capture everything. De Zerbi’s man management and personality have been crucial. He moved to reassure players about continuity, demanded belief and backed individuals — deploying players where their track records suggest they excel, as he explained when describing using Randal Kolo Muani on the right because of his past performances there. His approach has been bought into by the squad: players speak of renewed confidence and trust. Conor Gallagher, in particular, has rediscovered influential form, earning praise from De Zerbi and teammates.
For now, the goal is survival. De Zerbi’s changes — smarter pressing, shored-up defensive metrics, a more physical midfield and clear man management — have produced immediate improvement. Spurs’ situation has shifted from panic to cautious optimism: survival is back in their hands, and for the first time in a while there is genuine belief they can pull it off.
Watch Tottenham vs Leeds live on Sky Sports from 6.30pm on Monday, kick-off 8pm.