De Zerbi: Spurs need to 'unblock' after four scoreless games

Roberto De Zerbi acknowledged a "mental block" is affecting Tottenham after they drew 0-0 with Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, extending the club's goalless run in the Premier League to four games.

"Four games, no wins, no goals scored. It is tough also for the players because they are human," De Zerbi said, while insisting he could not fault the squad's attitude or work rate.

The Italian pointed to a disrupted pre-season as a key factor, citing injuries in Australia to Mateus Fernandes, Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke, as well as late arrivals for Savio and Marmoush, who he said joined only ten days ago. "I started to work with this group not last Thursday, two Thursdays ago," he said. "I think we have not the right physical condition, yet."

De Zerbi was positive about the opening half-hour, describing a "hot, hot stadium" and noting Spurs entered the Everton goal area 75 times without converting. "If we extend that part of the game 30 minutes to 60, 70, 80 and 90, in my opinion we are going to win many games," he said.

He also addressed a touchline exchange with Mathys Tel at full time, explaining he was correcting the striker's body shape. "He has to play as a striker and the striker has to look at the goal or the cross from Robertson," De Zerbi said, adding he holds Tel in high regard both as a player and a person.

On the broader squad fitness picture, De Zerbi highlighted Rodrigo Bentancur as crucial to the side after a late return from the World Cup, and confirmed Sandro Tonali improved as the match progressed. Tottenham's next fixture is Tuesday's trip to Liverpool.