De Zerbi's 13 New Signings Come Under Scrutiny as Spurs Sit Last

Pundits say the Tottenham manager drove his own squad overhaul, so a slow start in the Premier League offers him little shelter.

Tottenham Hotspur find themselves at the foot of the Premier League after five matches, having collected only two points from a possible 15. The poor run follows an aggressive summer recruitment drive in north London that brought 13 new players to the club on the heels of a season spent fighting relegation.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, The Observer's Rory Smith argued that the manager must own the situation. He said Tottenham should not be bottom of the table, but added that a side fielding eight or nine fresh signings regularly is bound to look disjointed, and that because Roberto de Zerbi pushed for the overhaul, he has "almost made a rod for his own back."

BBC Sport's Chris Sutton agreed that more should be expected from players the manager chose to bring in, noting that De Zerbi criticizes his squad's performances nearly every week. Former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha said the club deserves the criticism it is receiving, pointing out that most of the new arrivals had a full pre-season to absorb the manager's ideas.

Onuoha added that the volume of signings is no excuse, and that with the quality in the squad, Spurs were capable of winning more games, scoring more goals, and still having a successful season.