Biggest problem for Spurs is finding ‘right mentality’, says Roberto De Zerbi

Roberto De Zerbi has admitted his biggest challenge for his Tottenham team will be to find “the right mentality”, as they fell to a second consecutive defeat at the start of the Premier League season.

Spurs were deservedly beaten by Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle when they fell away in the second half of this match after dominating the first. De Zerbi said the outcome could have been much different, but called for patience both for his team and for his big-money signings, none more so than Sandro Tonali, who cost an initial £92.5m.

“It’s the biggest problem, it’s the biggest challenge and the biggest target is to find the right mentality,” De Zerbi said after the match. “You can’t find the right mentality in the transfer market. Football is a magical thing, you can change a lot of players and you can find the balance immediately or you need more time. I want to achieve this target as soon as possible … but I am in no doubt that we will reach it.”

De Zerbi said that Richarlison and Kevin Danso had asked to leave the club this week after Spurs completed further signings, bringing in Sávio and Omar Marmoush from Manchester City. “I love Danso and Richarlison, they are great guys but if they want to leave they have to bring the economic solution to the club and they can go and we find other players,” De Zerbi said.

Of the players the club have bought, De Zerbi’s fellow Italian Tonali has been under keenest scrutiny, with former supporters at Newcastle booing his every touch and cheering when he was substituted shortly after Spurs conceded the opening goal. “Sandro is a crucial player that is not in the right, the best condition yet,” De Zerbi said. “But I love my players more today than if we had won. Because together we are rebuilding the club.”

Jaissle, meanwhile, was able to celebrate the performance of the player signed in part to replace Tonali, Nico González. Another signing from Manchester City, the £50m defensive midfielder controlled the midfield in the second half and set up the opening goal with a 60-yard crossfield pass to the equally impressive Amar Dedic.

“It was a great debut,” said the German, who has hit the ground running as the Newcastle head coach. “It’s not easy for a player who is just showing after a transfer, there is a human being behind that. I really, really think he did amazing and we look forward to seeing more from him. Right now everything is top, everything is great with the team, but we don’t follow that too much. It’s a moment to enjoy but we’re also smart enough to see it’s a long, long journey in front of us.”