Tottenham Hotspur have taken eight points from four games and are two points clear in the battle for safety with two games remaining – but head to a volatile Stamford Bridge to face bitter rivals Chelsea next
Roberto De Zerbi arrived at Tottenham with a health warning.
Basically, the Italian has a temperamental reputation for driving people mad, falling out with everyone and being uncontrollable on the touchline.
The third one has not changed. De Zerbi was a jack-in-the-box in his technical area during Tottenham’s draw with Leeds. Eventually, it got him a yellow card by referee Jarred Gillett but actually – despite a frustrating result – there were positive signs from a manager branded an “a***hole” last week.
Canada boss Jesse Marsch rounded on De Zerbi for the way he treated Ismael Kone during his time at Marseille.
“De Zerbi was a real, real a**hole with him and he stayed strong. He never doubted himself. He found a new situation, and now look at him flourishing. Let me reiterate. De Zerbi was a real a**hole with him,” said Marsch on a podcast.
Well, after Mathys Tel – the goalscoring hero – had given away a crazy penalty to cost Tottenham all three points, the language was different.
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What did he say to him afterwards?
“A big hug and a big kiss, nothing more, because he is a young player, a big talent,” said De Zerbi. “He scored a great goal, he made a mistake for the experience, because he has not the right experience, he has not played too many games in his career and we have to accept, but I am proud and I am happy for the mentality we showed.”
De Zerbi also insisted that Tottenham’s home form – they have not won a Premier League game in their own stadium in 2026 – was also his responsibility.
This is not him trying to shift the blame. He lost the plot at Marseille and even questioned Brighton owner Tony Bloom during his time at the Amex. Bloom is regarded by many as the best owner in the Premier League.
Yes, the blow-ups might come later. The angry, frustrated De Zerbi who has gone through clubs like a pack of cards. It’s crazy his CV.
But now comes a time when it is vital that he keeps everyone together and there was affection for James Maddison after the game following his return from injury, his praise for Tel despite everything and also even a funny take on VAR.
West Ham are now head-to-head with Tottenham in the fight for survival. West Ham were denied a late leveller against Arsenal and the Hammers are crying foul.
De Zerbi said: “I can’t understand the polemic about it, VAR because it was a foul, 200 per cent, not 100 per cent if you want to talk about football.”
Oh, and by the way, Antonin Kinsky made one of the best saves of the season to earn a point. De Zerbi has handled his return well.
This feels like a different De Zerbi. Maybe it is always like that before he blows up and moves on. But the ground rules are pretty clear. Keep Tottenham up.
Seven points from their last nine and first back-to-back wins is a good return no matter they were held by Leeds and could have lost.
Here’s the worry. West Ham go first this weekend. A win or a draw at Newcastle brings them closer to a Tottenham team who go to bitter rivals Chelsea 48 hours later on the Tuesday.
Even if Tottenham are a point ahead on the final day, West Ham play Leeds at home while Everton go to Tottenham with an outstanding away record against a team with a filthy home record.
De Zerbi will really need to keep his head together.
