Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has explained why he was frustrated with Mathys Tel during the match against Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and has also expressed his delight with Andy Robertson’s performance.
Spurs endured a difficult afternoon at home on Saturday, as they failed to win against Everton.
The match between Tottenham and Everton finished in a goalless draw.
It was the first time in Tottenham’s history that they had failed to score in any of their first four league fixtures in a single campaign.
Tottenham manager De Zerbi cut a hugely frustrating figure in the dugout during the game.
Immediately after the full-time whistle, De Zerbi went on to the pitch and started speaking animatedly to Tel.
READ: Jamie O’Hara tears into five Tottenham players after Everton draw – ‘Cement in his feet’
Tel did not start the match against Everton, but the 21-year-old former Bayern Munich forward came on for Dominic Solanke in the 63rd minute.
Roberto De Zerbi exchanges some angry words with Mathys Tel following the final whistle. 👀 pic.twitter.com/aaKd2JOpQL
— Spurs Army (@SpursArmyTweets) September 12, 2026
Roberto De Zerbi on Tottenham forward Mathys Tel
De Zerbi said about Tel, as relayed by The Independent journalist Miguel Delaney on X at 8:19pm on September 12: “Yes, I coach him on the pitch… the striker can’t play with his back to the goal.
“He has to play like a striker, looking at the goal, or on the cross for Robertson.
“He has to stay inside.
“He started as a striker, eh, now he’s playing as a winger.”
The Tottenham manager added: “But I love Mathys as a player and a guy, there is not a problem.”
READ MORE: The first ever 0-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium gives Jamie Redknapp his Curb moment
Roberto De Zerbi on Tottenham left-back Andy Robertson
While De Zerbi was not pleased with Tel, the Tottenham manager has praised left-back Robertson for his efforts during the game.
The former Liverpool left-back took one shot, played two key passes, and put in seven crosses – of which one was accurate.
Football.London quoted De Zerbi as saying: “There is a word in Italian that literally translates as we unblock ourselves.
“I think the team is incredibly strong and we can win games.
“We can find the goals with the quality of our players.
“The full-backs and their quality.
“Andy Robertson was very good today but we didn’t maybe trust his crosses enough.”
The Tottenham manager further said about his team’s performance: “I came last season when the s*** was like this (puts his hand up to his forehead), you know?
“S***, I repeat.
“And I’ve always been, not positive, but realistic.
“Now I explained, I’m sorry for the results, but it’s not immediate, no?
“Not the improvement, not immediate to make a team.
“Today we played as a team.
“We didn’t score, we didn’t win, but today and Nottingham I think we played as a team.
“And I can’t say nothing as an attitude, as a behaviour of the players, no, no.
“I said to stay calm, maybe to not lose the confidence because we are not scoring, we are not winning.
“Stay calm, improve, work hard and individually try to understand where is the improvement, no?”
READ NEXT: Ten Premier League transfers that will definitely happen in 2027