Tottenham’s expensive rebuild begins with familiar collapse

LONDON - Tottenham Hotspur's lavish close-season spending failed to disguise familiar shortcomings as they opened their Premier League season with a 3-0 drubbing at Brentford on Aug 22.

After successive 17th-placed finishes and a last-day escape from relegation in May, a spending spree that is set to go past £300 million (S$519.63 million) was supposed to have the North London club challenging the elite.

On the evidence of the Aug 22 performance, however, Spurs first need to focus on closing the gap on teams like humble Brentford – the brilliantly run West London club who outplayed them at a rocking Gtech Community Stadium.

Brentford offered another example of what continuity and smart recruitment can achieve, Keith Andrews’ side looking cohesive and confident despite operating on a fraction of Tottenham's budget.

Bolstered by impressive record signing Mamadou Sangare, who set up the second goal for Vitaly Janelt, Brentford looked capable of surpassing last season's ninth-placed finish.

Spurs manager Roberto de Zerbi included four new signings in his starting line-up – record buy Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson – while £85 million midfielder Mateus Fernandes made his debut after the break.

But they looked bereft of ideas and were comprehensively outplayed and outfought, failed to have a shot on target in the first half and should have lost by a wider margin.

Italian de Zerbi saved Tottenham from the drop in his seven games in charge last season and has been handsomely backed.

Brazilian winger Savinho is expected to arrive to bolster the attack from Manchester City, whose forward Omar Marmoush is also being pursued. Yet however many players Spurs bring in, de Zerbi knows the basics must be addressed to make progress.

“We lost and suffered the difference in the duels. It was the key of this game. We didn't fight in the right way,” de Zerbi said. “Our physical condition was not at the right level for all players because many came later after the World Cup and there were many new players in the squad and first XI.

“But we have to analyse this game better because we can't play this way in this type of game.”

Injuries remain a factor for Tottenham, but Aug 22’s shortcomings extended far beyond missing personnel.

They were without newly named skipper Micky van de Ven on Aug 22, while World Cup winning defender Pedro Porro was also unavailable, added to long-term absentees Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski.

De Zerbi spoke this week about having leadership and spirit on the pitch but with Archie Gray, 20, wearing the captain’s armband, the youngest to do so for Spurs, there was a distinct lack of either as Tottenham capitulated in familiar fashion.

“We can improve quickly but first, we have to understand this game better. I know their physical condition and new players but we have to put something more,” de Zerbi said.

Inevitably, much of the post-match analysis focused on Spurs’ performance, but Andrews’ Brentford side produced a superb display and won at a canter.

Apart from breaking the club record to sign Sangare for £39 million from Lens and adding centre-back Jannik Schuster and winger Jaidon Anthony, Brentford have opted for continuity.

They have kept hold of the likes of Brazil striker Igor Thiago, Dango Ouattara, Kevin Schade and powerhouse wing-back Michael Kayode and oozed confidence.

“Really pleased,” said Andrews, who replaced Thomas Frank when he left for an ill-fated reign as Tottenham boss in 2025.

“I’ve felt good for a number of weeks now about how we are looking and just the cohesion of the team. We are in a good place really.” REUTERS