Tottenham's Goal Drought: Four Blank Games Under De Zerbi

A Historic Blank Run for Tottenham

Tottenham's attacking struggles have reached a historic low, with the club failing to score in their opening four league games for the first time. According to reports, two decades have passed since Spurs last drew blanks in four consecutive Premier League matches, underlining just how unusual this current run has become. The goalless draw with Everton last Saturday, in which Jordan Pickford punched clear another Tottenham attack, has become the defining image of a frustrating start to the campaign.

While these are outliers, as the source material notes, it will take time for Spurs to improve. The underlying numbers suggest the problem is not simply a lack of attacking intent. Tottenham are getting into attacking areas but failing to make or take chances, a combination that has left new head coach Roberto De Zerbi searching for answers as he tries to forge a settled side.

Turnover, Not Just Finishing, Is the Issue

The root of Tottenham's misfiring is not just down to the lack of goals. Their level of player turnover, from last season to this and from week to week, is a significant problem. Only four men who played at least half of the league minutes last season have featured in 2026-27. One of those is Richarlison, who has since been omitted from their Premier League squad. His 15 goal contributions in the league were at least twice as many as any other Tottenham player last season, but he will not be scoring or assisting any time soon.

Richarlison is also the fourth-longest-serving player at the club. Ben Davies, Brandon Austin and Rodrigo Bentancur are ahead of him, and of those only Bentancur is likely to play regularly. Many current starters are relatively new recruits. The 11 players who began the goalless draw with Everton last Saturday had spent an average of just 1.3 years with the club, highlighting the scale of the rebuild De Zerbi is attempting to oversee.

This lack of continuity helps explain why Spurs are getting into attacking areas but failing to make or take chances. Settled combinations in the final third take time to develop, and with so many new faces in the starting XI, the understanding between forwards and midfielders is still a work in progress.

What It Means for Spurs' Season

The pressure is mounting on De Zerbi to find a solution quickly. Tottenham's inability to find the net has left them without a win in their opening four league games, and the Everton draw showed the same pattern: plenty of possession and territorial advantage, but no end product. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was called into action but was rarely truly stretched, as another Tottenham attack came to nothing.

For those following the Premier League predictions, Tottenham's struggles present a tricky puzzle. The underlying metrics suggest the chances are being created, which offers some hope that results will turn. However, the squad turnover and the absence of last season's leading contributor Richarlison mean the personnel available to De Zerbi is significantly different from the one that finished the previous campaign.

The coming weeks will be crucial. If Spurs can find a way to convert their attacking possession into goals, the narrative could shift quickly. But if the blank run continues, questions will grow about whether De Zerbi has the right blend of players to turn things around. For now, Tottenham remain a side in transition, getting into the right areas but lacking the final touch.

As the season progresses, the focus will remain on how quickly De Zerbi can integrate his new signings and establish a settled attacking unit. The return of some continuity, both in selection and in performance, will be key to ending a drought that has already written itself into the club's history. For the latest updates on this developing story, check the latest football news.