Roberto De Zerbi is prioritising mentality and leadership as Tottenham prepare for a run of decisive fixtures against Brighton and others
Roberto De Zerbi has publicly asked for a tighter bond among his players as Tottenham enter a tense run of Premier League fixtures. Rather than promise an instant tactical metamorphosis, he has emphasised leadership, mutual responsibility and a renewed sense of collective purpose.
Ahead of the home clash with Brighton, De Zerbi spoke about the need to forge a “band of brothers” and to recover the simple habit of winning — an approach aimed squarely at the mental side of performance.
That plea comes against a backdrop of prolonged inconsistency: a long winless sequence, recurring injuries to creative players, and months of managerial churn that have left the squad short on cohesion.
The club’s resources, stadium and recent European success contrast sharply with the present difficulty, making the current slide all the more remarkable. De Zerbi has made clear he believes restoring confidence will unlock better football from the existing personnel.
Why leadership matters now
De Zerbi’s argument centres on the idea that the team’s immediate problem is psychological rather than purely tactical. He has repeatedly said the most important part in football is the mental one and that restoring belief will precede any substantial stylistic work. In his view the squad includes individuals with quality, but what it lacks is a common identity and the resilience to push through pressure. By asking players to adopt captaincy-like responsibility whether they start or not, he aims to spread accountability across the dressing room and reduce the burden on any single figure.
Psychology over tactics
De Zerbi accepts that his usual methods — a high-risk, high-reward system built on possession and incisive passes — require time and familiarity, neither of which are abundant now. Consequently, he has prioritised short-term interventions designed to improve the players’ mindset. This is not an abandonment of his principles but a tactical compromise: get the team to believe and help them execute simpler, clearer tasks on the pitch. The coach also reiterated that repetition and structure will follow once the group regains composure and trust.
Who De Zerbi has identified and why
In media sessions the coach mentioned several senior figures as examples of the kind of influence he wants to see — naming players such as James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur among those who can shape the mood through example. He also highlighted the value of leaders in different guises: the vocal organiser, the technical presence on the ball, and the reliable performer under pressure. De Zerbi stressed he wants many leaders, not just one, because shared responsibility can help a team recover faster than depending on a single talisman.
Tactical realism and continuity
While De Zerbi is known for progressive attacking patterns and a disciplined press, he recognises that Tottenham’s squad has been asked to absorb a string of divergent philosophies over recent seasons. Frequent managerial changes have produced mixed tactical messages, leaving players uncertain about their roles. His immediate task is therefore pragmatic: stabilise the environment, restore clarity in simple actions and then layer in more complex patterns. He has also said he will draw on principles established under previous coaches where they fit, blending continuity with his own ideas.
Short-term steps and the fixture run
Practical challenges remain. Key injuries — including a season-ending problem to Cristian Romero and knocks to attacking options such as Mohammed Kudus — shrink selection choices, but De Zerbi has mentioned alternatives who can step in. He has taken measures off the pitch, too: efforts to rebuild team spirit (including a team dinner he recalled with a smile) and clear messaging about risk management for returning players like Maddison. With Brighton at home followed by difficult away fixtures, a single victory could be pivotal to lift spirits and create momentum in their fight against relegation.
