Ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League Matchday 4 clash against Everton at home, Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi addressed several topics that have attracted significant attention from fans and the media during his pre-match press conference.

On the feeling that Tottenham players lack confidence on the pitch

As a team, we were not fully prepared at the start of the season. We lost 0-3, which was very difficult. Then against Newcastle, we were not spectacular, but we did enough to win the game. Unfortunately, we lost 0-2 instead. According to my data, we created nine scoring opportunities against Newcastle, while they had only three. Losing 0-2 in that situation is difficult to accept. Of course, when you lose, talking about statistics does not mean much.

As for the away game against Nottingham Forest, we played a typical Premier League battle. They are a strong team. Two years ago, they qualified for European competition, they have kept a consistent starting lineup for a long time, and they have only made a few changes this season.

I hope we can play better, with more confidence and energy, and be willing to take more risks in every area of the pitch. But when I say taking risks, I do not mean playing without discipline or randomly. I mean playing with personality, with the mentality of a top club and the presence of elite players.

I firmly believe we can achieve that, and I want to speed up this process.

On still believing Tottenham can finish near the top

Yes, I absolutely believe in this team. But what I said at the time was slightly different from what you just mentioned. What I said was that before talking about specific targets, we first needed to truly build a “team” before the Brentford match.

But if you ask me directly, I love my players and I love this team. I believe they have incredible qualities. However, having quality alone is not enough — we have to show it.

If you want to win games, you have to score goals. To score goals, you need to create chances and be decisive in front of goal. Defensively, we are improving. Against Nottingham Forest, we did not allow them many opportunities because our concentration was better and our training that week was more solid.

On Richarlison

I am disappointed because I have one fewer available player in my squad. Richarlison is a very good person, genuinely a very good person. I have spoken with him many times and spent a lot of time trying to convince him to stay.

But if you ask me, I know the truth. I know what happened over the past 45 days. Everything is very clear, but I am not frustrated.

I want to repeat that I know what the club has done for him over the past 45 days, and I also know his own actions and behaviour.

I have made my position very clear. I cannot reveal more details because it would not be appropriate. But I feel disappointed because the ending of this story could have been completely different.

If things had been handled differently, I believe it would have been much better. Or if Richarlison could have remained in the squad, stayed happily at the club, or even extended his contract, that would have been much better.

He is still an important player. He was very important for us last season, and we cannot forget that. But at the same time, we cannot ignore everything that happened over the past 45 days.

On his tactical philosophy

I think the Premier League over the past three or four years has changed significantly compared with when I was managing Brighton. The intensity, physical battles, and duels on the ground have reached an even higher level.

Look at the game against Nottingham Forest. It was not a beautiful football spectacle — it was all about physical battles and winning second balls. They won more second balls because we tried to control possession, and the effective playing time in that match was only 47 minutes.

The away game against Brentford was similar. The intensity of matches now is extremely high. In terms of possession, many teams have similar tactical ideas because against such intense defensive pressure, it is difficult to maintain perfect elegance with the ball.

The Premier League is completely different from Serie A, Ligue 1, or La Liga. The intensity and physical profile of the players are different here, but we must adapt.

Regardless, we have to play much better than we did against Nottingham Forest.

On improving Tottenham’s home record

To improve the statistics, we simply need to win games. But as I have said before, winning requires creating the right tactical conditions.

Therefore, we have to play better — with more confidence, energy, personality, and courage. Our players have enough ability to create those conditions for winning.

We cannot overthink things. Thinking too much can lead you into a dead end. Top players know what to do with and without the ball. The key is to simplify the game.

On whether the team struggles under pressure from home supporters

No, I do not think so.

Because against Nottingham Forest, we were playing away from home. But if you review that match with me, I can point out many moments where we had the space and time to play better, show more courage, and provide more passing options.

This is a gradual process. Right now, we have to remain strong.

I am still very optimistic because the quality of our players is there. Over the past two months, we have faced many objective difficulties, such as players returning late after the World Cup and new signings arriving at the end of the transfer window.

All of these things require time to build chemistry and develop understanding.