Four games into the Premier League season, Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City are the only teams yet to score a goal. Despite investing £320 million in attacking talent, Tottenham has struggled to find the net. Manager Roberto de Zerbi, who previously coached at Brighton and Marseille, is employing a tactical approach that involves slowing the game down and passing backward to entice opponents to press, then quickly shifting to faster play to exploit spaces behind the press. His philosophy focuses on adapting to pressure, using direct passes or powerful runs when under duress. Spurs' current setup in possession often resembles a 2-3-2-3 formation, with holding midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur anchoring the midfield in front of the two central defenders. The formation remains largely static, with rotation among wingers, full-backs, and central midfielders. De Zerbi encourages central play, which draws opponents inward, creating space for wide attackers. This strategy worked well at Marseille, where the team averaged 2.3 goals per game from 2024 to 2026. Despite these tactics, Spurs have yet to convert their possession into goals. The central play requires players to recognize the best pass available, which depends on the movement of teammates and the ability to execute the pass accurately. Spurs' biggest issue has been a reluctance to play through balls behind the defense, even though players like Omar Marmoush have made good attacking runs. The return of James Maddison, who recently recovered from injury, may help Spurs get into more attacking positions. Spurs have often created good attacking opportunities, but turning these into goals has proven challenging. Players such as Pedro Porro, who has taken on a more central role in possession, may help create more scoring chances. Meanwhile, players like Igor Paixao and Destiny Udogie have shown potential in exploiting spaces, although some may need time to adapt to De Zerbi's tactics. The success of this approach depends on players internalizing the instructions and unlearning previous habits, such as the focus on building play down the flanks under former manager Thomas Frank. While some players, like Archie Gray, have adapted to new positions, others may require more time to adjust. Additionally, the effectiveness of wide players in pulling the ball back on their weak foot remains a concern, with left-footed right-winger Savio struggling in this aspect compared to right-footed counterparts at Marseille.