Spurs’ drought forces De Zerbi to consider Maddison and Solanke

Roberto De Zerbi has been urged to start James Maddison and Dominic Solanke as Tottenham struggle to find the net, after a 0‑0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday left the Spurs still goalless in the Premier League and perched 17th.

Spurs’ poor start to the season continued on Saturday, as they were held to a 0‑0 draw at Nottingham Forest, leaving them still without a league goal. The result marked a 52‑year first, the last time Tottenham failed to score in their opening three Premier League games in the 1974/75 season. After two defeats and a draw, the north London side sit 17th.

Second‑half struggles persist

The attacking trio of Savio, Omar Marmoush and Mathys Tel failed to create any real threat, with the visitors not managing a single shot on target. Marmoush, who has yet to register a goal involvement for Spurs, remains silent after three games. The front line’s inability to trouble the Forest defence underscored the goalscoring drought.

Tottenham have splashed over £300 million on new recruits this summer. The arrivals of Savio and Omar Marmoush from Manchester City cost a combined £145 million, while record signings of midfielders Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali added £185 million, and defender Jan Paul van Hecke arrived from Brighton. Despite the heavy outlay, the new forwards have not delivered the expected firepower.

Calls for change and manager’s response

analyst Gabby Agbonlahor called for Solanke and Maddison to return to the starting line‑up, arguing they provide the missing focal point and creativity. He added, “Savio – 31 appearances in the Premier League and Champions League last season, one goal, two assists. Despite scoring on his Spurs debut in the Carabao Cup, Savio has been unable to have the same impact in the Premier League.”

Agbonlahor also highlighted Mykhailo Mudryk’s limited impact, noting he “struggled to make an impact off the bench against Forest following his deadline‑day switch from Chelsea.” He reminded listeners that Marmoush scored three goals in 29 appearances across the Premier League and Champions League last season, and warned, “Don’t get me started on Tel… They haven’t got the quality. It’s alright spending this big money on Manchester City rejects who aren’t goalscorers. What do you expect? Solanke has to start in the game.”

Despite growing frustration, De Zerbi urged calm, insisting Tottenham are a work in progress after an extensive overhaul of the squad. He told, “I think we are working to build a different Tottenham than the last two seasons. And even though we made a great window of the transfer market, we need time… The football team becomes a football team with the time, with the relationship between the players, the connection between the players to find a balance because it’s not so easy to find a balance with a lot of new players.”

The goalless draw left Spurs still without a league goal after three matches and deepening their 17th‑place position. With the drought persisting, the call for Maddison and Solanke to start grows louder as the club seeks its first Premier League strike of the campaign.