Tottenham are still searching for their first win of the new Premier League campaign after a goalless draw away at Nottingham Forest left both sides frustrated in different ways.
Forest, roared on at the City Ground, will feel they had the better of the chances and should arguably have taken all three points, so for Roberto De Zerbi a point represents a small mercy rather than genuine progress. Once again, Spurs found themselves toothless going forward, finishing the game without a single shot on target despite a summer of heavy spending on new attacking talent.
Omar Marmoush is emerging as a real worry. Signed from Manchester City on a loan-to-buy deal that carries serious expectation, the Egyptian played 84 minutes but did little to suggest he’s the finisher Tottenham need. He wasted the game’s best chance in the 71st minute, blazing over when he should have hit the target, and lost more than six in ten of his ground duels on the day.
Destiny Udogie also endured a torrid time at left-back, preferred to new signing Andy Robertson but unable to justify the selection. He lost 71% of his duels, made no tackles, offered nothing in the way of completed dribbles, and couldn’t find a teammate with a single cross as Forest’s right side, through Ola Aina and Dan Ndoye, gave him a torrid afternoon.
The bigger issue for De Zerbi may be Mathys Tel. Having started every league game so far since his 2025 move from Bayern Munich, the Frenchman has yet to deliver in the final third, and this was another blank display: one completed dribble from five attempts, no shots, just 29% crossing accuracy, and only 40 touches — fewer even than goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky managed. He also lost 80% of his ground duels.
De Zerbi clearly rates Tel’s potential, but potential won’t be enough if Tottenham are to turn their season around. Having backed him from the start in all three league fixtures, the manager may now have to accept that a change is overdue — with the £300m spent this summer still to produce a single goal or win, something has to give, and Tel’s starting spot looks the most likely casualty.
