Roberto De Zerbi has revealed phones were banned from meals during Tottenham‘s warm weather training camp in Marbella in his latest attempt to turn a vastly-assembled squad into a team.
Spurs committed more than £380 million ($505m) on new signings this summer with 10 players joining, but they will start Monday’s home fixture with Coventry at the bottom of the Premier League with no wins from their opening six fixtures.
De Zerbi knows pressure will build if Tottenham fail to win, but will hope a midweek excursion to Spain can help turn frowns upside down in N17.
“We worked on the pitch, we stayed together — we removed phones from breakfast, lunch and dinner to stay together because now it is like [phone] all the time,” De Zerbi told a press conference.
“We had two or three important meetings speaking about football, our situation and how everyone has to take responsibility. And nothing more. There were some dinners just for the players, some dinners just for the staff.
“As a coach you understand you have to improve, you have to change the situation and you try to find all solutions.
“I already did this type of training camp two times with Marseille and it was a good solution. I spoke with the club, with Vinai [Venkatesham], with Johan [Lange], with the owner and together we took the decision, but it’s nothing special.
“It’s just to spend more time together because in pre-season we couldn’t. We had many new players and players who came back from the World Cup. Three or four days together without family, putting the club at the top of their priorities, is normal and is good.”
Asked if players were able to go out independently in Marbella, De Zerbi said: “Yes, with freedom. With no military rules. I love freedom.”
Fit-again Dejan Kulusevski was part of the Tottenham squad in Spain along with James Maddison, who should face old club Coventry but is yet to start for Spurs since he damaged anterior cruciate ligaments in 2025 and Xavi Simons remains absent with the same injury.
“I am very close with Xavi Simons for example in this moment. I follow him step by step in his journey as an injured player. Like Maddison, because the management of Maddison is totally different. He is another special player and now is available to play,” De Zerbi said.
– Kulusevski set to return to Tottenham squad after 526-day injury absence
“Kulusevski was a very important player, even last season when he was injured. It is a part of this job for the players, but at the same time can be a crucial moment to become better, to become stronger.
“You need to play many games to reach the best physical condition but there are players able to be important, even if they play 10, 15 or 20 minutes and James is one player like this.
“Right now he is ready to start the game, but I don’t know if we will start with him. I’m waiting for that moment.”
