Carragher says Spurs' toothless attack is evidence De Zerbi will return to market

Tottenham Hotspur were beaten 2-0 at home by Newcastle United on Saturday in their opening Premier League fixture of the season, and pundit Jamie Carragher used the performance to argue that manager Roberto De Zerbi has unfinished business in the transfer market.

Carragher, analysing the first half, pointed to Spurs’ inability to threaten Lukas Hornicek’s goal as the clearest sign yet that the club needs more attacking quality. “They have been let down in the final third,” he said. “I think it is probably the evidence that De Zerbi will still be in the market after this game, in the next few days, for attacking reinforcements. They have certainly been left a little bit short in this first half by the ability of the wide players to beat the man or do something clever or creative.”

Spurs arrived at the game having already spent around £300 million this summer, with summer arrivals Savio and Omar Marmoush among the headline signings brought in to sharpen their attack. Savio was absent against Newcastle due to muscle fatigue, days after contributing a goal and an assist in the Carabao Cup win over Charlton Athletic. Marmoush started on a temporary deal alongside fellow new arrivals Sandro Tonali and Matheus Fernandes.

The clearest chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Pedro Porro, whose strike from 12 yards sailed over the bar. Despite controlling possession, Spurs failed to convert that dominance into meaningful attempts on goal.

De Zerbi himself had already hinted at further activity before the Newcastle game. “I didn’t expect a market like we have done,” he said. “I think we can do one player more and in one specific position. We are very happy with the market we have done until now. It has been more than my expectation at the beginning.”

The Spurs head coach also acknowledged that the final shape of his squad could depend on outgoings as much as incomings. “It can be possible out or in. The transfer market is crazy and we have to be able to find the new players,” he added.

With the deadline on September 1 drawing close, Saturday’s defeat will only intensify the pressure on Tottenham to add a creative forward capable of unlocking defences at the top end of the Premier League.