De Zerbi bans phones at mealtimes as rock-bottom Spurs regroup in Marbella

Roberto De Zerbi banned mobile phones from mealtimes during Tottenham’s warm-weather training camp in Marbella as part of a broader effort to revive team spirit at a club that sits bottom of the Premier League despite spending more than £380m on new signings this summer.

“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.”

The Italian manager, who used similar training camps twice during his time at Marseille, said the trip was agreed in consultation with the club’s hierarchy. “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.”

De Zerbi was keen to stress the camp was not run on rigid lines. Asked whether players were free to go out independently, he replied: “Yes, with freedom. With no military rules. I love freedom.”

Fit-again Dejan Kulusevski was part of the squad in Spain, as was James Maddison, who is in contention to face his former club Coventry in Monday’s home fixture. Maddison has yet to start for Spurs since suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in 2025 but De Zerbi indicated he is now available. “He is another special player and now is available to play. Right now he is ready.”

Xavi Simons remains sidelined with the same ACL injury, and De Zerbi said he is monitoring both players closely. “I am very close with Xavi Simons 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.”

On Kulusevski’s return, De Zerbi added: “He was a very important player, even last season when he was injured. There are players able to be important even if they play 10, 15 or 20 minutes, and James is one player like this.”

Spurs host Coventry on Monday sitting at the foot of the Premier League table, making the Marbella camp as much a psychological reset as a physical one. “As a coach you understand you have to improve, you have to change the situation and you try to find all solutions,” De Zerbi said.