Paul Merson Warns Over De Zerbi's Criticism at Tottenham

Paul Merson has sounded the alarm over Roberto De Zerbi’s early-season rhetoric at Tottenham, warning that the Italian’s public criticism of his forwards and medical staff would already be making Spurs fans uneasy.

Spurs laboured to a 0-0 draw at home to Nottingham Forest, failed to register a shot on target and are still waiting for their first Premier League goal of the campaign. De Zerbi’s response was to turn the spotlight firmly on his players in the final third – and on the club’s medical department.

Merson: “Keep that in-house”

Merson, writing in his Sky Sports column, felt Spurs were fortunate to escape with a point.

“I thought Spurs were fortunate against Nottingham Forest – if Neco Williams is a little bit braver, then Forest win,” he said. “But it’s a start for them.”

What followed after the game is what really bothered him. De Zerbi questioned his forwards’ decision-making and then revealed he was “not happy” that the medical staff had told him Savio and Destiny Udogie could only play 60 minutes, forcing changes that he felt broke Spurs’ rhythm.

For Merson, that crosses a line.

“Roberto De Zerbi had a go at his forwards after the game. He also had a go at his medical staff for dictating his substitutions. You say that in the dressing room; don’t come out and say it. You need to keep that in-house.

“That would worry me as a Spurs fan. De Zerbi does fall out with people.”

The former Arsenal and England midfielder even questioned whether the manager was already trying to protect his own reputation.

“I don’t know if he’s covering himself there with those comments about the medical staff, because that could be kept quiet. He’s having a go at them – and you saw what happened with Enzo Maresca at Chelsea when he started calling out the medical team for dictating his substitutions. He left a few weeks later.”

Merson did acknowledge the manager’s dilemma. If club medics are setting hard limits, the dynamic becomes messy.

“At the same time, if he’s being told to take a player off, he’s the manager. He’s in charge. If it’s not up to him how long his players get on the pitch, why shouldn’t he cover himself?”

“I don’t understand having a go at the forwards”

What Merson really couldn’t get behind was De Zerbi’s public blast at his attackers after a game where chances were scarce rather than squandered.

“I don’t understand having a go at the forwards, though. They didn’t have 20 chances. It’s not as if the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper was man of the match. I didn’t see that at all.”

De Zerbi had been specific in his assessment. He said Spurs “played well” but demanded “better decisions” in the final third and more composure when close to creating decisive moments.

He referenced Omar Marmoush’s second-half shot instead of slipping in Andy Robertson on the overlap, with Mohammed Kudus waiting at the back post. He pointed to crosses from Mathys Tel and Savio that sailed beyond the second post, and to a move where Mateus Fernandes was left free to drive into the box but the ball instead went to Kudus before Dominic Solanke’s header.

For Merson, the bigger picture is mentality and expectation. Spurs have finished 17th in back-to-back seasons. That does not get erased overnight.

“It’s a long way to go for Spurs. But my problem is the mentality. You don’t come 17th two years on the trot and expect to turn it around in a New York minute.

“I think people have got to be patient. Spurs shouldn’t worry about being eight points behind Arsenal – all they’ve got to worry about is who’s fifth, and how many points they’re behind fifth.

“They’re not finishing ahead of Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.”

De Zerbi’s medical flashpoint

De Zerbi’s irritation with the medical team was just as pointed as his words on the forwards.

He explained that the staff had “pushed” him to replace Savinho and Udogie after an hour. He accepted that Kudus and Robertson “played very well”, but said making two changes at that moment was “not so good” for the team’s balance and connection.

“I’m sorry because the medical staff pushed to change Savinho and Udogie after 60 minutes,” he said. “But now we can’t take risk to injury again. Savio is too important for us. The same Destiny. Maybe we lost some balance, some connection.

“I’m not happy. But football is like this. Savio has not the best physical condition to play 90 minutes. He’s an important player for us, a crucial player. Destiny is another crucial player for us.

“I think Kudus and Robertson, they played well. But, you know, to start one game like today, it’s not so easy to come in from the bench and adapt immediately.

“I’m not happy when we have the plan, but it’s for my advantage, for my business, the management of the players after injuries.”

That phrase – “for my business” – underlines why Merson senses friction brewing. The manager wants control and results, the medical department wants protection and caution. When that tug of war spills into public view, it rarely ends quietly.

Spurs are still searching for a first league goal of the season, still trying to shed the weight of two years spent looking over their shoulders. De Zerbi is demanding more from his forwards and pushing back at his own staff.

The football will have to start answering for him soon, or the conversation around Tottenham will only get louder.