The double international break is now over and Tottenham Hotspur fans are reminded of their grim reality. Spurs really are bottom of the Premier League table, yet to win this season, the only goals they have scored so far coming when already 3-0 down at home to Aston Villa.
Next up for Roberto De Zerbi's team is a trip to Old Trafford, targeting a memorable victory over Manchester United to spark Spurs' season into life. Both on Saturday evening, and going forward in general, which three regular starter must improve, and fast , or risk losing their place in the side?
Sandro Tonali was never likely to justify his astronomically high 100 million price tag , but Tottenham still surely expected better. The midfielder started Italy's first three matches of this international window, before coming off the bench for the final 20 minutes of Monday's win over Trkiye at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.
Thus, Tonali won't be rusty, but should not be fatigued either, which would be ideal. He has started all five of Spurs' Premier League fixtures so far this season, set to continue that streak, but has frankly offered very little. With Rodrigo Bentancur, Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison all featuring against Aston Villa, if Tonali does not improve , he will have to lose his place in the lineup.
Andy Robertson was signed to add some much-needed expirence to this Spurs squad but, so far, the 32 year old has simply looked past his best. His error presented Aston Villa their opener, scored by Johan Manzambi, last time out, frankly looking no longer up to the pace of the Premier League.
This was a special international window for Robertson. He has become only the second Scotsman to surpass 100 caps, set to overtake Sir Kenny Dalglish's long-standing record next month. However, back in North London, there is a strong case to be made that Robertson should be dropped in favour of Destiny Udogie.
Despite their extraordinary, exuberant summer spending spree, Spurs did not recruit a new starting goalkeeper. The fact that Guglielmo Vicario joined Juventus, while Martin Dbravka joined on a free, underlined that they were all in on Antonn Kinsk.
Well, following the nightmare he endured in Madrid, the 23 year old did turn things round, a key reason why Tottenham are still a top-flight club, making some astonishing saves towards the end of last season. Last weekend, he also made his Czech Republic debut, getting the nod for the 3-1 defeat against Spain in Oviedo.
Back at club level though, Kinsk is yet to really convince this season . He currently has the fourth-lowest save % in the Premier League, above only Robin Roefs, ore Petrovi and Carl Rushworth, conceding eight times from just 18 shots on target. Dbravka is far from an elite-level deputy, which makes Kinsk's mixed form even more of a concern.
This article was originally published on www.hotspurhq.com as 3 Tottenham players who come out of the international break on thin ice .
