Roberto De Zerbi urges Tottenham to embrace attacking football as they battle Premier League relegation with seven games left.

Roberto De Zerbi has called on Tottenham Hotspur to rediscover their attacking identity as he begins his mission to keep the club in the Premier League. The Italian believes Spurs’ DNA is built around scoring goals and playing with courage, and he wants the squad to reflect that approach during the final stretch of the season.

Appointed as Tottenham’s third manager of the campaign, De Zerbi faces an immediate challenge with only seven matches remaining. His first test comes away to Sunderland, and the urgency is clear as Tottenham attempt to avoid their first relegation since 1977.

All the latest team news and updates from Roberto De Zerbi’s first press conference 🗣️

🔗 https://t.co/UbDHsAyN2N pic.twitter.com/HHuU5ufE0Q

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 10, 2026

Tottenham’s struggles have been evident throughout 2026, with the club yet to record a league victory this calendar year. They have scored just 40 goals in the league so far and currently hold a negative goal difference of minus 10, highlighting the lack of attacking consistency De Zerbi is determined to address.

Speaking ahead of his debut in charge, De Zerbi emphasised that he does not have time for a long-term rebuild. Instead, his focus is on organisation and mentality, both with and without the ball. He stressed that the team must show courage, embrace risk, and commit to attacking football in order to secure vital points.

The Italian also acknowledged the magnitude of the task, describing the role as the biggest challenge of his career. Despite the pressure, he confirmed his intention to remain in charge next season regardless of whether Tottenham stay in the top flight, having signed a long-term contract.

Spurs’ slide down the table came under former boss Thomas Frank and interim coach Igor Tudor, leaving the North London side in 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone. De Zerbi believes clarity and commitment are essential if the club is to survive.

However, the new manager suffered an early setback with an injury concern to Mohammed Kudus, who experienced a quad problem during recovery. The Ghana international had been viewed as a key part of De Zerbi’s attacking plans, and his absence could also threaten his chances of featuring at the upcoming World Cup.

We can confirm that Mohammed Kudus has suffered a setback in his return from injury.

The Ghana international forward suffered a significant quad injury during our Premier League fixture against Sunderland in January.

He had returned to team training during the past week,… pic.twitter.com/MSrHMcZds1

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 9, 2026

Despite that blow, De Zerbi remains confident in Tottenham’s attacking options. He pointed to players such as Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel, Xavi Simons, Richarlison, and Dominic Solanke, insisting that his job is to put them in the best possible position to succeed. With survival on the line, he believes unlocking their quality will be crucial in the final weeks.