**Spurs Seek to Rebuild After Brentford Defeat, Says De Zerbi**
Tottenham Hotspur's manager, Roberto De Zerbi, emphasized the need for a winning mentality within the squad following a disappointing start to the Premier League season. The North London club is looking to bounce back in their upcoming League Cup second-round match against Charlton Athletic after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Brentford in their league opener on Saturday.
Despite a significant recruitment effort this summer, which included the signings of midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, as well as defenders Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke, Spurs struggled to find their footing against Brentford. The club's spending has reached £322 million ($439.08 million), including add-ons, as they aim to strengthen their squad after narrowly avoiding relegation last season, finishing in 17th place.
De Zerbi, who was appointed on a long-term contract in March, expressed the importance of the League Cup, stating, “For me, it’s like the Premier League. We are not in the position to make differences. We need to get used to winning the matches.” He highlighted the necessity of changing the team's mindset and fostering a winning culture. “We have to change the mood. We can because we already did last season,” he noted, referencing his successful tenure at the end of the previous campaign.
The Italian manager acknowledged that the quality of the players should have been sufficient to perform better against Brentford. He reiterated the challenge of transforming the team’s mentality, stating, “When I said we have to become a team it’s about this.”
In a bid to bolster the squad further, Spurs announced the signing of Brazilian winger Savio Moreira de Oliveira, commonly known as Savio, from Manchester City. De Zerbi praised the 22-year-old’s abilities, noting, “In terms of one-to-one, he’s one of the best players, can play on either side.” He added that top wingers typically score between 10 to 15 goals a season and expressed confidence in Savio’s potential.
Ahead of the clash with Charlton, Spurs received positive news regarding player fitness. New captain Micky van de Ven is set to return to the bench after recovering from an injury sustained during the club's pre-season tour. Additionally, right-back Pedro Porro will also be available as he returns to training following his participation in the World Cup with Spain.
De Zerbi provided an update on the squad's fitness, mentioning that while he is unsure if Savio will be ready to play, the return of Van de Ven and Porro is a significant boost. However, he did note that midfielder James Maddison is dealing with a minor shoulder injury.
As Tottenham prepares for their League Cup encounter, the focus remains on instilling a winning mentality within the team to avoid a repeat of the previous season's struggles. The upcoming match against Charlton presents an opportunity for Spurs to regain confidence and set the tone for the remainder of the season.