Tottenham are reportedly bottom with 3 points from 6 matches. Ahead of Monday, October 19’s 8 p.m. BST Premier League meeting with Coventry at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, De Zerbi has banned phones at breakfast, lunch and dinner during the Marbella camp. The restriction was reportedly meant to help the team bond as Spurs look to respond to a difficult league start.
Overview: De Zerbi’s latest effort to lift Spurs
Roberto De Zerbi introduced the mealtime rule during Tottenham’s warm-weather training camp in Marbella. It was reportedly designed to give players more time together away from screens, rather than put strict limits on their free time.
The move comes ahead of a home fixture under significant pressure: Tottenham were reported bottom of the table going into the match. The team also held “two or three” meetings about football, the club’s situation and each player’s responsibility. De Zerbi called those discussions important, but stressed that the camp wasn’t run under “military rules.” Players could go out in Marbella, and some meals were organised separately for players and staff.
Key details: Phones, meetings and player freedom
The restriction covered all three main meals. De Zerbi said it was meant to make room for conversation and togetherness at a time when phones can dominate people’s attention. It was a practical step in a broader effort to improve the mood around the squad, not a punishment.
He also said the club was involved in the decision, following discussions with senior figures including Vinai Venkatesham, Johan Lange and the owner. De Zerbi had tried a similar approach at two Marseille camps and considered it a useful way to bring a group together. His explanation was simple: “You try to find all solutions.”
| Camp detail | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Phone restriction | Breakfast, lunch and dinner |
| Team meetings | “Two or three” |
| Player freedom | Players could go out in Marbella |
| Previous use | De Zerbi used a similar camp approach twice at Marseille |
The Marbella camp was set up to give the squad more time together. During pre-season, the team hadn’t been able to spend time together in the same way.
Context: Bottom place and a stretched squad
The league position makes the camp’s team-building focus more urgent. Tottenham had 3 points from 6 matches before facing Coventry, so there’s little room for another poor result if they’re to climb away from the bottom. The fixture is at home, but the points pressure is already clear before kick-off.
Absences also complicate selection. Lucas Bergvall and Savio are ruled out; De Zerbi said Bergvall could miss about two weeks and Savio “some weeks.” Pedro Porro is unavailable, while Dejan Kulusevski is expected to return to the matchday squad on the bench. Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended after his red card in Tottenham’s 1–1 draw with Manchester United the previous weekend. That leaves De Zerbi with one fewer option as he prepares for Coventry. No tactical change has been confirmed, but the absences narrow his choices.
What’s next: The response must come on the pitch
Tottenham are due to host Coventry at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19. Kick-off is at 8 p.m. BST. De Zerbi must balance the absences with the need for points, and a stronger collective mood will matter most if it shows in the team’s performance.
De Zerbi has presented the camp as a search for practical answers, not a cure-all. The meetings, shared meals and freedom to leave the hotel were all part of that effort. The match will show whether the group can turn its preparation into a response. For supporters, the stakes are clear: Tottenham need their work away from the pitch to help them progress on it.
The phone ban can give the players more time together, but only a better league position will ease the pressure on De Zerbi and Spurs.
FAQs
Why did De Zerbi ban phones at Tottenham’s meals?
The restriction was meant to give players more time to talk and bond away from screens. De Zerbi described it as a practical step, not a punishment.
Could Tottenham players go out during the Marbella camp?
Yes. De Zerbi said players could go out in Marbella and that the camp was not run under “military rules.”
Which Tottenham players were unavailable against Coventry?
Lucas Bergvall, Savio and Pedro Porro were unavailable, while Rodrigo Bentancur was suspended. Dejan Kulusevski was expected to return to the matchday squad on the bench.
What was the purpose of the phone ban at the Marbella training camp?
Roberto De Zerbi said the restriction was intended to give players more time together away from screens and encourage conversation over meals. He stressed that it was a team-bonding measure, not strict discipline.
Which key players are unavailable for the upcoming match against Coventry City?
Lucas Bergvall and Savio are ruled out. Bergvall is expected to miss about two weeks, while Savio is out for “some weeks.” Pedro Porro is also unavailable, and Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended after his red card against Manchester United. Dejan Kulusevski is expected to return to the matchday squad on the bench.
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