Tottenham Hotspur legend Rafael van der Vaart has delivered a scathing assessment of the clubâs transfer strategy and disappointing start to the 2026/27 season.
With manager Roberto De Zerbi coming under increasing pressure, Spurs have failed to win any of their opening four Premier League matches. Even more worrying, they have yet to score a single league goal during that run, intensifying questions over both the manager and the clubâs expensive summer recruitment.
Speaking on the Rondo podcast, Van der Vaart questioned the enormous transfer fees being paid for players who are yet to establish themselves at the highest level. He also highlighted how the dramatic rise in transfer prices has made it increasingly difficult for clubs such as Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord to compete financially.
Tottenham spent heavily on players including Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Savio and Omar Marmoush, but the attacking improvement expected from the investment has so far failed to appear.
Van der Vaart was particularly critical of Tottenhamâs performances, admitting that watching the team has become difficult for him and questioning the quality of their football given the huge amount of money invested in the squad.
Spursâ difficult start has also drawn comparisons with the clubâs troubled beginning under Juande Ramos. Tottenham collected just two points from their first eight league matches during that period before Harry Redknapp took over and eventually guided the team to an eighth-place finish.
While that history provides some perspective, Tottenham remain without a Premier League victory or goal this season, and the pressure continues to grow on De Zerbi, his players and the clubâs recruitment strategy.
