Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has reportedly restricted mobile-phone use during team meals as part of his efforts to strengthen squad relationships and improve the club’s fortunes in the Premier League.

The Italian introduced the measure during a recent training camp in Marbella, Spain, encouraging players to spend more time communicating face to face rather than focusing on their devices.

The intervention comes amid a difficult period for Tottenham, who, according to the supplied report, have failed to win their opening six league matches and scored just three goals. Spurs are also reported to be bottom of the table ahead of their meeting with newly promoted Coventry City.

De Zerbi hopes that stronger relationships away from the pitch can encourage greater communication, unity and responsibility among his players.

Key Takeaways

• Phone restriction: De Zerbi has reportedly asked Tottenham players to put their mobile phones away during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Stronger relationships: The manager wants players to communicate more and spend quality time together away from the pitch.
• Team responsibility: De Zerbi held meetings to discuss football and the club’s situation.
• Separate dinners: Some meals were arranged for players alone, while others included members of the coaching staff.
• Pressure to improve: The reported intervention comes as Tottenham struggle for results in the Premier League.

De Zerbi Wants Tottenham Players to Communicate More

De Zerbi’s decision centres on creating more opportunities for players to interact without the distraction of mobile phones.

During the Marbella training camp, the manager reportedly introduced restrictions covering breakfast, lunch and dinner. The aim was to encourage players to talk to one another and strengthen relationships within the squad.

Explaining the thinking behind the arrangements, De Zerbi said:

“We worked on the pitch, we stayed together,”

He then described the decision to remove phones during mealtimes and encourage more conversation:

“We removed phones from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to stay together, and to speak, because now it’s like [on the phone] all the time.”

The comments highlight the manager’s concern about the amount of time people spend on their devices and his preference for more direct communication among players.

Rather than limiting his approach to training sessions, De Zerbi has reportedly sought to make shared mealtimes part of his wider effort to improve the atmosphere within the Tottenham squad.

Meetings Focused on Football and Responsibility

Alongside the phone restriction, De Zerbi arranged two or three important meetings during the camp to discuss football and Tottenham’s situation.

The manager explained that he wanted everyone in the squad to recognise their responsibilities as the club looks to improve its performances.

“We had two or three important meetings speaking about football and our situation, [for] everyone to take responsibility. Nothing more.”

The meetings formed another part of the manager’s attempt to bring the squad together and encourage players to take greater ownership of their performances.

De Zerbi also described how meals were organised to give players opportunities to spend time together, while other dinners included members of the coaching staff.

“Some dinners just for the players, some dinners with the staff.”

The arrangements suggest an emphasis on communication across different parts of the club, while also allowing players time to build relationships among themselves.

Tottenham Under Pressure to Improve Their Form

The reported changes come as Tottenham face pressure to improve their results in the Premier League.

According to the supplied article, Spurs have failed to win any of their first six league matches and have scored only three goals, leaving them bottom of the table ahead of their scheduled meeting with Coventry City.

Such a run would make it important for the club to address more than its results alone. De Zerbi’s approach places attention on squad relationships, communication and the responsibility players take for their performances.

However, the phone restriction should be understood as one part of the manager’s wider approach to team management. The supplied comments do not establish that the measure has already improved results, and Tottenham’s progress will ultimately need to be assessed through their performances on the pitch.

The reported training-camp arrangements offer an insight into how De Zerbi is trying to influence the squad’s environment while working to improve the team’s situation.

Can Better Team Unity Help Tottenham?

De Zerbi’s approach reflects his stated desire for players to spend more time together, communicate openly and take responsibility for the club’s situation.

The restriction on mobile phones during meals is a practical step intended to encourage those habits. The separate dinners and team meetings also create opportunities for discussion away from the immediate demands of training and competition.

Whether the measures translate into better performances remains to be seen. Stronger relationships can support a team environment, but Tottenham will still need to turn that work into improved performances and results.

For now, the central message from De Zerbi is that he wants his players to engage more with one another and take collective responsibility as the club seeks to move forward.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why has Roberto De Zerbi reportedly banned mobile phones during Tottenham meals?

According to the supplied report, De Zerbi wants players to communicate more, spend time together and build stronger relationships away from the pitch.

2. When are Tottenham players expected to put their phones away?

The reported restriction applies during breakfast, lunch and dinner.

3. Where did De Zerbi introduce the phone restriction?

The supplied article says the measure was introduced during a training camp in Marbella, Spain.

4. What did De Zerbi say about team responsibility?

He said that meetings had been held to discuss football and Tottenham’s situation, with the aim of encouraging everyone to take responsibility.

5. Did De Zerbi say the phone restriction would improve Tottenham’s results?

The supplied quotations explain his intention to encourage communication and togetherness. They do not establish that the restriction has already improved results or guarantee that it will do so.

6. Why are Tottenham under pressure?

The supplied article reports that Tottenham failed to win their opening six league matches and scored three goals. Those figures and the club’s league position should be checked against the relevant standings before publication.

7. Did De Zerbi organise meals for players and coaching staff?

Yes. In the supplied comments, he described some dinners as being for players only and others as involving the staff.