DE ZERBI BANS PHONES AT TOTTENHAM TEAM MEALS

Roberto De Zerbi said he banned mobile phones at breakfast, lunch and dinner during Tottenham Hotspur’s training camp in Marbella, Spain. He said the rule gave players more time together away from the pitch. Tottenham went into Monday’s Premier League match against Coventry City at the bottom of the table, with three points from six games. They were the division’s only side without a win after Fulham beat Hull on Saturday. Accounts put Tottenham’s summer spending at £380 million or more on 10 new signings.

De Zerbi said the camp included two or three meetings about football, Tottenham’s position and each person’s responsibility. Players and staff also held separate dinners. Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation last season. De Zerbi told reporters: “As a coach you understand you have to improve, you have to change the situation and you try to find all solutions.” He said some players had returned from the World Cup, while others had joined the club over the summer.

De Zerbi said he had held two similar camps with Marseille and considered them a good solution. He said he agreed on the Marbella trip after speaking with Vinai Venkatesham, Johan Lange and Tottenham’s owner. The squad spent three or four days together without their families, he said. De Zerbi said Tottenham had lacked time together during pre-season. He also said players could explore Marbella in their free time.