De Zerbi bans phones at meals during Tottenham Marbella camp in bid to lift Spurs spirit
Phones off at the table
Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that he banned phones at mealtimes during Tottenham's warm-weather training camp in Marbella, the latest step in his attempt to improve the mood and togetherness inside the squad.
Spurs have committed more than £380million on new signings this summer, with 10 players joining, yet they will start Monday's home fixture with Coventry at the bottom of the Premier League.
'We worked on the pitch, we stayed together'
Speaking at a press conference, De Zerbi explained the reasoning behind the decision.
"We worked on the pitch, we stayed together – we removed phones from breakfast, lunch and dinner to stay together because now it is like (phone) all the time," De Zerbi said.
He added that the camp included two or three important meetings focused on football, the club's situation and the need for everyone to take responsibility. Some dinners were held just for players and others just for staff.
A solution used before
De Zerbi said he had already run this type of training camp twice during his time at Marseille, describing it as a good solution. He said he discussed the plan with the club, including sporting director Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange, as well as the owner, before the decision was taken.
"As a coach you understand you have to improve, you have to change the situation and you try to find all solutions," he said. "It's nothing special. It's just to spend more time together because in pre-season we couldn't."
He pointed to the number of new arrivals and players returning from the World Cup as reasons the squad had not had enough time together before the season began.
Freedom in Marbella
Asked whether players were able to go out independently in Marbella, De Zerbi said they were, adding: "Yes, with freedom. With no military rules. I love freedom."
Injury updates on Maddison, Kulusevski and Simons
Dejan Kulusevski was part of the squad in Spain after returning from injury. James Maddison, who is expected to face his old club Coventry, has yet to start for Spurs since damaging his anterior cruciate ligament in 2025. Xavi Simons remains absent with the same injury.
De Zerbi said he keeps close tabs on Simons's recovery and praised Maddison's readiness.
"Right now he is ready to start the game, but I don't know if we will start with him. I'm waiting for that moment," De Zerbi said of Maddison.
On Kulusevski, he said: "It is a part of this job for the players, but at the same time can be a crucial moment to become better, to become stronger."