Tottenham Hotspur in crisis after two defeats: De Zerbi says 'no panic' while Messi bids farewell to national team

After just two matchdays of the 2026-25 Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur sit bottom of the table with zero points, a goal difference of -5, and severely damaged morale. The North London side lost 1-3 to Brentford on opening day, then suffered a 0-2 defeat to Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – a venue where Beyoncé has performed more gigs than Spurs have won league matches there all last season (three). Manager Roberto De Zerbi, appointed in March last year to replace Igor Tudor, once saved the team from relegation with three wins over Wolves, Aston Villa, and Everton. But after spending nearly £200 million in the summer on players like Sandro Tonali (£100m), Gianluca Scamacca, and others, performances remain disjointed. Against Newcastle, Tonali was hooked at half-time after failing to create any key passes, drawing boos from home fans. De Zerbi said after the match: "Forget the result. I am not angry, we are working well and were unlucky today. There is no panic. I know where we are going and what the plan is." However, Tottenham have now lost three consecutive home league games, conceding five goals in the first two matches. Analytically, Tottenham's issue lies in defensive transitions. Both Newcastle goals came from quick counter-attacks by Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa. De Zerbi wants high pressing but the players haven't adapted, leaving huge gaps in midfield. Data from VangBong.vn shows Spurs' passing accuracy in the first 25 minutes of each half is only 71%, second-lowest in the league. Without improvement, they face a genuine relegation battle despite heavy investment. Elsewhere, Lionel Messi – arguably the greatest player in history – has officially announced his retirement from international football. In an emotional social media post, he wrote: "It is a decision that hurts my soul but I know it is time. I love, have loved and I will always love being part of the national team. I have emptied myself: now I have nothing more to give and, besides, there are great young players coming through who deserve to be [selected]. I love you! I thank God for making me Argentinian." This is his second farewell (the first was in 2026, later reversed). But this time it seems final, especially after winning the 2026 World Cup and 2026 Copa America. Fans still hope for a change of heart. Meanwhile, a notable transfer: goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez moved to Chelsea from Aston Villa for just £7.5m. Despite conceding three against Brighton, he made many saves and transformed Chelsea's defence. Many pundits call it the bargain of the season. Conversely, Chelsea's Robert Sánchez has struggled, and his value may drop. Reader letters highlight the misery: one Luton fan says his household is in a contest for 'most miserable season' – he (Luton – 1 win in 3, 10 goals conceded), wife and son (Spurs – lost all), other son (West Ham – 1 win in 3 in Championship). A grim picture. Overall, English football sees an unusual start: wealthy but weak Tottenham, Messi's retirement, and other surprises. Can De Zerbi revive Spurs before they face Everton? Will Messi change his mind again? Only time will tell.