Meet the new Spurs, same as the old Spurs despite big summer spending | Billy Munday

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a disappointing opening‑day defeat to Brentford, a result that has left the club’s ambitions in doubt. The 3‑0 loss, which came after Brentford’s third goal at the 49th minute, highlighted the gap between the new signings and the team’s overall performance. Daniel Levy’s influence has been muted, and the club’s recent transfer activity, led by Roberto De Zerbi, has yet to translate into stability on the pitch.

Brentford’s victory was driven by the impact of their record signing, Mamadou Sangaré, who made a fast and dynamic debut from Lens. Sangaré’s pace outmatched midfielders such as Sandro Tonali, Lucas Bergvall and Conor Gallagher, and he created a key chance for Keane Lewis‑Potter, whose first goal set the tone. The match also saw Michael Kayode add a third, cementing the Gtech Stadium’s reputation as a formidable venue. With the new season’s promise shattered, Spurs face a challenging task of rebuilding confidence and cohesion amid a roster still in flux.