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Roberto De Zerbi dismisses Tottenham’s penalty drought as a coincidence and insists his focus remains on improving Spurs’ performances. Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has shut down suggestions that he should approach the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) regarding the club’s long-running penalty drought. Speaking ahead of Spurs’ upcoming Premier League fixture, the Italian manager insisted that his focus remains entirely on rectifying his side’s early-season performance issues rather than expending emotional energy on refereeing decisions. When asked directly if he had sought discussions with the refereeing body to understand why Tottenham rarely receive spot-kicks in domestic competition, De Zerbi delivered a pragmatic response (h/t The Spurs Watch on X): “No, because I already have many problems as a coach. I can’t lose energy or spend energy for the referee. It’s a coincidence I think.” The manager’s comments come amid eye-opening statistics regarding Tottenham’s lack of penalty awards over recent seasons. According to data highlighted by The Spurs Watch, Tottenham have not been awarded a Premier League penalty since May 25, 2025, when Dominic Solanke successfully converted from twelve yards against Brighton. The drought is even more pronounced when looking specifically at matches away from home. Spurs’ last away penalty in the Premier League came all the way back on May 13, 2023, when Harry Kane scored against Aston Villa at Villa Park. For a team that regularly ranks near the top of the league for opposition box touches and attacking possession, going over a year without a league penalty and over three years without an away spot-kick represents a remarkable statistical anomaly. Prioritizing Internal Performance Over External Excuses Despite the staggering numbers, De Zerbi remains adamant that seeking official explanations from the PGMOL is a distraction from his primary duties. With Tottenham searching for their first goals and points of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign following back-to-back losses against Brentford and Newcastle United, the head coach maintains that improving his team’s offensive mechanics in open play is the only viable solution. As Spurs prepare for a challenging trip to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, De Zerbi expects his attacking group to focus strictly on clinical execution, high-intensity pressing, and creating definitive scoring opportunities that do not rely on refereeing interventions.