Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that Tottenham’s revival has been sparked by honest team meetings rather than a tactical overhaul.

Tottenham Hotspur have looked a much-improved side since their warm-weather training and team-bonding camp in Marbella, Spain.

Since returning, the Lilywhites have recorded back-to-back victories, the latest a rare 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge given Spurs’ historically poor record there.

Tottenham were not fortunate to escape with the result either, as they dominated the Blues, controlling possession, creating the better chances and covering more distance than Xabi Alonso’s men.

Roberto De Zerbi reveals key change behind Tottenham’s revival

Following the match, Roberto De Zerbi explained what has changed in his side to spark such an upturn in form. Speaking to football.london, the Spurs boss admitted the transformation was down to open meetings where he and his players spoke honestly with one another.

Asked if Tottenham’s rare win at Stamford Bridge was simply down to having younger players who did not carry the weight of the so-called curse, De Zerbi replied: “I think what I call the negative record was the last problem we fought before the game.

“Normally we wanted to make our fans happy, but it is not our responsibility, it is the results of the past. Now, winning the game, we are very happy for them, very proud for the club. But I think we are working to change the mentality of our club in the last seasons.

“Seven points after Manchester, before Manchester we spoke a lot. A big, big meeting, removing the mask and speaking honestly, clearly in front of ourselves. And from that moment I think we changed something in ourselves.”

Spurs’ revival lifts mood around the club

Spurs now look a completely different side, with their upturn in results moving them away from the bottom three – a position they occupied in the first five weeks of the season.

Tottenham currently sit 12th following the win over Chelsea, just four points behind the Blues in fourth. The result has brought a much-needed feel-good factor to N17, with fans understandably delighted to finally secure a victory at Stamford Bridge.

De Zerbi acknowledged what the win meant for supporters while praising his players’ mentality and togetherness. Speaking to Sky Sports, relayed by BBC Sport, he said: “It was a big moment for the fans, the club and the players also. They deserved this win, they prepared very well. We are improving a lot, we are improving in the mentality, in the group and the relationships with the players and then we are improving on the pitch.

“Against Aston Villa, Everton for 30 minutes we were playing very well. Maybe no goals, no finishing good enough to score and maybe in the first bad moment we changed mentality. Now it is a complete team. The players are playing better, we improved in the style.

“When we stay for dinner and stay together in the dressing room I see a different group, a different relationship and different atmosphere among the players.

“The character was today great but we have many, many new players. The players who stayed here last season, two or three seasons ago, they suffered the last results, two times 17th position, we are working to change the last part of the history of the club. We are lucky because we have many great people in the dressing room, many great players. I think if we work hard we can do something important.

“I have to believe for sure in this group. I never lost the confidence in my players. The week in Marbella, to speak better face to face, to open ourselves and remove the mask it is important. It is important for the spirit, the belief. The atmosphere inside the dressing room is maybe more important than the tactics.”