Tony Pulis, writing for BBC Sport, argues that the current pause for international fixtures is particularly ill-timed for Tottenham Hotspur and their head coach, Roberto de Zerbi.
Pulis contends that De Zerbi requires sustained, hands-on time with his players to instil his methods and build cohesion. According to the column, a combination of tactical instruction, physical conditioning and the interpersonal work needed to align individuals behind a collective approach cannot easily be achieved in fits and starts.
The columnist points to several factors that increase the value of continuous work: integrating new or returning players into a system, refining tactical nuances, and establishing match rhythms that translate training into consistent performances. An interruption, Pulis suggests, risks disrupting momentum and slows down the process of turning a squad into a coherent team unit.
Pulis also urges patience from supporters and club leadership, noting that creating a settled team under a new coach is typically a gradual process. When players return from international duty, the focus, he says, should be on concentrated training time to reinforce De Zerbi's ideas and rebuild any continuity lost during the break.
The column frames the international hiatus not as an insurmountable obstacle but as an unwelcome delay at a moment when uninterrupted preparation would best serve Tottenham's ambitions under their new manager.