Tottenham Hotspur could find themselves in another relegation battle this season, according to Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard.
Roberto De Zerbi saw his side slump to a 3-2 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, condemning the club to their worst-ever Premier League start after five matches.
Two late goals from Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul Van Hecke were Tottenham's first of the league campaign but weren't enough despite a summer of expenditure designed to take them clear of last season's 17th place finish.
"They have overpaid for every player that they bought this summer," Joe Cole said to TNT Sports.
"You can't rule them out of being in or around the relegation battle. They are not scoring goals, and they look so weak at the back."
Cole mentioned Van Hecke's inability to thwart Nicolas Jackson's goal for Villa: "[Van Hecke] scored the goal but he has to be disappointed with his performance.
"I know that the way they play leaves the centre-halves vulnerable but that's why you buy centre-halves who can deal with those one-on-one challenges. I know he's a handful, Jackson, but for the goal it's not good enough.
"I think they've got a real problem with -- forget scoring goals -- they look fragile, as well. Put the two together and it only comes up with one conclusion.
"This is going to be a long season for Tottenham."
Tottenham have finished 17th two seasons in a row in the Premier League despite winning the Europa League under Ange Postecoglou.
But they spent more than £300 million ($402m) this summer to back new coach De Zerbi who has just two points in five league games.
Steven Gerrard also worried about their relegation prospects: "They have fixed some areas. The midfield engine room is stronger with [Sandro] Tonali and [Mateus] Fernandes, [Rodrigo] Bentancur. That's a strong midfield. Conor Gallagher could have started. I don't think midfield is a big problem.
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"They are weak and flaky at the back, and concede too many goals. A straight, long ball? If your two centre-backs can't deal with that, you are going to have problems. That needs to be fixed.
"They haven't got a poacher, they haven't got a goalscorer. I say that respectfully because they have good players, exciting players, in the frontline. But who's going to get 20 goals?
"If you haven't got that, and you concede goals at the back, it might be time to get concerned for Spurs fans."
