Every new regime or new manager has a different way of building a team, with a new-look Tottenham Hotspur side starting to take shape under Roberto De Zerbi’s watch.
At rivals Chelsea, for example, BlueCo’s philosophy seemed to be to spend big on the forward line and let the others take care of themselves, with the Blues adding £117m man Morgan Rogers to an expensive united front line, although they still have an aggressive defensive unit.
The opposite has so far been true of Spurs’ summer dealings, with the Lilywhites investing heavily in the backline and midfield, although they haven’t strengthened a forward line that was far less than a quarter ago.
Of course, the north London side will not be moving quickly with their injured or injured players, who are left longing for the days of yesteryear when the club was powered by strikers.
Why Spurs still need major surgery on the forward line
Who will be Harry Kane, Gareth Bale or Rafael van der Vaart of this team? Someone who can single-handedly win a game and make a difference in the highly contested Premier League.
Looking at the current crop doesn’t make for good reading, as Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are both still out with ACL injuries.
The arrival of 2025, Mohammed Kudus, has not featured since January, the Ghanaian saw his good start to life at N17 cut short due to injury.
With Dejan Kulusevski also sidelined, De Zerbi was forced to rely on Randal Kolo Muani who was out of trouble at the end of last term, with the Frenchman on loan scoring just one league goal all season before returning to Paris Saint-Germain.
It hasn’t been a particularly fruitful year for Mathys Tel on the other hand, with the former Bayern Munich man scoring just four league goals, yet to play a regular role in the last 18 months or so.
|
Spurs – PL Top Scorers 25/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
The player |
Goals |
|
Richarlison |
11 |
|
Palhinha |
5 |
|
Romero |
4 |
|
Van de Ven |
4 |
|
The phone |
4 |
|
All of us |
3 |
|
Simmons |
2 |
|
Kudus |
2 |
|
Sarr |
2 |
|
Gray |
2 |
With Dominic Solanke another tying for the treatment table in 2025/26, now on just 12 goals in two seasons, only Richarlison walked away with a loan to the bank, after leading the way for both goals and goal participation.
Something has to change sooner rather than later, though thankfully, it seems work is getting done that way.
How Spurs can solve their attacking problems with a £60m signing
Despite suggestions that Spurs were among the interested parties, De Zerbi had to watch the aforementioned Rogers at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea chasing Arsenal to sign the 23-year-old.
Premier League club signings have become the norm, and as Tottenham’s summer business suggests, it looks like they may be ready to swoop in on another rival, Manchester City, to sign Savinho.
According to reports in Italy, ENIC has already tabled a €70m (£60m) bid for the Brazilian, an indication that the deal could be on the way.
The 22-year-old has long been linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but this summer could finally be the time a deal is struck, with the winger having landed at the Etihad last term.
He scored just one goal and one assist in the Premier League in 2025/26, but there is a lot to like about what he has to offer, not least his versatility.
Indeed, Savinho can be deployed on the side or as a number ten, proving such a weapon at his best on his favored left foot.
That evokes memories of the aforementioned Van der Vaart in his Spurs glory, the Dutchman who scored during his two seasons in England.
As a South American, the now-retired player was attacking on the right or mainly in the middle, a top scorer and creative force at his best.
Across 2011/12 and 2012/13, the former Real Madrid man scored 28 goals and assisted 18 in 77 games for the Lilywhites, reaching the league goalscoring double in his two seasons at the club.
Speaking recently on Stick to Football, Peter Crouch spoke highly of Van der Vaart as perhaps his favorite striker partner, such was the playmaker’s vision and creative genius.
Savinho, who is only 22 years old, may be more “explosive” than Van der Vaart – as praised by commentator and Como scout Ben Mattinson – but he is also someone who can supply those in front of him.
Solanke’s popularity could soar if the £60m man returns to the form he previously showed for Girona, scoring nine and assisting ten in LaLiga in 2023/24, while creating 14 ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.5 key passes per game.
Savinho is a match-winner and a game-changer like Van der Vaart, someone who can conjure up a moment of magic out of nothing.
As BBC Sport’s Nick Godwin wrote last year, Spurs need a new Van der Vaart to help revive the club, and the Man City speedster could be the player to end that long search.
