Brad Friedel has revealed what Tottenham need to prioritise in the remaining weeks of the transfer window and has given Roberto De Zerbi a major warning about the Lilywhites’ continued spending spree.
Tottenham have been one of the busiest clubs in Europe so far, having signed six players with Premier League experience and having moved on three first-team players, as well as a couple of academy graduates.
Spurs’ net spend now stands at around £144m this summer, but the club still have a lot of work to do before the start of the new season.
Five more senior players are expected to leave Tottenham, while several sources indicate that the Lilywhites want to make multiple additions to their forward line.
Brad Friedel urges Tottenham to add ‘goals’ to their team over the next weeks
Friedel believes that the one thing that Spurs have to prioritise in the next few weeks of the transfer window is adding more goals to their forward line.
The former Spurs goalkeeper suggested that the delay in strengthening their attack may be down to some of Tottenham’s targets being at the World Cup.
When asked what De Zerbi’s men should prioritise next in the market, the American told GiveMeSport: “Goals. I think they need to bring in a few more goals into their squad, so, you know, another one or two more attacking pieces.
“They needed to sort out a lot, and they started at the back, which is logical, and then you move forward. Usually, the attacking pieces take a little bit longer in the transfer window as well, and they might even be looking at someone that’s in the World Cup, and the negotiations are taking a little bit longer.”
Friedel warns De Zerbi about increased expectations amid Eli Junior Kroupi rumours
Rumours indicate that Tottenham are looking to add a goalscorer to their squad, with Spurs backed to test Bournemouth’s resolve with a major offer for Kroupi.
While Friedel admitted that the Frenchman will be an exciting addition, he warned De Zerbi that another big-money signing will pile up the pressure on his side and make a top-four finish the expectation rather than just the hope during the upcoming campaign.
When asked about speculation linking Kroupi with a move to Spurs, the 55-year-old said: “He would be another exciting signing, to be honest. I mean, if they do that, you’re nearing like £300m in the transfer window. I guess I’d answer a different way, if you all of a sudden spent £300m in one transfer window on players, plus the free transfers that they had, and you add all their wages up and all the money spent, then there’s going to be a little bit of pressure to be in the top four, not the top six.
“And if you’re signing them, then you’re looking at expecting a large goal and assist return as well, so it would be exciting. There’d be big talking points, but they would go from the expectation of a top six to a top four.”