Former Tottenham striker Darren Anderton has named the player he believes could help transform Spurs’ attack under Roberto De Zerbi, with the club expected to continue reshaping their squad during a busy summer transfer window.
With Tottenham Hotspur showing great intent thus far in the summer transfer window, the feeling is that their squad could look entirely different by the start of the Premier League season in August.
Spurs have already landed four new signings with Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke and are showing no signs of stopping just yet.
A bid was tabled for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, which has since been rejected, while Matues Fernandes is a player Tottenham are also in talks with.
Spurs Web have revealed that Spurs could make as many as seven new signings this summer as they look to improve on their dismal 17th-place finish last campaign.
Tottenham urged to sign Igor Thiago
Former Tottenham man Darren Anderton has now thrown a name into the mix for Spurs to sign as they embark on their rebuild.
Anderton believes that Tottenham need to secure the signature of a new centre-forward, as he does not believe either Dominic Solanke or Richarlison are good enough for Tottenham.
Speaking to Ivy Bet, as relayed by The Standard, Anderton explained why he believes Brentford’s Igor Thiago can help fill the gap in Spurs’ strike force since Harry Kane‘s departure three years ago. He said, “I don’t think anyone can [replace Kane] as such.
“Are we going to go out and buy the best striker in the world that’s available and pay him crazy, whoever that guy is, crazy money? I don’t think we are.
“It’s going to be that one where we probably take a gamble on someone and try and do it that way. I mean, I love the boy at Brentford, Igor Thiago. I think he’s done great.”
Kane is certainly one player who is hard to replace, with the Englishman now posting numbers in the same bracket as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in their prime. Kane has hit 60-plus goals in all competitions this season.
Thiago is a fair way from those numbers but managed a respectable 22 goals in the Premier League last campaign, finishing behind Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.
In comparison with Solanke and Richarlison, Anderton remains adamant that they are not what Spurs need.
Speaking on Tottenham’s current options in attack, Anderton explained why he feels Spurs still need a more natural goalscorer.
On Solanke, he said: “I don’t think he can replace Harry … we desperately need a goalscorer. I hope that Solanke can come and be that.
“Richarlison is not going to be a goalscorer. He’s going to run around and upset defenders and be a pain in the arse to play against. Is he going to be involved in a team that gets into that top four or five?”
Darren Anderton backs Roberto De Zerbi to revive Spurs
Spurs will, however, be hoping for a better league finish after they were forced into two managerial changes last campaign to salvage a dismal season.
Thomas Frank struggled to build on Postecoglou’s Europa League triumph and had Tottenham embroiled in a relegation scrap, while Igor Tudor struggled to steady the ship before being sacked.
De Zerbi was later appointed and ultimately kept Tottenham in the top flight. Anderton now believes that the Italian can get Spurs back into the Champions League, with the former Tottenham midfielder outlining why he believes the Italian coach can deliver success.
Speaking to Ivy Bet, as relayed by The Standard, Anderton explained why he believes De Zerbi has the ability to guide Spurs back towards Europe’s elite competition.
He said, “Honestly, as bad as it was, I think that De Zerbi can get us back into the Champions League. I really do. I think he’s that good.
“If he gets the right players in, which obviously Senesi is, he wants us to play a certain way of passing the ball correctly.”
He added: “I don’t see why Igor Thiago wouldn’t fit the system.”