Tim Sherwood believes that Tottenham Hotspur may have their summer transfer mistakes to blame the embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta taught Thomas Frank a harsh lesson on Sunday, with the Dane’s ultra-defensive tactics backfiring spectacularly at the Emirates Stadium.
To make matters worse for Tottenham, it is Eberechi Eze who was the hero for Arsenal on the night, netting his first hat-trick for the Gunners since his summer move.
Eze was close to joining Tottenham before Arsenal hijacked the deal, and Sherwood claims the Lilywhites only have themselves to blame.
Tottenham were too hesitant in Eberechi Eze deal
Tim Sherwood has pointed the finger squarely at Spurs’ recruitment, claiming that they delayed the negotiations for the England international for too long.
He suggested that Tottenham should have paid up the fee Crystal Palace were demanding rather than trying to negotiate down the price.
The former Spurs midfielder told Sky Sports News: “Look at the money they’ve spent on them players. All right, Kudus has done okay. What’s Eze? 65 million? You’d rather pay an extra 10 million for a make-the-difference player. You know he’s gonna be a make-the-difference player.
“Just get the deal done as soon as you can. Don’t give the opportunity to other clubs higher than you in the league to come in and nick your price. That’s exactly what Arsenal did. Tottenham should have done the deal. Get the deal done before Arsenal pick up the phone to Eze. It happens time and time again.”
Sherwood urges Spurs to get deal done for 25-year-old
The former Tottenham interim head coach suggested that the Lilywhites should promote academy players for squad roles instead of signing ‘average’ players.
He urged Spurs to do all they can to land Antoine Semenyo in January, suggesting that the 25-year-old, who has a £65m release clause to be the kind of signing that can elevate the team.
Sherwood added: “Save your money on average players you keep buying. Let the academy boys be the stocking fillers, and fill up your squad and make-the-difference money on make-the-difference players like him.
“Like Semenyo now, go and get him, Tottenham. Don’t wait for Man City. Don’t wait for Liverpool. Don’t wait for Man United. Go and get him before everyone else comes to the party. Don’t give him a decision then. It’s frustrating.”