Former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy has opened up on where he believes Spurs should strengthen this summer, as well as the league position he feels they should be targeting next season.
Tottenham Hotspur’s summer rebuild has gathered pace over the last couple of weeks, with incomings confirmed and outgoings also beginning to take shape.
Andy Robertson was the first through the door for Tottenham after the club reached a pre-contract agreement with the former Liverpool full-back as Spurs looked to add experience to their squad.
The signing of Marcos Senesi is expected to be the next confirmed deal after Spurs agreed a four-year contract with the Argentine, who is said to have completed his medical.
Spurs Web have also revealed that Ben Davies has agreed to a new deal with Tottenham, while Yves Bissouma has departed as a free agent after his contract expired.
Spurs do need to improve their squad after narrowly escaping relegation last season, with just two points separating them from 18th-placed West Ham United.
Tottenham tipped to continue transfer rebuild under Roberto De Zerbi
Tottenham’s business is certainly not expected to end there, with reports stating that work is being done to sign Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton.
Spurs also remain in the race for Savinho as they look to reach an agreement with Manchester City for the winger they missed out on last summer.
Former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy, speaking to NetBet, explained why he still believes De Zerbi needs several more additions, while also highlighting concerns over Spurs’ options in attack and defence.
Murphy said: “I think a lot will depend on how he feels Kulusevski and Maddison are, because if those two are fully fit, fighting and rearing to go again, then that might save them some money in attacking areas.
“That would not change the centre-forward problem because Dominic Solanke is never fit, so I think they will also go for a striker who can complement and challenge Solanke for that position.
“They have already got Senesi at centre-half and there is talk of them trying to get van Hecke from Brighton as well, so it looks like they are trying to improve their spine. I think they will need another striker and a centre-half, especially if Romero leaves and Micky van de Ven goes, which is certainly a possibility.”
Spurs told midfield balance must improve despite Joao Palhinha links
Joao Palhinha’s option-to-buy clause, which was included in his loan deal last summer, has now expired and Tottenham would need to renegotiate with Bayern Munich if they are to sign Palhinha permanently.
De Zerbi has already made it clear that he wants Spurs to retain Palhinha following the midfielder’s pivotal role during Tottenham’s relegation fight, although Sporting are also keen on signing the 30-year-old this summer.
Murphy, however, is not entirely convinced Palhinha is the ideal fit for Tottenham’s midfield and explained where he believes Spurs are still lacking, again speaking to NetBet.
He said: “They have got a lot of midfielders actually, but they are all a bit similar. I think they need a real standout holding midfielder who gives them more physicality and quality. If you look at Palhinha, he is great without the ball, but with the ball he is a bit predictable.
“You also would not call Conor Gallagher particularly creative, he is more of a presser, he is physical and wins the ball back. You could put Pape Matar Sarr and Archie Gray in that category too, they are more box-to-box players who are not particularly creative.
“Rodrigo Bentancur is the only one who has got a bit more about him, but even he struggles with goals and assists. I think they need somebody in the middle of the pitch who has tremendous physicality, but who is also more technically gifted, although they are so hard to find.
“They need a better balance in the midfield, right now it is dominated by players who work hard but just do not have the ability to dictate a game.
“So, either that or they go for someone who is more of a technician, someone like Martin Zubimendi or Alexis Mac Allister, who are not powerhouses, but are technicians. However, I think Tottenham struggle with that, they have got no one to create anything in possession.
“It is all well and good getting a striker, and Maddison will also be a big bonus for them if they get him fit, but reinforcing that spine at Tottenham should be a priority.”
Murphy also outlined what he believes should be realistic ambitions for Tottenham next season under De Zerbi, while predicting Spurs could make as many as eight signings before the window closes.
Speaking to NetBet, he said: “Realistically, top eight should be really attainable, but I would imagine he would be thinking a bit above that though, maybe top six, as that would guarantee proper European football.
“I think Spurs’ capability and budget, if they spend well in the summer, should put them in that conversation. When you look at what Bournemouth, Brentford and Sunderland did this season, Tottenham should be in there, and I think they will.
“I think he is a terrific coach, he is very high intensity and he demands a lot from his players, and because of the discontent around the last two seasons and the fans voicing that so clearly and for so long now, I would be absolutely amazed if Tottenham did not go really big this summer and try to change that squad around by bringing in at least five or six players and potentially up to eight.
“I sense a feel-good factor at Tottenham at the beginning of the season, I think they will get right behind the manager, and I think top eight or top six is a realistic target for them.”