Troy Deeney recently criticised Tottenham Hotspur’s summer business, claiming they are actually weaker despite a monster £200 million-plus spending spree.
Deeney, appearing on the All Access Podcast, made the comments, claiming: “They’ve spent £250 million-£300 million and they still don’t know who’s going to score them ten goals this year, still don’t know who’s going to cross the ball into the box this year, where the assists come from.”
While one of Deeney’s questions has been answered with the arrival of Savinho and Marmoush, are the other comments fair? Are Tottenham really weaker? Let’s take an in-depth look and judge for ourselves.
And before people say it – let’s not lose our heads over one opening-day defeat where Spurs had to field a second-string XI…
Antonin Kinsky will make the Tottenham #1 shirt his own
Martin Dubravka is set to be the chief back-up for Antonin Kinsky this season, with Vicario having left the club to join Juventus on loan. Deeney claimed ‘Spurs’ goalkeepers are terrible’ claiming Dubravka to be ‘your best choice goalkeeper’.
Dubravka is indeed a good goalkeeper. He is also very experienced, ensuring Spurs have a dependable deputy when needed. In Kinsky, though, they have a goalkeeper that De Zerbi believes has all the qualities to “become one of the best”.
Kinsky was a key man during Tottenham’s charge to survival, making a stunning last-gasp save against Leeds to secure an important point, as well as pulling off another fine save to preserve Tottenham’s 1-0 final day win over Everton to secure their Premier League status. He picked up where he left off in pre-season with another handful of brilliant saves against Chelsea, as Tottenham won the Sydney Super Cup.
Verdict: Tottenham have a very promising shot stopper between the sticks in Kinsky, who has bounced back tremendously well from that difficult night in Madrid. Here, they are stronger.
Djed Spence v Andy Robertson
After a stellar World Cup, many Tottenham fans would have loved to see Djed Spence remain in North London.
Instead, cashing in on that World Cup stock and armed with the knowledge he may not get the first-team football he wants, Spence left for Inter Milan. By this point, Tottenham had already added Liverpool’s Andy Robertson to their ranks.
On Robertson, Deeney said: “Andy Robertson at left-back is of age now, it would be very unfair to say that he is still the player he was at Liverpool.”
It’s hard to really argue with that. Father time comes for everyone and Robertson is no different. He will not be quite the same player he was during his very peak at Liverpool. But what be brings, which Spurs didn’t have much of, is experience. And not just experience, but winning experience.
The exact role Robertson will play on the pitch will be revealed in time, but the role he could play off it is invaluable.
Verdict: While, perhaps, Robertson is not the same player he once was and maybe lacks the explosiveness Spence could bring, his experience does mean Tottenham are stronger in different ways.
Cristian Romero vs Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi
There is no doubt that Cristian Romero was a big player for Tottenham Hotspur. This summer saw an end to a turbulent five-year spell, bringing with it a first trophy for Spurs in 17 years, as well as plenty of controversy.
Deeney’s claim was that Romero is better than Van Hecke and Senesi, stating “they’re not weaker at centre-back”. It’s true that on his day Romero was a formidable operator and deservedly ranked as one of the best centre-backs in the world.
But it’s also true that for all his talents, Tottenham could not consistently rely on Romero. Whether it was rash decisions leading to red cards and suspensions, or injuries, there were no guarantees you would get the best version of Romero.
While the environment at Spurs has been volatile, to say the least, in recent seasons, you would be asking for your captain to lead by example. Can it be said Romero really did that?
In Romero’s countryman Senesi, they have brought in one of the most impressive defenders in Europe. At Bournemouth, he was a threat going forwards and proved himself to be an excellent defender. Interestingly, Roberto De Zerbi has also spoken of Senesi allowing them “flexibility in formation”.
Van Hecke, meanwhile, was signed from big money from Brighton. He, like Senesi had established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League – and also someone who had played under De Zerbi before.
Verdict: While Romero, on his day, was world class, those days didn’t come around as often as anyone would have liked. Tottenham have hardly been a beacon of defensive stability either over the last few seasons. The arrival of Senesi and van Hecke undoubtedly makes them stronger.
The Tottenham midfield revolution
The bulk of Tottenham’s summer outlay has been spent on midfielders. Two, to be precise: Sandro Tonali (£100 million) and Mateus Fernandes (£85 million).
Deeney, to his credit, said Tonali was one he rates “very, very highly” but he took issue with the signing of Fernandes, explaining: “He’s been relegated twice and people keep telling me he’s a top player… didn’t he play all of those games? £85 million is a lot of money for is apparently top player and he’s going to be great. But okay, can you show me?”
While the optics of back-to-back relegations with Southampton and West Ham perhaps don’t look great for Fernandes, the 22-year-old was nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season Award.
He also appears a perfect fit for De Zerbi’s style.
The Italian told Tottenham’s official website: “I’ve admired Mateus for a long time because he combines quality on the ball with the intensity and intelligence that are so important in the way we want to play.
“Despite his age, he already has good experience in the Premier League and has shown quality and consistency at this level. Mateus is comfortable under pressure, can progress the ball, works hard for the team and has the courage to make things happen in difficult moments. I believe this is the ideal environment for him to continue his development and I’m excited to start working with him.”
Verdict: In terms of midfield options Tottenham have lost, Yves Bissouma was released. That’s it. The signing of Tonali alone makes them stronger. Fernandes, meanwhile, has plenty of time to grow. They are, again, undoubtedly stronger here.
Is Savinho the first of several forward options to come?
At the time of writing, Tottenham are about as close as close can be to announcing the signing of Savinho. He will mark the first attacking addition this summer.
Deeney questioned who is going to score goals and make assists for Spurs this season and it is probably the only thing missing so far. Savinho, while not quite hitting the heights he did at Manchester City, is only 22 – like Fernandes – and has proven he can be a very exciting option.
The only attacking options Spurs have actually lost so far are Alejo Veliz, Tynan Thompson, Will Lankshear and Manor Solomon, none of whom have had any sort of first-team role.
Furthermore, Mathys Tel looks to have taken a real step over the summer which represents an intriguing prospect ahead of the season getting underway this weekend.
Verdict: There’s no way Tottenham have got weaker in forward options. But they can still get stronger. Less injuries this season will go a long way to helping that, with Mohammed Kudus still on the way back to fitness, Dejan Kulusveski only just returning to training after more than a year out, and the likes of Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert ruled out with ACL injuries.
Tottenham are stronger after their summer spending spree – but a little more wouldn’t go amiss
Looking at the business done so far, comparing incomings and exits, the only area you could make an argument Tottenham are a little weaker is perhaps left-back.
Djed Spence, coming off that World Cup campaign, versus Andy Robertson is perhaps debatable on the pitch, but even then, the experience Robertson brings still makes Tottenham stronger as a collective – especially when considering Spence was not first-choice and was still unlikely to be first-choice this season.
The lack of forward options, though, is a weakness and one that has carried over from last season. Savinho needs to be the start of a handful of incomings, rather than the whole solution.
But, with a new attack-minded coach in De Zerbi, lots of work done in pre-season, some exciting additions in defence and midfield, there’s little doubting this Tottenham Hotspur squad looks better than it did in May 2026. It’s now up to the Italian and his players to prove that promise in the weeks and months ahead.