Tottenham have already made a fast start in the transfer market, but several key weaknesses remain if Roberto De Zerbi is to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts next season.
The Tottenham hierarchy promised supporters a big summer after facing heavy criticism for failing to strengthen the squad in January. The lack of depth eventually caught up with Spurs, who spent most of the season battling injuries, inconsistency and poor performances before somehow securing safety on the final day.
While it was a difficult campaign, it also made a few things very clear. Some positions simply are not strong enough, some players are not ideal fits for the way De Zerbi wants to play, and there are areas where Tottenham have been lacking quality for several years. With that in mind, here are the five positions we believe Spurs should prioritise this summer.
1. Tottenham need a goalkeeper to compete with Kinsky
Guglielmo Vicario has been Tottenham’s number one for the last three seasons and there is no doubt he has been a very good servant to the club. At his best, he is an excellent shot-stopper with quick reflexes and strong one-v-one ability, but this season highlighted two major concerns that make me think Spurs should consider moving on.
The first is his distribution. De Zerbi’s entire system is built around playing from the back through pressure, which means the goalkeeper has to be comfortable receiving the ball and progressing play. That has never really been Vicario’s strength. His long-ball accuracy sits at just 31 per cent, among the worst in the Premier League, while he has also been responsible for two errors leading directly to goals. His attempted long balls jumped from 145 last season to 507 this year, which suggests Tottenham increasingly abandoned build-up play and simply went long.
The second concern is that even his strongest qualities were not at their usual level. Vicario finished the campaign with the lowest save percentage in the division, which is worrying when shot-stopping is supposed to be the area where he excels. With interest reportedly coming from Italy, this could be the right time for Spurs to make a change.
Antonin Kinsky is more comfortable with the ball at his feet and impressed during Vicario’s absence through injury, but he has also looked error-prone and does not yet feel like a guaranteed long-term solution.
That said, Tottenham should be looking for an experienced goalkeeper who can immediately improve both their build-up play and reliability between the posts. Bart Verbruggen, James Trafford and Anatoliy Trubin are all names that would make sense.
2. Spurs are crying out for a deep-lying playmaker
If there is one position De Zerbi has rarely compromised on throughout his managerial career, it is a deep-lying playmaker. At Brighton, he relied heavily on players such as Alexis Mac Allister and Pascal Gross, while Adrien Rabiot was his man at Marseille. However, Tottenham currently do not have that profile in their squad.
Archie Gray is probably the closest option available, but De Zerbi has already suggested he wants the teenager to settle into one role rather than continue being used all over the pitch. Even then, expecting a 20-year-old to become the heartbeat of Tottenham’s midfield immediately would be asking a lot.
Spurs have struggled against physical and organised midfields this season because they simply do not have anyone who can consistently receive the ball under pressure and dictate play.
Conor Gallagher, Pape Matar Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur are all good midfielders, but they are box-to-box players. None of them are the type to draw opponents forward before splitting a defensive shape with one clever pass in every single build-up without giving the ball away in a dangerous area. That is why Tottenham have found themselves struggling to progress the ball through central areas and relying heavily on slow and safe build-ups, which have rarely worked.
A proper deep-lying playmaker would instantly improve the entire team. It would help the defenders play out from the back without fear, allow James Maddison and the forwards to receive the ball in better positions and make Spurs better at creating chances. Hayden Hackney, Nico Gonzalez and Carlos Baleba would all fit the profile, while Adam Wharton remains the dream signing.
3. Tottenham need more firepower in the number 9
Tottenham have not properly replaced Harry Kane since he left, and that remains one of the biggest problems in the squad.
Spurs’ current strikers, Richarlison, Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani have scored only a combined 15 Premier League goals this season. While a lack of creativity has certainly not helped them, all three have also been inconsistent when chances have come their way. Solanke works hard and offers plenty outside the penalty area, while Richarlison can be brilliant on his day, but neither looks like the sort of striker who can guarantee goals over an entire season.
The good news for Tottenham is that creativity should not be an issue next year. James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons should all provide plenty of chances at various points throughout the campaign. However, creating opportunities means very little if there is nobody consistently finishing them.
There is also the issue of availability. Solanke and Richarlison have missed a combined 468 days through injury over the last two seasons, which is a huge concern for a club preparing to compete in Europe again. Tottenham need another striker who can be relied upon both for goals and fitness. Victor Osimhen would be the dream signing, while Omar Marmoush is another player who would significantly improve the attack.
(ALSO READ: Five striker options for Tottenham to consider this summer, from least to most likely)
4. Savinho could be Tottenham’s new left winger
Personally, I cannot get behind Tottenham spending a reported £60 million on Savinho. He is undoubtedly a talented player, but when you look at the squad, left wing, striker, midfield and even goalkeeper all feel like bigger priorities. If Spurs are going to spend that kind of money, I would much rather see it go towards bringing in a top-quality left winger.
Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert have shown flashes of quality, but neither has established themselves as reliable Premier League starters. Odobert’s long-term ACL injury only adds to the need for another option, while Mikey Moore may still need more time before becoming a regular starter despite an impressive loan spell at Rangers.
De Zerbi’s wingers are expected to do a lot. They need to carry the ball over long distances, beat defenders one-v-one, create chances and make smart decisions in transition. Tottenham currently have potential in that position, but they do not have a proven player who can consistently deliver those qualities from the left. Rafael Leao and Marcus Rashford would be dream signings, although convincing either player to join Spurs would be easier said than done.
5. Spurs need a centre-back replacement if Cristian Romero goes
My views on this position assume the reported deals for Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson are completed. Even then, Tottenham need another centre-back who can lead the backline and is also very comfortable on the ball, particularly if Cristian Romero leaves as expected.
Apart from his individual defending, Romero is also the organiser of the back line and the player responsible for a lot of the communication and leadership at the back. Whenever he has been unavailable, Tottenham have often looked far less organised when defending transitions, holding their line for offside traps or dealing with runners in behind.
I mentioned Vicario’s increase in long balls, and one reason for that is Romero missing large portions of the season through injury and suspension. He remains Tottenham’s best ball-playing defender by some distance, and Van de Ven has occasionally looked reluctant to receive possession under pressure.
That is why the links to John Stones actually make a lot of sense. He would bring leadership, composure and excellent passing ability, all qualities Tottenham would lose if Romero departs. His age, injury history and wages are obvious concerns, but from a football perspective, it is easy to understand why Spurs would be interested.