It feels like it’s been a little while since Tottenham had a true difference maker in their ranks. Not since Son Heung-min have Spurs had a hero to call on for the big moments.
Four minutes left on the clock. Champions League qualification on the line.
Kyle Walker finds Gareth Bale on the right, Bale drives forward, powers inside, and lets rip from 25 yards, drilling a beauty in the bottom corner.
White Hart Lane erupts. The fight goes on.
Bale was Spurs’ miracle man, with a catalogue of iconic goals over the years. Harry Kane was the hometown hero, taking the club on his shoulders.
The likes of Ricky Villa, Ossie Ardiles, Jürgen Klinsman and David Ginola were talisman too in years gone by.
A talisman is the player who can grab hold of a game and turn it on their own, stepping up in the biggest of moments. They are the one that when you think of a football club, the first player that comes to mind.
Looking at the Tottenham squad right now, is that something Spurs have? Or is the door open for someone to take up the mantle in 2026/27? Let’s look at the candidates.
Madders to make up for lost time?
There’s an argument that James Maddison had what it takes to become Tottenham’s next talisman. The former Leicester man has the talent, as well as the personality, to pull it off.
Injury kept the 29-year-old out for most of last season and there’s always a question mark of how long it will take players to bounce back from ACL injuries. But with a full pre-season now to get ready, the hope is he will soon be back to his creative best.
While perhaps not in the mould of Bale or Kane, Maddison is still a player capable of making special things happen.
The sort of player that can lead this Tottenham side to bigger and better things.
Could this be the perfect time for Mikey Moore to step up?
Mikey Moore spent last season on loan at Rangers, scoring seven goals and recording four assists, and there’s no doubt there is a lot of excitement around the 18-year-old.
He has already made his first-team debut for Tottenham and scored his first goal in the Europa League against Elfsborg. During Spurs’ run to European glory, James Maddison even compared him to Neymar after Moore’s performance against AZ Alkmaar.
Moore is a nightmare for defenders, predominantly playing as a winger, but capable of playing centrally too. His dribbling, technical qualities and eye for goal all tick the boxes for what you’d want in a talisman.
And, at only 18, the youngster still has so much room to grow.
Is Richarlison set for a new lease of life?
In a lot of ways, Richarlison has the maverick-like qualities that seem tailor made to be a talisman.
He’s capable of the sublime – that goal for Brazil in the 2022 World Cup, which he then mirrored against Burnley in a 3-0 win last season. He does show up for big moments too, with that last-gasp equaliser at Anfield proving a crucial point on the road to survival.
However, his time in N17 has been stop-start with injuries and a lack of consistency.
The talent is there, though. Could De Zerbi be the coach to unlock it on a regular basis or will he simply be moved on this summer?
Will a new signing lead the way for De Zerbi’s Tottenham?
Of course, there is a chance it will be a new face to come in and take this Tottenham side on their shoulders.
Some of the strongest links have been to Savinho of Manchester City, with Xavi Simons throwing fuel on the fire.
While things never quite took off for the Brazilian under Pep Guardiola, at 22, there is still plenty of time for him to firmly establish himself as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous players.
With lightning pace and a constant drive to make things happen, it’s not hard to imagine the former Girona man would get bums out of seats at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and produce some magic in the biggest moments.
- READ MORE – Why is De Zerbi desperate to sign Savinho? In-depth analysis shows why Tottenham need him