The key issues Spurs must address in the transfer window | OneFootball

Tottenham are unbeaten in the Premier League so far this season but there are still key issues they must address before the transfer market closes.

The summer transfer window closes on 1 September and manager Thomas Frank still has multiple gaps in his squad.

Tottenham’s 2024/25 season culminated with the side lifting the Europa League trophy in Bilbao after beating Manchester United, but that alone does not tell the full story.

A 17th placed finish with 22 losses – their most in Premier League history – led to manager Ange Postecoglou being sacked and replaced by Frank.

Despite the poor season last year, this one has got off to a good start with wins against Burnley at home and Manchester City away, as well as a valiant performance in the UEFA Super Cup against PSG which they only lost on penalties.

New recruits Mohammed Kudus’ and Joao Palhinha’s performances so far have also been very positive with the former getting two assists against Burnley and the latter proving to be key in the midfield for Spurs. However, they still need more…..

The number ten position

At the beginning of last season the number ten position seemed one of the strongest parts of the Tottenham squad with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison being two of the club’s best players.

Since then, Kulusevski has not featured following knee surgery in May, and Maddison suffered an ACL injury in pre-season against Arsenal, leaving them light in that position.

Spurs have looked to strengthen by agreeing personal terms and putting significant bids in for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, but both moves failed to materialise.

Even though the club looked to have triggered Gibbs-White’s release clause, Forest blocked the move and the Englishman eventually signed a new deal to stay in the Midlands, while Eze preferred a move to north London rivals Arsenal.

During the first three games of the season, including the Super Cup as a competitive match, Frank has opted to play Pape Matar Sarr as the team’s creative outlet. Even though he has performed well so far, his main strengths lie as a box to box midfielder.

Moves for Nico Paz from Como and West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta have been reported, but what is certain is that Tottenham need to sign a number ten before the window shuts.

A left winger

Heung-Min Son announced his departure from Tottenham during the club’s tour of South Korea over the summer and his exit has left a gap on the left-hand-side.

Richarlison started on the left wing in the Europa League final but the Brazilian has featured through the middle under Frank. Brennan Johnson has played the most minutes there this season, but naturally the Welshman prefers to play on the right.

The north London side do have Mathys Tel, who played on the left under Postecoglou, but Frank has mainly used him as a number nine.

Reports suggest that Spurs have been keen on adding Savinho to the squad to play that position – a position that he has played in on numerous occasions for Manchester City but so far he has remained part of Pep Guardiola’s squad.

A left-sided defender

Tottenham’s back four have been imperious in the Premier League this season, conceding zero goals and scoring too. Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven both got on the scoresheet against PSG as well.

Even though Djed Spence has been excellent in the absence of the injured Destiny Udogie, there are still fears that Spurs do not have enough cover on the left-side of defence.

Spence is the only natural backup full back in the squad whilst the centre-halves that are yet to start in the league, Luka Vuskovic, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin all mainly operate in the right centre half role.

Van de Ven and Udogie have both struggled with injury over the last two season with the Dutchman missing 37 games for Spurs through injury over the period and the Italian absent for 19 matches.

If Tottenham are going to try and compete on four fronts this season they will need to address these key issues before 1 September.