Tottenham Hotspur faces a significant challenge as midfielder James Maddison is set to undergo ACL surgery following a recent injury sustained against Newcastle United. This setback comes just days after Son Heung-Min`s departure to Los Angeles FC, leaving manager Thomas Frank with two crucial creative players to replace. The 28-year-old Maddison, despite past injury struggles, has been a pivotal creative force, boasting 16 Premier League assists in just 59 appearances for the club. He is expected to miss the majority of the upcoming season, which would have been his third at Tottenham.
The need for an attacking midfielder was already a priority for Tottenham. They initially pursued Nottingham Forest`s Morgan Gibbs-White, but the deal collapsed after Forest threatened legal action over Spurs` attempt to activate his release clause. Consequently, Gibbs-White signed a new contract with his club, leaving Tottenham without the desired reinforcement in that area.
While new signings Mohamed Kudus and Mathys Tel are expected to compensate for Son`s goal contributions on the wing, neither offers the same level of creative playmaking. Last season, only four Tottenham players generated more than four expected assists (xA) across all competitions: Dejan Kulusevski, Pedro Porro, Maddison, and Son. With Son now gone and Maddison sidelined for most of the season, a significant void in creative output emerges, raising questions about how Frank`s squad will supply their forwards with scoring opportunities.
Here`s an analysis of potential approaches for Tottenham:
The Critical Role of Dejan Kulusevski
Despite registering only four assists across all competitions last season, Dejan Kulusevski recorded the team`s second-highest expected assists (xA) at 6.2. He struggled to fully integrate into Ange Postecoglou`s high-tempo system, but under Thomas Frank, a tactical shift could unlock his full potential. Frank`s adaptive approach, tailoring the system to his players, could significantly benefit the Swede. While Kulusevski alone cannot fill the entire creative void, he can certainly bear a substantial portion of it. A potential move to a more central role, supported by a robust defense, could enable him to receive the ball more frequently and orchestrate dangerous attacking plays.
Crucial Contribution from Wing-Backs
Under Thomas Frank`s philosophy, wing-backs are integral to the team`s build-up play. Tottenham is fortunate to possess one of the Premier League`s finest in Pedro Porro. Last season, he contributed four goals and nine assists in all competitions, a tally he will need to surpass in the upcoming campaign. Set-pieces are another cornerstone of Frank`s system, and Porro is expected to take primary responsibility for these in the absence of other key creators. His capacity to advance down the flanks and deliver threatening crosses into the penalty area, particularly for forwards, will be absolutely vital.
The Imperative for New Signings
The immediate emergence of links to promising talents like Como`s Nico Paz following Maddison`s injury is no mere coincidence. Tottenham`s squad depth, particularly in attacking midfield, was already a concern even before this latest setback. Now, new additions are not just desirable but critical. With the demanding Premier League schedule coupled with Champions League commitments, the current squad lacks the necessary numbers to compete effectively on all fronts. While increased output from younger players would be welcome, it alone will not suffice to maintain the team`s momentum and achieve its objectives. Expectations for Tottenham remain high, and the club`s hierarchy must act decisively in the transfer market to reinforce the squad and meet these ambitions.
