It’s been a truly bizarre campaign for Tottenham Hotspur this year.
The fans will only remember this season for the club’s historic triumph in the Europa League – and rightly so – but the powers that be cannot ignore just how disastrous the team’s Premier League performances were, injury crisis or not.
While there are likely plenty of things the club can and should address behind the scenes, one of the best ways Daniel Levy and Co can ensure next year is more successful is by signing the right players this summer.
The good news is that recent reports seem to indicate that they’re targetting at least one bonafide star who’d be an incredible addition to the squad, but it could be bad news for James Maddison as the target in question would likely be an upgrade on him.
Tottenham transfer news
Given how poorly the team fared on the domestic front this season, it’s not been a surprise to see Spurs linked with a host of talented stars in recent weeks, like Xavi Simons and Angel Gomes.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former could cost the club around £65m, but with a tally of 11 goals and eight assists in just 33 appearances for a lacklustre RB Leipzig side this season, that’s a fee that feels pretty reasonable.
Gomes, on the other hand, wouldn’t cost a penny in transfer fees, as his contract with LOSC Lille expires this month, although for all the experience and quality he’d bring with him, he couldn’t be described as an upgrade for Maddison, unlike Eberechi Eze.
Yes, according to a recent report from Football Transfers, Spurs have maintained their intense interest in the Crystal Palace star.
In fact, the report goes a step further, proclaiming the Englishman as the North Londoners ‘top target’ for the window.
The story does not reveal how much the 26-year-old dynamo might cost the Lilywhites, but it has been pretty widely reported in recent weeks and months that he has a release clause in his current contract worth around £68m.
It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Eze’s incredible ability, it would be more than worth it, even if his arrival would be bad news for Maddison.
How Eze compares to Maddison
Now, while Eze is a positionally versatile player and has spent plenty of his career playing out wide on the left, his most played position, and where he’s spent most of this season, is attacking midfield.
Therefore, his main rival for game time at Spurs would be Maddison, but how do the pair stack up against one another?
Well, when it comes to their pure output, it’s the Eagles ace who comes out on top, as in 43 appearances for the South London side, he scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.72 games.
In comparison, the former Leicester City star scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists in 45 appearances for the Lilywhites this year, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.95 games.
What about their underlying numbers, then? Who comes out victorious when we take a look under the hood?
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.52
0.50
Progressive Passes
3.37
8.16
Progressive Passes Received
5.31
4.73
Progressive Carries
2.36
2.24
Shots
3.48
1.94
Shots on Target
0.94
0.85
Key Passes
2.01
2.04
Shot-Creating Actions
4.69
4.73
Tackles
1.35
1.54
Blocks
0.94
0.74
Successful Take-Ons
2.33
1.64
Ball Recoveries
5.07
3.78
Well, things are once again somewhat close here, but overall, it’s the FA Cup-winning “superstar,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, who comes out on top.
For example, he comes out ahead in more relevant metrics than his compatriot, including, but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, while Maddison is a brilliant player, Eze is two years his junior and performing at a higher level in a side that most would have predicted to finish lower than the North Londoners this time last year.
Therefore, Levy and Co should be doing all they can to sign the versatile star this summer before someone else beats them to him.
Shades of Dembele: Spurs make "generational" £60m star a priority signing
The sensational gem could develop into something truly special at Spurs.
ByJack Salveson HolmesJun 4, 2025
