Spurs closing in on deal to sign big-money star, he’d be their new Christian Eriksen – opinion
Tottenham begin Frank era in style with 3-0 win as focus turns to creativity and Eberechi Eze chase
Tottenham Hotspur ushered in the Thomas Frank era with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Burnley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, giving their supporters plenty of reason to be optimistic about the season ahead.
The new head coach, who swapped Brentford for North London over the summer, could hardly have asked for a better introduction to life in the Spurs dugout. His side controlled the tempo for much of the match and were rewarded with two goals from Richarlison and another from Brennan Johnson.
Brazilian forward Richarlison stole the headlines with a spectacular overhead kick that left Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford rooted to the spot. The audacious effort is already being tipped as an early contender for Premier League Goal of the Season. Johnson, meanwhile, capped off a lively performance with a neat finish of his own to ensure Spurs took maximum points on opening day.
Perhaps just as encouraging for Frank was the sparkling debut of Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian international, recruited from West Ham earlier in the window, immediately made his mark by setting up two of the three goals with his explosive wing play and incisive passing. For a manager keen to inject flair and energy into his squad, Kudus’ contribution will have been particularly pleasing.
Frank’s immediate challenge – fixing Spurs’ midfield creativity
Despite the commanding result, Frank will be the first to admit that Tottenham remain a work in progress. While their attacking play down the flanks looked sharp, the middle of the park still lacks a consistent creative spark – an issue that has persisted for several seasons.
Last term, James Maddison stood out as the only central midfielder to register more than two Premier League assists, ending the campaign with seven. The drop-off from others was stark. Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, and Lucas Bergvall all offered industry and defensive stability, but very little when it came to splitting defences or producing match-winning passes.
That imbalance has long been a concern for Spurs. During Christian Eriksen’s prime years at the club, Tottenham possessed a midfielder capable of dictating matches, threading through balls with vision, and unlocking stubborn defences. The Dane registered 88 assists in 305 appearances for Spurs and hit double figures for assists in five separate seasons – a creative standard that has not been replaced since his departure in 2020.
With Maddison now sidelined with a serious ACL injury, the urgency to strengthen the creative hub of the side has only intensified.
Eberechi Eze emerges as Tottenham’s top target
Reports suggest that Tottenham believe they may have found their next “Eriksen” in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze. According to journalist Miguel Delaney, the North London club are in advanced negotiations with Palace over a deal worth around £55 million plus add-ons.
Although no agreement has yet been finalised, talks are progressing. The Telegraph even reported that Eze could miss Palace’s clash with Chelsea due to the ongoing speculation. In the end, the England international demonstrated his professionalism by starting the match, refusing to let rumours affect his commitment to Oliver Glasner’s side.
Other sources, including journalist Jack Rosser, have backed up Delaney’s claims, noting that discussions are “advancing” and that Spurs are determined to push the deal over the line before the transfer window closes.
Why Eze fits Frank’s vision perfectly
The 27-year-old playmaker has developed into one of the Premier League’s most exciting creative midfielders over the past three seasons. Versatile enough to operate in central midfield, attacking midfield, or even out wide, Eze combines trickery, vision, and end product in a way few others in the division can match.
Pundit Micah Richards once described him as a “magician in midfield,” and his numbers back up that reputation. Last season, Eze recorded 14 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for Palace, while also creating 17 “big chances” for his teammates – ranking him among the top creative forces in the league.
At 27, he is entering the peak years of his career, and Tottenham would be acquiring him at an ideal time. Not only does he offer consistent end product in the final third, but he also has the technical ability and intelligence to orchestrate play from deeper positions – exactly what Spurs have been lacking.
The bigger picture
Frank has made an excellent start to life in North London, but he knows the season will not be defined by one impressive opening win. The Premier League demands consistency, and Spurs’ success this year may well hinge on whether they can secure a midfielder capable of knitting their attacking play together.
With Maddison injured, Kudus still adapting, and Richarlison unlikely to repeat his overhead-kick heroics every week, Spurs need someone to pull the strings from the middle. Eberechi Eze could be that player – their new creative heartbeat, their next Eriksen.
If Tottenham can get the deal over the line, Frank’s revolution at Spurs may just accelerate faster than anyone expected.