Tottenham Hotspur have embarked on one of the most aggressive spending sprees seen in north London for more than a decade, evoking memories of the summer of 2013 when the Lilywhites attempted to rebuild their squad after Gareth Bale’s blockbuster move to Real Madrid.
That summer became famous for Tottenham’s decision to replace Bale “in the aggregate”, bringing in a collection of players rather than attempting to find one direct successor to their Welsh superstar. The strategy ultimately produced mixed results, and the 2013 recruitment campaign is still regularly revisited whenever Spurs embark on another major rebuild.
However, the post-Bale overhaul has perhaps been judged too harshly over the years. Christian Eriksen developed into one of the Premier League’s finest creative midfielders, while Erik Lamela, despite a difficult start to life in England, eventually became a popular and useful member of the squad.
The question now is whether Tottenham’s latest spending spree will be viewed in a similar way when the dust settles.
Under Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs have committed enormous resources to reshaping their squad, with the club clearly determined to avoid another season of uncertainty and disappointment. The investment has been significant, but the ultimate verdict will depend on whether these expensive additions can translate into improved performances and, most importantly, results.
Why Spurs’ summer recruitment won’t be another 2013
Tottenham’s start to the new campaign may not have gone exactly as supporters would have hoped, but there is little reason for panic at this stage.
The north London club appear to have a clear direction under De Zerbi, who played a crucial role in keeping Spurs in the Premier League last season after taking charge during a period of enormous uncertainty. His influence over recruitment is also understood to have been substantial, meaning the players arriving this summer should be better suited to the Italian’s footballing philosophy.
That could prove to be one of the biggest differences between the current rebuild and what happened in 2013.
Following Bale’s departure, Tottenham largely looked overseas for replacements. A significant number of players arrived from different leagues and different footballing cultures, meaning they needed time to adapt to the pace, physicality and tactical demands of the Premier League.
This summer, however, Spurs have taken a very different approach.
Virtually every major addition has arrived with Premier League experience. That familiarity should make the transition considerably smoother, even if the price tags attached to some of the deals have attracted plenty of scrutiny.
The most obvious example is Sandro Tonali, with Tottenham reportedly committing around £100m when potential add-ons are taken into account. It is an enormous investment for a midfielder, but Spurs will be hoping his experience in English football allows him to make an immediate impact.
Martin Dubravka has also arrived after his previous Premier League experience, while other recruits have similarly been brought in with an understanding of the demands of the division.
That familiarity could be crucial.
The opening-weekend defeat to Brentford, for example, should not necessarily be treated as definitive evidence that the rebuild is failing. Spurs were missing several players, while their squad was still adjusting to the tactical demands of a new manager.
The same applied against Newcastle United, where De Zerbi’s team were still without some important new additions, including Savio on the wing. With Tottenham continuing to work on further recruitment, there is a strong argument that supporters have not yet seen the finished product.
It could take several weeks for the new-look side to develop the chemistry, understanding and consistency required to perform at their best.
That is why comparisons with 2013 may ultimately prove misleading.
The current Spurs squad is being constructed with a much clearer understanding of what is required to succeed in the Premier League, while De Zerbi has had a significant influence on the direction of the rebuild.
The expectation, therefore, is that these Premier League-proven recruits will be capable of settling in considerably quicker than some of the players brought in from abroad more than a decade ago.
How Spurs could land a modern-day Bale on deadline day
Tottenham have also developed something of a reputation for making eye-catching moves on transfer deadline day.
From Hugo Lloris and Rafael van der Vaart to Lucas Moura, Spurs have previously used the final hours of transfer windows to complete deals that went on to have a major impact on the club.
Deadline-day business is not necessarily an indication of poor planning or desperation. Sometimes, the most attractive opportunities simply become available late in the window.
Tottenham have already been exceptionally active this summer, spending heavily on their squad while also adding several experienced players on free transfers. Yet there remains a feeling that the recruitment operation is not quite finished.
The arrivals of Savio and Omar Marmoush from Manchester City have added considerable quality to the attacking department, but De Zerbi appears keen to make further improvements before the window closes.
There has also been interest in Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, although the situation surrounding the Senegal international is particularly intriguing. With Manchester City reportedly showing interest in Richarlison, Ndiaye has been linked with a potential move that could form part of a wider deal.
However, another move appears to be much closer to completion.
Tottenham have been heavily linked with Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk, and reports have suggested that the Ukrainian is now edging towards a move to north London.
With personal terms reportedly already agreed, the two clubs are said to have reached a full agreement over the transfer, with Mudryk expected to complete his medical before the deal can be officially finalised.
The proposed structure is understood to involve an initial loan, accompanied by an option to make the move permanent for around £75m.
On the surface, it would represent a major gamble.
Mudryk has struggled to establish himself consistently in recent years and has endured a frustrating period in England. His lack of regular football makes a move of this magnitude difficult to assess, particularly for a Tottenham side that cannot afford another expensive signing failing to deliver.
But there is one factor that makes this particular transfer especially fascinating: Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian manager already knows exactly how to get the best out of Mudryk.
During their time together at Shakhtar Donetsk, Mudryk showed the explosive pace, direct running and attacking quality that originally made him one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers. He scored and assisted 11 goals in just 19 matches while working under De Zerbi, demonstrating the potential that attracted Chelsea to him in the first place.
Across his Shakhtar career, Mudryk contributed 29 goals and assists in 47 appearances in all competitions, underlining just how dangerous he could be when playing with confidence and freedom.
That is what makes a potential Tottenham move so intriguing.
Spurs would not simply be signing a winger who has struggled at Chelsea. They would be betting on De Zerbi’s ability to revive a player he already knows extremely well.
If the Tottenham boss can restore Mudryk’s confidence and rediscover the form he showed in Ukraine, the deal could turn into one of the most interesting moves of the summer.
It may not be a direct replacement for Gareth Bale, nor should Mudryk be expected to carry anything close to that burden. But if De Zerbi can unlock the Ukrainian’s potential, Tottenham could suddenly have another explosive attacking weapon capable of changing matches.
Ultimately, that is the gamble behind this new Spurs project.
The club have spent heavily, taken significant financial risks and dramatically reshaped the squad. There will inevitably be comparisons with the post-Bale rebuild of 2013, but the circumstances are very different this time around.
De Zerbi has been given considerable control, the majority of the recruits already understand Premier League football, and Tottenham appear to have a much clearer idea of the type of squad they want to build.
The early results may not yet provide the evidence supporters are looking for, but patience could be essential.
If the new arrivals begin to click, the heavy spending could eventually look like an investment rather than a gamble. And if De Zerbi can revive players such as Mudryk while integrating the club’s expensive new recruits, Spurs may finally have the foundations for a much more successful era.
