Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a fresh warning about their attacking problems, with Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson questioning whether Omar Marmoush has the qualities required to solve the club’s ongoing goalscoring struggles.
The Egyptian forward arrived in north London from Manchester City on a season-long loan deal that includes a mandatory purchase obligation. However, his early performances have done little to convince supporters that he can become the reliable goalscorer Roberto De Zerbi desperately needs.
Marmoush was expected to bring pace, creativity, movement and attacking quality to Tottenham’s forward line. His versatility was also considered a valuable addition, with the 27-year-old capable of operating in different positions across the attack.
Unfortunately, his opening five Premier League appearances have been disappointing from a statistical perspective. The former Manchester City attacker has yet to register a goal or an assist, leaving questions about whether he can make the difference in a team that has struggled to convert promising attacking situations into goals.
Although it would be premature to judge a new signing after only a handful of matches, Tottenham cannot afford to ignore the problems developing in their forward line. With results becoming increasingly important, De Zerbi needs his attacking players to start delivering consistently.
Merson, meanwhile, believes Marmoush might not be the answer to Tottenham’s biggest problem.
Paul Merson questions Marmoush’s goalscoring ability
Speaking in his Sky Sports column, Merson made a pointed assessment of Marmoush’s qualities, suggesting that the Egyptian international is not the type of forward Tottenham should have prioritised during the transfer window.
The former Arsenal midfielder acknowledged that Marmoush possesses the ability to produce moments of individual brilliance. However, he questioned whether the Tottenham attacker could provide the regular goals that a struggling team needs.
Merson wrote:
“And Omar Marmoush isn’t going to give you goals. He’ll get you a worldie here or there, but he’s not a goalscorer. They needed a goalscorer. I can’t believe Spurs didn’t go for Nicolas Jackson. He’s decent.”
His comments highlight an important distinction between signing an exciting attacking player and recruiting a proven goalscorer who can consistently deliver in the Premier League.
Marmoush has qualities that could benefit Tottenham, particularly his movement, technical ability and willingness to take on defenders. Nevertheless, those attributes will count for little if he cannot translate his performances into goals and assists.
Tottenham’s current situation makes the issue even more significant. When a team is struggling to find the net, every missed opportunity attracts greater scrutiny, and forwards are inevitably judged by their ability to influence the scoreline.
Merson’s preference for Nicolas Jackson also raises questions about Tottenham’s recruitment strategy. The Chelsea striker has previously demonstrated his ability to compete at Premier League level, and Merson clearly believes his profile could have offered Spurs a more suitable solution.
Whether Jackson would have been the right signing is open to debate, but the underlying concern is difficult to ignore: Tottenham needed more reliable goals, and their attacking additions must eventually deliver.
### Tottenham’s biggest problem is their inability to score
Marmoush’s difficult start is only one part of a much wider problem affecting De Zerbi’s side.
Tottenham have experienced frustrating spells in front of goal, often producing encouraging passages of football without finding the finishing touch required to turn their performances into victories.
According to Merson, the team have shown enough quality to suggest that their situation can improve. However, he believes their biggest weakness is the inability to maintain their best level throughout an entire match.
The pundit explained that Tottenham have frequently looked dangerous for approximately 20 to 25 minutes before losing their attacking momentum.
That inconsistency has made life difficult for De Zerbi, who is attempting to establish a clear playing identity while also delivering the results expected at a club of Tottenham’s size.
Playing well for short periods is not enough in the Premier League. Teams must sustain pressure, create chances consistently and remain composed when opportunities arrive.
For Tottenham, the challenge is turning promising performances into goals. Without that improvement, even their strongest spells risk becoming meaningless.
Merson believes an early goal could make a significant difference, suggesting that a positive result against Coventry could provide the confidence boost Tottenham need.
He wrote:
“They could go to Coventry on Monday, score an early goal and kick on to win 3-0 or 4-0. That could be the result that kickstarts their season.”
An early goal would allow Tottenham to play with greater freedom, potentially forcing their opponents to abandon a defensive approach and create more space for Spurs’ attacking players.
It could also ease the pressure on forwards such as Marmoush and Dominic Solanke, who would benefit from greater confidence and a more settled attacking rhythm.
However, Tottenham must demonstrate that they can maintain their intensity beyond the opening stages. One convincing performance would be encouraging, but consistency is what will ultimately determine whether De Zerbi can turn the campaign around.
Merson gives Tottenham credit for their fight against Manchester United
Despite his criticism, Merson was also willing to acknowledge the positive aspects of Tottenham’s recent performances.
Their response against Manchester United offered some encouragement, particularly given the difficult circumstances they faced during the match.
Tottenham found themselves a goal behind and were reduced to ten men after Rodrigo Bentancur’s dismissal. In such circumstances, many teams would have struggled to maintain their attacking threat, especially against an opponent determined to protect its advantage.
However, Spurs continued fighting and eventually found a way back into the contest.
Dominic Solanke’s late equaliser provided a moment of relief for the travelling supporters and demonstrated that Tottenham still possess the determination to compete, even when circumstances turn against them.
Merson praised the team for their response, acknowledging that they continued to push forward despite their numerical disadvantage and the pressure surrounding their season.
That fighting spirit could prove important as De Zerbi attempts to rebuild confidence within the squad.
Nevertheless, Tottenham cannot depend on late comebacks and moments of individual determination every week. They need a more reliable attacking structure, better decision-making in the final third and players capable of converting their chances when the team is on top.
The ability to fight back is valuable, but the ability to control matches and score goals consistently remains the bigger priority.
### Why De Zerbi wants Tottenham to sign another striker in January
With Tottenham continuing to struggle in front of goal, the January transfer window could become a defining moment in De Zerbi’s first full season in charge.
The Italian manager needs greater reliability in the centre-forward position, and the current options have not yet provided convincing evidence that they can consistently solve the club’s problems.
Solanke has the physical presence and experience to lead the line, but Tottenham require more than occasional contributions from their main striker. They need someone capable of scoring regularly, occupying defenders and taking responsibility during difficult periods.
Marmoush, meanwhile, is still attempting to establish himself in north London. His ability to operate across the front line could prove useful, but the early signs suggest that Tottenham should not rely exclusively on him to provide the goals their campaign demands.
Richarlison’s situation also complicates matters. With the Brazilian reportedly outside De Zerbi’s plans, Tottenham’s options for the central attacking position appear increasingly limited.
That leaves the club facing an important recruitment decision when the winter window opens.
Rather than pursuing another versatile attacker who can contribute in several positions, Spurs may need to prioritise a natural No. 9 with a proven record of finding the net.
Such a signing would not automatically resolve every problem, but it could provide the attacking focal point the team currently lacks.
A dependable striker could also benefit Tottenham’s other forwards by creating space, occupying centre-backs and giving the team a consistent target inside the penalty area.
Most importantly, it would reduce the pressure on Marmoush to become something he has not yet demonstrated he can be: a regular source of Premier League goals.
### Tottenham must decide whether Marmoush is part of the solution
Merson’s assessment will inevitably generate debate among Tottenham supporters, particularly because Marmoush has arrived on a deal that includes a mandatory purchase obligation.
That commitment makes his situation especially interesting. If the reported terms are accurate, Tottenham may have limited flexibility over whether to make the transfer permanent, depending on the precise conditions attached to the agreement.
Consequently, the club must find a way to maximise his contribution rather than simply judging him on his first five league appearances.
Marmoush deserves time to adapt to De Zerbi’s tactical demands, build an understanding with his teammates and regain confidence in front of goal. Five matches are not enough to conclusively determine the long-term value of a forward.
However, patience cannot become an excuse for ignoring Tottenham’s urgent needs.
De Zerbi must identify the best role for Marmoush while ensuring that the team has enough firepower to compete. If the Egyptian is better suited to playing off a central striker, recruiting a more natural goalscorer could help him perform more effectively.
That approach would allow Tottenham to improve their attacking options without immediately writing off a player who has only recently arrived.
Ultimately, Merson’s comments underline the dilemma facing Spurs. They have invested in attacking talent, but the team still needs consistent end product when it matters most.
Tottenham’s January priority should be clear: find a reliable goalscorer who can turn promising performances into points. Marmoush may yet prove his critics wrong, but until he begins contributing regularly, doubts about his suitability will continue to grow.
For De Zerbi, the coming weeks could determine whether Tottenham’s current attacking problems are merely a temporary setback or a warning that another major recruitment decision is needed.
And for Marmoush, the challenge is equally straigh
tforward: start delivering goals, silence the doubters and demonstrate that Tottenham were right to bring him to north London.
