Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 defeat on Saturday afternoon served as a timely reminder that spending heavily in the transfer market does not automatically translate into success on the pitch.
For all the excitement surrounding Spurs’ summer recruitment, Roberto De Zerbi’s side discovered the hard way that new signings need time to settle, while an expensive squad still has to develop chemistry and consistency. Tottenham have invested heavily in recent windows, but history shows that spending alone is no guarantee of building a successful team.
Spurs supporters will remember the aftermath of the Gareth Bale sale all too well. The club famously reinvested the money generated by the Welshman’s move, bringing in several players in one window, yet very few of those signings made the kind of impact that was expected of them.
This summer has been considerably more calculated, with Tottenham attempting to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level. However, Saturday’s result showed that there are still obvious weaknesses that need to be addressed before the transfer window closes.
While the defensive and midfield departments had their own problems against Brentford, it was Tottenham’s attack that looked particularly concerning. The Lilywhites lacked creativity, sharpness and a consistent threat in the final third, with their forwards struggling to make a meaningful impact.
Two players who attracted plenty of attention during pre-season, Richarlison and Mathys Tel, were unable to reproduce their best form when the competitive action began.
Mathys Tel’s Brentford display highlights Tottenham’s attacking problem
Mathys Tel entered the new campaign with considerable optimism surrounding him. The young French forward had enjoyed an encouraging pre-season and looked like a completely different player compared with the one Tottenham supporters had seen for much of the previous campaign.
Last season was a difficult one for Tel from a statistical perspective. He managed only four goals across all competitions and registered just two assists, numbers that failed to reflect the considerable potential he possesses.
Pre-season, however, offered a glimpse of what Spurs could potentially get from him.
Tel looked lively, confident and far more decisive in possession. He scored an excellent free-kick against Sydney FC before producing a highly productive performance against Auckland FC, where he contributed three assists. He continued that impressive run against Hoffenheim, once again showing his ability to take defenders on and create opportunities.
There was a noticeable confidence in his performances. Tel appeared willing to run at opponents, attack space and take responsibility in the final third. Crucially, he also appeared to have rediscovered the end product that had been missing from his game.
That made his performance against Brentford particularly interesting.
The 21-year-old was not one of Tottenham’s worst performers and, in fact, he remained one of the few attacking players who looked capable of producing something out of nothing. He completed six dribbles, the highest total recorded by any player in the match, demonstrating that some of his exciting pre-season form was still present.
However, his overall contribution underlined why Tottenham cannot afford to rely exclusively on him.
Tel failed to register a shot on target, managed only three touches inside the opposition penalty area and was unable to complete either of his attempted crosses. While those numbers do not tell the whole story, they illustrate how little influence he ultimately had where it mattered most.
It would be unfair to label the performance a disaster. Tel showed flashes of quality and was arguably one of the more threatening Tottenham players during the opening period. He also remained on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, something that could prove important as De Zerbi continues to assess his options.
Nevertheless, the match highlighted the need for greater competition in the forward positions.
Tottenham still searching for more attacking firepower
Following the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, Tottenham’s attention has increasingly turned towards strengthening the attacking department.
De Zerbi appears determined to add more creativity, pace and goals to his squad, and the club has already been linked with several high-profile forwards.
Spurs are reportedly closing in on deals for Manchester City duo Savinho and Omar Marmoush, moves that would significantly increase the quality and depth available to De Zerbi. The potential additions would give Tottenham more options on the wings and in attacking areas while also allowing the manager to rotate his forwards more effectively.
However, the club may not be finished there.
Tottenham have continued to explore the possibility of signing another attacker, with players such as Nicolas Jackson and Folarin Balogun previously attracting attention. Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo remains another major target and has been strongly linked with a potential move to north London.
Gakpo’s situation, though, is complicated.
The Netherlands international remains an important member of Liverpool’s squad and recently demonstrated his value by scoring against Newcastle United in a 2-2 Premier League draw. Until Liverpool secure another winger or attacking replacement, it would be difficult for them to sanction his departure.
That has forced Tottenham to keep alternative options in mind.
Mykhailo Mudryk emerges as another possibility
One player reportedly being considered by Tottenham is Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk.
The Ukrainian arrived at Stamford Bridge for a huge fee but has endured a turbulent spell in English football. His situation has become even more complicated after he tested positive for the banned substance meldonium, leaving him without a competitive appearance since October 2024.
Mudryk did feature during Chelsea’s pre-season preparations, suggesting that he remains keen to return to regular football. The winger has also reportedly agreed to spend the 2026/27 season away from Stamford Bridge on loan as he looks to rebuild his career and regain his confidence.
Leeds United have reportedly shown interest in taking him on loan, but Tottenham have also made enquiries to understand what would be required to bring the player to north London.
A permanent transfer does not appear to be the most likely scenario at this stage, particularly given the circumstances surrounding his situation. However, a loan agreement could make sense for Tottenham if their preferred attacking targets prove impossible to secure.
For Spurs, the priority will surely remain finding a player capable of immediately improving their attacking options. Tel has shown enough potential to suggest he can become an important part of De Zerbi’s plans, but Saturday’s performance demonstrated that Tottenham need more than potential.
The club cannot afford to place all of its attacking expectations on one or two players, especially if it wants to compete on multiple fronts.
The potential arrival of Savinho and Marmoush would certainly strengthen the squad, while a player such as Gakpo would add proven Premier League quality. If Liverpool refuse to negotiate, Tottenham may have to move quickly towards alternatives such as Mudryk.
Ultimately, Saturday’s 3-0 defeat should not cause Tottenham to panic. One poor result does not erase the progress made during the summer, and players such as Tonali and Mateus Fernandes will need time to adapt to their new surroundings.
However, the defeat has provided De Zerbi and Tottenham’s recruitment team with a clear warning: the midfield may have received significant investment, but the attack still needs attention before the transfer window closes.
If Spurs can add another high-quality forward before deadline day, they could have a much stronger and more balanced squad. If they fail to do so, performances like the one against Brentford could become a recurring problem throughout the campaign.
