Tottenham Hotspur’s summer rebuild has been nothing short of dramatic.
A Europa League triumph over Manchester United last season papered over the cracks of a domestic campaign that saw them slump to 17th.
Ange Postecoglou was swiftly replaced by Thomas Frank, a decision that divided the fanbase, while beloved captain Son Heung-min ended a decade at the club to join LAFC.
The arrival of Mohamed Kudus from West Ham and the return of Champions League football have added fresh optimism, yet there remains a glaring gap in the squad: creativity in the final third.
With James Maddison sidelined for the season after an ACL injury, Spurs’ midfield lacks a player capable of conjuring something from nothing.
Spurs' Creative Solution
The North London side have identified two names to address this issue: Manchester City’s Savinho and a forward who has been on the radar of Arsenal, City and several European giants.
Both are open to the move, but Spurs are said to be particularly confident about striking a deal for the latter, a player valued at over £60m who would immediately transform their attacking profile.
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Indeed, according to TBR Football, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has emerged as Tottenham’s number one target.
Although personal terms have reportedly already been agreed, Palace will not let him go easily.
They are demanding a fee between £55m-£60m, but Spurs are confident the deal can be closed before the window shuts. The 27-year-old’s desire to join only strengthens their hand.
It really does feel as though this one is moving closer to completion with journalist Ben Jacobs reporting that a dearly was “nearly agreed” last Friday.
Despite that, he still featured in the Eagles’ top-flight opener against Chelsea.
Parallels with Dele Alli in his prime
After lighting up the Premier League for Palace and featuring for England at Euro 2024, Eze is ready for the next step in his career.
His ability to glide past defenders, produce moments of magic, and deliver in high-stakes matches, including scoring the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, has made him one of the division’s most captivating talents.
In many ways, Eze offers Spurs what they have missed since the departure of Dele Alli.
When Tottenham fans think back to their most recent golden era, Dele Alli is a name that instantly comes to mind.
Signed from MK Dons for just £5m in 2015, he became one of the most exciting young players in world football.
Alli scored 69 goals and assisted 59 more in 269 appearances for Spurs, winning back-to-back PFA Young Player of the Year awards and playing a crucial role in the club’s run to the 2019 Champions League final.
At his peak, Alli was valued at £90m by Transfermarkt. He was known for finishing with composure and producing outrageous pieces of skill.
Though his career has since been derailed by off-field issues and inconsistency – with spells at Everton, Besiktas, and Como – few Spurs supporters have forgotten the joy he brought in his early years under Mauricio Pochettino.
The parallels with Eze are clear not just in style, but also in data.
Matches Played
282
271
Starts
230
228
Goals
74
59
Assists
44
34
Shots on Target
185
189
Shot on Target Percentage
40.3%
38.5%
Pass Completion Rate
77.0%
78.9%
According to FBref, Dele regularly averaged over two shots per 90 in his breakout years, placing him among the most attacking midfielders in Europe, something Eze mirrors today with his 92nd percentile rate of 3.48 shots per 90.
Dele scored double figures in the league in three consecutive seasons, while Eze is in the 82nd percentile for shot-creating actions (4.69), showing he brings others into play as much as he seeks to finish chances himself.
Eze’s dribbling numbers also stand out. His 86th percentile take-ons (2.33 per 90) echo the freedom Dele displayed when carrying the ball past defenders in tight spaces.
Yet perhaps most impressively, Eze couples attacking flair with defensive work rate, ranking in the 89th percentile for ball recoveries (5.08 per 90).
This balance makes him even more suited to the modern game than Dele was at his peak.
It is that intangible element, however, that truly links them: the ability to produce magic from nothing.
Spurs fans remember Alli’s flick and volley against Crystal Palace in 2016 as symbolic of his spontaneity.
Eze carries that same aura, with his solo runs and big-moment strikes for Palace often deciding matches that looked beyond reach.
Tottenham’s squad overhaul has been extensive. Kudus will bring goals, while Savinho, should he also arrive, would add width and pace.
But neither quite fit the mould of a player who dictates the rhythm of play in the final third.
With Maddison ruled out, the reliance on structured build-up could see Spurs become predictable, especially against teams who sit deep. Eze offers the antidote: directness, ingenuity, and a fearless approach.
At 27, he is entering his prime years, combining the experience of top-flight football with the hunger of a player eager to prove himself on the biggest stage.
Crystal Palace will be reluctant to sell, but the financial strength and Champions League football on offer at Spurs makes the move appealing for both club and player.
If the deal goes through, Eze could become the face of a new Tottenham era, a creative leader in the mould of Dele, but with his own unique brand of flair.