Tottenham Hotspur went into Saturday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa still searching for their first league goal of the season, with former Spurs defender Alan Hutton arguing that the club’s failure to sign an elite striker was a major summer mistake.
Spurs had taken two points from their opening four Premier League matches and had not scored in any of them. It was the first time in Tottenham’s 144-year history that the club had begun a league season with four consecutive scoreless games.
Tottenham spent heavily during the summer, bringing in 10 new players, including Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Savinho, Omar Marmoush and Mykhailo Mudryk. However, Hutton believes the squad is still missing a reliable centre-forward capable of delivering goals consistently.
“I have thought for a couple of seasons now that Spurs really need an out-and-out goalscorer,” Hutton said. “They did well to strengthen in the summer with the likes of Tonali, Fernandes, Van Hecke and Savio, but there’s still an obvious piece missing.”
“With the Richarlison situation and Solanke’s lack of availability, they’re really in need of a goalscorer,” he added. “I think they should have gone and spent £90m or £100m on one in the summer, but they chose to spend that money elsewhere.”
Richarlison was Tottenham’s leading scorer last season with 12 goals in all competitions, but he was excluded from the club’s Premier League squad after attempting to leave during the transfer window. Dominic Solanke had also endured fitness problems, leaving De Zerbi short of established options at centre-forward.
Marmoush arrived on loan from Manchester City late in the window, but Hutton questioned whether the Egypt international could provide the 20-plus goals Tottenham require.
“Marmoush is a good loan signing, but even he only scored three Premier League goals for Manchester City last season,” Hutton said. “He’s not going to be the guy to score you 20-plus goals in a season, which is what Spurs need.”
De Zerbi’s attacking options included Savinho, Marmoush, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski and Mathys Tel, but Tottenham’s reliance on wide forwards had not translated into goals. Spurs had registered 51 shots in their first four league matches without scoring.
Tottenham subsequently lost 3–2 to Aston Villa, despite finally scoring their first two league goals of the campaign. The result left De Zerbi’s side still searching for their first Premier League victory of the season.
