£30m wasted: Spurs must axe “horror” Ange signing who earns more than Gray & Vdv

Tottenham Hotspur’s season has been far from ideal, with injuries, defensive struggles, and inconsistent performances overshadowing what was supposed to be a period of progress under Ange Postecoglou.

Despite losing only one Premier League match last month, the club remains in 12th place and has already been eliminated from both the FA Cup and League Cup.

While some criticism falls on the manager’s tactical approach, Spurs’ biggest problem has undeniably been their defense, an area severely impacted by injuries to key players.

With 39 goals conceded in just 27 league games, Tottenham’s defensive record has been among the worst in the traditional “big six,” tied with Manchester United.

While Postecoglou’s high defensive line plays a role in their vulnerability, the real issue has been the absence of crucial defensive figures. Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario have all missed significant portions of the season, forcing the team to rely on makeshift defensive solutions.

One of the few positives has been the emergence of Archie Gray. Though primarily a central midfielder, the 18-year-old has stepped up in defensive roles, covering at both center-back and full-back.

His performances have drawn praise, with analyst Ben Mattinson even labeling him a “future £100m” player. While Gray’s rapid development has been encouraging, not all of Tottenham’s defenders have performed to the expected standards, with one in particular struggling to justify his wages.

Radu Dragusin, who joined from Genoa for £25 million, has been thrust into a bigger role than expected due to injuries but has failed to deliver. Before suffering a season-ending injury last month, the Romanian international made 16 league appearances, starting 14 times, but struggled to make a positive impact.

Tottenham managed just 0.88 points per game when he was on the pitch, and his performances often left much to be desired.

One of Dragusin’s worst displays came in Tottenham’s shocking 2-1 home defeat against Ipswich Town, where journalist Mitch Fretton described his performance as a “horror show.” If he were a low-wage, last-choice backup, his form might not be as concerning, but his salary tells a different story.

Dragusin earns £85,000 per week—£10,000 more than Archie Gray and a staggering £35,000 more than Micky van de Ven, who has been instrumental to Postecoglou’s system.

Factoring in his transfer fee and accumulated wages, Dragusin has already cost Tottenham around £30 million, a figure that looks increasingly difficult to justify.

With key defenders expected to return to fitness, Dragusin’s long-term role at the club seems uncertain. When compared to other squad members, his wage structure appears unsustainable given his performances.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and the club’s recruitment team must explore opportunities to offload the Romanian center-back in the summer transfer window, potentially recouping some of their investment and freeing up salary space for more impactful signings.

Radu Dragusin’s Premier League Stats (2024/25 Season)

While Dragusin is not necessarily a poor defender, his struggles this season raise serious questions about his future at Tottenham. As the club looks to strengthen its squad for the next campaign, it would be wise to consider moving him on, especially with younger, more promising players like Gray proving their worth.