Tottenham Hotspur may not have started 2026 in perfect fashion, but the draw against Sunderland at least hinted at a response from Thomas Frank and his players. After a flat and forgettable display in the goalless draw with Brentford days earlier, Spurs looked slightly sharper, slightly braver, and more willing to engage in the kind of football fans have been demanding. It was far from polished, but it suggested the manager has listened to the criticism coming his way.
One issue still stands out clearly. Tottenham are struggling to create enough from midfield. The numbers do not lie, and they paint a worrying picture. Despite scoring a reasonable number of goals overall, Spurs rank among the lowest teams in the league for expected goals, which highlights how inefficient and forced their attacking play has often been.
| Team | Goals Scored | xG |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham | 21 | 20.5 |
| Wolves | 14 | 19.0 |
| Tottenham | 28 | 18.9 |
| Burnley | 20 | 17.6 |
| Sunderland | 21 | 16.8 |
Expected goals measure the quality of chances rather than just the final scoreline, and Tottenham’s position here underlines a lack of control, invention, and drive through the middle of the pitch.
The current midfield pairing of Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha offers defensive structure, but little spark. Both are disciplined and hardworking, yet neither consistently carries the ball forward, breaks lines, or injects urgency when Spurs need to shift momentum.
That is why Tottenham’s interest in Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba feels so significant. The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the most physically gifted and technically exciting midfielders in the Premier League over the past two seasons.
Reports suggest Spurs are monitoring his situation closely and are willing to compete with Manchester United for his signature. Brighton are believed to value him at around £87 million, a hefty fee, but one that reflects his ceiling rather than his current form.
Baleba’s season has not gone entirely to plan. His performances have dipped compared to last year, and Brighton have struggled for rhythm themselves. Even so, his underlying qualities remain clear.
He is powerful, quick over short distances, confident on the ball, and comfortable receiving possession under pressure. These are traits Tottenham have sorely missed since Mousa Dembele left north London.
Last season, Baleba was widely praised as one of the standout midfielders in the league. This year has been quieter, but context matters. He has still shown flashes of dominance, especially when allowed to play with freedom rather than restraint. A closer look at his Premier League numbers over the last two campaigns shows the contrast clearly.
| Stat (per game) | 24/25 | 25/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Matches (starts) | 34 (31) | 16 (14) |
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Assists | 1 | 0 |
| Touches | 54.0 | 32.3 |
| Accurate passes | 33.6 (88%) | 19.9 (86%) |
| Chances created | 0.6 | 0.2 |
| Successful dribbles | 1.0 (62%) | 0.4 (58%) |
| Ball recoveries | 5.8 | 3.2 |
| Tackles + interceptions | 3.7 | 2.0 |
| Duels won | 5.9 (55%) | 3.1 (46%) |
The drop-off is obvious, but it does not erase what Baleba can be. Even during this quieter spell, he ranks highly across Europe for ball recoveries, successful take-ons, and aerial duels among midfielders. He remains a physical force, capable of shielding the ball, driving through contact, and turning defence into attack in one movement.
These are the same qualities that made Mousa Dembele such a cult hero at Tottenham. Dembele was never flashy in terms of goals or assists, but he controlled games through strength, balance, and intelligence.
He made Spurs tick, often under pressure, and earned admiration from some of the best players in the world. Kevin De Bruyne once described him as the best midfielder on the planet during his prime.
Baleba is not there yet, but the pathway is clear. He has already been described as a “monster” of a midfielder by respected scouts, and history shows that players like Dembele often need time and patience to reach their peak. Dembele himself took a while to fully settle after joining Spurs from Fulham, yet went on to become irreplaceable.
For Tottenham, signing Baleba would not be about instant perfection. It would be about transformation. He would bring energy, aggression, ball progression, and confidence into a midfield that currently feels static and predictable.
Even with his inconsistencies, the raw tools are there, and under the right guidance, he could grow into the heartbeat of Spurs’ next great side.
At £87 million, the risk is clear, but so is the reward. If Tottenham want a midfielder who can change games, carry the ball through chaos, and restore some of the dominance once embodied by Mousa Dembele, Carlos Baleba may be the closest thing available.
