‘Not fielding his potential’: Paul Merson suggests £30M Spurs player has been a disappointment
Tottenham Hotspur experienced an eventful January transfer window, securing three new first-team signings to strengthen their squad. The most high-profile addition came on deadline day when Mathys Tel arrived on loan, despite reported interest from Manchester United.
With Spurs struggling in the lower half of the Premier League table, Ange Postecoglou hopes his new acquisitions will make an immediate impact.
However, former footballer and pundit Paul Merson has raised concerns about Tottenham’s transfer decisions, particularly criticizing the decision to bring in an attacker instead of a midfielder.
Merson believes Tottenham fans will not be entirely pleased with Tel’s arrival, considering the speculation that the player initially hesitated to join Spurs.
He argued that rather than reinforcing their attack, the club should have focused on strengthening the midfield, an area where he believes they have struggled.
According to Merson, the midfield lacks dominance, which contributes to the team’s defensive vulnerabilities. He pointed out that while Pape Matar Sarr is a promising young talent, Yves Bissouma has not been performing at the level many expected when he joined from Brighton.
In his column for Sky Sports, Merson suggested that Son Heung-min has not been at his best in recent seasons, which raises further concerns about Tottenham’s attacking capabilities.
At the same time, he praised Dejan Kulusevski, stating that the Swedish winger would be a starter in any Premier League team at the moment. However, he remained firm on his stance that Tottenham’s main issue lies in midfield, where they frequently get overrun, leaving their defense exposed.
He emphasized the need for a commanding midfielder who could control games and provide balance to the team.
Beyond Merson’s critique, questions about Bissouma’s long-term future at Tottenham have also surfaced. In December, journalist Alasdair Gold speculated that the club might consider moving on from the Malian midfielder next summer.
Writing for football.london, Gold highlighted Bissouma’s inconsistency, noting that despite his undeniable talent, he has yet to establish himself as a leader within the squad.
He pointed to Tottenham’s 4-3 loss to Chelsea, in which Bissouma conceded a late penalty, as an example of his struggles to make a positive impact in crucial moments.
Gold further noted that if not for Rodrigo Bentancur’s suspension, Bissouma might have found himself relegated to Europa League matches rather than playing a central role in the Premier League.
Tottenham’s acquisition of Archie Gray, a young midfielder with potential, as well as the emergence of Lucas Bergvall, suggests that the club may already be preparing for life after Bissouma.
Additionally, Spurs have been linked with a move for Real Betis’ 23-year-old defensive midfielder Johnny Cardoso, another indication that they may be looking to refresh their midfield options.
From a financial standpoint, Tottenham could be open to offers for Bissouma in the summer transfer window. Given that he will only have a year left on his contract, Spurs might be willing to accept a reasonable bid to avoid losing him for free later.
The key question is whether Bissouma would be interested in a move, as any potential destination might represent a step down in his career. His next few months at Tottenham could determine whether he remains a part of Postecoglou’s plans or if the club decides to cash in and restructure their midfield.
Tottenham’s January transfer window showcased both ambition and potential missteps. While the addition of Mathys Tel adds firepower to the attack, Merson’s concerns highlight a broader issue that could still hinder Spurs in the second half of the season.
A lack of midfield dominance remains a pressing concern, and if performances do not improve, Tottenham may regret not prioritizing reinforcements in that area.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether the new signings can help turn things around or if the club will be forced to make further adjustments in the summer.