Spurs closing in on deal to sign big-money star, he’d be their new Christian Eriksen
Thomas Frank’s tenure at Tottenham Hotspur couldn’t have started more emphatically, with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Burnley showcasing both the squad’s strengths and areas needing improvement.
While Mohammed Kudus announced his arrival with two assists and Richarlison produced a moment of magic with an overhead kick, the match revealed Tottenham’s pressing need for creative midfield reinforcements – a void they’re now close to filling with Eberechi Eze.
The statistics from last season paint a concerning picture of Tottenham’s midfield creativity:
Tottenham’s Midfield Creativity (2024/25 Premier League)
| Player | Expected Assists (xA) | Actual Assists | Key Passes per 90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Maddison | 5.91 | 7 | 2.4 |
| Rodrigo Bentancur | 1.00 | 0 | 0.8 |
| Lucas Bergvall | 0.82 | 1 | 1.1 |
| Pape Matar Sarr | 0.79 | 2 | 0.9 |
| Yves Bissouma | 0.63 | 0 | 0.7 |
This creative deficiency explains Tottenham’s aggressive pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, with reports suggesting a deal worth around £55 million plus add-ons is nearing completion.
The England international represents exactly the profile Tottenham need – a versatile attacker capable of operating centrally or out wide while providing both goals and assists.
Eze’s numbers from last season demonstrate why he’s being viewed as Tottenham’s potential answer to their Christian Eriksen-shaped void:
Eberechi Eze’s Creative Impact (2024/25 Premier League)
| Metric | Per 90 | League Rank (vs AM/Wingers) |
|---|---|---|
| Expected Assisted Goals | 0.22 | Top 31% |
| Assists | 0.28 | Top 21% |
| Through Balls | 0.38 | Top 25% |
| Key Passes | 2.02 | Top 18% |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 4.69 | Top 11% |
| Successful Take-ons | 2.33 | Top 10% |
What makes Eze particularly appealing is his combination of creativity and goal threat. The 27-year-old has scored 10+ goals in each of his last three Premier League campaigns while also creating 17 big chances last season.
His ability to receive the ball between the lines, beat defenders, and pick decisive passes mirrors Eriksen’s best qualities during his Tottenham heyday.
Frank’s system relies heavily on midfielders who can progress the ball and create chances in tight spaces – requirements Eze meets perfectly.
His 2.33 successful take-ons per 90 minutes (placing him in the top 10% of attacking midfielders/wingers) would give Tottenham something they’ve lacked since Eriksen’s departure – a midfielder capable of breaking defensive lines through individual brilliance.
The potential signing comes at a crucial time, with Maddison facing an extended absence due to an ACL injury.
Eze’s versatility means he could slot into multiple roles in Frank’s preferred 4-3-3 system – as a number eight, number ten, or even cutting in from the left flank. This tactical flexibility would allow Frank to rotate his attacking options while maintaining creative output.
At 27, Eze represents both an immediate upgrade and a player entering his prime years. His Premier League experience means he wouldn’t require the adaptation period many overseas signings need, crucial for a Tottenham side looking to challenge on multiple fronts this season.
While the Burnley victory showcased Tottenham’s attacking potential, the addition of a creative hub like Eze could transform them from top-four contenders to genuine title challengers.
His ability to unlock defenses in multiple ways – through passing, dribbling, or shooting – would add a new dimension to Tottenham’s play, particularly in matches where they face deep defensive blocks.
As negotiations enter their final stages, Tottenham fans will hope this deal follows the successful template of their Kudus acquisition rather than becoming another protracted saga.
Securing Eze’s signature would complete an impressive summer rebuild under Frank, addressing the squad’s most glaring weakness while adding another match-winner to an already formidable attacking unit.
The parallels to Eriksen’s signing in 2013 are striking – another creative midfielder arriving from a London rival at a similar age.
If Eze can replicate even half of the Dane’s impact, Tottenham may have found the final piece in their puzzle as they aim to build on last season’s Europa League success.