Tottenham Hotspur find themselves at a fascinating crossroads under Thomas Frank. While the team has shown improved stability and competitiveness since his arrival, particularly in the Premier League and Champions League, there remains a glaring issue in their attacking department.
The creativity that once defined Spurs’ forward play has diminished, leaving their strikers to struggle for service and consistency. With goals drying up and options limited, the club’s search for a long-term solution to their attacking woes continues, and one rising star could soon change everything.
Randal Kolo Muani, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, was brought in to help solve Tottenham’s scoring problems.
However, despite being given consecutive starts in the Premier League, the Frenchman’s impact has been muted. His talent is undeniable, but he has struggled to make his mark amid a lack of creativity and rhythm in Spurs’ attacking play.
Against Chelsea, for example, Kolo Muani touched the ball just 16 times across 76 minutes, creating one chance but failing to register a single shot. It was a frustrating evening for the forward, who looked isolated for long stretches of the match.
Fans and pundits alike have noticed the problem. One content creator summed it up bluntly, saying it “must be absolutely horrible playing up front for this team.” And the data supports that sentiment Tottenham’s lack of creativity has become a major concern.
| Premier League 2025/26 – Expected Goals (xG) Leaders | Goals Scored | xG |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Crystal Palace | 13 | 18.2 |
| (2) Manchester City | 18 | 17.8 |
| (3) Manchester United | 15 | 17.5 |
| (4) Chelsea | 18 | 17.1 |
| (5) Arsenal | 18 | 16.9 |
| (=5) Liverpool | 18 | 16.9 |
| (15) Tottenham | 16 | 10.1 |
Expected Goals (xG) measures the probability of a shot resulting in a goal, and Spurs’ low figure paints a clear picture. They’re simply not creating enough chances. For Kolo Muani, that means limited opportunities to showcase his ability or justify a permanent move when his loan expires.
Tottenham are now faced with the question of whether to stick with the Frenchman or look toward the future and it seems the answer might already be waiting in the wings.
That future could arrive in the form of Mason Melia, one of the most promising young strikers to emerge from Ireland in recent years. Signed by Spurs in early 2025 for a record-breaking £3 million fee the most expensive sale in the history of Ireland’s top division Melia has been earmarked as a player of enormous potential.
Still just 18, he has already racked up 98 senior appearances for St. Patrick’s Athletic, scoring 25 goals and assisting eight more. His 2024/25 campaign saw him score 14 times and register four assists, while his performances for the Republic of Ireland’s U21 side three goals in four appearances further underlined his ability.
Melia’s style of play is what excites Tottenham’s coaching staff most. Confident in front of goal and physically strong, he has the pace and intelligence to drive into dangerous areas without relying heavily on creative service.
That self-sufficiency makes him a potentially valuable asset for a team currently short on ideas in attack. It’s no surprise that The Athletic’s Connor O’Neill described him as “easily the best young talent I have seen in the League of Ireland.”
The teenager’s arrival could mark the beginning of a new era at Tottenham. With both Richarlison and Dominic Solanke failing to establish themselves as consistent goal threats and both approaching their 30s there’s growing belief that Melia could be fast-tracked into the first team once he officially joins in January 2026.
While no one expects him to immediately replace Kolo Muani, history has shown that Spurs have a knack for nurturing young strikers. Harry Kane once emerged from the academy with little fanfare and went on to become one of Europe’s elite forwards.
Melia, of course, has a long way to go before reaching those heights, but the pathway is clear. Tottenham’s current shortage of effective options means that a young, hungry striker with natural finishing instincts could get opportunities sooner than expected.
If he adapts quickly to life in north London, he could realistically push for minutes before the end of the campaign.
For now, Tottenham must navigate their short-term challenges. Thomas Frank’s system has brought structure and balance, but without greater creativity and sharper decision-making in the final third, players like Kolo Muani will continue to struggle.
The team’s attacking rhythm desperately needs a spark and Melia might just be the player capable of providing it.
Should he live up to his potential, Mason Melia could become the next big success story at Tottenham Hotspur, following in the footsteps of Kane and other academy graduates who rose to prominence against the odds.
With his arrival just months away, the young Irishman could soon find himself leading the line for Spurs and perhaps even ending Kolo Muani’s stay in north London before it ever truly takes off.
