Spurs must rue letting their huge flop leave for £0, he’s now similar to a £100m star

Daniel Levy has faced mounting criticism from Tottenham Hotspur supporters in recent years, with protests taking place before matches as frustration grows over his ownership.

Fans have campaigned for change, seeking a new owner who can push the club toward Premier League glory, a demand justified by the state-of-the-art facilities available in North London.

A key issue has been Levy’s perceived reluctance to invest sufficiently in the squad, with the current injury crisis exposing Tottenham’s lack of depth and raising questions about whether more should have been done to support Ange Postecoglou.

Despite these challenges, Postecoglou has handled the situation admirably, guiding the team through difficult spells and proving his capability when given a full-strength squad.

While Levy has faced backlash, he has demonstrated a willingness to spend in certain situations. However, the effectiveness of his big-money investments remains debatable.

His most recent record-breaking signing came last summer when Tottenham spent £65 million on Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth, bringing in the striker as a direct replacement for Harry Kane.

Solanke made an immediate impact, registering 17 combined goals and assists in his first 29 games, but a knee injury in January stalled his progress.

The 27-year-old’s arrival came after Richarlison struggled to cement his place as Tottenham’s main striker. The Brazilian, who cost £50 million from Everton, has scored just 18 goals in three seasons, making him one of Levy’s more questionable signings.

However, Richarlison isn’t the only high-profile player to fail to justify a massive transfer fee at Tottenham. Another player, once seen as a marquee signing, only showed glimpses of his ability before fading into obscurity.

Tanguy Ndombele, signed from Lyon in 2019 for £63 million, was once Tottenham’s most expensive player before Solanke’s arrival. Expectations were high when the French midfielder joined, but he struggled to deliver consistently.

Across three seasons, he made 91 appearances but failed to establish himself as a key player. Loan spells at Napoli and Galatasaray followed before Tottenham terminated his contract, allowing him to leave for free last summer.

Although he showed flashes of brilliance, such as his stunning goal against Sheffield United, concerns over his attitude and fitness ultimately led to his exit.

Since departing, Ndombele has revived his career in France with Nice, demonstrating the talent that once made him such a sought-after player. His performances have drawn comparisons to Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, a player who previously had a £100 million release clause.

When comparing their performances in the 2024/25 season, Ndombele has matched or outperformed Guimarães in several key areas, proving his resurgence.

Seeing Ndombele rediscover his form after a difficult period in North London raises questions about whether Tottenham should have been more patient with him.

Given the club’s recent injury struggles, some fans may now regret his departure, as he possesses the technical ability to provide depth in midfield. While Tottenham continues its push for success under Postecoglou, the debate over Levy’s spending and decision-making will persist, with fans hoping that future investments yield better long-term results.