Tottenham are ‘daft’ to pass up the prospect to sign Jack Grealish this summer, says Troy Deeney.
The talkSPORT pundit says the Spurs squad still needs major surgery to be competitive this season – particularly after losing two key first-team players.
Latest manager Thomas Frank was dealt a serious blow this week, with news he might be without starting No.10 and vice captain James Maddison for your entire campaign.
The England midfielder suffered an ACL injury in a pre-season game against Newcastle in South Korea, and is now set for surgery before an extended rehab process.
The identical game also saw the ultimate ever appearance of Heung-min Son in a Tottenham shirt, with the club captain leaving the north London club after ten years to sign for LA FC in Major League Soccer.
While Spurs haven’t exactly been quiet within the transfer window, fans predict various major arrivals before the September 1 deadline – little doubt Frank will, too.
Mohammed Kudus has arrived from West Ham in a deal value £55m, while Mathys Tel’s loan from Bayern Munich was made everlasting to spice up their attacking options.
Joao Palhinha has also arrived on loan from Bayern to bolster the midfielder, while Kevin Danso’s loan from Lens was became a full-time deal, and young defenders Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai have also arrived.
As for outgoings, Tottenham made around £19.3million [an MLS-record $26m fee] on Son, in addition to around £17m in a deal to sell Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Marseille.
But after losing Maddison to major injury and in addition missing out on top goal Morgan Gibbs-White, who u-turned on his wish to go away Nottingham Forest to then sign a brand new contract on the City Ground, Deeney insists they need more.
Grealish has been strongly linked with a move to White Hart Lane this summer, although the club has since distanced themselves from a possible move for the Man City outcast.
And Deeney can’t understand why, saying it might be a ‘perfect’ fit.
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“With Maddison taking place, they’ve to take a look at that No.10,” the previous Premier League striker told talkSPORT.
“I still think it’s an ideal landing spot for Jack Grealish, personally. I feel it’s an exquisite landing spot.
“We’re being told Tottenham have played down their interest in Jack, but you are talking about someone who has won.
“Whatever people need to say about Jack, he’s been at City, he’s used to winning, he knows the extent, knows the usual, and he’s an upgrade on every thing Tottenham have gotten there.
“Maddison won’t play this season they usually have missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White.
“So the undeniable fact that they’re playing their interest in Jack Grealish down, to me, is daft.”
Tottenham’s 2025 summer transfer window
IN:
Mohammed Kudus – £55m (West Ham)
Mathys Tel – £30m (Bayern Munich)
Kavin Danso – £21m (Lens)
Luka Vuskovic – £12m (Hajduk Split)
Kota Takai – £5m (Kawasaki Frontale)
Joao Palhinha – LOAN (Bayern Munich)
OUT:
Heung-min Son – £19.3m (LA FC)
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – £17m (Marseille)
Mikey Moore – LOAN (Rangers)
Alfie Devine – LOAN (Preston)
Min-hyeok Yang – LOAN (Portsmouth)
Alejo Veliz – LOAN (Rosario Central)
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Midfield needs work
Doubts have been raised over Spurs’ move for Palhinha, considering his lack of normal motion at Bayern Munich following his move from Fulham, where he established himself as considered one of the highest midfielders within the country.
Deeney doesn’t share those doubts, insisting he immediately upgrades Tottenham’s midfield, but admits they still lack balance in the center.
“Tottenham have to work out what that midfield looks like, and I do not think Paulinho is a raffle,” he said.
“Once we’ve done Spurs games I’ve at all times been anxious about their midfield. I do not know who their holder is, who their enforcer is. I feel what you are getting with Paulinho. He’s proper.
“I get that he hasn’t played as much and he is not in that vein of form, but I do not think he’s put any miles on the clock in Germany and he’s not injured.
“He’s an important player and in my view he’s an upgrade on Rodrigo Bentancur.”
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Ok for Champions League?
Tottenham’s Europa League victory booked them a spot on this season’s Champions League, but are they able to return to Europe’s top table?
The honest answer is, in keeping with Deeney, no. Not currently.
The previous Watford star added: “I feel it’s a very difficult time for Spurs – can this team compete within the Champions League?
“You take a look at the 2 centre-halves, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, in the event that they’re fit and available, that is solid. That is very, superb. But are they fit and available enough?
“You then’ve got Radu Dragusin, who’s already injured, and Kevin Danso. He’s done nothing improper, but he was going to Wolves last yr. Let’s call it because it is. He was going to Wolves for a reason.
“Should you needed to play those two within the Champions League game, I feel you are in trouble.
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“The total-backs are questionable. Where’s Jed Spence going to play? Is he going to be your primary? Is Pedro Poro going to be your primary right-back? I’m undecided.
“The goalkeeper, I’m definitely undecided on, personally.
“And what’s going to occur with Richarlison? Since it was thought he was leaving.
“It should be really difficult for Thomas Frank, because he cannot move anyone out because nobody desires to buy these players due to their injury records – numerous Spurs players were injured last yr – 13 at one point.
“And since they will’t get the players out, he can’t get the folks that he wants in, so he’s probably going to must work with what he’s got.”