Tottenham Hotspur have been looking to strengthen their roster in the ongoing summer transfer window, and we are seeing Daniel Levy compile the transfer targets along the offseason with the Lilywhites Eberechi Eze with some of the biggest names in world football at the moment, and one of those names is Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze.
The Lilywhites have done a lot of homework into securing his signature, and everything pointed towards Daniel Levy getting his man, but then the noisy neighbours interfered again as Arsenal tried to secure personal terms with their once-academy starlet before sitting down with the Eagles to agree upon a fee.
And given the Gunners project and where they are under Mikel Arteta at the moment, it wouldn’t be surprising if Eze chooses to move to his boyhood club instead.
Potential Eze alternatives that Levy can consider
But if Tottenham are to miss out on Eze, what then? So we take a look at the three possible options that Thomas Frank could end up considering, given he is looking for someone who gives you that same amount of ball-carrying ability with that final-third threat and tactical intelligence that Eze brings to the table.
Bringing that Ajax tactical capacity with Kudus
Mohammed Kudus is one of the most versatile players in the Premier League, and given his Ajax schooling, he is also one of the most technical forwards in the English top tier. So Levy can test West Ham United’s resolve with some tempting bids for the 24-year-old.
Bringing Kudus means he will give you that explosive ball-carrying ability, and he is someone who is really good at operating in tight spaces and bursting himself past those midfield lines, which is very much like Eze. And then he also gives you the same goal threat as the Crystal Palace man and possibly more versatility, given how the Hammers ace can play as a #10, winger, or second striker.
And Kudus is someone who is quite deadly when it comes to transitions (something that Frank would love given his system), and then he also has that elite pressing ability, which is also ideal to play in a mid-block system.
The 24-year-old Ajax graduate also enables fluid rotations with Maddison and Son (if the latter ends up staying at Tottenham).
Bringing that La Masia elegance in Xavi Simons
While he took his first steps into the senior game at PSG, Simons has always been highly rated since he was at Barcelona’s prestigious La Masia academy. And he has already been eyed at N17 as Daniel Levy looks to make him a possible marquee arrival.
The 22-year-old Dutch international has that exceptional close control complemented by his vision and acceleration, which could bring a lot of technical elegance at Hotspur Way. And then his ball progression style is very much like Eze’s.
Simons also gives you that high-end product given his explosive season in the Bundesliga, and then he has this strong off-the-ball awareness as well, which will be critical every time Tottenham are sitting in a block.
Bringing him to N17, Simons would slot seamlessly into the Dane head coach’s system as a free-roaming 8 or even as an inverted winger.
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Get an underrated Lovro Majer through the doors
We know how Daniel Levy likes to pick up underrated options and bring them through the doors at N17, and the Wolfsburg midfielder will be one of those if he is being considered by the chiefs at Hotspur Way. He is one of those silky ball carriers who boasts excellent close control with the ball and has that vision and weight of pass.
He is also really good at transitional opportunities, which will blend through under Frank. And he can play in the #8 as well as in a #10 role and is someone who is quite comfortable linking the midfield with attack.
I think that he does have a very similar progressive threat like Eze and could be an underrated option if Tottenham cannot sign the Crystal Palace man.