Tottenham Hotspur are struggling. The latest misadventure under Thomas Frank‘s wing has only further alienated a desperate fanbase, who voiced their frustrations when Spurs trudged off against Burnley at the weekend with a salvaged point.
Cristan Romero and Micky van de Ven have come up clutch numerous times this year, but it hasn’t been enough to prevent a narrative around Tottenham’s lowly position in the Premier League, swallowed into a relegation tussle for a second successive year.
Context tells you that while Spurs finished 17th last year, they were never truly in danger of the drop, so wide was the gap between them and the bottom three. Now, it’s clear that the north Londoners need to start getting points on the board. West Ham United are 18th but have won twice on the bounce, and that eight-point gap could be slimmed in the coming weeks.
There is not one problem but numerous cruxes for Frank to overcome, but it’s clear that Tottenham need more from their frontline, and this is something that needs fixing before the January window shuts in less than a week.
Spurs leading race for Premier League forward
Tottenham need to refresh their attacking ranks – fast. Dominic Solanke has returned from injury and brings with him a strong focal presence. Against Burnley, though, he looked rusty.
Richarlison is out injured, and Randal Kolo Muani has struggled since joining the Lilywhites from Paris Saint-Germain on loan last summer.
While creative problems form central parts of the club’s struggles, the strikers need to be offering more, bringing energy and passion and dynamism.
According to Caught Offside, ENIC Group have identified Manchester City star Omar Marmoush as the man to provide an upgrade at number nine.
Alongside Aston Villa, Spurs are leading the race for the Egyptian striker, who has played second fiddle to Erling Haaland this season.
He’s only been in Pep Guardiola’s squad for one year, but Marmoush will not have envisaged such a sideshow role, and the aforementioned report claims that he is interested in moving somewhere else.
Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are contesting for the 26-year-old’s signature, with the latter preparing a €30m (£26m) offer, but the player’s preference is to remain in the Premier League.
Why Marmoush would finish Kolo Muani at Spurs
Would it be unfair to say that Kolo Muani looks disinterested in a Tottenham shirt? It wouldn’t be unfair to say there have been moments that the Frenchman could have worked harder, chased down a loose ball, taken more time before striking at goal.
It hardly seems likely that he will ply his trade in Tottenham colours next season, thus opening a space for Marmoush to shift into. The Egyptian, after all, was hailed as “one of the best strikers in the world” by content creator and German football expert Fiago.
With Juventus thought to have made contact with PSG regarding a potential loan for Kolo Muani, who impressed in Italy across the second half of last season, the right cogs could fall into place for Spurs to sign an exciting upgrade.
Like Kolo Muani, Marmoush’s athleticism lends itself to different positional roles. In this, he would provide a perfect counterpoint to Solanke, who is more fixed as a powerful focal presence.
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Omar Marmoush – Career Stats by Position |
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|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Apps |
Goals + Assists |
|
Centre-forward |
162 |
60 + 25 |
|
Left winger |
34 |
11 + 6 |
|
Attacking midfield |
22 |
7 + 4 |
|
Right winger |
15 |
0 + 0 |
|
Data via Transfermarkt |
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It could be said that the Man City man shares properties with Kolo Muani, and that he’s already proved himself capable of more in the Premier League. Last season, he posted seven goals from 14 starts in the Premier League, missing only three big chances and creating eight chances for his teammates.
That’s the kind of breadth that Spurs are lacking from their attacking players. For sure, Kolo Muani has failed to offer that, and his struggles down N17 have been exacerbated by a perceived lack of commitment.
Marmoush, a “superstar”, according to Manchester City writer Radu Christian, has the flair to match the tenacity. He is the real deal and worth pursuing, especially when considering Aston Villa have a vested interest themselves, and his signature would only make Unai Emery’s side stronger as they look to disrupt the big six hegemony.
Several things need to happen if Marmoush is to play for Tottenham this time next week, but if shown a glimmer of hope, ENIC must pounce. They have to.
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