To Dare Is To Do. Tottenham Hotspur supporters are strict adherents to this way of football, and so they are at odds with Thomas Frank, given his pragmatic tactical identity.
Though it's been another frustrating campaign for Spurs, it's worth remembering that the 2024/25 campaign, for all the struggle, ended with a flourish after Manchester United were beaten in the Europa League final.
There has been something of a clamour for a new centre-forward, with all of Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke all struggling in different ways, but it is a dearth of creativity that is the true crux of Frank's struggle, and ENIC Group are consequently prepared to invest in a playmaker this month.
Spurs lining up playmaker in January
Brennan Johnson's sale to Crystal Palace had been in the works for a while, but Mohammed Kudus picked up a hamstring injury during Tottenham's recent draw against Sunderland, thus putting a spanner in the works.
The Ghanaian winger has been one of the brighter sparks down N17 this season, having joined from West Ham United for £55m during the summer. His haul of five assists places him fifth in the Premier League playmaking charts.
But Kudus is not a natural ball-playing creative, and that's why the Lilywhites have identified an exciting new attacking midfielder.
According to TEAMtalk, Spurs representatives have made checks on AS Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche, who has a price tag of £50m and is also being chased by Manchester City, Newcastle United and a host of further European suitors.
Tottenham scouts have been in attendance at some of Akliouche's games of late, and club-to-club talks were held last summer, so the groundwork has been completed if the Londoners now want to push and get the deal done.
Why Akliouche would be perfect for Spurs
Akliouche, 23, has become an increasingly important presence for Monaco in recent years, scoring 19 goals and supplying 22 assists across 119 senior appearances since graduating from their famed youth academy.
This season, he has scored three goals and supplied five assists from 23 fixtures in all competitions, with his artistry on the ball leading talent scout Jacek Kulig to hail him as a "magician" who has a "left foot made of gold".
He is not blessed with Kudus' electric pace, but the five-cap Les Bleus star has showcased his technicality and athleticism in the Champions League this season, ranking among the top 10% of positional peers for progressive passes and the top 19% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
Moreover, he has created seven big chances from only 15 starts in Ligue 1 this season, thus underscoring a level of flair on the ball that could help lift Tottenham away from their playmaking rut.
Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability of a shot resulting in a goal.
While Tottenham chiefs may want to sign a snappier winger after Johnson's departure - and Kudus' injury - this might be an opportunity that is too good to pass, with his particular skillset seemingly fit to dovetail into the system and instantly provide relief in the club's attacking play.
Kudus is a fantastic player, almost one-of-a-kind in his ability to dart past opponents and wreak havoc in and around the danger area.
But he's not a natural playmaker, and that's why Akliouche could prove an upgrade on him down the right, given the glaring deficiencies down N17 right now.
Akliouche is still at the start of a promising career, and having established himself as a future superstar in his homeland, Tottenham should take a punt and add to Frank's squad the kind of creative talent who could make a real, lasting difference.