One must preface reviews of players new to the English top flight with the caveat that very few new arrivals tend to hit the ground running. Some fans have called for the loan to be cut short. Some feel that patience is required. Let’s have a balanced look at Randal Kolo Muani, as I suspect, as ever, the truth may be somewhere in the middle!
Mixed initial fan reaction
In his first eight appearances for Tottenham across all competitions, Kolo Muani has yet to score but has recorded one assist. Kolo has shown promise as a dynamic, versatile forward capable of playing centrally or wide, often described as a handful to play against.
Fans and pundits highlighted his impact in matches like the November win over Chelsea, where he was one of Spurs’ standout performers despite limited support.
Manager Frank noted in early November that Kolo Muani was “taking steps in the right direction” fitness-wise, but not yet “fully firing.” Some supporters have even adapted chants for him, celebrating his arrival as a fresh loan option in attack.
Social media has been its usual helpful self.
Detractors have labelled him a “£80m disaster” on loan, citing fluffed chances (e.g., 1v1s vs. Arsenal and Man City), a 28% duel win rate, and being benched despite the hype, from “World Cup hero to Tottenham joke.”
Another injury to deal with
Kolo Muani’s progress was halted on November 9, 2025, during Tottenham’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford. He suffered a jaw injury in a first-half collision with defender Harry Maguire, forcing his substitution at half-time for Wilson Odobert.
Initial scans revealed a fractured jaw, raising fears of a 6-8 week absence or longer if surgery was required. However, after examination by a specialist on November 10, he was cleared to avoid surgery, a major boost for both club and player. Club medics are optimistic about an earlier return than initially feared, though no exact timeline has been confirmed; he is expected to wear a protective mask upon resuming training and matches. This was a player who arrived, rather frustratingly, with a ‘dead leg’.
The Athletic says that as of November 12, 2025, he remains sidelined, with Tottenham monitoring his recovery closely ahead of key fixtures like the north London derby against Arsenal on November 23 and a Champions League clash with PSG.
Conclusions:
Positive scan updates post-Man Utd suggest quicker return potential, but perhaps also opening doors for academy prospects like Will Lankshear.