Tottenham Hotspur must sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze this summer after his standout display on Sunday, and here is why.
Every Tottenham Hotspur fan could see it coming. The team’s recent form has been nothing short of disastrous, and their Premier League run-in suggested a collapse that might have ended with them barely above the relegation zone, potentially finishing 17th with 20 defeats to their name.
Things hit a new low at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Crystal Palace stunned the home crowd, scoring twice to secure their first-ever league double over Spurs in Premier League history, handing the Lilywhites their 20th defeat of the league campaign.
At the heart of that defeat was Eberechi Eze. The English midfielder scored both goals on Sunday, dismantling Tottenham with flair and composure, in a way that only a top-level talent could.
Tottenham have been tracking Eberechi Eze for quite some time, with whispers of interest growing louder over the past few transfer windows. Yet, no formal move has materialised, and that might need to change this summer.
Tottenham must make Eberechi Eze a summer priority
It would be easy to dismiss calls for Spurs to sign Eberechi Eze as a knee-jerk reaction to Sunday’s defeat.
However, anyone who has watched the midfielder closely this season knows that his display against Tottenham was just the latest chapter in what has been a superb campaign.
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Across all competitions, Eze has scored 12 goals and provided 12 assists – numbers that underline his consistency and impact.
He has not just caught the eye on the pitch, but also earned high praise off it. Former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew even went as far as to name Eze among the top 10 players in the Premier League.
The former Palace boss also suggested that Eberechi Eze might bypass Tottenham and aim higher, hinting at a possible move to a so-called bigger club.
But Spurs are no small fish – should they go on to lift the Europa League and secure UEFA Champions League football for next season, they immediately become a more appealing option for a player of Eze’s calibre.
Spurs cannot afford to ignore Eze’s quality and fit
Tottenham Hotspur are crying out for a player like Eze. Injuries to James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall have left the side devoid of natural creativity, and it has shown in recent matches.
There is a clear need for someone who can unlock defences, beat a man and deliver end product – boxes that Eze all ticks.
His ability to both score and create is rare, and his numbers back it up. He is entering his prime, and a move now would give Spurs a player to build around for the next five to seven years.
His versatility is also a huge bonus. While he thrives as a number ten, Eze can comfortably operate from the left, offering Tottenham tactical flexibility that could prove invaluable over a long, demanding campaign.
Tottenham may be frontrunners in the race to sign Eberechi Eze, but they are not alone. Manchester United are also in the frame to sign the Palace midfielder, and both clubs’ stuttering league campaigns have added extra weight to the upcoming Europa League final.