Breaking down potential signings for Tottenham front line

With the arrival of Johan Lange from Aston Villa to replace Fabio Paritici as Technical Director beginning November 1st, a new door has opened for potential signings. The summer 2023 transfer window kept Spurs fans on quite the emotional rollercoaster.

The last-minute exit of Harry Kane left supporters stunned, and the plan to offload the excess of reserve team players was unsuccessful.

Nevertheless, the incomings have proved outstanding, with James Maddison making an impact all over the pitch, Micky Van de Ven scoring match winners, and Guglielmo Vicario nabbing three clean sheets amongst incredible saves and his technical ability on the ball.

In some areas, however, there remains little depth and reliability, especially in the striker role. Richarlison, for example, continues to be inconsistent, with only one league goal to his name this season.

The addition of Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forrest was an exciting one, as the young player could have some great years of football ahead. That being said, Johnson serves a more versatile role with his ability to play as a 10, and really anywhere across the frontline.

The long-term vision of finding a prolific, league-proven striker at the helm has yet to be actualized. This could change, however, with the new addition of Johan Lange to Spurs’ technical staff.

Ollie Watkins

Lange has played an integral role over the past few years working at Aston Villa, and most notably in his ability to bring in English phenom Ollie Watkins. Some reports have looked into the possibility of this move for Watkins (and other Villa players) who is now 27 and has proven highly efficient as a number nine, scoring 10+ goals in each of his three previous campaigns as a Premier League player.

Unfortunately, however, the player has just recently signed a new five-year deal at the club, leaving the possibility of the move little to none.

Ivan Toney

Spurs were linked with Brentford’s Ivan Toney over the summer, and they could make a move for the player next window with his ban on play to be resolved by mid-January.

Toney, like Watkins, has seen league play for years and could fit nicely into Ange’s lineup with his critical finishing ability inside the box, a trait that is still left to be desired in some of our players.

Gift Orban

Spurs were previously linked with a move for the talented Nigerian who is currently playing for Gent in the Belgian Pro League.

This signing, similar to Johnson’s, would be a speculative one with a hope of greater future payoffs. Orban has yet to prove himself at higher levels, but with his addition, Ange could further strengthen his current strategy of rotating 5-6 players in and out of the front three.

The Bottom Line

Hopefully, with a new recruitment strategy, Lange will be able to address the hole that Ange will be hoping to shore up as soon as possible. Equally as important in the recruitment of a prolific striker is that of further depth in the back.

Romero and VDV have proved exceptional in their roles, but have played nearly every minute of every match. As such, we have yet to see if our substitutes would be able to meet the standards of Ange ball, which requires decisive passing in dangerous areas, leaving the room for error minuscule.

Want your voice heard? Join the Hotspur HQ team!

Write for us!

Lange is entering a Tottenham that has just seen their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign, and hopefully, he can support Ange and his boys in a way that will allow them to continue such a strong streak.