If there was a sequence to sum up the first month or so of Tottenham Hotspur's season, it was Omar Marmoush's loose touch just after the 30-minute mark in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa.
The Villans had made the egregious mistake of setting a high defensive line without pressure on the ball at the top of the pitch. Jan Paul van Hecke made them pay, picking out the Egyptian's darting run between Villa's two centre-backs with a pinpoint pass.
But Marmoush, who scored from similar situations at the very start of his Manchester City career, allowed his first touch to escape him. Instead of setting up a one-on-one with Zion Suzuki, who may well have denied the Spurs loanee given his form on the day, the Japanese was grateful to collect Marmoush's heavy reception.
It was a sequence that showcased Spurs' ability to progress upfield, and generate moments. As Van Hecke's pass perfectly arched towards the welcoming boot of the Egyptian, Spurs supporters, for just a split second, dreamt of utopia. Our first Premier League goal of the season beckoned; no longer would we have to play from behind.
Who knows what the mood would be in N17 this week had Marmoush scored his first goal for the club, handing the hosts a just lead against a Villa team that eventually capitalised on the fatalism that's once again swallowing the Lilywhites whole.
Roberto De Zerbi's Omar Marmoush profiling is an issue
Marmoush has joined the club on an initial loan before signing permanently next summer. He's essentualy part of a double swoop with Sávio, eventually setting the club back more than £135m.
Unaided by Erling Haaland's presence, Marmoush couldn't quite carve out a role for himself at the Etihad Stadium, but is by no means bereft of talent. The 27-year-old is a slick sharpshooter, but De Zerbi has his work cut out in terms of profiling the Egyptian correctly.
When a manager talks about a new signing, they might offer insight into where they can see them starring in their framework. De Zerbi, though, just highlighted Marmoush's "incredible attacking quality", as well as his "pace, intelligence and threat in front of goal".
The Italian doesn't yet know how to maximise the Egyptian. He's been used off the left, and also as a fluid No. 9. He's probably neither of these things, which is a worry, and De Zerbi is hoping that the player's talent wins out. Put enough gifted players on the same pitch and they'll figure it out, right?
During his most prolific period at Eintracht Frankfurt, Marmoush worked in great harmony alongside Hugo Ekitiké. He primarily operated from the right half-space, while Ekitiké worked from the opposite zone. They developed a great rapport, and got the best out of each other. The pair were Premier League-bound in 2025.
Marmoush is thus crying out for a partner in crime, but Dominic Solanke's wretched start to the season suggests he's not yet ready to be the Clyde to Bonnie Marmoush. Still, there's hope that Solanke, who dealt with an ankle injury in preseason, works his way to a level recognisable from his debut season.
Then, De Zerbi may consider a strike partnership. However, with James Maddison to fit into this team after the break, it seems more likely that Marmoush will continue either as a No. 9, where he offered promise at Anfield, or down the left flank, which could prove fruitful if Destiny Udogie is surging up the touchline.
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