Tottenham have been really hard to nail down so far this season. Currently in fifth place, their league position would imply they’re doing well, but when you watch them, it’s clear that something is missing.
Thomas Frank has done a lot of good things since replacing Ange Postecoglou. Spurs are no longer a complete basket case defensively and their set pieces are second only in quality to North London rivals Arsenal.
With that being said, they don’t create as much as they should, and their lack of a top-quality number nine is holding them back. Spurs have since been linked with Ivan Toney, and here is why the 29-year-old would be a good option.
A known quantity with a point to prove
Toney raised plenty of eyebrows when he swapped Brentford for Saudi Arabia while reportedly having offers from some bigger Premier League sides, but he’s become one of the league’s most prolific strikers with 41 goals in his 59 games.
Beyond Harry Kane, Thomas Tuchel and England don’t exactly have a wealth of striker options, and with a potential place at next year’s World Cup, that would likely play a key role in Toney’s decision to return to his home country or not.
With all due respect to the Saudi Pro League, Toney will doubtless want to prove that he can still do it at the highest level. The Premier League is a completely different beast; playing for a top side in England would be a natural progression for Toney.
Perhaps most importantly, Toney already has a strong relationship with Frank and bags of Premier League experience. It may sound like a bit of a cliché, but having someone come in who already knows how you want to play can be hugely positive.
What would Ivan Toney bring to Tottenham?
Firstly, Toney is a proven goal scorer, something Tottenham haven’t had since Kane left in 2023, and it cannot be understated how rare that is in the modern game. In his best Premier League season, 2022-23, only Kane and Erling Haaland scored more than his 21 goals.
Admittedly, his final season in the Premier League wasn’t particularly impressive, scoring just four goals and providing two assists in 17 games, but a series of injuries kept him from building any real momentum during that campaign and he also faced a long-term ban for breaching gambling rules.
He also provided a focal point that the likes of Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, and Randal Kolo Muani don’t, using his physicality to bring teammates into play and occupying defenders to allow them to affect the game more.
Someone like Xavi Simons would benefit hugely from having Toney in the side. The Dutchman has struggled to make much of an impact so far, but with all eyes on Toney, he would be able to operate in those half spaces more without as much pressure.
What are Tottenham’s current options?
It’s been a bit of a circus up front for Tottenham so far this season. Solanke is still out with a seemingly never-ending ankle injury, with little indication from the club that he’s going to return any time soon. Reports are also suggesting that Frank doesn’t rate him anyway.
Richarlison is the man who’s been starting more often than not and has done well with four goals and two assists in his 11 Premier League appearances. But, after initially impressing, particularly with a brace against Burnley, his form has dropped.
Finally, there is Kolo Muani. The Frenchman joined on loan from PSG in the summer but is yet to score a single goal, with his only goal contribution coming in the form of an assist in their 4-0 Champions League win over FC Copenhagen.
It’s hardly a who’s who of top strikers Frank has at his disposal.
Verdict
Toney would undoubtedly be an improvement on the options that Tottenham currently have. The only real question is how long it would take him to get used to the pace of the Premier League after over a year away.
It’s not a long-term solution, however, and Spurs will have to go back in for another striker in the not-so-distant future, while having to spend a decent amount of money on Toney. Still, a top forward can be the difference between qualifying for the Champions League or not.
Spurs face Arsenal in the north London derby on Sunday, November 23rd.