Neil Ruddock backs Cody Gakpo to thrive alongside James Maddison in Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham system.
Tottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi is intensifying efforts to bolster his frontline before the summer transfer window slams shut. Sporting director Johan Lange has already committed approximately £230 million on new arrivals during the current window, securing three defenders, two midfielders, and a goalkeeper, but Spurs have yet to finalize a major attacking signing.
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has emerged as a primary candidate on Tottenham’s shortlist alongside Manchester City winger Savinho and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush. Valued at £51.3 million by Transfermarkt, the 27-year-old Netherlands international possesses the technical ball-playing quality and tactical versatility needed to elevate North London’s frontline.
Former Tottenham and Liverpool defender Neil Ruddock believes signing Gakpo would represent an ideal tactical fit for De Zerbi’s system, tipping the Liverpool forward to form a devastating tandem with playmaker James Maddison. Speaking to iGaming, Ruddock explained that positioning Maddison in a central number 10 role alongside Gakpo could replicate the famous partnership previously shared by Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli during Tottenham’s peak years:
“Given Spurs’ current trajectory, he fits their profile. Both Liverpool and Tottenham are flair teams that value technical ball-players, so stylistically it would be an easy transition. If James Maddison drops back to the number 10 role and links up with him, it could mirror that Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli partnership from years ago. Dele flourished because Eriksen was constantly feeding him assists.”
Ruddock acknowledged that while Tottenham still require a natural number nine, Gakpo’s discipline, work rate, and ability to operate across multiple attacking positions make him a seamless addition to De Zerbi’s tactical setup.
De Zerbi’s Aggressive Pursuit Before the Deadline
De Zerbi has maintained constant pressure on Tottenham hierarchy to complete his attacking options before the September deadline. During the club’s pre-season tour of Australia, the Italian manager stressed that adding top-level attackers was essential to launching his project and increasing the team’s overall goal output. Describing his relentless approach to transfer negotiations, De Zerbi emphasized his drive to secure primary targets, declaring that when he wants a player, he becomes like a shark with no chance for sellers to say no.
With time running out before the transfer window closes, securing Gakpo would fulfill De Zerbi’s mandate for proven attacking quality. Combining Gakpo’s positional intelligence with Maddison’s creative vision would provide Tottenham with the decisive firepower necessary to compete at the highest level in the Premier League.