Tottenham Hotspur have endured a difficult opening to the season, remaining without a win from their first three Premier League fixtures despite a summer outlay exceeding £400 million. Both new arrivals and established squad members have struggled to deliver the required output, leaving Roberto De Zerbi under early pressure.
Left-Flank Concerns Persist Despite Big Spending
Mathys Tel has borne the brunt of criticism among Spurs’ attacking options, but the club’s failure to land Cody Gakpo or Iliman Ndiaye before the transfer deadline left a genuine gap in quality and depth down the left. That shortfall ultimately pushed Tottenham towards a deadline-day loan swoop for Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who has joined on a season-long deal for the 2026/27 campaign.
According to reports, Spurs could look to make the move permanent next year, with a non-mandatory buy option believed to be worth around £75 million included in the loan terms, provided Mudryk shows enough during his time at the club.
Is Mudryk Worth the Investment?
Having been sidelined for close to two years following a doping case, Mudryk faces a genuine test to rediscover his best form. At 25, and having already found Premier League football difficult to master before his suspension, it’s fair to question how much value a permanent switch would truly add for Tottenham.
Regaining rhythm and sharpness after such a long absence rarely happens overnight, and for a player who hadn’t fully justified his price tag at Chelsea, committing £75 million feels like a considerable gamble. Spurs might well find more consistent end product elsewhere in the market for similar money.
De Zerbi, who worked with Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk, clearly believes in his potential to influence games with his pace and directness. Whether that translates into performances sharp enough to justify a permanent switch remains to be seen when Tottenham host Everton on matchday five.