Over the last couple of years, Tottenham Hotspur haven’t been afraid to splash the cash in the transfer market, in an attempt to try and achieve Premier League glory.
The Lilywhites have a net spend of over £500m in the last five years alone, a figure which puts them fourth out of any team in the division for the same time period.
Daniel Levy was often criticised for his lack of spending in North London, but it’s clear that the 63-year-old did financially back various managers during his two decades at the club.
However, it’s clear in the modern game that money doesn’t equal success – especially in the Premier League – with numerous players often failing to live up to their big-money transfer fees.
The likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Roberto Soldado and Steven Bergwijn have all cost a pretty penny in recent years – with many of them leaving North London in deals much lower than what they arrived for.
In 2025/26, Thomas Frank has a couple of examples already within his first-team ranks, with two of his players arguably going down as some of their additions in recent history.
Richarlison & Simons’ form for Spurs in PL during 2025/26
Back in the summer of 2022, Spurs forked out a staggering £60m, including add-ons, for the signature of Richarlison from fellow Premier League side Everton.
Undoubtedly, given the nature of the transfer fee, his transfer generated huge excitement among the supporters in North London, but over three years on from his transfer – it’s safe to say it’s been a disaster.
The Brazilian has registered a total of 108 appearances for the Lilywhites, but has only scored 24 times – with half of his efforts coming in 2023/24 alone.
However, Frank has kept faith in the 28-year-old this season, but he’s failed to return the favour, as seen by his measly conversion rate of just 21% in the Premier League this season.
He’s also missed six big chances in his 11 outings to date, often being a wasteful option in attacking areas and falling way below the standards expected of a £60m addition.
Richarlison isn’t the only big-money addition to struggle under the Dane’s guidance this season, with Xavi Simons also unable to match the expectations many placed on him after his own move to North London.
The Dutch international, who cost a total of £52m in the summer, has racked up a total of 14 appearances across all competitions, but has only registered two assists in such a period.
The attacking midfielder is yet to find the back of the net, but has also struggled to provide the creative nature many would have expected, given the nature of the fee.
Simons has only achieved a total of 0.8 chances completed per 90, whilst also only completing 38% of the dribbles he’s attempted – showcasing his inability to impress with the ball at his feet.
He’s also only registered a tally of 0.17 shots on target per 90, a figure which ranks him in the bottom 14% of all attackers in the division – further highlighting his lack of quality in the final third.
The Spurs star who’s becoming their worst signing in recent history
After Spurs’ measly 17th-placed finish in the Premier League last season, Frank was always going to have a huge task on his hands to push the club back in the right direction.
The Dane has settled on a 4-3-3 system over recent weeks, but it still appears as though he’s yet to figure out his best starting eleven – as seen against Manchester United last weekend.
He utilised Richarlison in a wide-left position, leaving the likes of Wilson Odobert on the bench – with such a decision undoubtedly costing the side all three points in North London.
The Brazilian has mainly struggled to take the responsibility of leading the line for the Lilywhites, with Randal Kolo Muani also yet to find the back of the net after his loan move on deadline day.
However, the manager has been unable to call upon Dominic Solanke during the vast majority of his time at the club, with the Englishman massively struggling with constant injury setbacks.
The 28-year-old cost a club-record £65m from Bournemouth last summer, with his signature providing the side with the replacement to Harry Kane they were crying out for.
It has not all been plain sailing for the striker, with his tally of just nine goals in the Premier League throughout his debut campaign ultimately falling way below the standards many expected.
Other figures, such as 71% passes completed and just 33% aerials won last season, showcase his inability to operate as a target man – often struggling to offer an imposing figure at the top end of the pitch.
However, Frank’s arrival in North London will have given the talisman a new lease of life, but as seen by his recent setbacks, he’s so far been unable to make the desired effect under the Dane.
Games played
27
Goals scored
9
Pass accuracy
71%
Shots on target
0.9
Chances created
0.5
Dribble success
35%
Aerials won
33%
Fouls committed
1.5
Solanke has been suffering continuously with an ankle issue over recent months, subsequently undergoing surgery that has kept him on the sidelines for an extended period.
He’s not featured since the 2-0 triumph over Manchester City on the 23rd of August, with the Englishman subsequently missing a total of 81 days of first-team action.
As a result of his fitness issues, he’s only accumulated a total of 31 minutes of league action this campaign – an unacceptable tally given the fee forked out for his signature.
Solanke has only racked up 29 league appearances for the Lilywhites in his near 18-month stint at the club, something which is nowhere near the level expected given the mammoth price tag paid for his services.
In that time, he’s also managed to register a goal in every three matches, with Solanke so far being unable to fill the boots vacated by Kane a couple of years prior to his move.
Given his transfer fee and lack of form in North London, the 28-year-old has so far been a huge waste of money, with a new centre-forward desperately needed in the near future if Frank is to be a success at the club.
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