Tottenham told to sign midfielder with 34 Premier League goals who is better than James Maddison

Jamie O’Hara has weighed in on whether it would be worthwhile for Tottenham Hotspur to spend big on Eberechi Eze, amidst reports that the North London side are willing to pay a club-record transfer fee for the Crystal Palace star.

Eze, who has scored 34 Premier League goals during his time with Crystal Palace, has emerged as one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in the English top flight. With dazzling footwork, explosive pace, and the ability to score or create from almost anywhere in the final third, he’s become a hot commodity in the transfer market. His performances for the Eagles have also earned him international recognition, with the midfielder featuring in England’s Euro 2024 squad earlier this summer.

Former Spurs midfielder and now talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara has thrown his full support behind Tottenham’s pursuit of Eze. O’Hara didn’t hold back in praising the Palace playmaker, going as far as to say that Eze is a “better player” than current Tottenham star James Maddison.

“I think he [Eze] would be a brilliant signing for us. I really do, I think it would be a top signing,” said O’Hara. “Maddison’s a bit more of a number 10, he gets into little pockets. Eze, for me, he’s a winger  he cuts inside, he makes things happen, comes off the flank and can get at you. He can play direct, he can go down the byline if he needs to. Maddison hasn’t got his pace, Maddison hasn’t got his power, I think Eze is probably a better player.”

While some Tottenham fans have questioned whether the club truly needs another attacking midfielder  especially with Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and exciting Swedish youngster Lucas Bergvall already on the books  the vision Thomas Frank reportedly has for Eze may allay those concerns. Sources close to the club have revealed that the Danish manager sees Eze not as a replacement for Maddison, but rather as a complementary piece in a fluid, dynamic attacking setup.

Frank is said to view Eze as a wide option who can operate primarily from the left flank, cutting in onto his stronger right foot and linking up with central players like Maddison and striker Son Heung-min. This would align with how Eze has often been used at Crystal Palace, where his ability to drift inside and unlock defences with either a quick dribble or an incisive pass has made him a constant threat.

Moreover, reports indicate that Eze is open to the move and eager to play Champions League football a prospect Tottenham can now offer. Having missed out on top-tier European football in recent seasons, Spurs’ return to the Champions League underlines their upward trajectory and could help attract top talents like Eze.

In addition to being seen as an upgrade on existing wide options like Bryan Gil and potentially replacing interest in Bryan Mbeumo or Antoine Semenyo, Eze also brings versatility. His ability to slot into multiple roles across the attacking third makes him an ideal fit for Frank’s tactical plans, which favour flexible, hard-working forwards capable of switching positions mid-game.

Whether or not Spurs ultimately push the deal over the line remains to be seen, but the club’s willingness to break their transfer record speaks volumes about their ambition. If O’Hara’s assessment is anything to go by, bringing Eze to North London could elevate Tottenham’s attacking threat significantly  and perhaps signal the dawn of an exciting new era under Thomas Frank.