The “English Neymar” should be frustrated that Spurs have signed Mudryk

For all the lavish spending and extensive recruitment at Tottenham Hotspur this summer, has Roberto De Zerbi truly got an elite forward line to look to?

It’s not out of the question that while Mohammed Kudus is back in the mix, the Lilywhites’ starting frontline could be Savio, Omar Marmoush and Mykhailo Mudryk, three men yet to really prove themselves in the Premier League.

Savio has scored just twice in 53 games in England’s top tier. Marmoush, a centre-forward, scored only three league goals in 2025/26. As for Mudryk, the Ukrainian hasn’t played a competitive game since November 2024.

REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Surely, barring something drastic, Spurs can’t even consider signing the ex-Chelsea man permanently next summer?

Why Mudryk looks doomed to fail from the start at Spurs

Who doesn’t love a redemption story? Yes, it would be remarkable if Mudryk does prove a success in a Tottenham shirt, following so long out of the game.

This was a player who De Zerbi even tipped to potentially win the Ballon d’Or one day back in 2022, following their prior stint together at Shakhtar Donetsk.

That was four years ago, however, with the flying winger showing little at Stamford Bridge to suggest he can be a success at Premier League level, his overall record in the competition standing at just nine goals and assists in 53 games to date.

Yes, Chelsea has been a basket case during Mudryk’s time at the club, with any player unlikely to thrive in such environment, but quite why Spurs have taken the risk on him remains to be seen.

Recent loan signings for the likes of Timo Werner and Randal Kolo Muani have gone sideways, with the potential future price tag hanging over Mudryk’s head also likely to be an ongoing issue.

Let’s face it, there’s no rhyme or reason as to why a player who’s been out of action for almost two years should command a potential £75m asking price, particularly with Chelsea only paying an initial £62m fee in the first place.

Even if he catches the eye, there’d be little sense in Tottenham keeping him on board permanently, ensuring he seems almost doomed to fail from the outset.

Is this a signing the Lilywhites really needed to make?

Why Spurs didn’t need to sign Mudryk

There’s a nagging feeling following this summer’s transfer window that clubs are making signings for signings sake, with Tottenham perhaps no different.

Look to the centre-back ranks, could De Zerbi not have put faith in teenage sensation, Luka Vuskovic, rather than forking out £52m for Jan Paul van Hecke?

In Mudryk’s case too, Spurs already have their long-term solution on the left flank in the form of Mikey Moore, a player who has since been shipped out on loan to FC Köln for the season.

Now, maybe there is merit in handing the teenager another chance to impress and gain regular minutes in one of Europe’s big five leagues, but didn’t he show enough at Rangers last term already?

Previously hailed as “the English Neymar” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 19-year-old was a real shining light under Danny Rohl at Ibrox, notably scoring in two Old Firm derbies away at Celtic Park.

In the meeting with Celtic back in March too on home soil, a game that ended in a 2-2 draw, Moore was masterful in the first half, in particular. You’ll see few better individual performances than that anywhere.

He was relentless and direct, beating his man time again, all at the age of just 18 and in such a pressurised clash too.

Yes, the level of the Scottish Premiership is a consideration, but he scored seven and assisted three after an initial slow start under Russell Martin, having been such a consistent weapon down the left flank.

Having since returned to north London, Moore was a regular fixture in pre-season, memorably netting twice against Hoffenheim, even while lining up in a right-wing berth.

Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

He did squander a handful of chances in the dismal display away at Brentford, yet followed that up with a stunning goal on his ‘weaker’ left foot against Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup, providing further indication as to just why he is so highly regarded.

It does feel a little unfair to utilise the youngster so heavily in pre-season and in the early weeks of the season, only to then send him on his way amid the arrival of Savio, Mudryk and co.

Moore is one of Tottenham’s own and warranted a look-in after his form last term. Mudryk, meanwhile, has been out of the game for so long and is likely to take time to get back up to speed this season.

Perhaps a loan might be to the Englishman’s benefit, yet he might well be wondering why he’s found himself behind a player, Mudryk, who’s delivered so little in English football.

Don’t be surprised to see supporters yearning for Moore’s return if he does catch fire in Germany over the coming months.