MusaThankfully, Tottenham Hotspur’s latest Premier League defeat already feels like a distant memory.
That’s the strange effect an international break can have. It drains the emotion and intensity surrounding club football. In Tottenham’s case, though, the break arrived at exactly the right time.
With several senior players remaining at Hotspur Way during the extended pause, Roberto De Zerbi has been handed valuable time on the training ground to work on the problems that have plagued his team.
Spurs currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table after five matches, and things could become even more difficult in October with away trips to Manchester United and Chelsea on the schedule.
The situation could deteriorate before it gets better. Those who believe De Zerbi’s new-look squad will eventually click may begin to lose patience if Tottenham’s poor run continues over the coming weeks.
One of the biggest concerns at N17 is Tottenham’s lack of a dependable goalscorer. With Richarlison no longer part of the plans, De Zerbi is having to work with a group of forwards who have either struggled for fitness, confidence or the cutting edge required in front of goal.
Tottenham opted for Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush to help Dominic Solanke carry the goalscoring burden, but their previous meeting with Aston Villa exposed a major issue: Spurs may have overlooked the type of striker they really needed during the summer transfer window.
Nicolas Jackson could have been the striker Tottenham needed
I have plenty of faith in Marmoush and still believe he can eventually make a major impact at Tottenham. The bigger question is how De Zerbi gets the best out of him.
Marmoush isn’t a traditional target man who thrives with his back to goal, but he’s not exactly a conventional winger either. He operates somewhere between several attacking roles, which can make it difficult to build an attack around his strengths.
Perhaps what Tottenham really needed was what many would simply call a “proper No. 9.”
Selling Richarlison may have been understandable, but the way Tottenham handled the situation ultimately left De Zerbi with another problem to solve. With the Brazilian out of the picture, much of the responsibility has fallen on Solanke, who has endured a difficult 2026.
After an encouraging first season at the club, Solanke has been hampered by fitness problems and has struggled to rediscover his best form. His performance before the international break suggested he still has plenty of work to do.
Against Aston Villa, both he and Marmoush were overshadowed by Nicolas Jackson.
There were reports linking Tottenham with the Chelsea striker during the summer, and bringing him to N17 would certainly have divided opinion among supporters. His Chelsea connection alone would have made the transfer controversial, while his finishing ability has also been questioned throughout his career.
Jackson has often been viewed as a striker who is difficult for defenders to handle but lacks consistency in front of goal. However, the numbers show that he has still managed to score 24 Premier League goals across his first two seasons in England.
The 25-year-old then spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he had the opportunity to work alongside Harry Kane. Perhaps that experience helped him, because his finish against Tottenham before the international break was outstanding.
Jackson’s goal also exposed a difficult afternoon for Jan Paul van Hecke, who will probably want to forget the match as quickly as possible.
The Aston Villa forward repeatedly caused problems for the Dutch defender, particularly as the game became more stretched and Tottenham struggled to cope with Villa’s attacking transitions.
Jackson may never develop into one of Europe’s most prolific goalscorers, but there is plenty to admire about his overall game.
He combines well with teammates, carries a constant threat when space opens up and is extremely difficult to contain when he has a channel to attack.
In many ways, he offers a more explosive and powerful version of what Tottenham already have in Solanke.
If Spurs had recognised during the summer that their biggest need was an out-and-out centre-forward, Jackson could have been the type of signing worth pursuing.
Musa
