Tottenham Hotspur must make sure they never endure another season like 2025/26. The North London club came dangerously close to relegation, a scenario that would have been unthinkable for a team of their stature, history, and financial strength.
Fortunately for Spurs, they managed to pull themselves clear of trouble, while West Ham United ultimately dropped into the Championship. Much of the credit goes to Roberto De Zerbi, whose arrival helped steady the ship and deliver the results needed to secure Premier League survival.
With safety secured, attention now turns to rebuilding the squad. While the expected departure of Cristian Romero highlights the need for defensive reinforcements, improving creativity in attack may be an even bigger priority.
Tottenham’s struggles in front of goal this season were partly due to the absence of key playmakers James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, both of whom were affected by injury problems during a campaign plagued by fitness issues.
Maddison is back available and could play a major role in Spurs’ revival next season, but De Zerbi is eager to add further creativity. Reports suggest Tottenham are considering a move for Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley, with the Seagulls willing to listen to offers in the region of £35 million.
The Danish international is a player De Zerbi knows well from their time together at Marseille, and Tottenham’s interest is reportedly growing. However, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are also monitoring the situation and are believed to be further along in their pursuit.
Although O’Riley has yet to fully replicate the form that made him a standout performer at Celtic, many believe he could provide the spark Spurs have been missing. Known for his technical quality, vision, and versatility, the midfielder is capable of operating in several midfield roles while also contributing defensively.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig has previously described O’Riley as a “magician” in midfield, praising his creativity and intelligence on the ball. During his loan spell at Marseille, he created five big chances in just 15 appearances despite making only six starts, underlining his ability to influence games.
Comparisons with James Maddison have followed O’Riley for several years. Former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers once likened O’Riley’s partnership with Kyogo Furuhashi to the relationship Maddison shared with Jamie Vardy at Leicester City, while club legend John Hartson also suggested the two midfielders possess similar qualities.
O’Riley’s game also shares traits with Kulusevski. His left-footed style, work rate, and ability to drift between midfield and attacking positions make him a flexible option capable of fitting into multiple tactical systems.
Statistics support that view. During the 2024/25 campaign, O’Riley ranked among the Premier League’s best midfielders for chance-creation ratio, sitting just behind players such as Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, and Kulusevski.
Whether Tottenham follow through with a formal bid remains to be seen. Competition for his signature is fierce, but a return to London and the opportunity to become a key figure in De Zerbi’s rebuilding project could prove an attractive proposition for the Brighton star.
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