Tottenham could be on the same path to success as Liverpool, according to Spurs legend Gary Mabbutt. The former defender claims his old club have signed their own Virgil van Dijk and Alisson to transform their fortunes.
Tottenham had their best-ever 10-game start to a Premier League season. Ange Postecoglou’s side sat top of the table, clear of three-time back-to-back winners Manchester City.
They have since lost two games in a row against Chelsea and Wolves, with suspension and injury playing a big part in both defeats. But there is still a huge sense of positivity around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since Postecoglou’s arrival.
The Australian’s three major additions in the summer were that of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, defender Micky van de Ven and midfielder James Maddison. With add-ons, the trio will cost Spurs around £100m combined.
They have all had a big impact on the team, although Van de Ven and Maddison are now set to be out until the New Year due to injury. Mabbutt has likened Tottenham’s surge to the top of the table to that of Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
The signings of Van Dijk and Alisson are widely regarded as two of the most influential arrivals behind the Reds’ Champions League and Premier League success in recent seasons. Mabbutt believes the new Tottenham triumvirate is having a similar impact already.
He told Sky Sports: “It’s been an incredible turnaround this season. Ange coming in, the players that we’ve signed. I think we’ve signed some quality players.
“For me, if you look at Liverpool four or five years ago, they were struggling to get into the top two and challenging for the title. Then Liverpool signed a couple of players in Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, who in my opinion transformed their team.
“Everybody around them seemed to become better players. We’ve brought in Vicario, we’ve brought in Van de Ven and Maddison.
“I believe that players around them have really upped their game and having those players around you gives you more confidence. I think certain players, in midfield [Yves] Bissouma and [Pape] Sarr have been outstanding.”
The absences of Van de Ven and Maddison will be sorely felt at Tottenham in the next month and a half. Postecoglou’s side have a tricky fixture list with Aston Villa at home after the international break, before a trip to Man City, a London derby against West Ham and a home match against Newcastle.
