Tottenham Stuck at the Bottom: Solanke and Tonali Become Financial Burdens

Tottenham Hotspur ended their first five matches of the 2026/27 season without a single win and sit bottom of the Premier League. Ironically, this slump comes after the board spent more than £400 million in the summer transfer window, a huge investment that has so far failed to pay off.

Coach Roberto De Zerbi, who saved the club from relegation last season, was given full trust and abundant resources to build the squad. But results on the pitch have said otherwise. The latest defeat to Aston Villa last weekend showed just how fragile this team is, both in defense and attack.

Of the many signings, two names are most scrutinized: Sandro Tonali and Dominic Solanke. Tonali was brought in from Newcastle United for a fee reported to reach £100 million, including bonuses. The Italian midfielder was expected to be the anchor in midfield, but his statistics so far are far from satisfactory. In five appearances, he has won an average of just 0.4 aerial duels per 90 minutes, placing him below 80% of Premier League players. He also loses the ball 1.3 times per 90 minutes, more often than 84% of other midfielders.

Solanke, bought for a club-record £65 million in 2024, is also far from expectations. In two years, he has scored only 23 goals. This season, he has started just twice in five matches, and his only goal in the last six months came in the Carabao Cup against Charlton Athletic. Coach De Zerbi appears to have lost faith; Solanke played only 65 minutes against Aston Villa with 26 touches, fewer than goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. His market value has also plummeted to €28 million (£24 million) according to Transfermarkt, far below his purchase price.

"Tonali will be given time to overcome his early struggles, but Solanke will not get the same luxury," wrote a Football FanCast analyst.

Tottenham's failure in the transfer market is not the first case in the Premier League. Big clubs often get trapped in the pressure for immediate success, making transfer decisions based on reputation rather than tactical needs. Tonali, still 26, may yet develop, but Solanke, approaching 30, seems unlikely to bounce back.

For Indonesian football fans, Tottenham's story is a valuable lesson. Liga 1 clubs such as Persija Jakarta or Persib Bandung also often face similar pressure: big spending without careful planning. Impatient management often brings in expensive players without considering playing-style fit, leading to waste and team instability. Tottenham can be a mirror showing that big money does not guarantee instant success.

Going forward, Tottenham must quickly get their house in order. With the winter transfer window still months away, De Zerbi is required to make the most of the existing squad. If the negative trend continues, it is not impossible they will be fighting in the relegation zone again. Will the management learn from their mistakes, or repeat them in the next transfer window?