De Zerbi signing told he’s ‘not a Tottenham player’ as Garnacho comparison made

A Roberto De Zerbi signing has been told he’s “not a Tottenham player” as he’s been likened to Alejandro Garnacho and his Aston Villa situation.

Spurs spent over £300million on permanent signings in the summer, and added more talent on loan. There’s an option to buy Omar Marmoush from Manchester City for an initial £50million, while Mykhailo Mudryk will cost £75million if Tottenham are to sign him permanently from Chelsea.

De Zerbi loaned in his former Shakhtar Donestk disciple from the Blues after he was able to return to football following a drugs ban, but he’s yet to play more than 16 minutes.

The Ukraine international suffered an ankle injury which has kept him sidelined almost all season.

Former Spurs scout Bryan King has little faith that Mudryk is going to come good when he does play.

He told Football Insider: “I’ve got a nice answer for that. No. I couldn’t see him making an impact before it, let alone after it.

“I think the whole thing around Mudryk is that he came to Chelsea for an inflated fee, which I could never believe that anybody would pay that kind of money for him.

“He’s been banned more through offences outside of football than he is from actually getting involved in football.

“I think we’ve got a situation here at Tottenham with Mudryk, which is very similar to Aston Villa’s with Garnacho.

“You’ve got two players who are, supposedly, very talented, got a bit of pace, but look how many games Mudryk has played in the last two years.

“And Tottenham take him on? Who do they think is running the club? Aladdin? ‘Come on, Mudryk, rub the lamp.’

“I’m afraid he does nothing for me, and if ever there’s not a Tottenham player, he’s one.”

Mykhailo Mudryk injury taking longer than expected

Mudryk’s injury was originally only supposed to keep him sidelined for six to eight weeks, meaning he should have been back in October.

Since then, De Zerbi has suggested it’s likely that the winger will be back after the current international break – but not exactly when.

Fitness will perhaps be harder to come by for a player who’s not completed a competitive match for two years.

But as of this moment, there was absolutely no reason for Tottenham to have signed the Ukrainian.

The likelihood of him coming good after a long layoff and then a period of injury in the few months he might have by the time he’s back fit seem slim.

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