Tottenham’s Best Signing Since Bale and Son: World-Class Star Shines

While Tottenham’s trophy cabinet remains bare, the club has attracted some exceptional talent in recent years. Players like Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Christian Eriksen have all donned the famous white shirt with distinction. Despite this season’s domestic struggles, manager Ange Postecoglou still has several outstanding players at his disposal.

Two of Spurs’ most impactful signings in modern times have undoubtedly been Gareth Bale and Son Heung-min. Bale arrived from Southampton for £10 million in 2007 and, after a challenging start, blossomed into a world-class attacker. His phenomenal 2012/13 season, with 26 goals and 10 assists in 44 appearances, prompted a world-record £85 million move to Real Madrid.

Son joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen for £22 million in 2015. The South Korean star quickly established himself as a fan favorite, recording 21 goals and 7 assists in just his second season. Now captain, Son boasts an incredible record of 173 goals and 95 assists in 448 appearances for the club.

While matching the impact of Bale and Son is a tall order, one current Spurs player is making a strong case as the club’s best signing since that duo – Dejan Kulusevski. The Swedish international joined initially on loan before making a permanent £25 million move in 2023. After showing flashes of brilliance in his first two seasons, Kulusevski has taken a massive leap forward under Postecoglou.

Playing in a more central midfield role, the 24-year-old has recorded 10 goals and 10 assists in 42 appearances this season. His underlying statistics are even more impressive, ranking in the top percentiles among midfielders in Europe’s top leagues for progressive carries, key passes, and goal contributions.

While he may not have reached the absolute peak levels of Bale or Son yet, Kulusevski has established himself as arguably Tottenham’s most important player and their best signing since Son’s arrival a decade ago. His continued development under Postecoglou could see him join that elite company in Spurs folklore.