Tottenham's Bomba Signings: Savio and Marmoush Boost Expectations
Roberto De Zerbi called them “bomba” – and you could tell he meant it.
Tottenham’s head coach cut an energised figure as he hailed the arrivals of Savio and Omar Marmoush, two late-window attacking signings that have pushed Spurs’ summer spending beyond the £350million mark and cranked expectations up another notch.
“Bomba” business and one more to come?
Spurs wrapped up a double deal with Manchester City this week, landing long-term target Savio in a package worth around £85m and bringing Marmoush in on a season-long loan that carries an obligation to buy. The total outlay for the Egypt international could eventually hit £60m.
De Zerbi did not hide his excitement.
“I think Savio and Marmoush are bomba. I don't know what name or how you can call them but players of a high level, for sure,” he said ahead of Newcastle’s visit to north London in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Italian admitted this transfer window has gone far beyond what he anticipated.
“I didn't expect one transfer market and one window like we have done,” he said, before hinting that Spurs are not finished yet. “I think we can do one player more and in one specific position.”
That possibility was on the table during a dinner with the club hierarchy on Thursday night, where De Zerbi met the owners along with Vinai Venkatesham, Johan Lange and Enrico Venturelli.
“We spoke about this, but we have all of us on the same page and there is a very good connection,” he said.
Marmoush the “great signing” to unlock the attack
Marmoush arrives as Tottenham’s eighth signing of a frantic summer and drops straight into the heart of De Zerbi’s attacking rebuild. He offers cover and competition across the front line and, crucially, as an alternative No10 at a time when James Maddison is short of full fitness and Mohammed Kudus is only just back from a long tendon lay-off.
The numbers back up the excitement. Marmoush struck 37 goals in a prolific 18-month spell at Eintracht Frankfurt and added 16 more for Manchester City. Even so, he may have to settle for a place on the bench against Newcastle as he adjusts to his new surroundings.
De Zerbi’s verdict was emphatic.
“A great signing for us. A great player, another great player and every one of us loves him as a player,” he said.
“We hope he can do what he is able. I think he can give more solutions in attack. We need players in attack capable to score goals, to play well with the ball also, a very fast player, great qualities and we are all happy.
“I think he can play as a central striker. He is a different number 10 than (Conor) Gallagher or Maddison, more of an attacker, but he is a player of big qualities. The most important thing is to have players with qualities.”
Savio, meanwhile, is expected to go straight into the starting XI for his full debut, another sign of just how central these “bomba” additions are to De Zerbi’s plan.
Selection shake-up and a blunt message for Sarr
There were more positive signs for Spurs in midweek. New captain Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro both came through Wednesday’s 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Charlton and are in contention to start again on Saturday. Kudus, sidelined since January, could make the squad for the first time this year.
One player whose future remains cloudy is Pape Sarr. The midfielder is available for selection, but the final days of the window will decide where he plays his football this season.
“Pape? No, he's good. We have to see in the last day of the transfer market what can happen with him,” De Zerbi said.
Then came a pointed reminder of where the power lies.
“If you want to leave and you have not found the offer, it's your problem, not my problem. I give respect, I kiss you, I hug you, but at the end have to stay calm inside the dressing room.”
Tottenham have spent big, loaded their attack and backed their coach. Now comes the real test: can this “bomba” window explode into a season that finally delivers on the scale of their ambition?
