Former Tottenham midfielder Darren Anderton has urged the club to sign Brentford striker Igor Thiago, calling him the ideal player for manager Roberto De Zerbi's system. Speaking exclusively to Standard Sport via Ivy Bet, Anderton believes the Brazilian can help fill the void left by Harry Kane's departure three years ago.
Anderton's Verdict on Thiago
Thiago, 24, scored 22 goals for Brentford last season, finishing second in the Premier League golden boot race behind Erling Haaland. He is currently on World Cup duty with Brazil, having started against Morocco but been dropped to the bench for the Haiti match in favor of Matheus Cunha. The striker joined Brentford in 2024 from Club Brugge for £28.5 million, but two long-term injuries delayed his debut until August 2025. He has scored twice in five caps since his Brazil debut in March.
Anderton said: “I don't think anyone can [replace Kane] as such. Are we going to go out and buy the best striker in the world that's available and pay him crazy money? I don't think we are. It's going to be that one where we probably take a gamble on someone and try and do it that way. I mean, I love the boy at Brentford, Igor Thiago. I think he's done great.”
Spurs' Striker Issues
Anderton dismissed Richarlison as a long-term solution, saying: “Richarlison is not going to be a goalscorer. He's going to run around and upset defenders and be a pain in the arse to play against. Is he going to be involved in a team that gets into that top four or five?” He also expressed hope for Dominic Solanke, who was limited to 15 league appearances last season due to injuries: “I don't think he can replace Harry ... we desperately need a goalscorer. I hope that Solanke can come and be that.”
De Zerbi's Impact
Anderton is confident De Zerbi can restore Tottenham to Champions League contention. De Zerbi joined in April on a five-year contract, replacing interim manager Igor Tudor. He secured Premier League survival on the final day with a 1-0 win over Everton and is now leading an aggressive transfer spend. Anderton said: “Honestly, as bad as it was, I think that De Zerbi can get us back into the Champions League. I really do. I think he's that good. If he gets the right players in, which obviously Senesi is, he wants us to play a certain way of passing the ball correctly.”
He added: “I don't see why Igor Thiago wouldn't fit the system.”
Squad Overhaul
Tottenham are undergoing a major squad rebuild after back-to-back 17th-placed finishes. Defensive reinforcements include Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson on free transfers, along with Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52 million. The club has also opened talks with £100 million-rated Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and is interested in West Ham's £80 million-rated Mateus Fernandes. In attack, Marcus Rashford and Manchester City's Savinho have been linked, but Anderton insists a pure striker is the priority.
