Morgan Gibbs-White: Spurs’ New Star Signing and Tactical Fit Explored

Will be joining Kudus at Spurs

After a slow start to the transfer window, some Tottenham fans began to feel restless. Following the excitement of securing the Europa League—Tottenham’s first trophy in 17 years—manager Ange Postecoglou was dismissed and replaced by Thomas Frank, a decision that didn’t resonate well with all supporters. However, this week, Tottenham’s transfer activity has dramatically picked up, sending a strong message to fans. On Thursday, they announced the signing of forward Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for €63.8 million, and just a day later, they activated the release clause for Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White.

The attacking midfielder is poised to become Tottenham’s record signing, with a fee anticipated to be around €70 million, surpassing the €64.5 million Spurs spent on striker Dominic Solanke last summer. It’s been an exhilarating end to the week for Tottenham fans, and with Gibbs-White’s arrival, they are acquiring a player of notable talent. However, with several star players already in strong central positions, questions arise about where the England international will fit into Frank’s setup and what he will bring to the team.

Where will Morgan Gibbs-White fit in at Tottenham?

Gibbs-White was a standout player not just for Nottingham Forest last season, but across the entire Premier League. He scored seven goals and provided ten assists from midfield, showcasing his energy and skill on the ball, which propelled Forest to their best Premier League campaign since 1995. He exemplified the strengths of Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad, and Tottenham will be looking for similar contributions from him next season, though his addition is sure to impact their starting lineup.

Last season, when healthy, Dejan Kulusevski was likely Spurs’ top performer, excelling in the no.10 role, where Gibbs-White may also wish to play. Tottenham also has James Maddison, who, despite a less impressive season, usually shines as a creative force in attacking midfield. New signing Kudus can effectively operate wide or thrive through the center. This raises the question of how Tottenham plans to accommodate all these talents.

Transfermarkt’s Matthew Hayes, a Spurs supporter, shares his thoughts on how the team might line up next season with Gibbs-White: “The versatility that Gibbs-White brings aligns with Tottenham’s recent recruitment trends. He can function as both a box-to-box midfielder and a no.10, and I expect Frank to utilize him in both capacities. Kulusevski might have some questions to ponder right now. We’ve made two significant signings, among the biggest in our club’s history, and they both occupy positions he plays.”

Tottenham is projected to spend over €130 million in the span of just two days on Kudus and Gibbs-White. Therefore, it’s reasonable to anticipate some departures this summer, with either Kulusevski or Maddison potentially being sold if a suitable offer arises. Nevertheless, this transfer window appears to be one of the most thrilling in Spurs’ recent history, and with Gibbs-White, they are securing a Premier League-proven player who could revitalize their midfield.