Waddle claims Spurs 'crying out' for Eze type player they missed out on
Chris Waddle believes Tottenham will come to regret failing to sign Eberechi Eze, insisting the Arsenal midfielder possesses exactly the qualities Spurs are missing as they struggle under Roberto De Zerbi this season.
Eze came close to joining Tottenham before Arsenal moved in to sign him from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2025. The attacker had been part of Arsenal's academy as a youngster before being released, and returning to the Emirates was reportedly always an ambition of his. He eventually got his wish, leaving Spurs without a player Waddle feels could have transformed their attack.
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Waddle compares Eze to Cole Palmer
Speaking to Team Talk, the former Spurs winger explained what kind of player Tottenham are lacking and why Eze would have fit the bill perfectly.
“You're looking for a Cole Palmer type player, aren't you? Someone like Eberechi Eze. It's a shame they didn't sign him when they tried,” Waddle said. “You need someone who can play in that pocket off the striker, thread passes inside the full backs and get the centre forward in to score goals. They are crying out for a player like that to pull the strings in the final third.”
Waddle's comments point to a specific tactical gap at Tottenham, a creative presence capable of operating between the lines and unlocking defences in the final third, the kind of role Palmer has filled so effectively for Chelsea.
Eze's qualities missing from Tottenham's attack
Since joining Arsenal, Eze has continued to build his reputation as one of the Premier League's most eye catching attacking players, known for his close control, ability to find pockets of space and willingness to take on defenders in tight areas.
For Tottenham, missing out on a player with that profile is clearly, in Waddle's view, a significant opportunity lost. He feels the north London side could have used Eze's creativity and link up play to get more out of their strikers and improve their consistency in matches where they have struggled to break teams down.
Instead, Eze is plying his trade at Arsenal, the club he supported growing up, while Tottenham continue searching for the kind of attacking midfielder who can dictate play in the final third.
For Arsenal, the episode serves as another example of the club winning out in a direct transfer battle with their rivals for a player with genuine boyhood ties to the club. Eze's early performances since arriving have only added weight to Waddle's assessment that Tottenham let a significant talent slip away.
