{"id":43965,"date":"2026-03-02T18:53:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T23:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/03\/02\/spurs-35m-star-is-fast-becoming-an-even-worse-deal-than-dragusin\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T18:53:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T23:53:18","slug":"spurs-35m-star-is-fast-becoming-an-even-worse-deal-than-dragusin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/03\/02\/spurs-35m-star-is-fast-becoming-an-even-worse-deal-than-dragusin\/","title":{"rendered":"Spurs&#8217; \u00a335m star is fast becoming an even worse deal than Dragusin"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/03\/02\/spurs-35m-star-is-fast-becoming-an-even-worse-deal-than-dragusin\/#Spurs_worst_performance_against_Fulham_on_Sunday\" >Spurs&#8217; worst performance against Fulham on Sunday<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/03\/02\/spurs-35m-star-is-fast-becoming-an-even-worse-deal-than-dragusin\/#Spurs_star_is_shaping_up_to_be_a_worse_deal_than_Dragusin\" >Spurs star is shaping up to be a worse deal than Dragusin<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/03\/02\/spurs-35m-star-is-fast-becoming-an-even-worse-deal-than-dragusin\/#Tottenhams_most_expensive_contract_in_history\" >Tottenham&#8217;s most expensive contract in history<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/03\/02\/spurs-35m-star-is-fast-becoming-an-even-worse-deal-than-dragusin\/#Fewer_touches_than_Vicario_Spurs_failure_is_worst_sign_since_Ndombele\" >Fewer touches than Vicario: Spurs&#8217; failure is worst sign since Ndombele<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Igor Tudor&#8217;s appointment as Tottenham Hotspur&#8217;s interim manager was intended to inject new optimism into the North London side.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>But now, two games into the Croatian&#8217;s spell at the club, the alarm bells are ringing louder than ever, with relegation from the Premier League becoming more likely with each passing week.<\/p>\n<p>The Lilywhites have suffered two consecutive defeats against Arsenal and Fulham since the 47-year-old&#8217;s arrival and currently sit in 16th place, just two places above the relegation zone. The worst part is the upcoming games. History is tough reading material in that field.<\/p>\n<p>Sunday&#8217;s loss to the Cottage was another example of the struggles the team is enduring, with the team barely holding their own throughout the game.<\/p>\n<p>A number of players once again failed to deliver, leading to big questions from disgruntled supporters after the recent defeat.<\/p>\n<p><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"spurs-39-worst-performers-against-fulham-on-sunday\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spurs_worst_performance_against_Fulham_on_Sunday\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Spurs&#8217; worst performance against Fulham on Sunday<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has kept his No. 1 jersey throughout the 2025\/26 season, a decision that has attracted a lot of attention in recent months.<\/p>\n<p>The Italian could have certainly prevented Alex Iwobi&#8217;s long-range shot if the Nigerian intern had fired from distance with the inside of his right foot.<\/p>\n<p>There were also questions about the keeper&#8217;s placement, with Vicario proving time and time again at Craven Cottage that he could not operate with the ball at his feet.<\/p>\n<p>Center back Radu Dragusin has been deployed at the deep end in recent weeks, with the Romanian having just returned from a lengthy injury spell with a torn ACL.<\/p>\n<p>    He has started both games since Tudor took the reins in north London, and Sunday&#8217;s game will show once again why he is not up to Premier League standards.<\/p>\n<p>The 24-year-old only won 33% of the ground battles he took part in in the loss, but he also failed to top the field in tackles.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"spurs-star-is-becoming-a-worse-signing-than-dragusin\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spurs_star_is_shaping_up_to_be_a_worse_deal_than_Dragusin\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Spurs star is shaping up to be a worse deal than Dragusin<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Injury problems and Tudor&#8217;s desire to change Spurs&#8217; system have undoubtedly contributed to their recent Premier League struggles.<\/p>\n<p>    The Croatian needs to find a solution in the coming weeks if he is to move his club up the table, with relegation to the second division now looking very likely.<\/p>\n<p>But he certainly hasn&#8217;t had any help in the ranks since taking the reins, and his recruitment before arriving in north London was miles off the level required.<\/p>\n<p>More than \u00a3700 million has been spent over the past few years, but it appears to have been in vain, as evidenced by the Lilywhites&#8217; meager league positions in recent seasons.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"tottenham-hotspur-spurs-most-expensive-signings-all-time\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/spurs-record-signings.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/spurs-record-signings.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tottenhams_most_expensive_contract_in_history\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tTottenham&#8217;s most expensive contract in history<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">A detailed look at the 10 richest contracts in Spurs history. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The January transfer window gave the board another chance to move up the senior ranks, after which they reportedly spent \u00a335 million signing midfielder Conor Gallagher.<\/p>\n<p>Atl\u00e9tico Madrid&#8217;s star player&#8217;s move left many supporters unconvinced at the time, but recent matches have revealed concerns about such a deal.<\/p>\n<p>    Like Dragusin, he has started both games since taking over, but has been unconvincing in both games, with his struggles most evident last weekend.<\/p>\n<p>The 26-year-old was asked to play as a midfield four in Craven Cottage&#8217;s 4-4-2 system, but was unable to make the desired impact, whether in or out of possession.<\/p>\n<p>Gallagher played just 58 minutes before being replaced by Pape Sarr, but his absence was justified given his failure to make a positive impact against Marco Silva&#8217;s side.<\/p>\n<p>He completed just 72% of the 25 passes he attempted, and as a result the Englishman lost the ball 12 times, the most of any starter.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Conor Gallagher &#8211; Stats against Fulham<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>statistics<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>tally<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Play time (minutes)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>58<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>touch<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>37<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Pass accuracy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>72%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>loss of ownership<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>12 times<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>tackle win<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>lost in a duel<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>75%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Number of fouls committed<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>An opportunity has arisen<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>The midfielder also failed to create chances for his teammates, making just two passes forward, highlighting his lack of quality in possession.<\/p>\n<p>Without the ball, the 35 million pound man was a completely different beast, unable to make any tackles after that, while losing 75% of his ground battles.<\/p>\n<p>    The fee paid for his signature now looks like a big mistake, as the midfielder failed to provide the difference the club had hoped for in such a transfer.<\/p>\n<p>Fans have every right to question such a move given his lack of impact in recent weeks, but it&#8217;s certainly not an upgrade over the options that were considered prior to his arrival.<\/p>\n<p>While Dragusin should be given some form of sympathy given his recent injury issues, the same can&#8217;t be said for Gallagher, who has seemed to have slowed down considerably under Tudor.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of relegation, the club will need to consider improvements in the summer transfer window, and leaders should keep such a move for Gallagher in mind for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                      \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"spurs-gallagher-is-worst-signing-since-ndombele\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silva-tudor-spurs-fulham.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silva-tudor-spurs-fulham.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=140&amp;h=98&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"440\" height=\"364\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Silver-Tudor-Spurs-Fulham\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silva-tudor-spurs-fulham.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=182&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/silva-tudor-spurs-fulham.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=220&amp;h=182&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fewer_touches_than_Vicario_Spurs_failure_is_worst_sign_since_Ndombele\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tFewer touches than Vicario: Spurs&#8217; failure is worst sign since Ndombele<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Tottenham Hotspur&#8217;s latest failure looks like the worst signing in the club&#8217;s history since Tanguy Ndombele. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Igor Tudor&#8217;s appointment as Tottenham Hotspur&#8217;s interim manager was intended to inject new optimism into the North London side. But now, two games into the Croatian&#8217;s spell at the club, the alarm bells are ringing louder than ever, with relegation from the Premier League becoming more likely with each passing week. The Lilywhites have suffered [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43966,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[1528,101,8054,4215,40,342,86,6359],"class_list":{"0":"post-43965","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-35m","9":"tag-deal","10":"tag-dragusin","11":"tag-fast","12":"tag-football","13":"tag-spurs","14":"tag-star","15":"tag-worse"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43965","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43965"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43965\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43966"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}