{
  "id": 8665145,
  "title": "Spurs have overpaid for every player - Cole",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/spurs-have-overpaid-for-every-player-cole",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T10:37:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/spurs-overpaid-every-player-cole-103755945.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole has criticized Tottenham's transfer dealings following their £302m spending. The club spent £85m on Sandro Tonali and £75m on Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who was substituted at half-time. Tottenham also spent £60m on Omar Marmoush, whose loan will become permanent. Cole believes the big-money signings need to prove their worth and perform soon. He added that Tottenham's defensive anxiety led to mistakes, citing Van de Ven's injury as a contributing factor. Cole feels the team has overpaid for every player they've acquired this summer, and the club is flirting with relegation for the second consecutive year. Despite his positive comments about the squad, Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi defended the team's spending, explaining that financial fair play restrictions limited their ability to sell players. De Zerbi emphasized that the club is not sleeping and will make no further changes unless absolutely necessary.",
  "summary": "Former Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole questioned Tottenham's transfer business after their spend of about £302m. After Sandro Tonali, £85m went on bringing in Mateus Fernandes from West Ham. The Portuguese midfielder was subbed at half-time and Roberto de Zerbi said he \"didn't like\" Fernandes' performance, while £75m was spent on Savio from Manchester City.",
  "key_points": [
    "Spurs spent £302m this summer on three high-profile signings.",
    "Cole claims the club overpaid for each player, citing defensive issues.",
    "Manager De Zerbi defends spending, citing financial fair play constraints."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Holdt scores hat-trick as Spurs thrash 10-player Palace",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/holdt-scores-hat-trick-as-spurs-thrash-10-player-palace",
        "published": "2026-09-20T18:52:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}