Roberto De Zerbi must end Kolo Muani experiment vs Brighton, it will cost them the game

Roberto De Zerbi must end Kolo Muani experiment vs Brighton, it will cost them the game

Half-time!
Tottenham 1–1 Brighton

What are your thoughts?

Roberto De Zerbi needs to take Randal Kolo Muani off if Tottenham Hotspur want to claim all three points against Brighton.

Spurs have shown far more character and composure in the first half, but with the score locked at 1–1, it hasn’t translated into an advantage. Once again, the home side’s forward players have posed very little threat in the final third—a recurring issue throughout their season.

Using Kolo Muani on the wing has rarely worked in the past, and it’s been no different against the Seagulls. If Tottenham are to secure the win, the Frenchman must be replaced.

Kolo Muani’s limitations on full display

Kolo Muani certainly brings value to the squad, but that rarely shines through when he’s deployed on the wing. He often lacks the necessary impact, and this match has followed the same pattern. In 45 minutes, he’s had just 12 touches—nearly half of them in the final few minutes. To make matters worse, he’s completed only four passes, been dispossessed twice, and hasn’t created a single chance.

Physically, Kolo Muani has won just two of his six duels, with a 0% success rate in aerial battles. He looks increasingly unlikely to be Tottenham’s match-winner—or even to make a meaningful contribution—which may force a half-time change.

Tottenham’s relegation fears could be eased with a simple adjustment

With Leeds securing a dominant home win over Wolves, and both West Ham and Nottingham Forest riding the momentum of recent successes, Spurs simply have to win this match. Anything less takes survival out of their hands. With five games remaining after this, it’s far from the situation De Zerbi would want.

Dropping Richarlison—Tottenham’s top scorer—was a bold move, and one that could backfire if De Zerbi doesn’t reverse it in the second half. The Brazilian poses a real threat in the final third, which might be exactly what Spurs need to take maximum points from this game.