Tottenham told to match Brighton by sealing analytics deal in game-changing transfer move

Tottenham Hotspur should replicate the recruitment and scouting system in place at Brighton.

That is the opinion of experienced former Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The Seagulls lost two key players in the summer, one of them in Jan Paul van Hecke's move to Tottenham, but have continued to look excellent.

Brighton came from behind to beat Manchester United 3-2 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, and currently sit fifth in the Premier League.

Tottenham, on the other hand, spent over £400million on new players this summer, but are yet to score a goal or win a game in the top flight.

Roberto De Zerbi has taken a significant amount of criticism so far this season, but recruitment appears to be a problem that runs far deeper than the managers.

Brighton do 'things properly'

As a big club, Tottenham have always been the side who would take a player from the likes of Brighton or Brentford.

But there is a feeling that the Lilywhites would save massive money and gain significantly on the pitch if they attempted to sign those same players before Brighton got their hands on them.

"They've certainly done things properly there [Brighton]. Why the hell Spurs don't follow this setup, I don't know," King told Football Insider.

"The organisation and how it started was with David Weir, and they brought in Jamestown Analytics, which is a lot of database stuff.

"Together with the full-time scouts they have there, it seems to be that they're certainly finding good young players. Sam Jewell was looking at boys coming from America. He was headhunted by Chelsea, so he's left the club.

"Mike Cave and George Holmes took over when he left. Together Tony Bloom, the owner, Paul Barber's an investor, came in as sporting director. They all seem to work extremely well together, and they have a very good network of bringing in young players and also players from abroad."

He added: "Teams like Brighton, when they do bring in decent players, the one thing they do is they give them a chance, don't they?

"They're not paying massive money for them, but they put them in a team and they keep faith with them and they build their reputation as players. Then all of a sudden somebody says, 'Christ, next transfer window, we've got to be looking to bring him in.'"

Tottenham stuck in dilemma

Several years ago, serious consideration would have been given to adopting such a plan at Tottenham.

But this summer came with the realisation that, after two seasons finishing 17th, this campaign could see the Lilywhites relegated if the summer business was not right.

Doing all that they could to avoid that fate, decision-makers have backed the signings of established, Premier League-proven players.

Tottenham are yet to see results, but there is hope that it will take just one good display to change their fortunes.