Former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster has criticised Omar Marmoush’s body language at Tottenham, warning that the Egyptian forward’s visible frustration could create tension inside the dressing room.
Marmoush joined Tottenham from Manchester City on a season-long loan during the summer, with Spurs reportedly committed to making the transfer permanent for £60 million plus add-ons.
The 27-year-old arrived with expectations of adding greater attacking quality to Tottenham’s squad, but his opening weeks in north London have proved difficult.
Marmoush is yet to score or provide an assist for Spurs, leaving him under growing scrutiny as the club search for greater consistency in attack.
Foster’s criticism, however, has focused beyond the Egyptian’s statistics.
The former Premier League goalkeeper has questioned the body language of both Marmoush and Tottenham teammate Sávio, particularly when the pair are not found by teammates in attacking positions.
Foster believes repeatedly gesturing for the ball in frustration could eventually affect relationships within the squad if the behaviour becomes a regular occurrence.
“I imagine a Tottenham player seeing Marmoush and Savinho waving their hands and saying: Why didn’t you do that? I’m a better player than you, why didn’t you pass me the ball there? Why didn’t you do that? Soon the players will be saying they don’t want to play with them,” Foster said.
He was also asked whether Tottenham’s senior players should address the issue directly with the two attackers.
Foster suggested that any intervention would depend on the wider dynamics within the squad, arguing that repeated disagreements between players could eventually develop into a dressing-room problem.
“Ultimately it depends on the problematic players in the team. If there are a lot of them, then Marmoush and Savinho will be spoken to about their behavior. They will sit together, divide the team into groups, and problems will occur in the dressing room,” he added.
Foster also revealed that he would have confronted a teammate displaying similar frustration during a match.
“If any player objects and waves his hand to express his anger during the match, I would confront him about his actions at halftime and talk to him, but if this matter escalates, it will cause a big problem,” he said.
Marmoush now has an opportunity to answer the criticism on the pitch when Tottenham host Aston Villa on Saturday, September 19.
The Egyptian will be looking to register his first goal or assist for the club and begin making the contribution expected of him as Tottenham assess their attacking options.
With a substantial permanent fee attached to the loan agreement, his performances will remain closely watched as he continues adapting to life at Spurs.
