GIVEMESPORT

Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven could be ruled out for up to three weeks after limping off in the 4-3 defeat to Chelsea, journalist Paul O Keefe has revealed.

The Dutch defender appears to have suffered another setback on his return to action, having spent four weeks out with a hamstring injury.

According to O Keefe, a definite timeline for Van de Ven’s return has yet to be confirmed, but a potential recurrence of the injury could leave him on the sidelines for two to three weeks.

Van de Ven has missed five Premier League games during his month-long absence and has made only nine top-flight appearances this term, assisting two goals.

Tottenham have a significant number of injury concerns heading into their Europa League encounter with Rangers on Thursday, with Cristian Romero and Brennan Johnson also forced off in Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea.

While Johnson is expected to start, Romero is also facing a fresh spell on the sidelines, having recently returned from a toe injury.

Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Mikey Moore also remain sidelined and are still dealing with long-term setbacks, while Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur will be available to start against Rangers.

The midfield duo are serving suspensions in the Premier League, with Bentancur handed a seven-game ban back in November and Bissouma picking up his fifth yellow card against Chelsea last weekend, which will see him miss one game.

Tottenham have won just once in their last seven games across all competitions, while losing four to Bournemouth, Ipswich Town, Chelsea, and Galatasaray.

The North London outfit have dropped to 12th in the Premier League table, now seven points off fourth and five points below fifth, where they finished last season.

Rumours over Ange Postecoglou’s uncertain future have surfaced after Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea, but the Australian tactician is ‘under no pressure’ at the moment.

After taking on Rangers in the Europa League, Spurs will be visiting bottom-placed Southampton on Sunday.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer chiefs are already planning ahead for the summer transfer window, according to reports - with Lille duo Jonathan David and Angel Gomes both on their radar ahead of a potential double swoop from the Ligue 1 club.

A big transfer window this summer saw Tottenham land the likes of Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert - and though results haven't quite gone their way, the club have signed for the future to go alongside their current stars. But they're already planning ahead for the future, according to reports, with a potential double swoop for David and Gomes in their sights.

Report: Tottenham Eye Free Double Swoop For Gomes And David

The Lilywhites have been on the ball in the transfer market and that could continue

The report from TBR Football states that both David and Gomes are on Tottenham's radar ahead of moves - with the Lilywhites holding talks with representatives ahead of potentially landing the duo in the summer transfer window once their contracts with Lille run out.

The north London outfit have followed developments surrounding the pair for a lengthy period, and there is a chance to land them both - which is something that Tottenham are 'looking closely at'.

The duo have both told Lille that they will be leaving at the end of the season once their deals expire, with David - labelled 'phenomenal' thought to be keen on a move to the English top-flight after scoring his 100th goal for Lille over the weekend vs Champions League outfit Brest.

And he won't be alone in terms of players moving from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, with England international Gomes - also labelled as 'phenomenal' - keen on making the move back over the channel to his homeland.

Spurs are joined by Manchester United and local rivals Arsenal in their interest in both players - though Chelsea and Newcastle United are keen on Canadian star David, and Manchester City are joined by Liverpool in their hopes of signing Gomes.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Jonathan David has 101 goals for Lille in just 206 games.

Gomes made his England debut under Lee Carsley back in September, and his performances on the international stage have reminded Premier League fans just what he can do against top opponents, whilst David's consistent efforts in Ligue 1 have made him one of the most sought-after stars in Europe over recent years - and so it's a no-brainer for clubs such as Tottenham to make a move for him.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made an ‘important financial offer’ for Lille star Jonathan David, whose contract with the French club expires at the end of the season, according to SPORT (via Sport Witness).

Spurs, alongside Barcelona, have been named as clubs interested in the 24-year-old striker, who faces an uncertain future at Lille ahead of the January transfer window.

David is expected to leave the Ligue 1 side and is said to be ‘dreaming’ of joining Barcelona, who have been closely following him for some time.

However, both coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco reportedly have doubts over his fit in the Catalan side, because the Canadian ‘suffers a lot when he doesn’t have space’.

As a result, Barcelona are understood to have slowed down their pursuit of David, meaning Tottenham could now get ahead in the race for the striker in 2025.

Ange Postecoglou’s side reportedly want to strike a pre-contract agreement with David in January for him to arrive on a free transfer next summer.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: David has scored 11 goals in 14 league appearances for Lille this season.

David, labelled 'one of the best strikers in the world', has been in scintillating form for a third year running in France, netting 17 goals and providing three assists in 23 appearances in all competitions.

The Canadian’s efforts have helped Lille go unbeaten in their last four games in the Champions League, beating the likes of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Bologna, while drawing 1-1 with Juventus.

David has scored four times in Lille’s impressive European run and remains a key player for Lille ahead of his contract expiry in June 2025.

Tottenham, who have welcomed forwards Dominic Solanke and Wilson Odobert before the season, have struggled for consistency under Postecoglou this term, winning just once in their last seven games in all competitions.

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Spurs are expected to bolster their squad with further arrivals in January and have earmarked two areas of focus, with a left-sided defender and another attacker in their sights.

Tottenham Hotspur are threatening to raid Premier League rivals Bournemouth in the fast-approaching January transfer window as they have set their sights on luring Illia Zabarnyi to Hotspur Way despite facing stiff competition for an agreement, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has retained the hierarchy's backing in the aftermath of throwing away a two-goal lead in a 4-3 defeat to Chelsea last weekend, resulting in the Greek-Australian tactician being keen to bolster his squad when the opportunity arises at the turn of the year.

Dominic Solanke became Tottenham's club-record signing when he completed a £65million switch from Bournemouth in August, and the striker could be joined by one of his former teammates as technical director Johan Lange is poised to return to the Vitality Stadium for fresh negotiations as he prepares to play a key role in the north Londoners' recruitment drive.

Spurs Aiming to Beat Rivals to Zabarnyi Deal

Bournemouth fearful of centre-back being lured away next month

Tottenham are interested in beating Chelsea and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in the race to land Zabarnyi, according to GMS sources, and Bournemouth are becoming aware that they are facing a significant battle to fend off suitors during the winter transfer window.

Although head coach Andoni Iraola is desperate to keep the central defender on the south coast, having made himself one of the first names on the team sheet since sealing a £24million move from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023, Spurs are among a cluster of top flight counterparts keen to acquire his services.

GMS sources have been informed that Tottenham will have to pay upwards of £50million to tempt Bournemouth into sanctioning Zabarnyi's departure midway through the campaign, and Postecoglou has pinpointed him as an option who would fit perfectly into the north Londoners' plans despite having a hefty price tag to contend with.

The Cherries are preparing to hold firm on their valuation ahead of potential bids coming their way as the Ukraine international still has more than four-and-a-half years remaining on a contract which allows him to pocket £50,000-per-week, meaning they are under no pressure to cash in.

Although Bournemouth teammate Milos Kerkez has been gaining plenty of attention from scouts, GMS sources have learned that key decision-makers at the Vitality Stadium are starting to become increasingly concerned that Zabarnyi could be the subject of a big-money offer they have to consider next month.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Illia Zabarnyi made six tackles and as many clearances as Bournemouth came from behind to beat Ipswich Town last weekend

Postecoglou Facing Chelsea in Zabarnyi Hunt

West Londoners toying with idea of fast-tracking recruitment plans

GMS sources have been told that Chelsea are on course to be Tottenham's biggest challengers for Zabarnyi's signature as being involved in an unexpected title push has resulted in the west Londoners seriously considering fast-tracking their plans to welcome a new central defender to Stamford Bridge.

The 22-year-old, who has been described as 'unbelievable' by Bournemouth teammate Philip Billing, has been looked at by the Blues over the last couple of months and they are entertaining the possibility of pouncing in January despite initially being willing to wait until the summer transfer window to lodge a proposal.

Manchester City are weighing up several options and Zabarnyi is a name that has been mentioned as a potential recruit if they choose to dive into the market for fresh competition at the heart of the backline instead of a left-back, GMS sources understand, while Paris Saint-Germain mulled over striking a deal earlier this year.

Tottenham are at risk of being dragged into a bidding war, but it is not the only defensive change that Postecoglou could make to his squad next month as GMS sources recently revealed that Djed Spence's lack of game time has put interested parties on red alert as they aim to discover whether he is available.

Ange Postecoglou is facing a battle to remain in charge of Tottenham Hotspur as he heads into a four-game run that is likely to be used as a gauge to determine how long he stays.

Spurs made a stuttering start to the season before seeming to fix their problems. But a string of poor results has seen the north Londoners fall to 11th in the Premier League, leaving fans questioning the direction of the club.

Postecoglou’s position is now under scrutiny, with crucial games set to define his tenure. The January transfer window is weeks away and will give them an opportunity to fix some problems - but the boss has to make sure he is still in a job by then.

Next Four Fixtures Pivotal for Postecoglou

Hierarchy continuing to back tactician despite loss of form

Tottenham have failed to win their last four matches in all competitions, including back-to-back defeats to Bournemouth and Chelsea in the Premier League. The latter loss was particularly painful, as Spurs showed promise but were undone by defensive lapses as the Blues overpowered them.

The results followed a mixed November, where Tottenham recorded a stunning 4-0 win over Manchester City but also dropped points against Roma and Fulham.

The inconsistencies have frustrated supporters, some of whom have openly called for Postecoglou’s dismissal. He has the backing of the board for now, and it is harsh to say the Australian is solely to blame.

Defensive injuries, including the frustrating situation for Cristian Romero, have left the backline vulnerable. Additionally, first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s injury has further exposed Tottenham defensively.

Chairman Daniel Levy also finds himself in the firing line as Spurs’ squad depth is being called into question, with many fans feeling the club has failed to invest adequately in recent transfer windows.

Although arrivals such as James Maddison and Brennan Johnson have added quality in recent times, Tottenham’s reliance on 32-year-old Heung-min Son for goals highlights the need for long-term planning.

Our understanding is that the next four fixtures will be pivotal for Postecoglou’s future. Spurs travel Rangers in the Europa League before heading to Southampton in the Premier League. They then host Manchester United and Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

With Spurs trying to stay in touch with the Champions League spots, these games offer an opportunity to regain momentum but also to pose significant challenges in cup competitions.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Ange Postecoglou has enjoyed 530 matches in management, chalking up 282 wins along the way

Spurs Prioritising Centre-Back Acquisition

Romero's latest injury setback has left north Londoners short

The club is low on morale, but the upcoming transfer window could provide a lifeline for their season. The need for reinforcements is evident, particularly in defence, where Romero’s injury leaves a hole.

Sources suggest that a new centre-back is a top priority, while the club may also target a goalkeeper to cover for Vicario - and potentially even a combative central midfielder to add depth in an area where they are beginning to look short.

The defence is creaking under the strain of their issues, but a fix is not easy. Jonathan Tah is a player they have tracked extensively, but he looks like holding out until the summer for a transfer away from Bayer Leverkusen.

Additionally, there is Illia Zabarnyi at Bournemouth, Abdukodir Khusanov of Lens, Ko Itakura of Borussia Monchengladbach and Genk’s Matte Smets, who have all been on the club’s radar.

Of a slightly different positioning profile is Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu, who has also become a player of interest, but it is unclear what the level of competition would be to sign him as other big clubs are linked.

One thing difficult to gauge is the budget for transfer spending. Sources have previously hinted to GMS that they would not expect any more than £20million to be forked out for a player - and that may even prove hopeful. But Tottenham's predicament leaves them with little choice but to enter the market, even if it is to look for good value.

Spurs Seeking Long-Term Son Replacement

South Korean expected to leave within next two years

There is also talk of planning for the future. Son, who remains one of the team’s brightest stars, is entering the twilight of his career and there is a growing acceptance that he will leave the club either this year or next.

While South Korean talent Yang Min-hyuk is set to join in January, he is seen as a long-term prospect rather than an immediate solution. Spurs have had recruitment staff working on wide forward options for months, as we have reported.

Despite the noise from fans, Tottenham’s official stance is that they are backing Postecoglou. Results are about to determine whether that stance continues.

In the next few weeks, we could see a change in the narrative. Spurs' decision-makers are aware that falling further behind in the Premier League or exiting cup competitions would increase calls for a managerial change. Levy is well known for making such calls when pressure intensifies and questions begin to be asked of his own role.

Postecoglou has brought an attractive style of play to north London, but the project hangs in the balance. With a congested fixture list and critical decisions looming in January, this is a make-or-break period for both the manager and the club.

Tottenham Hotspur could part ways with midfielder Yves Bissouma if they receive a tempting offer next year, journalist Alasdair Gold has claimed.

The Malian midfielder has struggled to cement his place in Ange Postecoglou’s first XI this season, starting just eight Premier League games, and his departure could soon be on the cards, according to Gold.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Spurs insider pointed to the fact that Bissouma has started fewer than half of the top-flight games he has been available for during his time at Spurs and reiterated his claim in a report for football.london that Tottenham could accept 'a decent bid' for the 28-year-old:

“I just kind of get this feeling that Spurs, if there was a decent bid for Bissouma next summer, at this point, I think they would take it.

“I think they would probably bite someone's hand off, because he's only started 44 Premier League matches out of the 91 he's been available for, or would have been available potential, 91 in the three seasons since he started at the club, since he arrived for £30 million from Brighton, which looked like such a snip at the time.”

Bissouma has seen an increase in playing time lately, with Rodrigo Bentancur still serving his seven-match ban, and has started in Tottenham’s last four top-flight games.

The ex-Brighton midfielder most recently gave away a penalty in Spurs’ 4-3 home defeat to Chelsea and took to social media to apologise to his teammates.

The 'world-class' Malian ace also picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, ruling him out of Tottenham’s visit to Southampton this Sunday.

Under contract in North London until June 2026, Bissouma will have just 12 months left on his deal at the end of the season and is among several Spurs stars now facing an uncertain future at the club.

The likes of Heung-min Son, Sergio Reguilon, Ben Davies, Fraser Forster and Alfie Whiteman all see their contracts expire at the end of the season.

According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Tottenham are expected to trigger a 12-month extension in Son’s contract, instead of tying him to a new multi-year deal, amid concerns over their growing wage bill.

Tottenham Hotspur star Djed Spence is set to be the subject of enquiries during the fast-approaching January transfer window as interested parties have been put on red alert as a result of the outcast being deprived of regular time at Hotspur Way, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.

Although boss Ange Postecoglou showed ambition in the summer, when Dominic Solanke became Spurs' most expensive signing of all-time thanks to completing a £65million switch from Bournemouth, the north Londoners have found themselves in the bottom half of the Premier League following a 4-3 defeat to rivals Chelsea last weekend.

The Greek-Australian tactician has retained the hierarchy's backing following the latest setback, which has left Tottenham with just one win from their last seven encounters, and plans are being put in place to make alterations to the squad during the early stages of 2025 in a bid to aid a European qualification push.

Spurs Preparing to Contend with Spence Bids

Admirers keeping tabs on right-back's situation in north London

Tottenham's resolve is set to be tested by Spence's suitors next month, according to GMS sources, as a number of admirers are determined to discover whether he is in Postecoglou's immediate plans or there is a possibility of him being offloaded for the second half of the campaign.

Although the right-back has been on Spurs' books since sealing a move worth up to £20million from Championship outfit Middlesbrough in July 2022, he has struggled to work his way to the top of the pecking order and limited game time has resulted in him being allowed to spend time out on loan with Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa.

GMS sources have been informed that enquiries over Spence's availability are expected to be lodged in January, but Tottenham are forcing interested parties to play the waiting game thanks to steering clear of making a final decision over his future just a matter of weeks before being in a position to open negotiations.

Spurs are in a strong negotiating position ahead of potentially being forced to contend with proposals as the 24-year-old penned a new contract in October, which allows him to pocket £50,000-per-week and is due to run until the summer of 2028, despite being regularly overlooked by Postecoglou.

Spence is trying to remain patient as he waits for opportunities to break into the Tottenham side, GMS sources have learned, but he has been left wondering how he fits into plans for the rest of the season after seeing Pedro Porro retain his place as the first-choice option on the right-hand side of their backline.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Djed Spence has been restricted to just 71 minutes of Premier League action this season

Spence Not Poised to Have More Game Time

Suitors given further optimism in pursuit of 24-year-old

GMS sources have been told that Spence's admirers have been given further optimism in their pursuit as Tottenham's lack of form will result in it being unlikely that he is on course to be handed regular game time by Postecoglou, increasing the chances of being allowed to embark on a fresh challenge.

Spurs, who have scored the joint-second highest number of goals in the Premier League this term, will not entertain handing the former England under-21 international the opportunity to make himself one of the first names on the team sheet as risks cannot be taken while they are adrift of the European qualification places.

That has given suitors hope of reaching an agreement with Tottenham in the coming weeks, but GMS sources previously revealed that Spence was priced out of the market by his current employers in the summer as Genoa ended up ending their interest when it became clear the capital club were not prepared to lower their demands.

Following another defeat for Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, the London club have been tipped to move for Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

After Chelsea's 4-3 win at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Sunday afternoon, pressure is continuing to mount on Ange Postecoglou. Tottenham have been poor once again this season, and may look to make a change in the dugout. Adam Crafton, a reporter for The Athletic, has singled out Brentford manager Thomas Frank as a man who could take the helm at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

At Brentford, Frank, who plays 'incredible' football according to former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, has continued to improve and adapt to make them very competitive, and has the Bees sat ninth in the Premier League, three points above Tottenham. With one of the best home records in Europe, Thomas Frank has made the Gtech Community Stadium a fortress, so it makes a lot of sense for him to be ready for a move to a European club.

Why Spurs May Need to Change Manager

Things aren't working under Ange.

Sunday's defeat to Chelsea was Tottenham's fourth defeat in their last seven games, with just one win coming during that time. Unusually, their solitary victory was away at the champions, Man City, and defeats have come against Ipswich, and Bournemouth, among others.

After finishing fifth in his first season, just two points shy of a place in the Champions League, there was a lot of optimism coming into this season. After the big money acquisition of Dominic Solanke, fans expected Spurs to kick on, and consolidate themselves in the Champions League places. However, this has not been the case, and Ange has struggled to get much of a tune out of his side.

Sat in the bottom half of the table after 15 games, it may be time for Daniel Levy to change manager and give the reigns to someone else. Although they have had a number of key players injured, Tottenham haven't been at their best for a lot of this season, and they may decide to approach Thomas Frank about taking the job.

Questions are being asked of Ange Postecoglou as the manager at Tottenham after his side's dramatic 4-3 loss to Chelsea. Despite having raced to a 2-0 lead, his side collapsed spectacularly in a match that saw the midfield falter under pressure. Key to this capitulation were Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma, who both conceded crucial penalties that turned the tide in the visitor's favor.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that without James Maddison’s creativity in the middle of the park, Tottenham have failed to instill consistent control over a match. The England international, who was only offered an 11-minute cameo against the Blues, has often been the heartbeat of Spurs’ midfield, and the decision to leave him out of the starting eleven was a confusing one. If Postecoglou is to answer the questions about his future at the club, he would be wise to start Maddison next time.

Spurs Lacked Maddison's Controlling Presence in Midfield

He must start if Postecoglou is to maintain his role as manager

As part of Postecoglou's midfield selection ahead of the clash with Chelsea, Dejan Kulusevski was named alongside £129k per week duo, Bissouma and Sarr, as part of the three, with Brennan Johnson taking the Swede's place on the right-wing. Though Kulusevski netted in early proceedings, the other two players in the middle of the park were caught in disarray on a number of occasions, and also gifted the opposition with two penalties following clumsy fouls. Sarr also lost a total of 12 duels, the most of any other player on the pitch.

Evidently, the midfield composition was not up to standard against Chelsea, and Maddison may well be the ideal solution to address this issue. The English international, who was signed from Leicester for £40 million in 2023, already has five goals and four assists in the Premier League this term, and no other Spurs player has totaled more goal contributions than the 28-year-old. Moreover, his ability to dictate the tempo of a game is vital to maintaining control over games.

Previously hailed as the savior of a club in disarray when he took over, recent results will quickly erode the goodwill Postecoglou has built, and fans are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of forward movement at the club. Still, with some tough fixtures approaching around the corner, including against Liverpool, it is vital for the Greek-Australian custodian to repair the poor form to avoid entering the new year on thin ice, and Maddison's return to the starting eleven must be the first step.

Tottenham succumbed to a disappointing 4-3 defeat at their home ground against London rivals, Chelsea, despite taking a two-goal advantage 11 minutes into the clash. The Athletic jouranlist, Colin Millar has taken to social media to express his concerns about the side's, and specifically the manager's, inability to adapt based on game situations.

There have been numerous occasions just this term in which Spurs have taken leads and lost them due to poor game management, including the 3-2 loss to Brighton earlier this season, and the draws to Roma and Fulham more recently. In addition, several worrying defeats to the likes of Ipswich Town and Bournemouth have further worried supporters, who are beginning to grow frustrated with a lack of consistency.

Millar: Postecoglou Has a 'Serious Flaw'

Spurs have grown a reputation for failing to adapt their approach

Speaking to X (formerly Twitter), Millar shared an "extraordinary" statistic, detailing that Spurs had lost a total of 19 games in 40 Premier League matches, citing stubbornness as a key reason.

In fact, the last time the two London-based outfits met at this stadium, it was no short of an absolute mess. Despite incurring two red cards, Postecoglou remained adamant with his desired style of play, maintaning a high line with just nine men against the Chelsea attack. The game unsurprisingly ended 4-1 to Chelsea, and the Greek-Australian custodian's adventurous approach was subject to controversy, with many noting that such obstinance may be costly going forward.

Indeed, in the same fixture this season, it was some similar adamance which inevitably saw Tottenham lose out on a vital three points. Despite sustaining a two-goal lead very early on, Spurs were unable to control the game, and allowed Chelsea numerous opportunities to turn the game around.

Firm questions are now being asked of Postecoglou's position as manager, as this repeated theme is still yet to be addressed. Pundit, Jamie O'Hara has already gone as far as to call for the sacking of the Tottenham boss, and if such performances continue, other supporters are likely to continue piling on the pressure from the outside.