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Under the management of Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur have become, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining teams to watch in European football.

The Australian's philosophy and methods ensure that, whether at home or away, there will be a bucketload of goals when Spurs play.

However, to get the absolute most out of this style of football, the team needs a ground-covering monster in the middle of the park, someone ready to crunch into tackles and then progress the ball rapidly up the pitch, someone like Chelsea's Moises Caicedo.

Fortunately, while they can't go out and sign the Ecuadorian, the club have recently been linked to another exciting defensive midfielder who's been compared to him.

Tottenham chase midfield monster

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are one of several teams interested in signing Palmeiras star Richard Rios this month.

In fact, the report has revealed that the North Londoners have already seen an offer rejected by the Brazilian outfit but are still keen to bring him to N17, while the likes of Nottingham Forest and Everton are also pushing to land the Colombian international.

The report has revealed that the 24-year-old midfielder has a €100m release clause in his current contract, but it's far more likely that a lower offer will eventually be accepted.

It could end up being a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line this month, but considering Rios' ability, it's one worth pursuing, especially as he's been compared to the brilliant Caicedo.

How Rios compares to Caicedo

So, Spurs fans might not like him all that much - he is a Chelsea star, after all - but Rios being a primarily defensive midfielder and being compared to Caicedo is a tremendously encouraging sign, but where has this comparison come from?

Well, it primarily stems from FBref, which compared players in similar positions at last year's Copa América, then created a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in this instance, concluded that the Ecuadorian was the most similar midfielder to the Colombian at the tournament.

We can better understand how this conclusion was reached by looking at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, progressive passes received, non-penalty expected goals, passing accuracy, passes into the penalty area, blocks, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.

However, it's not just a comparison to the Blues' midfield general that makes the Vegachí-born star such an appealing prospect, as his general underlying numbers from the last 365 days have also been brilliant.

For example, FBref has placed the "ball-carrying machine," as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, in the top 2% of midfielders in the next best 14 competitions for tackles in the final third, the top 7% for dribblers challenged and take-ons attempted, the top 8% for total shots, top 10% for passes blocked, the top 11% for goals plus assists and more, all per 90.

On top of that, Mattinson also describes the dynamic ace as a "press-resistant" monster with an "engine which allows him to get up and down the pitch all game," which makes him sound like the perfect addition to Postecoglou's all-action side.

Ultimately, there are risks to signing a player from outside of Europe, but Rios looks like the real deal, and with comparisons to a star like Caicedo, Spurs should make sure they sign him before someone else gets there first.

It's been another campaign of highs and lows for Tottenham Hotspur this season.

Ange Postecoglou's side are currently sitting in 12th in the Premier League and closer to relegation than the Champions League, but have made it through to the fourth round of the FA Cup and hold a 1-0 lead in the League Cup semi-final.

However, to give themselves the best chance of going out and finally ending their trophy drought this year, the club must bring in some real talent this month, the sort of players who can change a game from the first minute or off the bench.

Sadly, their efforts to sign one player hasn't been successful..

Tottenham targeted talented forward

According to a recent report from French outlet L'Équipe, Tottenham had maintained their genuine interest in Paris Saint-Gerrmain ace and Juventus target Randal Kolo Muani.

In fact, the report revealed that the North Londoners had already made an offer to take the Frenchman on loan for the rest of the season with an option to buy.

However, this offer has been rejected and, according to Fabrizio Romano, he is now set to join Juventus with the Italian journalist giving the deal his famous 'here we go'.

Given Kolo Muani has been described as "one of the best forwards in Europe" by former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, it will be a bitter blow for Daniel Levy and Co.

He could well have been the next Lucas Moura too...

Why Kolo Muani could have been the next Moura

Okay, before we look at some of the other reasons Spurs should be looking to sign Kolo Muani as soon as possible, let's examine why he could have been the next Moura for the club.

The first reason is incredibly straightforward, and it is simply the fact that if he moved to Spurs this month, he'd have followed in the Brazilian's footsteps from PSG to N17 in a January deal - just seven years later.

The second reason is that, like Sao Paulo-born dynamo, the former Eintracht Frankfurt star can play across multiple positions in the attack, from either wing to straight down the middle.

However, while the similarities to a player who gave Spurs fans one of the best nights of their lives is great, it's not the only reason Daniel Levy and Co were looking to sign him.

Instead, they should have been looking to bringing him to North London because when he's given a chance to regularly start games, he's sensational.

For example, the "very complete" forward, as dubbed by Kylian Mbappe, racked up a pretty impressive haul of 12 goals and six assists in 44 appearances last season, which is an average of a goal involvement every 2.44 games.

However, in the campaign prior to that, when he was unquestionably the main man for Frankfurt, he was simply unstoppable, scoring 23 goals and providing 17 assists in just 46 appearances, which comes to an average of a goal involvement every 1.15 games.

Finally, on top of his impressive record at the club level, the goalscoring "superstar," as dubbed by German legend Lothar Matthaus, has won 27 senior caps for France, in which he's scored eight goals and provided four assists, proving he can do it at the highest level.

Ultimately, Spurs need attacking reinforcements this month, and missing out on Kolo Muani certainly won't help their cause.

Tottenham Hotspur are just one game away from reaching the League Cup final, having defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final clash.

A win or draw in the return leg at Anfield will ensure the club plays in a first cup final since the 2020/21 campaign, when they reached the final of the EFL Cup, only to lose to Manchester City.

Ange Postecoglou has come in for plenty of criticism this term, especially with the club languishing 12th in the Premier League table at the time of writing.

But could winning a first trophy since 2008 be the catalyst for improvement? The jury is still out on the Australian, but he could become the first manager to lead Spurs to a major trophy since Juande Ramos 17 years ago.

Since the Spaniard was sacked after a horror start to the 2008/09 season, the north Londoners have employed eight permanent managers. We have ranked these managers by their attempts to end Tottenham's trophy drought.

July 2014 - November 2019

In hindsight, sacking Mauricio Pochettino in November 2019 was a massive mistake. Of course, the start of that season hadn’t quite gone exactly to plan, but this was a man who had led the club to the Champions League final just a few months before.

The lowest that Spurs finished in the Premier League under the Argentinian was fifth during his maiden season, qualifying for the Champions League across the next four campaigns.

In the top flight, he averaged 1.89 points per match, finishing runners-up during 2016/17, and the likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min developed into world-class players.

October 2008 - June 2012

While Pochettino established Spurs as a top-four side, it was Harry Redknapp who achieved the feat first.

Taking over from Juande Ramos wasn’t easy, but the veteran manager began to slowly turn things around, going on to finish fourth during his first full season in charge, which qualified Spurs for the Champions League.

A run to the quarter-finals in the following season was mightily impressive, and while Redknapp couldn’t lead them to a trophy, the standards he set in place gave Pochettino a platform to build upon when he took over in 2014.

July 2023 - present

If - and it is a big if - Postecoglou can lead Spurs to the League Cup, it may prove to be a huge turning point for the former Celtic manager.

At times, the football on show is sublime, with wins over Manchester City and Manchester United the highlights. Sticking to his attacking philosophy when some games require a more pragmatic approach may be seen as tactical naivety, but the Australian sticks to what he is good at.

Injuries haven’t helped Spurs this season, and if given time, Postecoglou could be a successful manager for the club.

July 2012 - December 2013

Sacked after eight months as Chelsea manager didn’t deter André Villas-Boas from trying again in the Premier League, this time with Spurs.

During the 2012/13 season, he led the club to a fifth-place finish, perhaps over-relying on Gareth Bale's brilliance at times, but the football on show was superb.

They scored 70 goals that term in the Premier League - the fifth-best attacking side in the division - but this wouldn’t save Villas-Boas.

Indeed, he was sacked in December 2013 after a 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, ending his 18 months back in England.

November 2021 - March 2023

Antonio Conte took over the club in November 2021 following the sacking of Nuno Espírito Santo and led the club to fourth place, losing just six games in the process.

Despite this, Spurs failed to make it past the last 16 in the Champions League during 2022/23, while Conte lasted until March 2023 before being sacked after a run of one win in his previous five matches.

December 2013 - June 2014

Tim Sherwood lasted just 26 matches in charge of Spurs, but he did have a 59% win percentage in the Premier League.

While the football wasn’t the greatest under the Englishman, his commitment to giving youth talent a chance has to be recognised.

Indeed, it was Sherwood who gave Kane his first-ever start in the Premier League. 435 appearances and 280 goals later, unleashing him was one of Sherwood’s better moments.

His first game saw Spurs knocked out of the League Cup, before being handed the permanent role a few days later. Unfortunately, losses to Arsenal (twice) combined with heavy defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City during his spell meant he only lasted until the end of the 2013/14 season.

His replacement was Pochettino, who enjoyed a much more productive time in charge of the club.

November 2019 - April 2021

Following the surprise sacking of Mauricio Pochettino, it was evident that Spurs would need a manager who could take the club to the next level - winning trophies.

On that note, José Mourinho sounded like the ideal candidate. His most recent spell at Manchester United had seen him win two major trophies in his debut season, although things soon turned sour.

The Portuguese manager lasted just 86 games in charge, leading the club to a sixth-place finish in the 2019/20 campaign. Indeed, it was Mourinho who last led the club to a major final, securing their place in the League Cup finale against Manchester City.

July 2021 - November 2021

It is perhaps no surprise to see Nuno Espírito Santo ranked as the worst manager the club have had since 2008, as his spell at the club was nothing short of dismal.

He did work wonders with Wolverhampton Wanderers, guiding them from the Championship to consecutive seventh-place finishes in the top flight, but at Spurs, he struggled majorly.

Overall, he managed the club for just 17 games, winning nine, but the football on show was largely forgettable. Losses to Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Crystal Palace in the top flight didn’t exactly help his cause and he was sacked in November 2021.

Tottenham Hotspur might not have had the best of luck on the pitch over the last ten to 15 years, but they have been blessed with some sensationally gifted footballers.

The likes of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min formed one of the best strike partnerships the Premier League has ever seen, and if we go all the way back to the early 2010s, a certain Luka Modrić was making a name for himself at the heart of the Lilywhites' midfield.

However, when it comes to pure explosive entertainment value, there has been perhaps no bigger Spurs star in modern history than Gareth Bale, as the Welsh international took English football by storm before securing a world-record move to the biggest club in the game, Real Madrid.

While the income was undoubtedly a boon for the North Londoners, we do not doubt that the fans would have rather kept the world-class winger, and the bad news is that they could be about to lose another future star to Los Blancos in a move that could be uncomfortably reminiscent of Bale's departure.

Tottenham at risk of losing young star

According to a recent report from Spain, Real Madrid are now interested in Spurs' young talent, Archie Gray.

The report has revealed that Los Blancos are on the hunt for young players 'with great potential' and have now 'set their sights on the talented English footballer,' which is news no Spurs fan will want to hear.

According to the story, the Spanish giants are willing to offer around €50m for the 18-year-old, which converts to about £42m, or just £12m more than the Lilywhites paid for him in the summer.

Daniel Levy and Co might be tempted by the prospect of making an instant profit on Gray, but given his performances this season and the enormous potential so many believe him to possess, selling him this month would be absurd, especially as they wasted the money they received from the last star they sold to Real.

Why Gray's sale would be a Bale repeat

Okay, so before we get into some of the reasons Real might want to sign Gray this month and why Spurs certainly shouldn't be selling him, let's examine why a potential sale would be reminiscent of Bale's departure over a decade ago.

The first reason is that it would be another example of the Lilywhites selling an exciting British talent to the Spanish giants for a sizeable fee and a profit on what they originally paid for the players themselves.

The second similarity is that, like the Welshman, the former Leeds ace is already proving to be a versatile footballer who can play various positions, from midfield to full-back and even centre-back.

Finally, if Levy and Co were to sell the 18-year-old dynamo this month, then, like with the former Southampton star, they would almost certainly be selling an exceptional prospect before he has even reached his peak years.

This last point links to why the 15-time Champions League winners want him to begin with, as despite being so young, the Durham-born prodigy has looked right at home in the toughest league in world football.

In fact, while he has mainly played in defence this season, he's so highly thought of by those in the know that respected analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a "future £100m" midfielder last year, which, given how well he has adapted to life in the Premier League this season, despite the tumultuous nature of Spurs' campaign, doesn't seem unrealistic.

It's not just Mattinson that has lofty expectations for the young phenom either, as talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed he possessed "quality way beyond his years" and that he was a "top talent" back in February.

Ultimately, while making a quick profit on a young player signed in the last window might be tempting for some of the Spurs hierarchy, they simply cannot sell Gray this month.

If they do, it'll just be a repeat of Bale's departure, and the fans will have to watch him go on and win everything there is to win with the Spanish giants.

Tottenham Hotspur made an approach on Monday over the potential signing of a player who is certain to leave his club before February 3, as technical director Johan Lange and the recruitment team sense a January transfer opportunity.

Tottenham eyeing next January signing after Antonin Kinsky

Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou has already been backed with the addition of an astute new back-up keeper in Antonin Kinsky, who's performed impressively since his £12.5 million move from Slavia Prague.

Guglielmo Vicario's injury and Fraser Forster's poor form pushed the Lilywhites into finding a solution between the sticks, with Lange's data-driven recruitment model reportedly landing them on top goalkeeping target Kinsky.

The Czech ace enjoyed a debut to remember against Liverpool in Tottenham's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Arne Slot's side, shutting out the Premier League title frontrunners and making a plethora of saves in what was a commanding display.

The 21-year-old, who's yet to concede since putting pen to paper on his move to north London, also shut out English minnows Tamworth last weekend as Postecoglou's men battled to a 3-0 victory.

The club's talent spotting needs to be credited when it comes to Kinsky, who is surely only going to get better. However, the keeper is very unlikely to be their only January addition, as rumours continue to surround a possible move for PSG outcast Randal Kolo Muani.

There were reports last week that Tottenham hoped to finalise a deal for Kolo Muani by the weekend, and while this has proved not to be the case, reliable media outlets all claim that Spurs are firmly in the race to seal the Frenchman's signature.

As per Fabrizio Romano, writing via X, a fresh update has come to light on their pursuit of the £206,000-per-week forward.

Indeed, it is believed Tottenham contacted PSG again on Monday over a potential deal for Kolo Muani, alongside Serie A heavyweights Juventus, who are also attempting to prise him away from the Parc des Princes.

While PSG are insisting on their current conditions, the 26-year-old will "100%" leave this window, and Man United are only in the background of this race asking to be kept aware of the situation - so it appears Spurs and Juve are the two main contenders.

According to another credible journalist, David Ornstein, Tottenham regard Kolo Muani as one of the "best versatile attackers available" - explaining why they're so keen to get him over the line before deadline day.

It's been about a year and a half since Ange Postecoglou was appointed manager of Tottenham Hotspur, and it would be fair to say that a lot has changed in that time.

There have been some undeniable positives, such as the more entertaining style of football, some big wins over Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United and the signing of players like Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke.

However, there have also been some significant problems, such as the team's wildly unpredictable form and, on the recruitment side of things, the signing of Timo Werner on loan.

The German forward failed to establish himself in the team last season and has somehow endeavoured to be even worse this season, so recent reports linking the club with a player who could be the perfect replacement should excite fans.

Tottenham chase Premier League star

According to a recent report from the Independent's Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney, Tottenham are one of several teams interested in Manchester United's wantaway Marcus Rashford.

In fact, Delaney has revealed that the North Londoners have already made contact and held informal talks over the possibility of taking the Englishman on loan for the rest of the season.

However, in his report, he also claims that the United ace is likelier to go abroad and that his enormous £300k-per-week wage would pose an issue for the Lilywhites.

With that said, if they can convince Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co to cover a portion of his salary, then this could be a brilliant transfer for Tottenham, as even though he is someway off his best, Rashford would be an instant upgrade on Werner.

How Rashford compares to Werner

So, as things stand, it seems that Postecoglou's go-to backup for Son Heung-min off the left is Werner, but as most fans will likely attest, he has been less than effective since moving to North London last January.

Therefore, were Rashford to join the club this month, he'd likely do so to compete with the German behind and for that to come in when the South Korean has to rest, and we reckon that is a competition he'd win hands down.

For example, despite being left out of the squad multiple times this season, the Manchester-born attacker has still scored seven goals and provided three assists in 24 appearances, totalling 1500 minutes.

That means that the "electric" 60-capped international, as dubbed by Statman Dave, is currently averaging a goal involvement every 2.4 games, or every 150 minutes for the Red Devils this season, which is perhaps better than some might have believed.

In contrast, the former RB Leipzig ace has only been able to score a single goal and provided three assists in his 26 appearances this season, totalling 937 minutes.

In other words, the Stuttgart-born forward is averaging a goal involvement every 6.5 games, or every 234.25 minutes this year, which simply isn't good enough for a team like Tottenham.

Ultimately, if Spurs are to progress this season and potentially even lift some silverware, Postecoglou is going to need some more attacking reinforcements, and while signing him on a permanent deal would potentially be too risky, bringing Rashford in for six months could be just what the team needs.

Therefore, Daniel Levy and Co should do what they can to bring him to N17 this month, as even if his form remained the same, he'd be an instant upgrade on Werner.

The unpredictability of Tottenham Hotspur's campaign has continued into the new year in full force.

In just two weeks, Ange Postecoglou's side have lost at home to Newcastle United, beat the incredible Liverpool in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final, and then required extra time to beat fifth-tier strugglers Tamworth Town in the FA Cup.

However, with progress being made in two cup competitions, the mood in N17 is more positive than it was last week, and in yet more encouraging developments, the summer signings of Dominic Solanke, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray continue to prove their worth and the manager right.

So, recent reports linking the club with a striker currently outscoring Solanke in a move reminiscent of Gray's should excite the fans.

Tottenham Hotspur chase free-scoring forward

According to a recent report from Spain, Tottenham are interested in West Bromwich Albion's inform marksman, Josh Maja.

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report has revealed that fierce rivals and fellow Premier League giants Chelsea are also keen on the 26-year-old forward this month.

While competition from the free-spending Blues is far from ideal for the North Londoners, the good news is that, per the report, the former Sunderland ace is valued at around £15m, which for a backup striker is a fee the club could easily justify.

It might be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Maja's form this season and Spurs' need for a backup to Solanke, it's one worth pursuing, especially as there are parallels to Gray's move in the summer.

How Maja compares to Solanke and Gray

Okay, so before we look at Maja's form this season and how he stacks up to the man he could be competing with if he were to join Spurs, Solanke, let's explore the main parallel between his potential move and Gray's.

The most significant similarity is that, like with the teenager's transfer, the North Londoners would be swooping in for one of the best players in a promotion-chasing Championship side.

Granted, the potential upside of the 26-year-old forward is far smaller than with the teenage star, but as he is currently West Brom's top-scorer, he is arguably even more important to them than the Englishman was to Leeds United.

With that out the way, how has the Lewisham-born poacher's season stacked up to Solanke's this year?

Well, in just 26 appearances for the Baggies, totalling 2077 minutes, the "sensational" striker, as dubbed by Nigerian football writer Samm Audu, has found the back of the net on 12 occasions, which comes out to an average of a goal every 2.16 games, or every 173 minutes.

In contrast, Postecoglou's starting centre-forward has found the back of the net on 11 occasions in 28 appearances, totalling 2158 minutes, meaning he is currently averaging a goal every 2.54 games, or every 196.18 minutes.

Now, while that comparison certainly paints the Nigerian international in a brilliant light, it's important to add that the former Bournemouth star has also provided six assists to his two this term and that the Englishman is operating in a far more challenging league.

However, even with that added context, Maja's performances this season have been seriously impressive, and while he shouldn't be looked upon as an upgrade for Solanke, he'd almost certainly be a useful backup, especially as Richarlison continues to suffer from injury setback after injury setback.

Therefore, so long as the price remains at £15m, Daniel Levy and Co should look to bring the West Brom ace to N17, as he'd be a valuable squad player, and the last signing they made from the Championship is settling into the team nicely.

Tottenham have now begun exploring a deal to sign a new forward for Ange Postecoglou this month as they look to bolster their ranks in the wake of a disappointing first half of the Premier League campaign, according to a fresh report.

Tottenham need reinforcements

Having been ravaged by injuries, Tottenham are in need of more signings this January. They have already begun in strong fashion, signing goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in a deal worth £12.5m from Slavia Prague, and the Czech shot-stopper going on to keep two clean sheets in his first two Spurs appearances.

However, there are still gaps in the squad. Centre-back remains a concern following injuries to Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, though the performances of Archie Gray have gone some way to alleviating those concerns.

Elsewhere, there are problems in attack. Despite scoring the second most goals in the Premier League so far this season, some of their forwards continue to underwhelm. Timo Werner is yet to find the net this season, while Heung Min-Son has only managed five top flight goals, underwhelming by his usual high standards.

Long-term injuries to both Richarlison and Wilson Odobert have also left Spurs light in attack, forcing Dejan Kulusevski to play in wide areas more often than Postecoglou would seemingly like, with his long term future looking likely to be in the centre of midifeld.

With that in mind, it appears that a new forward is needed for the second half of the campaign, and now Spurs are seemingly trying to land one.

Tottenham investigating shock move for England international

Now, a fresh report from The Independent has claimed that Spurs are one of two English sides interested in a move to sign Marcus Rashford this month, with the Manchester United outcast expected to leave. The Englishman has been sidelined since Ruben Amorim's arrival, despite scoring the first goal of the former Sporting CP coach's regime at Old Trafford.

As a result, a move away in January looks likely as the Red Devils try to shift his £15m per year salary from their books at least temporarily, though it is suggested that "any move this January is almost certain to be a loan" rather than a temporary exit.

And after Spurs were linked with Rashford over the weekend, this new report claims that "informal talks" have taken place over a potential switch to north London, where he would be a welcome upgrade to Postecoglou's squad.

However, there is also talks being held over a move away from England for Rashford, a transfer that is claimed to be "much likelier" at present than moving to another Premier League side between now and the end of the month. Though he has struggled for form this season, his speed, directness and powerful shooting make him a dangerous opponent, as former Barcelona boss Xavi explained when his side faced him two years ago.

"In the transition he is very, very dangerous so, yes, we need to take care of all of them but especially Rashford", he said of the Manchester United side. "He's one of the most dangerous players now in Europe, yeah. He's very fast, he has a very good at dribbling in one-versus-one."

Missing that so far this season thanks to the form of Son and injuries elsewhere, it is little surprise to see Tottenham exploring a shock move, even if it is unlikely.

It would be fair to say that things have not exactly gone to plan for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this season.

As things stand, Ange Postecoglou's side currently find themselves in 12th place and closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League places.

That said, with a 1-0 lead over Liverpool in their League Cup semi-final and a laboured but ultimately successful 3-0 win over Tamworth in the FA Cup, there is a real chance the Australian could lead the club to a trophy this season.

However, for that to happen, Spurs' most important players will need to be at their best, including club captain Son Heung-min, whose form has been very hit-and-miss this year, as exemplified by the fact he hasn't scored or assisted a goal in his last five league games.

Fortunately, the transfer window is now open, and recent reports have linked the club to an incredibly exciting talent who could help revive the South Korean superstar for the second half of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur target Serie A star

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are one of several teams interested in Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu.

Alongside the Lilywhites, the report has revealed that Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool are also keen on the young talent, while the likes of Manchester City, Juventus, AC Milan, Napoli, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig are all 'aware' of him.

On top of dealing with the enormous competition, Daniel Levy and Co will also have to dig deep into their pockets to sign the Danish ace as, according to the story, the Serie A side value him at around €50m, which is about £42m.

In all, it'll likely be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Dorgu's immense ability and potential, it's one worth pursuing, especially as he could help revive Son.

How Dorgu could revive Son at Spurs

So, to get straight to the point, the way Dorgu could help get the best back out of Son is obviously not through his defensive work at left-back but through his sensational attacking abilities.

For example, in just 21 appearances this season, totalling 1820 minutes, the 20-year-old phenom has already scored three goals and provided one assist for Lecce, which means he is currently averaging a goal involvement every 5.25 games, or every 455 minutes.

Granted, he has spent some of the campaign as a right-winger, but if anything, that only shows how accomplished and comfortable he already is in attacking scenarios.

Away from his pure output, we can further see how effective the "explosive" prospect, as U23 scout Antonio Mango described him, is as an attacking full-back when we look at his underlying numbers compared to other full-backs in Europe's top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League across the last 365 days.

According to FBref, he sits in the top 2% for non-penalty expected goals, the top 3% for actual non-penalty goals, the top 4% for total shots, the top 6% for aerial duels won, the top 7% for carries into the penalty area, the top 8% for non-penalty expected goals plus assists, the top 10% for touches in the opposition's penalty area and the top 11% for shot-creating actions from successful take-ons, all per 90.

Now, while most of those metrics would help get more out of the Lilywhites' captain, perhaps the most important are the last two, as his dynamism in getting up and down the flank and into the opposition's box should take some of the physical demands off of Son, who can focus more on getting into dangerous positions vacated by defenders tracking the Dane, or playing balls into the marauding full-back.

Ultimately, the South Korean icon is an incredibly gifted player, but at 32 years old, he needs players around him who can do more of the non-stop running required in a Postecoglou system, and in Dorgu Spurs could have that and more in a prospect respected analyst Ben Mattinson claims "oozes calmness and composure".

Therefore, while it may require a significant investment, Daniel Levy and Co should do what they can to bring the Lecce ace to N17 before one of their rivals gets to him first.

Unlike their north London rivals, Tottenham are in the hat for the fourth round of the FA Cup, but not without an almighty scare along the way.

Having beaten Liverpool in the Carabao Cup just a few days prior, Spurs travelled to Tamworth where they faced non-league opposition.

They weren't expecting an easy ride on an artificial surface away from home but it should have been a great deal less challenging than it was.

At the break, the score read 0-0 and come the end of the 90 minutes, it still read 0-0. Tottenham had their chances, as did Tamworth, but it took over 100 minutes for the breakthrough to finally be broken.

It came courtesy of an own goal. Ange Postecoglou's men eventually prevailed 3-0 after extra time but even that flattered the visitors.

Tottenham's biggest underperformers against Tamworth

It's safe to say this is not a day that will live long in the memory of the playing squad at Spurs. They did not do themselves justice at all.

While the defence kept a clean sheet, the forward line until extra time endured a torrid afternoon at the office.

Mikey Moore can perhaps be excused given this was his first game after a lengthy run of illness and Brennan Johnson did, at least, find the net in extra time.

German Timo Werner, already on the end of a verbal attack from his manager this season, was notably the biggest underperformer in the Premier League side's ranks.

The winger hasn't scored since October 30th when he found the net in the 2-1 win over Manchester City. That's now a run of 14 straight games without finding the net.

Thus, a match against fifth-tier side Tamworth should have been the perfect opportunity to rediscover some form but he did not.

Werner had his chances too but had a header clearer off the line and also saw an effort well denied by Lambs goalkeeper Jas Singh.

Ultimately, however, the former Chelsea forward's attacking play was fruitless, handed a dismal 3/10 match rating by the Express' Jack McEachen who noted it was a 'very underwhelming display'.

While his long-term future should be in doubt, so should Pedro Porro's.

Pedro Porro's performance in numbers

The Spaniard's performance against Tamworth is likely to divide opinion.

That's because, despite some bad elements to his game, he did actually play a pivotal role in Spurs turning the game around late on.

It was the full-back's smart thinking, taking a free-kick quickly that forced the own goal for the opener in extra-time.

That being said, his general play was sloppy and in the words of the aforementioned McEachen who also gave him a 3/10, Porro 'struggled in possession and against Tamworth's biggest outfield threat of Beck-Ray Enoru'.

No disrespect to the Tamworth side, of course, but that viewpoint was made all the worse by the fact that Enoru is a semi-professional footballer who also works in retail.

While the left winger only completed three passes in the game, he did attempt seven dribbles to sum up the tricky afternoon Porro was given.

Speaking of numbers, the Tottenham full-back's make for grim reading in some departments. While he did win 13 of his 17 contested duels, he could only complete two key passes and 68% of his overall passes.

That ensured that rather staggeringly, the 25-year-old gave away the ball on 45 occasions. The game did last 120 minutes but that was 27.5 times more than his average of 17.5 per game in the Premier League this term.

While it's unlikely the Spain international departs this January, it would not be a surprise if Spurs did sanction his exit over the summer.

This isn't the first time the defender has been caught out at the back this term and if Postecoglou is going to improve the club's rocky defensive record, acquiring a right-back who's more solid is a wise idea.