Inside Futbol

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Everton loan star Harrison Armstrong has admitted that he is enjoying his loan spell at Preston North End, namechecking Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alfie Devine.

Liverpool-born central midfielder Harrison is seen as a top talent at the Toffees and he was in the conversation to be part of David Moyes’ first team squad this season.

However, in the summer transfer window, the teenage talent was loaned out to Preston North End, following his impressive loan spell at Derby County last season.

Armstrong took some time to bed in at Preston as he joined them in September, but he has started all of the last five Championship games for the Lilywhites.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side find themselves seventh in the league table and the Everton midfielder competes with the likes of Devine, Ben Whiteman and Stefan Thoradarson.

The 18-year-old stressed that he is enjoying competing with other players at the club to secure a starting spot for himself, namechecking Devine.

Armstrong also lauded Spurs loan star Devine for his performance against Sheffield United, a game which Preston won 3-2 at Deepdale.

Player On loan at Harrison Armstrong Preston North End Fraser Barnsley Marine Isaac Heath Accrington Stanley Tyler Onyango Stockport County Martin Sherif Rotherham United Francis Okonronkwo Lincoln City Everton’s out on loan talents

“Yes, it is really good competition – obviously, Ali [McCann] has picked up an injury, which is unfortunate”, the Everton talent told Preston’s in-house media (2:17) when he was asked about his time at the club.

“I am really enjoying playing with any team-mates that come in there.

“Whitey [Ben Whiteman] was obviously brilliant tonight, and so was Alfie [Devine], and Stef [Stefan Thoradarson] did well when he came on; they make it really easy.

“Playing with them is enjoyable, and you want to be on that starting team sheet every week because it’s moments like this that you live for.”

Armstrong’s ‘brilliant’ performance was hailed by the Spurs loanee when the Lilywhites beat Derby County last month.

It appears the respect is mutual and the pair will be hoping to come up against each other for their respective clubs in the Premier League at some point.

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Tottenham Hotspur talent Will Lankshear, who is on loan at Oxford United, has admitted that his scoring at the weekend was a ‘massive relief’ for him.

The Welwyn Garden City-born hitman began his youth career with Arsenal and then, after a year with Sheffield United’s academy, he moved to Spurs.

He kept impressing in Tottenham’s youth set-up, and last season, Lankshear clocked some game time for the north London club’s senior side.

Lankshear played in six senior games for Spurs, scoring a goal in the Europa League and in the second half of the campaign, he was loaned out to West Brom.

The teenage striker had a forgettable loan spell at the Baggies, and in the summer window, Championship side Oxford United loaned him in.

Lankshear scored three goals in his first five games, but until the weekend, he had not scored another goal in his loan spell for Gary Rowett’s side.

The U’s defeated Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and Lankshear opened the scoring on the day, stressing that the goal meant a lot to him.

Club Years Tottenham Hotspur 2024- West Brom (loan) 2025 Oxford United (loan) 2025- Will Lankshear’s career history

He scored after almost one and a half months and the 20-year-old did not hide that he is hugely relieved to have scored the goal.

“Yes, it [the goal] did mean a lot to me”, the Spurs loan star told Oxford United’s media (4:54) when he was asked about the importance of scoring.

“As a striker, you go a few games without scoring and you think [gives the expression of getting worried].

“So, yes, now I’ve got that one, and it is a massive relief.

“It was a brilliant ball in [by Cameron Brannagan] and I have a few of them [chances], and I have missed or been offside.

“But today I put it in, so I am really happy with the finish.”

Ex-Championship hitman Sam Parkin recently praised the Spurs talent for being incredibly mature, even though he is only 20.

Now it remains to be seen if Lankshear will be able to follow up on his goal return when the U’s face Millwall on Saturday.

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has given a quickfire blunt assessment of his side’s Premier League title chances after their 3-0 win at Everton.

Spurs have impressed at points this season under the former Brentford boss and with Manchester City and Liverpool struggling for consistency, eyes are being cast around for other possible challengers to Arsenal.

The comfortable victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium pushed Tottenham up to third in the Premier League table, with nine games played.

Frank’s side are five points off league leaders Arsenal and have scored more goals than the Gunners, managing 17 to their rivals’ 16.

Despite that though, the Tottenham boss is not prepared to label his side title challengers.

Asked if Tottenham are title contenders, Frank needed no time to fire back at a press conference: “No.

“That I think is a big…I think there are probably a few teams ahead of us.

Game Competition Newcastle United (A) EFL Cup Chelsea (H) Premier League FC Copenhagen (H) Champions League Tottenham’s next three games

“I think it is fair to say I am only thinking of one game at a time and let’s see where we are in April.”

Tottenham managed to qualify for the Champions League last term by winning the Europa League, a route that is now closed to them this term.

As such, Frank will need to make sure his side finish in the top five this season to secure Champions League football for a second successive season.

Tottenham must now switch their focus towards facing Newcastle United in the EFL Cup in midweek, a game that Micky van de Ven has admitted he expects to be tough.

Van de Ven scored twice in Tottenham’s win over Everton on Sunday and Frank is increasingly making his side a threat from set pieces.

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven is not getting carried away with his side’s 3-0 win at Everton and insists next opponents Newcastle United will be tough.

Thomas Frank’s men headed to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to lock horns with Everton on the back of a stalemate against Monaco in the Champions League.

Spurs had too much for the hosts, making full use of set pieces, a feature of their play under Frank, as Van de Ven scored two headers and Pape Matar Sarr grabbed a third just before the 90th minute.

The Dutchman admits scoring a brace is unbelievable, but the result of hard work at set pieces on the training ground.

“We work on set pieces every day, a little bit and to come away with two today is unbelievable”, he told the BBC’s Match of the Day.

Tottenham are up to third in the Premier League following the win, but switch gears next as they head to St James’ Park to face Newcastle in the EFL Cup.

And it is a game that Van de Ven is expecting to be a real test; it is followed by a meeting with Chelsea.

Result Competition Tottenham 1-1 Newcastle Friendly Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle Premier League Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham Premier League Last three Tottenham-Newcastle meetings

“Newcastle away is always difficult and Chelsea at home is always crazy in our stadium.”

Tottenham got a taste for silverware by winning the Europa League last season and a domestic cup may be their best hope of lifting another trophy this term.

Newcastle however won the EFL Cup last season and will want to make a strong defence of their trophy.

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Fixture: Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: Premier League

Kick-off: 16:30 UK time

Thomas Frank has picked his Tottenham Hotspur lineup to take on Everton in the Premier League at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this afternoon.

Spurs played out a 0-0 draw away at Monaco in the Champions League in midweek, while they lost their last league outing, against Aston Villa.

There are growing expectations of Tottenham’s big money summer signings, a group which includes Xavi Simons.

Frank has insisted that Simons is developing and adapting every day, but made clear that he is looking to see more intensity from him.

The game will represent Tottenham’s first taste of Everton’s new home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and that could well be welcome.

Spurs lost at Goodison Park last season and their last win at the ground game in 2018.

Guglielmo Vicario is in goal for Tottenham this afternoon, while in defence, Frank goes with Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence.

In the engine room, Tottenham have Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and Xavi Simons, while Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson and Randal Kolo Muani lead the attacking threat.

If Frank needs to shuffle his pack by bringing on his substitutes then he has a host of options and they include Mathys Tel and Archie Gray.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Everton

Vicario, Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence, Palhinha, Bentancur, Simons, Kudus, Kolo Muani, Johnson

Substitutes: Kinsky, Richarlison, Tel, Gray, Bergvall, Odobert, Sarr, Scarlett, Byfield

Chris Ricco/Getty Images

Fixture: Monaco vs Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: Champions League

Kick-off: 20:00 UK time

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has picked his starting lineup and substitutes to lock horns with Monaco at the Stade Louis II in the Champions League this evening.

Spurs were turned over 2-1 by Aston Villa in the Premier League last weekend, something which set alarm bells ringing for one former Tottenham player.

Now Frank, whose side were held to a 2-2 draw by Bodo/Glimt on their last Champions League outing, will want to see a return to winning ways tonight.

Monaco were thrashed 4-1 by Club Brugge in their Champions League opener, but held Manchester City to a 2-2 draw at home last time out.

That result marked a run of three consecutive draws heading into tonight’s match and the Ligue 1 outfit may well be prepared to take the same outcome again against Premier League opposition.

The two clubs last met in the Champions League in 2016, with Monaco beating Spurs 2-1 both home and away.

Guglielmo Vicario is in goal for Tottenham tonight, while in defence Frank picks Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven and Archie Gray.

Midfield could be a key battleground this evening and Spurs look towards Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall, while Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert support Richarlison.

There are options on the bench for Frank if he needs to shake things up and they include Randal Kolo Muani and Brennan Johnson.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Monaco

Vicario, Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Gray, Palhinha, Bentancur, Bergvall, Kudus, Odobert, Richarlison

Substitutes: Kinsky, Austin, Simons, Johnson, Spence, Sarr, Kolo Muani, Scarlett, Olusesi, Byfield, Williams-Barnett

Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank has claimed that summer signing Xavi Simons is constantly going in the right direction, giving no cause for worry.

Spurs, after losing out on Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, hijacked Chelsea’s swoop for Simons to make him their headline signing for the summer.

Simons, though, has struggled at Tottenham after his move, with the Dutchman often drifting out of games or electing to play safe passes and has a solitary assist to show for his efforts this season.

Frank asked for patience with Simons, reiterating that despite his quality, the human angle of relocating to a new country will be a factor in settling down.

The Danish manager insisted that Simons is moving in the right direction and cited some examples from his game as promising offshoots.

Frank told a press conference (5:55): “He’s a very good player coming into a new country, new club, new city.

“We’re all getting judged every game but we need to see the bigger perspective.

“There were some good bits – asking him to arrive in the box, and he did. It’s constantly going in the right direction.”

Simons’ assist came more than a month ago against West Ham United in September for Pape Matar Sarr’s opener.

One reason for Simons’ ineffectiveness could be Frank’s propensity to set up his team to attack through the wings rather than centrally.

Mohammed Kudus, another summer signing for £55m, has been instrumental in a lot of attacking moves for Tottenham from the wings in the absence of Dejan Kulusevski.

A former Tottenham star recently warned that Spurs will finish mid-table if they continue performing the same way as they did in the loss to Aston Villa.

Frank will want to quickly the get the balance of his side right and make them an effective threat through the centre as well as the wings to not only bring out the best from Simons but to also make Spurs a harder side to defend against.

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Tottenham Hotspur out-on-loan star Min-hyeok Yang has been dubbed ‘absolutely unbelievable’ given his performances at Championship club Portsmouth.

Since signing the teenager from Tottenham on loan at the start of August, Yang has featured in six Championship games for John Mousinho’s Portsmouth team, scoring two goals.

He has been tipped by former EFL star Sam Parkin to step up in the absence of injured Josh Murphy.

Now, after having set up his first goal for Portsmouth, Yang has earned praise from another person in the form of commentator Matt Davies-Adams.

The commentator insists that the Tottenham-contracted player looks ‘absolutely unbelievable’.

“Yang, the South Korean, looks absolutely unbelievable”, Davies-Adams said on What The EFL (6:47).

At the start of this month, the Portsmouth manager himself gave credit to Yang for his recent performances, insisting that he will be feeling ‘on top of the world’.

Player Min-hyeok Yang Ashley Phillips Alfie Devine Will Lankshear Jamie Donley Tottenham talents on loan at Championship clubs

“I think he should be feeling on top of the world, really!” Mousinho said.

“A young lad who has started three consecutive league games for the first time in his career, all in one week.

“He has got two goals off the back of it, and he has had a massive contribution to the game today [against Middlesbrough].

“He should feel full of confidence. I want to see a lot more of that.”

Tottenham signed Yang from South Korean club Gangwon FC in January this year and sent him out on loan to QPR immediately.

Even for QPR, he showed signs of promise, making three goal contributions in 14 matches.

It now remains to be seen whether his performances are enough to warrant him a place in the Tottenham first-team next summer, when Thomas Frank could take a look at Yang in pre-season.

Yang as one senior appearance for the South Korea national team to his name.

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Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa

Competition: Premier League

Kick-off: 14:00 UK time

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed their starting lineup and substitutes to welcome Aston Villa to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League this afternoon – match preview here.

Thomas Frank’s side head into an important block of games before November’s international break kicks in and Aston Villa, despite their poor start, could reasonably be considered competitors for a Champions League spot finish.

The Spurs boss will have analysed all the data around Aston Villa before the clash, but was clear in the build-up to the game that his instinct and knowledge are the main things he bases his decisions on.

Frank will know that Tottenham have lost their last two meetings with Aston Villa, however both those games were at Villa Park.

All three points for Tottenham this afternoon would move them up to second in the Premier League table, even if only temporarily.

Frank though is aware of the challenge and insists that he rates Villa as a side who are good when they build up the play and have a fantastic structure about them.

Guglielmo Vicario is in goal for Tottenham this afternoon, while in defence, Frank selects a back four of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence.

In midfield, Tottenham have Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and Xavi Simons, while Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert will support Mathys Tel.

If Frank wants to try to change the flow of the game by using his substitutes then he has options available and they include Randal Kolo Muani and Lucas Bergvall.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Aston Villa

Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence, Palhinha, Bentancur, Simons, Kudus, Odobert, Tel

Substitutes: Kinsky, Danso, Richarlison, Gray, Bergvall, Johnson, Sarr, Kolo Muani, Byfield

Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has insisted that he uses data to create the right message for his players, but made it clear that his knowledge and instincts are his best friends.

The north London club have former Brentford boss Frank as their new manager, to take the project at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium forward.

Spurs have enjoyed a good start to their league campaign and look well placed for a strong season under Frank.

Up next, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday – match preview here.

In the modern game, the use of statistics and analytics has grown a lot, as many clubs rely on data from analysts to approach different opponents differently.

Frank, though, has clarified that he does not prefer going into games completely based on statistics and analytics, stressing that he trusts his eyes more.

The Spurs boss, though, is not completely disregarding analytics, as he admitted that numbers are key to analysing performances and creating the correct message for his players, whether good or bad.

Result Competition Aston Villa 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Aston Villa 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur FA Cup Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 Aston Villa Premier League Last three Tottenham-Aston Villa meetings

“Not too much to matchdays, I would say”, Frank told a press conference (7:41), when he was asked if he approaches games based on data.

“I use data, of course, to create the right narrative that I want to maybe get across to players or to you guys [journalists], to make sure that we get the right message out there.

“That’s one thing, secondly, I think it’s good to have another indicator or benchmark that you could look towards to analyse performance.

“But my eyes and my knowledge of principles of what I believe in, is always the most important thing.

“But I think it is also important to have the stats to back up the performance, either way, good or bad.”

Frank could hand striker Randal Kolo Muani his Spurs debut against Aston Villa on Sunday, with the Paris Saint-Germain loan star in contention after recovering from a dead leg.

Tottenham have lost both of their last two meetings with Aston Villa, but both of those were at Villa Park.

Aston Villa’s last win at Tottenham was in November 2023, when Pau Torres and Ollie Watkins struck in a 2-1 victory.