ToTheLaneAndBack - Tottenham Fan Site

Tottenham Hotspur continues to struggle with inconsistency, but players like Sarr, Romero, and Solanke have stepped up admirably. However, some key players have fallen short of expectations, including James Maddison, who, despite a stellar last season, has struggled to secure a spot in the starting XI. Ange Postecoglou might look to replace Maddison with Mikey Moore if he decides to part ways with his star midfielder in the summer.

Speaking on ESPN, former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison heaped praise on Tottenham’s rising star, predicting he could be the next standout talent from their academy. Hutchison highlighted Moore’s impressive performances in Europa League fixtures and backed the youngster to step into Maddison’s role should the England international leave at the end of the season.

Maddison soon to be replaced by the youngster

James Maddison’s influence under Ange Postecoglou has diminished recently, with the 27-year-old dropped from the starting XI in Tottenham’s last two Premier League matches, including a 2-1 home loss to Ipswich Town before the international break. He was also left out of the line-up for Spurs’ Carabao Cup victory over Manchester City and has started only once in their last four games across all competitions.

Despite a strong start to the season, where he notched two goals and three assists in his first eight league appearances, Maddison has seen his role diminish. Postecoglou’s tactical shift towards prioritising work rate and midfield control has relegated the England international down the pecking order.

The former Liverpool Midfielder explains, speaking on Espn

“Mikey Moore, when you talk revelation to me, revelation to me is finding someone brand new. And I think Mikey Moore, I’ve worked on Tottenham’s European games this season. He’s played a few of them. He’s been outstanding.

“I spoke to Tim Sherwood, Jermaine Defoe, they reckon he’s the next one to come from their academy.

“I think if Ange Postecoglou wants to move James Maddison on in the summer, then Mikey Moore can fill his shoes. I think it could be that good.

“So I think revelation is a young player, someone brand new. That’s why I am going from Mikey Moore.”

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Mikey Moore made a breakthrough into Tottenham’s first team at just 16. Now 17, the young attacker has solidified his spot in Ange Postecoglou’s plans, featuring in eight matches across all competitions this term, including his first league start against Crystal Palace last month.

The future remains uncertain, however, as Maddison retains the quality to turn his form around, while Moore continues to show steady improvement, staking his claim for a more prominent role

Criticism has been coming towards Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham side more vehemently this season as they continue to stumble upon the same blocks that stopped them from getting a top-four finish last season.

And one of his players has come out to address the outside noise directly.

Looking forward “to silence people”, says Dejan Kulusevski

In a recent interview given to Fotbollskanalen, Dejan Kulusevski admitted that he was looking to silence his critics in the coming games.

“You are hungry. Everyone on this team wants to silence a lot of people, I think. There’s been a lot of nonsense.

“There has been too much nonsense and too many people talking. So, it comes from there too. You want to silence people. Sometimes it hurts when we play well, and that’s something you like as a player. To go out and enjoy your football and show how good you are.

“You know that [which criticism exactly] for sure. You know better than me. You know that. It’s two years. Tough year. But when it’s tough, you see people. How they enjoy it. And it’s fun for me.

“Because later when it turns around, I want to hear them too. Because it’s easy to talk when things have been tough, but when things look like this, maybe it’s harder to comment.”

Kulusevski after Sweden’s win over Azerbaijan, as quoted by Spurs Web.

Kulusevski, playing a central role in Ange Postecoglou’s side this season, has two goals and five assists in 17 appearances for the Lilywhites thus far.

The 24-year-old has a £110,000-per-week contract at Spurs running until June 2028.

Good luck with that

People talk—it’s a fundamental truth of life, and football wouldn’t be half as fun and important without the community that surrounds it.

Yes, it ought to be called out and condemned when people take things too far and into the abuse territory, but a fair few keep their criticism objective, and when it comes to that, a lot of what is being said about Spurs and their playing style is not completely unjustified.

It is interesting to see that Kulusevski, one of Spurs’ more consistent players, has actively come out to address the criticism. It also shows that the players are keen to deliver their best under Postecoglou, but if they are going to try play and get better results, they should do so for their own improvement, because people will not stop talking regardless of what happens.

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Radu Drăgușin rejected a robust offer from Bayern Munich to arrive in the Premier League when he joined Tottenham last January.

However, with the next January around the corner, it looks like the Lilywhites are already willing to part ways with him.

Tottenham’s asking price for Radu Drăgușin revealed

As reported by TeamTalk, a fee in the region of €30 million could convince Tottenham to let Radu Drăgușin leave permanently in January.

The Romania international arrived at Hotspur Way from Genoa in a €25m move earlier this year, but things have not been working out for him thus far. Recent discontent over a lack of playing time was followed by a string of underwhelming performances from the 22-year-old, which have arrived alongside his agent talking frequently about a potential exit.

Drăgușin has played 646 minutes of club football this season across nine appearances.

Valued by Transfermarkt at €25 million, the centre-back has in place a £85,000-per-week contract at Spurs running until June 2030. He has recently linked with Serie A heavyweights Napoli and Juventus.

Drăgușin won’t be missed too much

Spurs fans have not taken kindly to the fact that Drăgușin’s agent has been more than keen to chat about moves away from North London, which is understandable given his performances when he has played of late.

If Spurs are sincere about continuing with Ange Postecoglou beyond this season, it’s in their best interests that they cut their losses on Drăgușin in the winter while they have the chance.

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Westerlo eyeing a dream loan move for Tottenham starlet Lucas Bergvall

Belgium top-flight club KVC Westerlo recently completed an official collaboration with Tottenham Hotspur.

Earlier this year, Spurs sent two of its young players —Alfie Devine and Luka Vuskovic — on loan to KVC Westerlo for the season. Spurs’ young duo Alfie Devine and Luka Vuskovic have been enjoying their loan spells at Westerlo.

Vuskovic has been performing very well at the Belgian club, making steady progress. The young Croatian defender will technically arrive at White Hart Lane in the summer of 2025 from Hajduk Split when he turns 18. The 20-year-old Devine, an academy product from the Hotspur Way, is more experienced than Vuskovic and will hope this loan can either get him first-team opportunities at Tottenham next term or a move elsewhere.

Both loans have been a roaring success, particularly that of Vuskovic. Now, Westerlo are dreaming of a potential deal with Tottenham for another talented youngster.

According to a report from Dutch outlet Voetbal Nieuws, Westerlo will try to bring Lucas Bergvall on loan during the January transfer window.

Spurs signed Lucas Bergvall from Djurgardens IF in January, beating competition from Barcelona for his signature. He officially arrived at the North London club in June.

In his debut season at Spurs, the midfielder has been a regular for the team’s Europa League matches but has barely featured in the Premier League, having played just 46 minutes across five appearances. He is yet to start a Premier League game and has in fact not played in the competition at all since September, despite being included in every matchday squad.

Head coach Ange Postecoglou has spoken to Bergvall about “giving him an understanding of the levels here”, which the youngster has had no problem admitting. Thus, a temporary switch for the midfielder to Westerlo in January to gain some valuable experience cannot be ruled out, the aforementioned report adds.

A move to the Jupiler Pro League could be the perfect intermediate step for Bergvall, who is clearly not the first-choice pick in the Spurs midfield under Big Ange. The Sweden international is raw and needs to get some physicality before regularly competing in the Premier League. At Westerlo, he could get much-needed regular minutes under his tank and regain his confidence.

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Having seen the likes of Vuskovic and Devine thrive at Het Kuipje, Westerlo appears an attractive potential destination for Bergvall. Daniel Levy, Johan Lange and Big Ange must look to send the Stockholm-born talent to Belgium to continue his development. It should be an agreement that benefits all parties involved.

Richarlison has had a torrid time with injury problems at Tottenham

Richarlison has been a frustrating figure at Tottenham Hotspur for his inconsistent performances mixed with his persistent injury issues.

The Brazilian international has looked underwhelming since he moved to the Hotspur Way from Everton in the summer of 2022. After failing to barely replicate his Everton form at Tottenham, perhaps the majority of the supporters would want him to be shown the door in the next transfer window and replace the forward adequately.

However, according to an exclusive report from GIVEMESPORT, Tottenham are dreading that their hopes of Richarlison raising his stocks and potentially being the subject of a big-money offer in January have been endangered following his recent injury.

Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Richarlison will be out for a significant amount of time after sustaining a hamstring injury in Spurs’ 4-1 home win over Aston Villa in the Premier League. Things have been extremely tough for the South American this season, amassing only 88 minutes of Premier League action thus far thanks to a hamstring injury.

The Lilywhites had thought of easing the Brazilian back into the mix after he returned from injury at the end of last month. They had hoped to see Richarlison gradually get back to full fitness, rediscover his mojo and catch the eye of his suitors enough to make a big-money offer.

However, the latest injury setback may have dashed the North Londoners’ chances of being able to sell Richarlison for a lucrative fee during the winter transfer window. The aforementioned report adds the chiefs at the Hotspur Way are concerned that an extended period on the sidelines will make it difficult to move him off their wage bill.

Due to his recent injury, the £90,000 per week star is expected to miss Spurs’ hectic schedule after the November international break. This will directly affect his market valuation as it will certainly drop due to the forward’s non-involvement in competitive action for the club.

Spurs signed Richarlison in a £60million deal from Everton two years ago, and regardless of his poor form and fitness record, key decision-makers at the Hotspur Way remain resolute in recouping the entirety of that fee if the striker leaves the club for greener pastures.

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For now, Big Ange and Daniel Levy will be eager for the ex-Watford man to make a swift recovery from his hamstring injury before having the chance to return to some form before attracting his suitors into tabling an offer during the mid-season trading period.

Tottenham defender Cristian Romero is a transfer target for Real Madrid

Tottenham Hotspur have been exploring options to add quality and depth to the centre-back department during the winter transfer window.

The North Londoners are in dire need of sufficient quality depth at the heart of their defence, with Ange Postecoglou demanding a new central defender for some time now. He has an established defensive duo of Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven; however, the Spurs tactician only has Radu Dragusin as a cover for both, with Ben Davies another deputy.

Additionally, Cristian Romero have been the subject of Real Madrid’s interest in recent weeks and months. Recent reports suggest Real Madrid are planning to reignite their interest in the 2022 World Cup winner, owing to their defensive crisis.

Since joining Tottenham in 2021, Romero has gone on to establish himself as one of the best centre-halves in the Premier League. The Argentinean, who has won the Copa America twice and lifted the 2022 World Cup with his country, has stepped up to become one of the key players and vocal leaders within Postecoglou’s squad at the Hotspur Way.

The defender’s performances and growing reputation in the game have led to Real Madrid setting their sights on him in 2025 to solve their conundrum at the back. If the 26-year-old ends up leaving Tottenham at the end of the season, Daniel Levy and Co. view Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah as a potential replacement.

Ex-Spurs scout Bryan King thinks Spurs are in the “driving seat” when it comes to controlling Romero’s future. However, the South American star is keen to start tasting success at club level after lifting trophies with Argentina in recent years.

Truth be told, Tottenham actually find themselves in a strong position with regards to Romero’s future. The Argentinean international is contracted to the North London club until June 30, 2027 (Transfermarkt), so Daniel Levy and his bosses at White Hart Lane can be relaxed about the situation.

Spurs don’t necessarily need to sell him next year, although they will be forced to do so if Madrid intensifies their interest and Romero pushes for an exit. His age and profile mean he is likely to remain an in-demand player in the years to come, so Levy and Co. could do a wise thing by signing the Cordoba-born talent’s potential replacement next year itself.

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Perhaps, the Lilywhites looking at Jonathan Tah, who is out of contract at Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, suggest they might already be planning for life without Romero.

Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr delivered a commanding display for Senegal vs Burundi

Tottenham Hotspur star Pape Matar Sarr delivered a strong performance in Senegal’s 2-0 win over Burundi in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification fixture.

Habib Diallo scored a first-half brace as Senegal beat Burundi and topped their Group L. They have amassed 16 points from six games, winning five and drawing one.

Pape Sarr has been a consistent performer for The Lions of Teranga throughout the Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign. The central midfielder, who arrived at Tottenham from FC Metz in 2021, has gradually risen to prominence under Ange Postecoglou. Due to his running power, work rate, tackling and ball-winning skills, he has become an important player for Postecoglou’s side.

The 22-year-old is also equally important for his nation and his latest display against Burundi further proved that. Senegal dominated possession with 67% as Sarr played as a part of a midfield trio on the left side. The youngster has played dominantly as a free-roaming No.8 at Tottenham under Big Ange during this season, so it bodes well for him when essaying a similar kind of role for the national team.

On Tuesday, Sarr’s contribution was vital, completing 78 touches on the ball with an impressive passing accuracy of 91%. He made one key pass and delivered two accurate long balls. Additionally, the African enforcer won nine duels and blocked two shots, further highlighting his work rate and physicality in the middle of the park.

Defensively, the Tottenham man worked his socks off, making six successful tackles and three interceptions. Sarr’s one successful dribble past his opponents typified his intent to drive Senegal forward during his 87-minute stay on the pitch. (Stats courtesy: SofaScore)

Although the Senegalese has been in and out of the Tottenham team this season, his work rate and commitment remain unquestionable. His tireless performances in the engine room have significantly helped the Lilywhites in critical games this campaign, while at 22 there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Sarr’s latest display for his national team augurs well for Tottenham, particularly after the FA slapped Rodrigo Bentancur with a seven-game domestic ban for his comments on skipper Son Heung-min back in June. With Bentancur set to start serving his lengthy suspension from the weekend’s game away at Manchester City, Sarr could help Big Ange solve the selection dilemma in midfield in the Uruguayan’s absence.

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Having operated in the No.6 role for his former club FC Metz, fans can expect the Senegal international to not shrink if Big Ange decides to hand him a similar role as Spurs hunt for a solution to compensate for Bentancur’s loss.

All in all, Sarr returning to N17 after positive displays for his national team is great news for Big Ange and our fans.

Lucas Bergvall‘s appearances—or lack thereof—have come under scrutiny recently amid Tottenham’s topsy-turvy form.

According to one former North London player, the teenager just needs to wait a bit longer before things start clicking for him.

Former Arsenal star suggests Lucas Bergvall to wait for Ange Postecoglou sack to revitalise Tottenham career

Former Swedish footballer Anders Limpar, a close friend of the family of Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall, has suggested in an interview to Fotball Direkt that the 18-year-old should just wait for Ange Postecoglou to be dismissed as he hopes to revitalise his career at the North London club.

“I sat and talked to his dad for about half an hour a couple of weeks ago. We talked about how young he is and his dad, Andreas Bergvall, I played with him in BP so we know each other. I asked him how he’s getting on in London, he’s loving it. His dad is over for a month, then his mum comes for a month, he has a girlfriend who flies over. So, he’s doing very well.

“He’s a good footballer, but he’s young. If you look at Tottenham’s form in the Premier League, it’s got a bit worse recently and you don’t lean on an 18/19-year-old from Sweden, you take the old guard, and it hasn’t worked.

“The games I’ve seen of Lucas he’s been fantastic, and he just needs to be a little calm and ride out the storm and there I think it might be time for a change of coach.

“They have one of the most talented teams in the Premier League, but they can’t get it together team-wise at the moment. But Lucas will be a mainstay for Tottenham in the future, I am absolutely sure of that.”

Limpar on Bergvall’s situation, as quoted by Sport Witness.

Bergvall, in his debut season at Spurs, has been a regular for the team’s Europa League matches but has scarcely featured for them in the Premier League, having played just 46 minutes of topflight football in five appearances.

The Sweden international has at Spurs a £15k-per-week contract set to run until June 2029.

What’s wrong with a bit of patience?

Spurs youth policy is exciting, but the thing about young players is that they are going to need time. Bergvall is 18 and has been featuring regularly under Postecoglou in a domain the coach sees best suited for him at the moment. There is no reason to make a mountain out of a molehill when it comes to the teenager’s appearances.

Postecoglou may well be sacked in the coming weeks if results don’t take a consistent upward trajectory, but regardless of who takes the head coach’s chair for the team, patience is needed with Bergvall, especially this being his first season at the club.

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Lecce star Patrick Dorgu’s stock continues to rise, with big clubs both within and outside of Italy looking to make a move for him in the coming transfer windows.

One Italian journalist has revealed what Lecce’s asking price is going to be for their exciting starlet.

Sky Italia journo reveals Patrick Dorgu price

According to Sky Italia journalist Francesco Modugno, as reported by Calcio Napoli 24, Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu is going to cost around €40–50 million in the coming transfer windows.

The Denmark international, having been likened to Gareth Bale in the past, is an attacking fullback that has been on the radar of Tottenham and Chelsea for a while.

This season, the 20-year-old has also been occupying roles out wide in the final third of the pitch for the Salentians, having registered two goals in 13 appearances across all competitions.

Valued at the moment at €12 million by Transfermarkt, Dorgu currently has at Lecce a €12,500-per-week contract set to run until June 2029.

Unlikely

Under Daniel Levy, Tottenham are unlikely to pay over three times Dorgu’s current market valuation.

With speculation surrounding Spurs’ current boss, and Chelsea needing to demonstrate they are willing to stick to a head coach for more than a season, Dorgu is better off moving to a club with a bit more stability, or at least a club where he could be deployed right away under a manager who will be able to leverage his defensive and attacking acumen best and be at the club for at least the better part of a year.

Antonio Conte, currently topping the table with Napoli, is likely to remain in Naples for the majority of next season, while Rúben Amorim’s arrival at Man United and the ever-present unavailability of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia could see the Red Devils reignite their interest in the Dane wingback in January.

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Tottenham Hotspur have faced their fair share of challenges with managerial appointments over the years. From Martin Jol to Antonio Conte, Daniel Levy has had to part ways with numerous managers, highlighting the club’s struggles in maintaining stability. Spurs haven’t always succeeded in securing their top targets or finding the ideal replacements, which has only added to their reputation for inconsistency at the helm.

Arne Slot was Tottenham’s top target before Ange Postecoglou took charge, and Erik ten Hag was nearly appointed before the club opted for Nuno Espirito Santo.

In the on the latest addition of It Was What it Was, Rafa Benitez revealed an Interesting twist in his managerial journey, sharing that he was in talks with Spurs for the managerial role before ultimately becoming Liverpool’s manager.

The former Madrid manager was headed for Tottenham

Rafael Benítez revealed he came close to managing Tottenham Hotspur during the mid-2000s. At the time, he was one of the most sought-after managers, having enjoyed great success with Valencia.

Faced with offers from Besiktas, Inter Milan, and Spurs, Benítez ultimately chose to take charge at Liverpool, where he cemented his legacy. Renowned as one of the modern era’s finest managers, he led top clubs like Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Chelsea, winning both the Europa League and Champions League.

Benitez speaking to It Was What it Was, revealed

“It’s not important at this time. It’s not important.”

“We are talking about a long time ago, but there was Besiktas, Inter, Tottenham and Liverpool. But when I say offers, interest, and then they were talking with my agent and that’s it. But the most serious for me and the most exciting was Liverpool.”

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Benitez’s style of tough love might have clashed with some players at Liverpool, but it undeniably brought out the best in others, cementing his legendary status at Anfield with his 2000s achievements. One can only imagine how different the Premier League might look today had the Spaniard chosen to lead Tottenham instead.