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Despite interviewing with Belgian side Anderlecht to become their new manager, Ryan Mason is still with Tottenham Hotspur, and that pleases Ange Postecoglou.

Ryan Mason close to Anderlecht job

Last week, it emerged that Ryan Mason had been earmarked as a top candidate for the vacant managerial role at Anderlecht.

The young coach had an interview for the job, and seemed to be on his way out of Tottenham, finally taking on his first full-time manager position.

However, it is thought both parties decided the time wasn’t right for the move (Football.London), with caretaker manager David Hubert bagging the job instead.

According to Spurs insider Paul O’Keefe, Anderlecht were concerned about Mason’s relative inexperience and his lack of knowledge when it comes to Belgian football. O’Keefe did mention that Daniel Levy had not stood in Mason’s way, and were happy for him to take the opportunity.

Mason has acted as caretaker manager for Tottenham on two occasions over recent years, and has been part of the coaching staff since April 2018.

Postecoglou happy Mason is staying

Ange Postecoglou has now offered his thoughts on the matter, and while he’s happy Mason is still around, he agrees the young coach is ready for his next step soon.

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He told the press (via Football.London): “Ryan is someone who sees himself as one day taking that opportunity. Ryan is doing a great job for us here but if that’s something they want to explore then I think that’s the right thing. I’m happy with Ryan, he is happy and committed.”

End of season exit looming for Mason?

I would imagine Ryan Mason will see out the rest of this season with Spurs, before looking seriously at a full-time managerial role next summer.

It would probably serve him better to remain in the English Football League for now, and I’m sure there will be clubs in League One, maybe even the Championship, queueing up to secure his services.

Former Tottenham star Jermain Defoe enjoyed an incredible club career, which included a lot of transfers. He even signed for Spurs twice, and the iconic striker has now explained why he left in the first place.

Defoe got frustrated at Spurs

Defoe signed for Spurs in 2004 from West Ham and spent four years at White Hart Lane before leaving for Portsmouth to be reunited with Harry Redknapp.

Explaining his exit from North London in an interview with Gambling.com, Defoe revealed Redknapp was a driving force behind his decision, and he saw a way to escape a frustrating situation at Tottenham.

He said: “Harry [Redknapp] was the reason I moved to Portsmouth. I remember being with Harry when I was 16-years-old at West Ham. Then when I was at Tottenham under Juande Ramos, it was a frustrating time for me, as I’d scored a lot of goals up to that point and he came in and kept rotating the team.

“It got to a point where I was behind Berbatov and Keane and I found myself out of the team for long periods. It was really difficult for me to deal with that, because I was so used to playing. And even when I was coming off the bench I was scoring goals, and all my numbers were good.

“I just thought to myself I’m going to have to go somewhere and play football, because I need to be in and around the England squad. And if I’m not playing that won’t happen.”

Portsmouth was the right move

Defoe had a highly successful spell at Portsmouth, but he only stayed there for one year before heading back to Spurs. The former England striker has no regrets about his move to the South Coast, though.

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He added: “I looked at the Portsmouth squad and it was such a strong team. It was an easy decision, because Harry said: ‘Listen, just come here, play football, score goals and get yourself back in the England squad.’ The team I played in had some unbelievable players.

“We had David James in goal, Sylvain Distin, Sol Campbell – a Premier League winner, Hermann Hreiðarsson, Glen Johnson, Lassana Diarra – who signed for Real Madrid, Sulley Muntari – who signed for Inter Milan and Milan Baroš, who got the Golden Boot at Euro 2004.

“We also had me up front, and after that we bought Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjčar. The team had lots of international players that ended up winning the FA Cup.

“It was the right decision because I went there, got confidence and scored a lot of goals. And then Harry went back to Tottenham, and I ended up going back. So It was a good year, I enjoyed it at Fratton Park. The stadium was always rocking and we had a good team there.”

A Spurs legend

While the rumour mill continues to throw up stories about Amanda Staveley buying a stake in Tottenham Hotspur, her actual net worth would not put her in a position to do anything of the sort. But, she does have another way to make the minority takeover work.

Amanda Staveley wants a new project

Staveley was the driving force behind the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) takeover of Newcastle back in 2021. But, at the end of last season, she stepped away from St. James’ Park.

The British businesswoman is now thought to be seeking another club to invest in, with Tottenham the primary target according to Football Insider.

That would seem to be something Daniel Levy would be very open to, as he has previously announced publicly that the club needs more investment to achieve its goals both on and off the field.

Nothing concrete has developed as of yet, but Staveley has been spotted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and is thought to be getting her business dealings in order ready to make an offer for a minority share in Spurs.

How much is Amanda Staveley worth?

As per Forbes, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is worth £2.6 billion. Daniel Levy is believed to be open to releasing up to 25% of the shares in the club, meaning potential investors would need to bring in around £600m by that valuation.

According to a report from Football.London, Staveley herself is only worth around £130m. That would not be enough for her to take any kind of significant share in Tottenham at this stage.

But, it is thought that with her contacts across the globe, the assets she is involved with via wealth funds, and her impeccable business acumen, Staveley could quite easily put together the necessary ingredients to launch a takeover.

Could a full takeover happen?

A lot of recent developments have left Amanda Staveley’s reported takeover at Tottenham Hotspur in doubt, but according to former Everton chief Keith Wyness, it’s all part of the plan.

Amanda Staveley is making moves

Ever since she stepped away from her role at Newcastle United at the end of last season, it has been suggested that Amanda Staveley is looking for a new club to invest in.

More specifically, it is thought Staveley would be interested in purchasing a minority stake in Tottenham Hotspur in the near future (Football Insider).

Over the last week, Staveley has been spotted at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the NFL game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Chicago Bears.

But, she has also shut down two of her businesses as per Companies House records, including the one firm she was expected to use to lead her investment in Tottenham.

Staveley later explained that she would be retaining her tax status in the UK, and it is believed the winding up orders for those two companies was a decision made to deal with the impact of Labour’s plans for a hike in capital gains tax.

Recent activity points to Spurs takeover

While all this activity has raised some concerns as to whether Staveley is in a position to invest in Spurs, it is the opinion of Keith Wyness that she is simply getting her affairs in order ahead of a buyout.

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He told Football Insider: “This is more of a housekeeping exercise for Amanda and her past companies. There are some legal issues with a Greek investor who loaned her some money.

“There is also PCP, the vehicle she went through for the Newcastle investment. Everything will be tidied up, and this may well be in advance of the Tottenham deal getting done. It’s making sure everything is in order. She’s cleaning house and getting everything set so any vehicle she uses to invest in Tottenham is totally clean and free of any problems.”

Make it happen soon

I am still sceptical about this investment, with the way Staveley has been operating lately. But, what Wyness has said does make sense, and if she is indeed getting everything in order for a buyout, then let’s hope it gets completed swiftly. In time for the January transfer window would be good.

As we move past the second international break of the 2024/25 season, we took the time to rank the entire Spurs squad based on their performances so far this season.

Note: players must have played 100 minutes of senior football this season to qualify for this list. All season stats taken from FBRef

Micky Van de Ven –

Mins: 620, G:0, A:2, Best Performance: Manchester United (A)

The most irreplaceable player in the Tottenham squad, Micky Van de Ven has had an exceptional start to the season. His blistering pace allows those in front play with confidence on the ball and aggression off it, while his ability to carry and drive into the opposing third adds an unpredictable element to a left-sided attack that could be described as vanilla at times. Rival fans and pundits alike are beginning to really take notice of the special talent we have on our hands. 9/10

Dejan Kulusevski –

Mins: 616, G:1, A:2, Best Performance: Manchester United (A)

Since arriving from Juventus, Kulusevski has flashed his raw technical ability and impressed fans with his tireless work rate off the ball. Despite this, his ‘fit’ as a winger has been questioned due to his tendency to hold up attacks and clear preference to play centrally. Ange’s decision to move him inboard into the midfield three is proving to be a masterstroke, capitalising on his strength, work rate and creativity in tight spaces. His performance against Manchester United saw him run riot in the half spaces and create endless chances. While the defensive integrity of this move can still be questioned, Kulsevski’s impact in the new role cannot. 9/10

Brennan Johnson –

Mins: 657, G:6, A:0, Best Performance: Newcastle (A)

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A young man frequently scapegoated by Spurs fans; Brennan Johnson has had an interesting first few months of season 2024/25, to say the least. A sluggish start and disappointing performance against Arsenal saw him deactivate his social media due to the negative online response. In the six games since that match, Johnson has scored in all six appearances, silencing the haters and propelling Spurs to many crucial victories. His greatly improved end product and his positional instincts have been key to his goal-scoring run. 8.5/10

James Maddison –

Mins: 618, G:2, A:3, Best Performance: Brentford (H)

The puppet master in Tottenham’s midfield, James Maddison has enjoyed a strong start to the season, even by his lofty standards. His creative play is something Spurs fans have been crying out for for seasons, and his 99th percentile rank for progressive passes amongst Europe’s top 5 leagues (FBRef) show how impactful he is when he is on the pitch. He does have a tendency to fall out of games for extended periods, and there is undoubtedly a strong correlation between these periods and those where the team loses control of matches. A strong start nonetheless. 8/10

Guglielmo Vicario –

Mins: 810, CS:3, Best Performance: Qarabag FK (H)

Undoubtedly one of the best shot-stoppers on the planet, Guglielmo Vicario has quietly had an impressive start to the season. You’d be hard-pressed to find a goal he has conceded this year where he could’ve realistically done better, and his aggression and decisiveness when sweeping loose balls has bailed the defensive line out on more than one occasion. For every brilliant reflex save, however, there is a set piece he flaps at or a pass that puts a Spurs defender under more pressure than they need to be. As this is yet to cost us, Vicario comes in at number 5 on the list. 7.5/10

Heung-Min Son –

Mins: 548, G:2, A:2, Best Performance: Everton (H)

The ever-reliable captain of the club, Heung-Min Son continues to show his class. While his numbers won’t blow you away, Son’s creativity and reliability from the left remain world-class. An inside forward being asked to play as both a touchline winger or number 9, Son’s defensive work rate and pressing intelligence are crucial in leading the Tottenham press. The saying “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone,” perfectly describes the void the captain’s injury has created on the left. If this side is to make a legitimate play at a trophy this season, it will be dependent on the brilliance of this man. 7.5/10

Rodrigo Bentancur –

Mins: 493, G:0, A:1, Best Performance: Coventry (A)

A midfield of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski needs to be anchored with defensive stalwart, and Rodrigo Bentancur has been just that this season. After a tumultuous start to the year, Bentancur filled in for the injured Yves Bissouma and immediately laid claim to the number six role, making it his own. His reading of the game, strength in duels and technical ability in press resistance makes him the perfect fit for this midfield system. Unfortunately, it appears he is likely to be hit with a sizeable ban, but Spurs fans will hope for more of the same for Bentancur when he is on the pitch. 7.5/10

Pedro Porro –

Mins: 716, G:1, A:0, Best Performance: Ferencvaros (A)

Following a brilliant 2023/24 campaign, Porro has enjoyed a solid start to the season. After opening the team’s account for the season against Leicester, his performances have been consistently solid, but have been lacking that game-breaking ability he displayed last season. His defensive work has been relentless as always, but at times he can be beaten too easily, particularly by wingers who look to move inside. It is good to see he has been rewarded with a long-overdue Spanish call-up, and he made the most of it with a stellar performance against Serbia. 7.5/10

Dominic Solanke –

Mins: 601, G:3, A:2, Best Performance: Qarabag FK (H)

Picking up a knock in his first match, Spurs’ record signing hardly got off to the ideal start to his time in North London. Since his return, he has shown all the traits that saw him profiled as the perfect fit for the Tottenham number 9 role. Solanke’s willingness in build-up play, strength with his back to goal, relentless defensive pressure and work-rate, and instincts in the 18-yard box have seen him become a consistent contributor to this Spurs side that lacks structure when he’s not in the picture. A well-deserved England call-up should see him continue to build confidence as the season progresses. 7/10

Cristian Romero –

Mins: 720, G:1, A:0, Best Performance: Everton (H)

A victim of his own standards, Romero’s start to season 2024/25 has been solid enough across the board. A poor showing against Brighton will stick in the minds of fans across the international break, but he continues to be a reliable option in the Spurs backline. Thankfully it seems he has found a strong balance between aggression and discipline, and remains a goal threat at set pieces. At his best, he is one of the premier centre-halves in the world, and Spurs fans will be hoping he can find this form as the season moves on. 7/10

Yves Bissouma –

Mins: 353, G:1, A:0, Best Performance: Ferencvaros (A)

Off-field behaviour and injury have marred what has otherwise been a relatively strong start to the year for Bissouma, who was looking to build on a strong pre-season. When he is playing, his technical ability allows him to beat pressure and break lines like few others in the side, but he finds himself on the outside looking in due to a run of strong performances from Bentancur. If he stays fit, he will get his chance when Bentancur’s ban is finalised. His first Spurs goal in his season debut was one of the highlights of the year so far. 7/10

Djed Spence –

Mins: 109, G:1, A:0, Best Performance: Coventry (A)

A player whose Spurs career had been written off by many, Spence’s strong preseason performances gave some hope that he may have something left to give. In his limited opportunities as a substitute Spence has shown his versatility, playing on both sides of the back four and making strong contributions as a reliable defender and dangerous forward threat. His second-half performance against Coventry was brilliant and helped bail the side out of an otherwise humiliating result. 7/10

Wilson Odobert –

Mins: 179, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Everton (H)

The summer transfer of Wilson Odobert was possibly the best-kept secret of the whole window, and drew some scepticism from fans due to his lack of profile. These were quickly put to bed in his Spurs debut against Everton. Tottenham have been desperate for a winger with Odobert’s willingness and ability to drive at defenders and genuinely look to beat them. While a promising start to the season was cruelly cut short by injury, the young Frenchman flashed his raw ability and was impactful in the few minutes he played. 6.5/10

Archie Gray –

Mins: 304, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Qarabag FK (H)

You’d have a hard time finding a more versatile player in Europe, let alone one that is just 18 years of age. Gray has already made strong contributions as a sitting midfielder, left and right back, and even put in a brave shift at centre-back against Ferencvaros when required. While yet to really impact at the Premier League level, his work rate and duel-winning ability mean Gray has been and will continue to be a reliable performer in cup competitions. 6.5/10

Mikey Moore –

Mins: 120, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Ferencvaros (A)

At just 17 years old, Mikey Moore has already captured the hearts and imaginations of Spurs fans across the world. Lauded as a youngster for his raw technical ability, Moore has already shown flashes of the special player he may one day become despite his limited opportunity at the senior level. He deserved more in a spirited showing against Ferencvaros in his first senior start, but it seems Spurs fans won’t have to wait long for him to open his senior account. Look for his role in the side to grow he earns the respect and confidence of the staff. 6.5/10

Pape Matar Sarr –

Mins: 477, G:2, A:1, Best Performance: Qarabag FK (H)

After a slow start to the season, Sarr’s last few matches have reminded fans of the class he possesses. It appears at times that he doesn’t quite have a home in Ange’s midfield this year, as he lacks the defensive instincts and strength to sit deeper but doesn’t quite possess the creativity required to play further forward. Still only 22, Sarr remains a reliable option as he continues to develop consistency in his output. Two goals right before the international break will hopefully give the young midfielder confidence moving forward. 6/10

Ben Davies –

Mins: 270, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Coventry (A)

In only three appearances this season Ben Davies has been precisely what Spurs fans have come to expect from him; a reliable and versatile leader who just gets the job done. Davies made some critical defensive interventions that kept the team’s Carabao Cup hopes alive and remains an important depth piece in Postecoglou’s squad. 6/10

Lucas Bergvall –

Mins: 187, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Ferencvaros (A)

There is a solid chance this is the lowest Lucas Bergvall ever finds himself on one of these lists. An undeniably talented player, he broke fans’ hearts when he was substituted after just 12 minutes in his first start due to a Dragusin red card. In his limited opportunity this season he has provided supporters with plenty of hope for the future, but has been more prone to mistakes in dangerous areas than one would like. As he continues to receive opportunities he will likely grow in confidence and fly up this list, although a slight injury concern from his time spent away may force Bergvall and fans alike to wait a little longer. 5.5/10

Radu Dragusin –

Mins: 197, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Newcastle (A)

Dragusin’s first appearance of the year against Newcastle showed him to be a strong and intelligent defender with impressive timing and technique in the tackle. Since that performance he has had little opportunity, partly due to a rash 7th-minute minute red-card that put his team under far more pressure than it needed to be, both in the Qarabag match itself and the following Ferencvaros fixture. His lack of opportunity since then makes this ranking feel unfairly low as he has shown himself to be the third centre-back option this squad desperately needed. 5/10

Destiny Udogie –

Mins: 691, G:0, A:0, Best Performance: Brentford (H)

A young player lacking in confidence, Udogie has been far from his brilliant best to start season 2024/25. Generally, his defending has been quite strong and he seems comfortable in 1v1 scenarios out wide, but all that good work comes unstuck when he makes critical errors that lead to goals. He continues to show strength when he drives the ball into the opponent’s third, but his interplay once he gets there has been predictable and far less damaging this season. This ranking feels low, but he has shown the levels he is capable of. Fans can be confident that Udogie will be fine, he is simply a young player who needs some time to get his form back on track. 4/10

Timo Werner –

Mins: 352, G:0, A:1, Best Performance: Brighton (A)

Some influential voices in Italian football are talking about the future of Guglielmo Vicario for the national side and some interesting suggestions have been made.

Guglielmo Vicario staking his claim

A year or two ago, it would have been unthinkable for Gianluigi Donnarumma to lose out on his spot as Italian number one but the Paris Saint-Germain star is now facing a very big challenge from Vicario.

The Tottenham goalkeeper was handed a start in Italy’s 4-1 win over Israel in Udine on Tuesday and while he did have a good outing, he did not cover himself in glory for the solitary goal that the home side conceded.

The Israelis scored using a piece of Vicario-kryptonite – the corner kick. The goalkeeper’s protestations about being obstructed in the box fell on deaf ears.

Italian legend makes big call on Vicario

AC Milan’s legendary goalkeeper Filippo Galli has now thrown his lot in with Vicario, insisting that the Tottenham star deserves to start over the more experienced Donnarumma. He suggested that the PSG shot-stopper does not have the ‘elegance’ that top goalkeepers need.

Galli said (via TBR Football) following Italy’s latest Nations League win: “Vicario has become a starter at a great level. Today, we can say that he is established, ready and very strong. Vicario, without a doubt [should be Italy’s number one]. He’s my prototype of a goalkeeper.

“For me, [Donnarumma] is very good, let’s be clear. But he lacks that touch of elegance. That which De Gea has, who is also beautiful to look at as well as strong.”

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Vicario’s clarity gives others confidence

Galli’s sentiment was echoed by Italian commentator Claudio Pasqualin, who suggested that the clarity that the Spurs man offers helps the Azzurri backline.

While he was critical of Vicario’s part in Israel’s goal, he brushed it off as a ‘negligible’ error.

There are some positive developments in the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust’s efforts to get the club to reconsider their recent season ticket price increases.

Price increase was poorly received

Earlier this year, Tottenham announced that their season ticket prices would be increasing by six per cent for the 2024-25 season and this decision led to plenty of anger among the fan base.

THST were critical of the club for deciding to do this at a time when their revenue was increasing and fans were dealing with a cost of living crisis.

Even more controversially, Spurs also decided to roll back senior concession, revealing that it would be eventually phased out, with THST deeming the decision as “unacceptable”.

Daniel Levy will meet with the Trust

The Trust has now resolved to keep putting pressure on the club on this issue and even revealed that Levy has now agreed to meet with the fan advisory board to listen to their concerns.

In a statement to Football.London, THST said: “Spurs is one of the richest clubs in the Premier League, generating massive amounts of money through sound investment in the stadium and infrastructure and the additional events and activities this enables.

“However, Spurs charges amongst the very highest prices for matchday and season tickets, risking pricing out ‘legacy’ fans who have and always will follow the club, through thick and thin. THST believes that the extra revenues raised should be reflected in ticket prices.

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“In our recent survey of Spurs fans, 85% of respondents disagreed with the club’s decision to stop issuing new senior season tickets and to reduce the discount given to existing senior ST holders. In fact, just 6% agreed with this policy. Furthermore, 83% believed that the senior concession should be linked to the person, not the seat.

“THST believes that the misguided and unnecessary policy to end new senior concession season tickets impacts the most loyal, long-term supporters, many of whom are on low, fixed incomes. It also sets a dangerous precedent and is already triggering a race to the bottom amongst other Premier League clubs.

“We are also seeing further erosion to the availability of concessions, with no discount being given to seniors or young adults for cup games so far this season, and restrictions on who seniors can pass their tickets on to, when compared to full adult ST holders.

“However, after months of THST lobbying, and the receipt of thousands of signatures on our petition, sharing of heart-breaking stories demonstrating the impact on senior supporters, and supporting fan-led demonstrations, we believe there is some hope that things will change.

“We’ve secured a firm commitment from Daniel Levy to meet with the Fan Advisory Board to look at the situation again and find a fairer way moving forward. This is an opportunity to reset the policy and show a real commitment to a fair and sustainable pricing model. After all, if we tolerate this, who knows who or what comes next?”

Levy’s defence of decision

In the fan forum held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last month, the Tottenham chairman defended the decision on senior concessions, explaining that the club have a duty to bring new fans to the stadium.

He said at the time (via The Standard): “We announced a few months ago that we would do a review on the whole concession policy at the club. We haven’t stopped senior season tickets because this year we’ve actually increased the number of seniors. We met the FAB last week and we’re going to form a working group.

“There’s an underlying problem that as time goes on if we don’t curtail the number of concession seats in our stadium, our whole financing model will come into question. Because obviously, we can’t have a situation where our ticket revenue ends up falling.

“So it’s a very complicated subject which we are going to review. But match-day concessions are still available, we’re certainly not going to stop them. And we haven’t said that we’re stopping seniors. We’ve just said we’ll put a pause on it at the moment.”

Levy was then asked by fan forum host Nihal Arthanayake if it was true that Spurs do not care about older fans, and he responded: “Absolutely not. We have a duty to look at all fans.

“And we have to make sure we have enough space in the stadium to bring through new fans. So we have to somehow find a balance which is what we’re going to engage with the FAB on and see what we can come up with.”

David Pleat has had an influential hand in shaping Tottenham Hotspur over the last four decades, and among the many signings he recommended, a couple stand out as particular favourites.

David Pleat’s Tottenham legacy

David Pleat’s association with Tottenham Hotspur stretches back many years, where he has served in several capacities: from manager to scout and even as Director of Football.

His influence on the club has been undeniable, not just through his direct involvement in team management but also in scouting players who went on to become some of Tottenham’s greatest assets.

During his time, Pleat was instrumental in bringing in a range of talent that propelled Tottenham forward, including players like Dele Alli, Jermain Defoe, and Heung-Min Son, to name just a few.

Whether it was identifying rising stars from the English Football League or making deals with other top-tier clubs, his scouting efforts were crucial to the club’s success.

However, what set him apart was his understanding of the long-term vision for Tottenham, where his focus wasn’t simply on acquiring players, but on building a team that would thrive for years to come.

The story of Robbie Keane’s £7m transfer

In a recent interview on The View from the Lane podcast, Pleat was asked about the signings he was most proud of, and without hesitation, he said: “I was very happy to bring in Jermain Defoe, and I was very happy to bring in Mr Keane from Leeds United.

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“The last one before I left and came back again was the goalkeeper, Robinson, he went on to play for England. In more recent times, Dele Alli, I watched Son, I watched Eriksen twice in Holland.”

Pleat named Keane among his favourite signings for Spurs and his arrival at Tottenham wasn’t just a stroke of luck—it was Pleat’s intuition at work. While other clubs might have hesitated, Pleat knew that Keane was the right fit for Spurs, and his performances over the years proved that judgment right.

Keane quickly established himself as a fan favourite at White Hart Lane, not only because of his goal-scoring ability but also due to his passion and work ethic on the pitch. He was the kind of player that Pleat always admired—someone who didn’t just rely on talent but also on heart and determination.

His assessment of these signings paints a picture of a man deeply invested in the club’s history and success, even as he reflects on the missed opportunities that have haunted Tottenham over the years.

Tottenham’s missed opportunities and Pleat’s scouting genius

While David Pleat is celebrated for the signings he made, there have been moments where his advice wasn’t heeded, leading to missed opportunities for Tottenham.

One notable instance was his recommendation to sign Jarrod Bowen when the winger was still at Hull City, a move that Tottenham declined. Similarly, Pleat had advised Spurs to sign Ivan Toney before he became a star at Brentford, another decision that was overlooked by the club’s hierarchy (Athletic).

These missed chances only highlight how invaluable Pleat’s insight has been over the years. His ability to identify talent before it became mainstream is something that sets him apart from many of his contemporaries.

As he steps away from his official role, the hope remains that Tottenham will continue to value the wisdom of its long-serving scouts, combining their expertise with the analytical tools at their disposal to create a more balanced and effective approach to signing future talents.

In an age where football increasingly celebrates data, the timeless instinct of a seasoned scout like Pleat is a resource that Tottenham must not overlook if they are to keep signing exciting young talents.

Paul Gascoigne’s manager has clarified the Tottenham legend’s recent comments about being charged heavily for tickets by the North London club.

Paul Gascoigne’s comments sparked outrage

Gazza revealed in an interview with Football 365 that Tottenham charge him for match tickets unlike another of his former clubs, Rangers.

He said: “If they’re at home, definitely. It’s difficult, that one. I was so close to Rangers. At Rangers, I’m welcomed in every way and at Tottenham, I asked for a couple of tickets and they said ‘That’ll be 400 pounds each.’ I was like, wow, with all I did for that club, you know?”

This understandably caused a lot of anger among some Tottenham fans on social media, who felt that this was no way to treat a club legend.

Comments have now been clarified

However, Gazza’s manager, Katie Davies, has now explained that the 57-year-old does indeed get a free ticket for Tottenham matches.

She insisted that it was his associates who were charged, adding that the Lilywhites have offered a lot of support to their former star over the years.

Davies told Standard Sport: “In relation to the tickets, these were intended for associates of Paul and not for himself – Paul has never been charged by the club for a ticket to come to a match. We hope this draws a line under any misunderstanding on this matter and a positive dialogue is maintained moving forward.”

Damage already done

While this clarification was needed, one can argue that the bad PR from the interview has already done a lot of damage to the reputation of the Tottenham hierarchy.

A section of the Spurs fan base despises Daniel Levy and they are unlikely to believe Davies’ correction as they are convinced that the Tottenham supremo has set a poor culture at the club.

According to reports, Tottenham are looking to add reinforcements to central defence and could even look to raid one of their fierce rivals Chelsea in January.

Spurs in need of central defenders?

Ange Postecoglou has only three out-and-out central defenders at his disposal at the minute in the form of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin.

However, Ben Davies has shown that he is capable of slotting into that role comfortably why while young Archie Gray has also been used in the heart of defence by the Spurs boss.

It has now emerged that Tottenham could potentially look to poach young, up-and-coming centre-back, Josh Acheampong, from Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham plot move for Chelsea man

According to The Independent, Spurs have shown an interest in securing the services of Acheampong, who broke into the Blues starting lineup last season under Mauricio Pochettino, making his debut against the Lilywhties.

However, it is revealed that the 18-year-old is also attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle United, while clubs from around the continent are also eyeing him.

One of these is thought to be Real Madrid, who have reportedly held a long-standing interest in the young centre-back.

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Chelsea’s stance on Acheampong

Meanwhile, TBR Football have relayed this report and provided their own information on the matter.

The publication reveals that Chelsea sources have made it clear that they have no intention of allowing Acheampong to leave in the January window.

In fact, the Blues are allegedly intent on tying their academy graduate down to a new contract, with Enzo Maresca said to be delighted with his development.