The 4th Official

In a recent report, Sport stated that Tottenham Hotspur are in the race to recruit Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. It has been mentioned that Spurs would have to rival Liverpool, Chelsea and Juventus in the race to land the Uruguayan talent next year.

Araujo’s Decent Form In Spanish Football

Araujo has enjoyed a good run of form at the Catalan club this season after he put in a few solid displays for them in La Liga. The South American defensive ace has participated in seven matches for Barcelona so far in this campaign, scoring one goal in various competitions.

The 26-year-old has been a solid presence when defending inside his half as he has made five tackles, four blocks, five interceptions and 18 clearances in La Liga. He has even been accurate when distributing the ball from the back, based on his pass success rate of 91.6% in the Spanish top tier (stats via fbref.com).

His current contract at the Nou Camp will expire in the summer of 2031, which could make it difficult for Spurs to snap him up on a cut-price deal next year.

Should Tottenham Hotspur Boss Thomas Frank Get Araujo On Board?

Araujo is a solid tackler of the ball and can sense the danger well to earn the ball back for his team inside his half. He usually clears his lines when the opposition are on the offensive and can even play his way out from the back.

Standing at 1.92m, the Uruguayan talent is a strong presence in the air as well. However, he might need some time to adjust to the high intensity of the Premier League if Spurs manage to acquire his services next year.

Araujo would undoubtedly enhance the quality of Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank’s defence. He is more than capable of challenging for a regular first-team spot at the North London club.

At 26, Araujo is about to enter his prime, which makes him a worthy target for Spurs to pursue this January or at the end of this season. He will also help Tottenham challenge across all fronts in the coming years. Hence, Frank would be wise to get the Uruguayan talent on board in 2026.

Tottenham Hotspur faced off against Leeds United at Elland Road earlier today as they hoped to secure a good result on the road in the Premier League. Spurs made a quick start to the game and got their noses ahead in the 23rd minute thanks to Mathys Tel’s deflected strike. However, Noah Okafor equalised for the Whites just 11 minutes later as the two teams went into the half-time break with a 1-1 scoreline.

Mohammed Kudus gave the North London club the lead in the 57th minute. Thomas Frank’s men ended up securing an impressive 2-1 win away from home.

Let’s take a look at how each Tottenham player fared during the clash against the Whites.

GK: Guglielmo Vicario – 7/10

Vicario made a few solid saves at the back and did enough to limit the opposition to just one goal.

RB: Pedro Porro – 6/10

He performed his defensive duties well but offered very little going forward.

CB: Cristian Romero – 6.5/10

Romero put his foot through the ball when needed and was tidy with his ball distribution.

CB: Micky van de Ven – 6.5/10

He used his pace well to defend his penalty box and was good on the ball.

LB: Destiny Udogie – 7/10

He caught the eye at times on both halves.

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur – 6.5/10

Bentancur offered good protection for his teammates at the back but struggled to influence the game in the final third.

CM: Joao Palhinha – 6.5/10

Palhinha anchored the midfield well and was not shy of having a strike at goal.

RW: Mohammed Kudus – 8.5/10

He caused a lot of headaches for his marker and has got a goal and an assist to show for his efforts.

CAM: Xavi Simons – 6.5/10

Simons managed to shine at times in the final third, but there was no goal for him.

LW: Wilson Odobert – 6.5/10

He caused some problems for the Leeds defenders, but failed to register a goal.

ST: Mathys Tel – 7.5/10

Tel was a real threat up top and managed to score in the 23rd minute.

Substitutes:

CM: Pape Matar Sarr – 6.5/10

He added some energy to Frank’s midfield.

ST: Richarlison – 6/10

His impact on the game was minimal.

CB: Kevin Danso – N/A

It has been a strong start for the newly promoted Leeds United in their battle to retain top-flight status. They clinched a 3-1 win against Wolves at Molineux, followed by a 2-2 home draw with in-form Bournemouth. Daniel Farke must now prepare his men for another Elland Road contest, this time against Tottenham Hotspur, who made a strong start under the new boss Thomas Frank.

Spurs outplayed Manchester City early in the campaign, as they grabbed a commanding 2-0 win at the Etihad. However, the Europa League winners scripted late comebacks en route to securing draws with Brighton and Wolves in their past two Premier League outings, and their current form could encourage Leeds to chase a victory on Saturday afternoon.

Predicted 4-3-3 Leeds United Lineup To Face Tottenham Hotspur

Defence

Karl Darlow has stepped in and delivered in the absence of Lucas Perri, and the veteran Welshman should keep his place between the sticks until the Brazilian recovers from his thigh injury.

Joe Rodon could not secure a regular role in North London, but revived his career in West Yorkshire. He would relish the reunion with his former employers, alongside Pascal Struijk, who has been preferred over summer recruits Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw in the heart of the backline. Jayden Bogle remains the first-choice over James Justin down the right, and the left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson has cemented his place in the starting XI.

Midfield

Despite multiple defensive signings, only Gudmundsson is featuring week in and week out in Farke’s lineup. That’s not been the case, though, in the centre of the pitch, as Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff have replaced Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev, who were pivotal to their Premier League promotion. But the skipper, Ethan Ampadu, drives their game from the base, banking on his composure, technicality and game-reading traits.

Attack

Tottenham Hotspur will lock horns with Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon as they look to secure a win on the road in the Premier League. Spurs managed to earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Bodo/Glimt in midweek. Hence, the North London giants would be eager to get back to winning ways against the West Yorkshire club this weekend.

Thomas Frank will set his players up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to make a few changes to his first team for this game. Joao Palhinha, Mohammed Kudus and Destiny Udogie could all play from the start of this clash.

Defence

Guglielmo Vicario will operate in goal for the North London club after conceding two goals in his last outing. Kevin Danso will play alongside Micky van de Ven at the heart of Frank’s defence as they try to keep the Leeds attackers frustrated during the game.

Pedro Porro will be a nailed-on starter at right-back, while Destiny Udogie looks to catch the eye as the left-back. Both of them will get the license to go forward and join in on the attack at every chance they get.

Djed Spence and Ben Davies will provide cover for the defensive positions on the bench.

Midfield

Joao Palhinha will anchor the midfield alongside Lucas Bergvall as they try to establish their superiority over the opposition at the centre of the park.

The talented trio of Mohamed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert will play just ahead of them as part of Tottenham‘s attack. All three of them need to be at their best if Spurs are to come out on top this weekend.

Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr and Brennan Johnson will have to be content with a spot on the bench as they wait for their chance to influence the game in the second 45 minutes if required.

Attack

Richarlison will lead the charge for the North London giants up top. He has to find a way to be a real threat in the final third.

Mathys Tel will make up the numbers on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the final quarter if Spurs are in need of a goal by then.

Randal Kolo Muani remains a major doubt for this game as he recovers from a dead leg.

Tottenham Hotspur clashed heads with Bodo/Glimt at the Aspmyra Stadium earlier tonight as they looked to earn a win on their travels in the UEFA Champions League. Spurs made a solid start to the game and managed to get to the half-time break with a goalless scoreline.

Jens Petter Hauge opened the goal-scoring for the home team in the 53rd minute before going on to score again in the 66th minute. Micky van de Ven equalised for the North London club just a couple of minutes later. Tottenham managed to equalise in the 89th minute thanks to an unfortunate own goal by Jostein Gundersen. The contest finished with Spurs earning a hard-fought 1-1 draw away from home.

Let’s take a look at how each Tottenham Hotspur player fared during the clash against Bodo/Glimt.

GK: Guglielmo Vicario – 6/10

He made two solid saves at the back, but won’t be pleased after conceding twice in the second half.

RB: Pedro Porro – 7/10

Porro was a positive influence at both ends of the field and has got an assist to show for his efforts.

CB: Kevin Danso – 6.5/10

He cleared his lines when he could but struggled to keep things tidy on the defensive end of the pitch.

CB: Micky van de Ven – 7.5/10

Van de Ven did his fair share of defending and managed to score in the 68th minute.

LB: Djed Spence – 6/10

He earned possession back twice and made one good run with the ball.

CM: Lucas Bergvall – 6.5/10

Bergvall caught the eye at times on both ends of the pitch.

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur – 6.5/10

He anchored the midfield well and made one positive run with the ball.

CM: Pape Matar Sarr – 6.5/10

Sarr was full of energy and running at the centre of the park.

RW: Brennan Johnson – 6/10

Johnson was quiet for most of his time on the field.

ST: Richarlison – 6.5/10

He was a real handful for the opposition defenders, but never looked like he would score.

LW: Wilson Odobert – 7/10

Odobert managed to shine at times on the left flank, but there was no goal for him.

Substitutes:

LW: Xavi Simons – 6/10

His impact on the game was minimal.

RW: Mohammed Kudus – 7/10

He made a lot of dangerous runs with the ball.

CM: Joao Palhinha – 6.5/10

Palhinha anchored the midfield with conviction.

LB: Destiny Udogie – N/A

Tottenham Hotspur welcomed Bournemouth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier today as they looked to secure all three points at home in the Premier League. Spurs made a slow start to the game and conceded the opening goal in the fifth minute when Evanilson found the back of the net for the Cherries. Thomas Frank’s men failed to mount a comeback and went into the half-time break 1-0 down on the scoreline.

Spurs failed to find the equaliser in the second half and crashed to a tough 1-0 defeat in front of their home fans.

Let’s take a look at how each Tottenham player fared during the clash against the Cherries.

GK: Guglielmo Vicario – 7/10

Vicario made a handful of solid saves at the back but failed to keep a clean sheet this afternoon.

RB: Pedro Porro – 6.5/10

He performed his defensive duties well but offered very little in the opponent’s half.

CB: Cristian Romero – 7/10

Romero didn’t do much wrong at the back, but it was not enough.

CB: Micky van de Ven – 6.5/10

The Dutch talent put his foot through the ball when he could, but would not be pleased after conceding such an early goal.

LB: Djed Spence – 6/10

He caught the eye at times on the left flank but struggled to make an impact going forward.

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur – 6.5/10

Bentancur struggled to get a foothold in the game and produced an uninspiring performance at the centre of the park.

CM: Joao Palhinha – 6/10

He struggled to prove his worth in the first half and was replaced in the 53rd minute.

CM: Pape Matar Sarr – 6/10

Sarr made some important clearances at the back but struggled to impress in the final third.

RW: Mohammed Kudus – 7/10

He made a few dangerous runs with the ball but failed to register a goal.

ST: Richarlison – 6/10

Richarlison made one good chance in the final third, but there was no goal for him.

LW: Brennan Johnson – 6/10

He was quiet for most of his time on the field.

Substitutes:

CAM: Wilson Odobert – 6.5/10

He made two promising runs with the ball.

CM: Lucas Bergvall – 6.5/10

Bergvall added some energy to Frank’s midfield.

LB: Destiny Udogie – 6/10

He was solid at the back.

ST: Mathys Tel – 6/10

Tel failed to get his name on the scoresheet.

Tottenham Hotspur will entertain Bournemouth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Saturday afternoon as they hope to secure a win at home in the Premier League. Spurs managed to earn an impressive 2-0 victory away at Manchester City recently which should give them a ton of confidence ahead of this game.

Thomas Frank will set his men up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and is expected to keep changes to a minimum for this game. Hence, Richarlison will once again lead the charge for the North London club in the final third.

Defence

Guglielmo Vicario will play in between the sticks for the home team after keeping a clean sheet in his last league outing. Cristian Romero will continue to feature alongside Micky van de Ven at the centre of the Tottenham backline as they hope to keep a solid shape at the back.

Pedro Porro will fill in as the right-back, while Djed Spence hopes to prove his worth on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will get the license to go forward and express themselves in the Bournemouth half.

Kevin Danso and Ben Davies will provide cover for the defensive positions on the bench.

Midfield

Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha will anchor the midfield for Spurs as they focus on winning the 50-50 battles in the middle of the park.

The gifted trio of Brennan Johnson, Pape Matar Sarr and Mohammed Kudus will play just ahead of them as part of Frank’s attack. All three of them would have to carry most of the creative burden for the London club in the final third.

Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert will have to settle for a place on the bench as they wait for their opportunity to influence the game in the second half if required.

Attack

Richarlison will lead the line for the London giants up top. The Brazilian striker would be eager to find the back of the net after failing to register a goal in his last league appearance.

Dominic Solanke will be named on the bench and might come on to make an impact in the final quarter of the match if Spurs are in need of a goal by then.

In a recent post on X, journalist Philipp Heinze stated that Tottenham Hotspur have launched a move for Red Bull Leipzig talent Xavi Simons. It is believed that Spurs have made an offer in the region of €70m to sign the Dutch playmaker this summer.

Simons’ Decent Numbers In German Football

Simons had a productive campaign at the German club recently after he put in a string of impressive displays for them in the final third. The 22-year-old registered 11 goals and earned eight assists in 33 matches for RB Leipzig last season in all competitions.

The Dutch talent gave a good account of himself in the final third as he averaged 2.09 shots per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga. He kept 46% of his attempts on target. Simons was even accurate when distributing the ball in the opponent’s half as he made 78.6% of his attempted passes in the German first division (stats via fbref.com).

His current contract at the Red Bull Arena will expire in the summer of 2027. Hence, Spurs have got no choice but to meet Leipzig’s demands if they want to sign Simons in this transfer window.

Should Tottenham Hotspur Boss Thomas Frank Get Simons On Board?

Simons is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet and can make a few dangerous runs with it out in the wide areas. He has got the eye to play some decisive passes in the final third and can strike the ball with venom from long range.

The Dutch sensation is primarily an attacking midfielder but can also play as a winger on either flank if told to do so. However, there are some concerns over whether he can maintain his good form in the Premier League if Spurs manage to get a deal over the line for him in this transfer window.

We can expect Simons to enhance the quality of Tottenham boss Thomas Frank’s attack. He is more than capable of earning a regular first-team spot at the North London club this season.

At 22, Simons has got a bright future ahead of him, which makes him a worthy target for Spurs to pursue this summer. He would even serve as a good replacement for James Maddison, who is out of action with a long-term injury. Thus, Tottenham should focus on getting him on board this summer.

In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey claimed that Tottenham Hotspur have been offered a chance to land Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho. Bailey said,

“Savinho is still of major interest to them. They think there’s a possibility, and the player wants to go to Tottenham. We need to keep an eye on that. Jadon Sancho’s name has been offered to them, but we’ll see what happens in the coming days.”

Sancho’s Impressive Loan Spell At Chelsea

Sancho had a decent loan spell at Chelsea in the previous campaign when he produced a series of impressive displays for them in the final third. The 25-year-old registered five goals and grabbed ten assists in 41 matches for the Blues last season across all fronts.

The English talent did well to average 1.22 shots per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He kept 33.3% of his attempts on target. Sancho was even accurate when distributing possession in the final third after making 82.6% of his attempted passes in top-flight football (stats via fbref.com).

Sancho is under contract at his parent club, Manchester United until the end of this season. Thus, Spurs could potentially sign him on a cut-price deal this summer.

Should Tottenham Hotspur Boss Thomas Frank Go For Sancho?

Sancho is a good dribbler with the ball and has got the vision to create a few inviting chances for his teammates in the final third.

The English talent can strike the ball with venom from long range and can contribute by scoring a handful of important goals for his team. However, he needs to find a way to be more consistent in front of the opponent’s goal.

Sancho is primarily a left-winger but can also play on the right flank if needed. He is quite familiar with the Premier League and won’t take much time to adjust to life at Tottenham.

We can expect Sancho to add more firepower to Thomas Frank’s frontline. He is good enough to fight for regular first-team football at the North London club this season. At 25, Sancho has his best years ahead of him, so Spurs would be wise to go for a player of his skill set in this transfer window.

If a recent report from the German outlet BILD is believed to be true, Leeds United have their eyes on Timo Werner. But they are not alone in the hunt, with fellow Premier League newcomers Burnley also keeping close tabs on the RB Leipzig attacker. The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur star has suitors in Italy, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia; however, he has so far rejected all the approaches, including the English duo.

The 29-year-old German international progressed through the academy ranks of his boyhood side VfB Stuttgart before securing a first-team status since the 2013-14 season. Leipzig snapped him up in June 2016, and after four scintillating campaigns, Werner completed a sensational £47.5m transfer to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2020.

But it did not work out for him at Chelsea, even though he was part of their Champions League-winning squad. Leipzig brought him back for £25.3m two years later, and the attacking ace revived his form to some extent before leaving for London once more, but to represent Spurs this time around.

Why Leeds United Must Not Give Up The Chase

Although he might have hoped for a redemption story in his second stint, Ange Postecoglou only deployed him as a bit-part option during his one-and-a-half-year loan stint. Werner is now back at his parent club, but the gaffer, Ole Werner, does not fancy him in his plans. With his current deal at Red Bull Arena set to expire next summer, the versatile forward must accept a fresh challenge elsewhere for regular game time.

Leeds United made a strong start to their season by defeating Everton, but suffered a dreadful 5-0 defeat against Arsenal. A defeat against the struggling Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup further highlights their shortcomings, particularly in the attacking third, despite roping in Lukas Nmecha, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor.

While Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin and Joel Piroe are likely to challenge each other for the ‘number 9’ spot, Werner’s flexibility across the frontline, along with his experience in English football, would inject more firepower upfront. Having made him an outcast, Leipzig should settle for a minuscule fee with less than 12 months remaining on his contract, and the Whites, regardless of the initial rejection, must not give up on him before Monday’s deadline day.

His lack of finishing and wastefulness up top has been a concern for years, but the work rate, pace and directness he offers would help Leeds in the transitions. Daniel James, Wilfried Gnonto and Jack Harrison do not have the quality and consistency to attune to the grind and demands of the Premier League football, and Werner, with his energy and experience, could become ‘third time lucky’ in England.