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A former Tottenham youth player has decided to swap the football pitch for the Oxford University lecture hall.

Han Willhoft-King, who was born in Jakarta, joined the Spurs academy in 2012 when he was just six years old, and he progressed through the academy ranks up to the Under-19 level.

The midfielder was capped twice by England at the Under-16 level, and many at Hotspur Way had high hopes for him.

However, Willhoft-King rejected a contract offered by Tottenham and signed for Man City’s academy last year, and he has now made the shock decision to quit the game.

The midfielder has been with Man City’s U21 side since last year, and according to talkSPORT, he even trained several times with Pep Guardiola’s first team.

However, the 19-year-old has now decided to walk away from football and has instead decided to study a law degree at Oxford’s Brasenose College.

When asked about his decision to leave football in favour of University education, Willhoft-King told The Guardian: “I wasn’t enjoying it. I don’t know what it was, maybe the environment. I’m bored often, as well. You’d train, you’d come home and you wouldn’t really do anything. If you contrast it to now, I’m struggling to find hours in the day.

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“I’m either studying, going out with friends, playing for the university first team, also my college. I always felt under-stimulated in football. Don’t get me wrong. I still loved it. But I always felt I could be doing more. I was wasting hours of the day.

“I needed something different, and Oxford excited me; the people, too. I guess that’s the reason. Injuries were a big factor, but that’s the easy answer. I felt I needed something a bit more, mainly intellectually, which sounds quite pretentious.”

The topic of how young players struggle to cope once they fail to make the cut in football has started to receive some limelight in the media over recent years.

There is also the added concern of what footballers do post-retirement, especially the ones who do not manage to play at the highest level, and Willhoft-King admitted that was one of his worries about pursuing a football career.

He added: “Say I had a career in League One or the Championship, you make good money. But how much would I enjoy it? In my head, I wasn’t sure.

“Also, best-case scenario, you’ll play for 10, 15 years and after that, what? I thought going to university would provide a platform for me to do something, at least, for longer than the next 10 to 15 years. So, it’s a bit of a long-term thing, as well.”

Tottenham Hotspur could jump ahead of Liverpool in the race for an exciting Premier League winger if they make their move early.

One can argue that Antoine Semenyo is currently the best attacking player outside of the so-called ‘big six’ clubs, which is perhaps why he is attracting so much transfer interest.

According to reports, Tottenham are battling the likes of Liverpool and Man City for the Bournemouth winger, who has almost five years left on his contract at the Vitality Stadium.

It has been claimed by some sources that Liverpool view Semenyo as the heir to Mohammed Salah, but Spurs have just received some good news regarding the Reds’ pursuit of the player.

Liverpool not likely to challenge Tottenham for Antoine Semenyo in January

Some sources have suggested that Liverpool’s struggles of late could convince them to swoop for Semenyo in January, but one journalist has now questioned that claim.

The Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele has now suggested that while the Reds are fans of the Ghana international, they view him as a target for next summer, although he did not rule out the possibility of them making a move for the 25-year-old in January.

In a Q&A column on Mail Sport, Steele explained: “I saw some rumours doing the rounds this week that Semenyo has handed in a transfer request at Bournemouth. I asked about that and was told it was not true.

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“Liverpool and others are certainly keen to sign him in the summer, and it is understood the Cherries would ask for around £75million – a fee that could rise if his early-season performances continue.”

“I can’t see Liverpool moving for Semenyo in January, but we have seen in the past how they are prepared to ‘bring forward’ summer business in the winter window if it suits.”

Spurs baulked at Bouremouth’s asking price for Semenyo

It has been reported over recent days that Semenyo is the kind of marquee attacking signing Tottenham are keen on during the January window.

Relaying the above information by Steele about Liverpool’s pursuit of the Cherries star, TEAMtalk asked their transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher about the transfer race.

Fletcher said: “Tottenham Hotspur have been admirers of Semenyo for longer than Liverpool. They scouted Semenyo extensively during the summer transfer window, but baulked at Bournemouth’s lofty valuation, which exceeded £70m.

“Thomas Frank’s side, seeking to add depth behind their strike force, had him high on their wishlist but prioritised other deals. However, their admiration persists, and a renewed push could materialise if they address squad imbalances in the coming windows.”

Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for a busy winter window, with interest growing in a highly rated Belgian midfielder who has sparked intense competition across Europe.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to put themselves in the best position heading into the winter transfer window, as the club aims to strengthen key areas while maintaining a clear pathway for emerging talents.

Spurs are working towards a structure that allows their youngsters to step into the senior side when ready, with experience also represented across the squad to create balance.

Johan Lange continues to oversee the development and progression of youth prospects, while Fabio Paratici remains more involved in matters relating to senior players and first-team recruitment.

Tottenham eye Nathan De Cat as transfer battle intensifies

While there was more focus on experience last summer, the involvement of both Lange and Paratici could see a more balanced approach in future windows.

TeamTalk are now reporting that Tottenham are in the race for young Belgian midfield talent Nathan De Cat. The 17-year-old has attracted interest beyond Spurs, with several European clubs also tracking the midfielder.

Aston Villa and Bayern Munich are likewise keeping tabs on the midfield orchestrator, who is known for having a wand of a left foot.

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De Cat has produced four goals and six assists this season and has been monitored by clubs ranging from the English south coast to the Spanish capital, with no fewer than seven top-tier sides currently locked in a feverish pursuit.

Spurs view De Cat as creative solution behind James Maddison

Despite the competition for his signature, Spurs interest is reported to stem from the club craving additional creativity beyond James Maddison in midfield.

However, Bayern Munich are said to be leading the race for De Cat, having initiated formal talks with the player’s representatives.

The Germans are reportedly prepared to eclipse rival bids with a €38m (£34m) total package, which could also include a potential loan-back clause to ease his transition.

Anderlecht sporting director Olivier Renard has acknowledged the exceptional interest but stressed that any exit must contribute to squad reinvestment.

The player, who came through the Brussels system, kept his stance measured, saying: “Anderlecht is home, but big clubs make you think.”

Tottenham Hotspur may decide to put off a move for a prolific striker until next summer due to one complication.

Over the last few weeks, several top-class number nines have been linked with a switch to Spurs in January.

Thomas Frank’s desire to sign a number nine is certainly understandable, particularly now that Randal Kolo Muani is facing an extended spell on the sidelines.

However, it has now been revealed that a 29-year-old striker, who was alleged to be Tottenham’s top target in January, is unlikely to arrive at N17 mid-season.

Tottenham expected to shelve Ivan Toney plans until next summer

Over recent weeks, we have been hearing that Spurs are trying to come up with a formula to sign Ivan Toney on loan in January.

However, former Man United and Tottenham Hotspur scout, Mick Brown, has revealed that Al-Ahli’s striker’s salary is proving prohibitive for the Lilywhites and his other suitors.

He suggested that it is a deal that the clubs may put off until the end of the season.

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Brown told Football Insider: “I think it’s well known that Tottenham are in the market for attacking reinforcements in January, whether that’s a wide forward or a number nine, that remains to be seen in the coming weeks and months.

“There’ll be no shortage of interest in somebody like Ivan Toney. You’ve got Tottenham, who are interested. Everton and West Ham have both sounded out a possible move for Toney as well.

“The problem is that the cost of any particular deal is going to be very expensive due to the wages that he’s on in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli. It’s not an easy deal to do.

“I think the overall cost of the move will be pretty prohibitive for a deal to happen in January. Maybe in the summer it could be an easier deal to do. Maybe Tottenham might have to look elsewhere if they are to bring in attack and reinforcements in the January window.”

Spurs are not prioritising signing a striker in January

Despite the issues that Tottenham have had in the number nine role, a striker is not thought to be their top priority in the upcoming transfer window.

This is according to a recent update from TEAMtalk, which claimed that Spurs are more likely to sign a wide-forward than a centre-forward in January.

Journalist Dean Jones has weighed in on Tottenham’s interest in an exciting La Liga winger, explaining why it is not a complicated deal for the North London club to pull off.

It has emerged over recent days that signing a versatile wide-forward would be Tottenham’s number one priority in January.

That is understandable, given Spurs’ creative struggles, with many feeling that Tottenham are over-reliant on Mohammed Kudus to create chances.

To address that, it appears that the Lilywhites have turned to a former Real Madrid man.

It emerged last week that Spurs are ready to ‘go all out’ for Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo, and there has now been an update on the North London club’s pursuit of the Japanese international.

Tottenham are not alone in their admiration for Takefusa Kubo

Journalist Pete O’Rourke is not surprised that the Real Sociedad man is on Spurs’ radar, but he revealed that other Premier League clubs are also taking a close look at him.

He pointed out that signing the wide-forward would not be a complicated deal, given that he has a £52m release clause in his contract.

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When asked about the speculation linking Kubo with a move to Tottenham, O’Rourke told Football Insider: “He’s been continually linked with the move to the Premier League with Tottenham, Liverpool over the years, Aston Villa as well.

“Top young player who’s done really well for Real Sociedad. So, it’s no surprise that the top European clubs are looking at the Japanese international as well.

“He has got a release clause in his contract, so it would be straightforward if Tottenham Hotspur wanted to go and sign him in January. £52million, it’s not a cheap deal by any stretch of the imagination. So, that will come into consideration if Tottenham are to firm up their interest in Kubo as well.”

Kubo wants to make Spurs move in January

Kubo, who has 24 goals and 18 assists in 147 matches at Sociadad, is thought to be keen on a switch to the Premier League.

That is according to information reported last week by Fichajes, who claimed that the La Liga star believes that a move to Tottenham would be the right next step for him.

Tottenham are keeping a close watch on one of Africa’s brightest young attackers, who continues to earn recognition across Europe and remains firmly on the radar of major clubs.

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with the highly rated Sani Suleiman in recent weeks, following growing interest in his profile and development.

Spurs are understood to have enquired about Suleiman last month, after his standout display at the U20 World Cup caught the attention of several sides.

The 19-year-old is known for his pace, dribbling, creativity, and ability to influence matches at decisive moments, which has naturally placed him among the most talked-about young players on the continent.

Tottenham tracking Sani Suleiman as competition builds

Rudy Galetti is now reporting that the Spurs are among a host of clubs still keeping tabs on the Nigerian winger.

However, Spurs are not alone, with several top European clubs also tracking the teenager’s situation closely.

Chelsea, Rangers, and Bayer Leverkusen have already expressed concrete interest, and top Serie A sides have now joined the race as they look to position themselves ahead of the competition.

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The CIES Football Observatory recently listed Suleiman among the top young players in Europe, placing him in the Top 10 U20 performers globally for successful dribbles and progressive carries across 66 leagues. He sits 6th on the list, just behind Lamine Yamal and Yan Diomande.

Spurs view Suleiman as a potential midfield and wide option

Suleiman is tied to Trencin until June 2026, but the Slovak side also holds a two-year extension clause that could keep him there through 2028.

The winger is capable of playing on either flank, which is obviously a plus for any side looking to secure his services, as it offers flexibility in attacking structures.

Spurs could do with an electric midfielder on the left with the skill set Suleiman possesses, as their left-sided options often do not beat their man or progress the ball enough.

Tottenham Hotspur summer signing Mohammed Kudus has now handed out praise to “aggressive” Tottenham captain Cristian Romero.

Mohammed Kudus has had a very solid start to life in the Lilywhite shirt of Tottenham Hotspur since his summer move from West Ham United.

There is an argument to be had that he has been the signing of the season for Tottenham, as well as the best player at the club so far.

He has settled down well, but this is far from the finished version of Kudus, who has quickly become a main man in north London.

Mohammed Kudus speaks on Cristian Romero’s leadership at Tottenham

Of course, the Ghana international is far from the only top player on the books for Tottenham. World Cup and two-time Copa America winner Cristian Romero was recently named club captain by Thomas Frank, following Heung-min Son’s move to the MLS.

Kudus was asked about Romero’s influence, and he made it clear that the Argentine sets high standards. The midfielder outlined how demanding and professional the defender is daily, as well as how much he enjoys playing alongside him.

Speaking to the Premier League YouTube channel, Kudus said, “Top. Very professional on and off the pitch, very demanding, style of play very aggressive, he demands a lot from everyone, and it is a pleasure playing with him. I am enjoying it.”

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Spurs improvement and the influence of Cristian Romero

There has been an improvement on the pitch for Tottenham when their performances from this season are compared with those of last season.

Spurs are in fifth place after eleven games this season, while they were in tenth after eleven games in the previous campaign.

Tottenham defender Djed Spence has finally addressed the noise around his viral ‘penitentiary’ meme, and he didn’t hold back in his response.

Tottenham Hotspur are enjoying a fairly decent start to life under Thomas Frank, at least by the standards of a manager still settling into a new job.

One player who has quietly become a pillar of that early progress is Djed Spence, and he has been producing the most consistent run of form of his career so far.

Not too long ago, Spence was unsure where his Tottenham future was heading, but now, at 25, he’s earned his senior England debut and has been named in Thomas Tuchel’s squad three times in a row. Tuchel clearly sees how valuable the full-back is, especially in a position where England aren’t exactly stacked for depth.

What makes him stand out is how rarely he’s beaten one-on-one, as Spence has shut down some of Europe’s best wingers, with names like Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia already on the list.

That run has given rise to a joke on social media, where Spence adds players to his ‘penitentiary’ every time he gets the better of them in a game, and some have labelled him overconfident and unprofessional because of it.

What Tottenham’s Djed Spence said about the meme and his critics

Speaking to Versus on YouTube, Djed Spence was asked whether he actually enjoys the banter and the friendly competition that comes with the meme. He replied, “Yeah. Of course, you know, it makes it exciting, it makes it fun.”

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When he was pressed on his response to those who were offended by it, he said, “Cry more man. Why (are) you upset? It’s just social media, just have fun! It’s never too serious.”

“Everyone has a laugh and a joke, but when a footballer does it, it’s the end of the world. But who cares man, just have fun.”

Spence’s view on personality in the modern game

While the majority of Spurs supporters loved the confidence and the humour, others were fair to worry it could backfire if a winger eventually got the better of him.

However, Spence had an interesting take on the importance of personality in football and explained in the same interview why he feels players should show who they are.

Djed Spence said: “It’s important to show your character and personality. You’ve got to be yourself in everything you do. Why not? You’re human, I’m human. You get to share jokes, why can’t I have a laugh and a joke?”

“Too many footballers are scared to be themselves. It’s all robotic and social media trained. If you’re not being yourself, you’re portraying an image that’s false. Just be yourself, have fun and enjoy what it is you are doing. Just be authentic man.”

Tottenham’s chances of getting a positive result at the Emirates Stadium may have improved after what happened to two key Arsenal players on Saturday.

Spurs have an extremely bloated injury list ahead of the North London derby, but the situation looks a lot rosier for their rivals.

It has been reported that Mikel Arteta could welcome back five key Arsenal players for the clash against Tottenham.

Noni Madueke is expected to be fit for the game after missing the clash against Sunderland, while Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard are all in contention to return for next Sunday’s clash.

Boost for Tottenham as key Arsenal duo are doubts for derby

However, Arsenal now face the possibility of going into the derby without one of the pillars of their defence for the upcoming clash.

This is because Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off with an injury an hour into the Selecao’s 2-0 win over Senegal in an international friendly on Saturday.

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According to Arsenal Insider, the centre-back has now suffered a groin injury and is now a ‘major doubt’ for the clash against Tottenham.

That comes as a huge boost to Thomas Frank’s men, as not only is Gabriel a vital cog of the formidable Gunners defensive unit, but he is also their biggest threat from set pieces.

Gabriel may not be the only key piece missing from Arsenal’s defensive unit, as The Standard reports that Riccardo Calafiori has withdrawn from international duty with Italy due to an injury.

Calafiori has been Arteta’s preferred choice at left-back this season, and if the Italian is ruled out of the derby, that means that Arsenal may be lining up without half of their usual back four.

Key Spurs man picks up an injury in the same match

While Tottenham Hotspur fans would be delighted with the news about Gabriel, as fate would have it, a Spurs man, who was playing for the other side in the same game, also picked up an injury.

Pape Sarr was forced off with an injury at the start of the second half of Senegal’s clash against Brazil, which will raise some serious alarm bells at N17.

There has been no clarification yet on the nature of the midfielder’s injury, but it is the last thing Frank would have wanted a week ahead of the biggest clash of his Tottenham career so far.

Tottenham’s Kevin Danso was once again an immovable rock at the back for Austria, helping the nation keep another clean sheet and emerge with an impressive away win at Cyprus.

At the start of the season, many pundits suggested that Tottenham needed to keep Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven fit to have a decent season.

However, Danso has shown that he can be counted upon to deliver during Cristian Romero’s injury absence.

In fact, Thomas Frank even nicknamed the Tottenham defender ‘magnet head’ due to his ability to consistently win duels and aerial balls, and the 27-year-old showcased those skills for his national side on Saturday.

Tottenham defender Kevin Danso showcases his class again for Austria

Danso did what he does best against Cyprus, with his near-flawless display ensuring that Austria emerged with a clean sheet and a 2-0 win.

According to Fotmob, the Tottenham Hotspur defender had three ball recoveries and 10 clearances, seven of which were headed clearances. He was not dribbled past a single time through the entire 90 minutes.

Danso won seven out of the 11 ground duels he contested and two out of three aerial duels, while completing five tackles and committing just one foul.

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The Spurs centre-back was also very good on the ball, having 114 touches and completing 94 of his 97 passes, which gives him a pass completion rate of 97 per cent.

He also played 16 passes into the final third, completing five out of his six long passes, and he also picked up an assist for Marko Arnautovic’s second goal, with Danso’s tackle falling kindly to the former West Ham forward.

A new centre-back may not be a priority for Spurs in January

Not only has Danso excelled this season, but Tottenham are also on the verge of being boosted by the return of another centre-back.

A few days ago, Radu Dragusin played his first match in almost 10 months at Hotspur Way in a behind-closed-doors friendly, with the Romanian coming through the game unscathed.

It has been reported over recent months that Spurs are eyeing the signing of another centre-back in January.