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Rodrigo Bentancur has now committed his future to Tottenham with a new deal, and manager Thomas Frank has given his reaction to the news, praising the midfielder while highlighting what it says about the Spurs project.

Tottenham Hotspur only just recently announced that Rodrigo Bentancur has put pen to paper on a new deal with the club, following preliminary talks that first opened back in February.

The Uruguayan’s contract had been set to expire next summer, and with Atletico Madrid previously reported to have been keeping tabs on him, Spurs knew they had to act quickly in order to secure his services and keep him at Hotspur Way beyond 2025.

Although the club have not revealed the exact length of the extension, they have communicated that it is a long-term agreement for the 28-year-old midfielder.

Thomas Frank praises Rodrigo Bentancur after Tottenham deal

Speaking after the deal was confirmed, Thomas Frank stressed just how significant the renewal was for Tottenham, and he placed it in the same bracket as Cristian Romero’s recent extension.

“It is fantastic news that the club has managed to extend Romero’s contract and now Bentancur’s contract. I think that is a big sign that both of them believe in the project and the future here. Bentancur is a top player. He has been a top player for Tottenham. I think we can get even more out of him,” Frank told the club’s official website.

Romero’s future was once in doubt, with Spanish sides also showing interest in the Argentine, but he eventually committed his long-term future to Spurs.

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Rodrigo Bentancur’s importance to Tottenham midfield

Bentancur has already shown his commitment to the Tottenham project, and Frank has made sure to call on him consistently throughout the current campaign.

The midfielder has featured in 10 matches for Spurs this season, racking up 674 minutes in all competitions, leaving him among the most used players in Frank’s side.

Consistency was once Bentancur’s strong point, but his performances have fluctuated and his most recent outing against Bodo/Glimt provided another example of the dips that occasionally creep into his game.

Even so, Frank will be hopeful that Bentancur can cut those lapses out, as he remains a vital cog in the Tottenham machine moving forward at N17.

Thomas Frank has shed light on Tottenham’s early preparations for the January transfer window, with conversations already taking place behind the scenes involving Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange.

The summer transfer window only just closed a few months ago, and Tottenham Hotspur were as active as ever, with their business stretching late into deadline day.

Spurs confirmed five new arrivals, with Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso’s moves made permanent, while Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons, Kota Takai and Randal Kolo Muani were all brought in as fresh additions to the squad.

Still, a large section of Tottenham supporters remains firm in their belief that the squad needs further strengthening, with many openly suggesting where the club should look to invest when the winter market opens.

Thomas Frank on Tottenham’s January transfer planning

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Spurs’ clash with Leeds United, Thomas Frank discussed how discussions with the recruitment team have been unfolding, explaining that plans are already being set in motion for the January window.

He revealed that talks with Tottenham’s technical director, Johan Lange and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham are ongoing, stressing that preparations begin almost immediately after a window closes.

Frank said, via Tottenham’s official channel: “I think a week or two after the window shuts, they begin preparing the next window. We will have a meeting relatively soon where we will speak about it and then we will go from there.”

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Tottenham squad depth and injury concerns

Tottenham do have a level of depth in their squad, although recent injuries have undoubtedly reduced the quality available to Frank at this stage of the season.

Key players such as Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani are still waiting to build a consistent run of games under the new manager, which has inevitably sparked debate amongst supporters who are keen to see more attacking options brought in, particularly in the wide areas.

Thomas Frank has provided an important update on the injury situation at Tottenham ahead of the Leeds United trip, including news on Cristian Romero.

Tottenham Hotspur have been forced to settle for back-to-back draws in the Premier League, first sharing the points in a 2-2 encounter with Brighton before being held to a 1-1 draw by Wolves.

However, despite dropping points in consecutive matches, Thomas Frank’s side remains in a strong position in the league table, sitting third with 11 points collected from a possible 18.

Liverpool and Arsenal are the only sides above them, leaving the Lilywhites well within reach of the early pace-setters.

Attention now turns to their next challenge, a Saturday lunchtime meeting with newly promoted Leeds United, and Frank will be eager to see his team return to winning ways to keep up the pressure at the top of the table.

Coming into this weekend’s fixture, Thomas Frank still has injuries to manage, with a number of his first-team stars unavailable, although the manager has now provided a fresh update on their recoveries.

Cristian Romero was the most recent player to be added to the list, with the Tottenham captain left out of the squad that travelled to Norway for precautionary reasons.

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Meanwhile, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski remain long-term absentees, with no return date set for the two attacking midfielders.

Radu Dragusin, on the other hand, continues to build up his sharpness after spending several months sidelined with an ACL injury suffered back in February, and he has since returned to training.

There is, however, some good news, as Kota Takai, Ben Davies and Yves Bissouma are also now on the green at Tottenham’s training centre, but it remains to be seen if they will be in contention this weekend.

Dominic Solanke has undergone a minor surgery on his ankle, while Randal Kolo Muani continues to nurse a dead leg, although their injuries are not considered serious and they are expected to return in the near future.

Speaking to the club’s official channels, Frank gave an update on the situation: “Romero is fit and available and will start tomorrow. That is promising news. That was contact to the foot and I think medical did a good job to get that turned around.

“Dom was a minor procedure to the foot, it went well. We will know more after the international break.

“Kolo Muani has been on the pitch the last two days so that is a positive. Kolo Muani will not be in the squad tomorrow. Kota is getting better and better. He’s trained with the team for 10 days, so that’s promising.”

Tottenham fans want Thomas Frank to try something new by handing a highly-rated midfielder a start against Leeds United this weekend.

Tottenham Hotspur would be desperate to return to winning ways after back-to-back draws in their last two outings, as the momentum from their bright start to the season has stalled slightly.

Frank’s side had to dig deep against Wolves, coming from behind to snatch a point, while their Champions League trip to the Arctic Circle proved equally testing.

Spurs fell two goals behind against Bodo/Glimt in Norway, before substitutes were called upon to rescue a result, although the captain on the night, van de Ven, grabbed the first, while substitute Archie Gray was involved in Tottenham’s second.

Tottenham fans call for Archie Gray to replace Bentancur in midfield

Gray’s impact has now sparked calls from Tottenham supporters, with fans urging Thomas Frank to hand the 19-year-old a bigger role in midfield, with many demanding he be considered ahead of Bentancur.

Rodrigo Bentancur endured a night to forget in Norway, as the midfielder conceded a first-half penalty before being replaced in the 82nd minute.

Bentancur’s withdrawal paved the way for Archie Gray to enter the fray, and the teenager wasted little time making an impression, as his cross caused panic in the Bodo/Glimt defence, leading to Jostein Gundersen turning into his own net in the 89th minute.

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On X, one Spurs supporter summed up the mood by writing: “Putting myself forward for chairman of the Archie Gray must start over Bentancur Commission.”

Another Tottenham fan agreed, adding: “We need to try something else. I just do not think Bentancur brings anything to the team at the moment. Archie brings energy, movement, impetus and takes responsibility with the ball that Lolo will not.”

A third comment read: “It was obvious after 10; it should have been done at 45. I cannot believe I watched it until 81. Insanity.”

Others were more straightforward, with one fan posting: “I mean, he is young, he is English. What is not to like?” while another sent a clear message to the manager: “Give him the keys.”

Archie Gray set for Leeds return with Spurs

Tottenham’s weekend trip to Elland Road adds another layer to this story, as Gray is set for a return to his former side, Leeds United, which could be an emotional occasion for the teenager.

The Tottenham youngster has already caught the eye this season with a commanding performance against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup, and with Bentancur out of form, the teenager’s energy and bite in midfield could prove decisive.

Tottenham fans have been quick to react after Thomas Frank officially named his leadership group at the club, a decision that has sparked considerable debate among the supporters.

Thomas Frank has since confirmed Cristian Romero as his club captain for the 2025/26 campaign, a move that followed the departure of former skipper Heung-min Son.

The Danish manager had previously spoken about the idea of a leadership group, often stressing that it was something he wanted to implement only after spending enough time getting to know his Tottenham squad and the personalities within it.

That clarity has now arrived, as Frank confirmed that Romero will be joined by Ben Davies, James Maddison, Guglielmo Vicario and Micky van de Ven in a five-man Tottenham leadership group tasked with helping guide Tottenham on and off the pitch this season.

Tottenham fans react to leadership group named by Thomas Frank

The announcement came through the club’s official account on social media platform X, and as is often the case with such news, Spurs fans wasted little time in giving their verdict, with opinions split on the names included.

One supporter, unimpressed with the choices, wrote: “This seems odd. A bloke who is injured until next season, a bloke who will not play, and a keeper who could conceivably be dropped due to poor performance.”

Another fan questioned the omission of Pedro Porro despite praising some of the selections, commenting: “Pedro Porro?? Love who has been picked and I think for loyalty Ben Davies deserves it, but I do think Porro deserved a shot too. COYS.”

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A third pointed towards Porro’s visible presence in huddles, adding: “Pedro Porro does all the speeches before each match, captained against Doncaster. Makes no sense.”

The doubts did not end there, with one more fan noting: “So two of them will not play at all, another two will be injured half the season, which makes our captain Vicario.”

Yet not all responses were negative, as another supporter countered: “Davies and Maddison, despite being injured, will be in and around the squad every day, so there is no reason to cry over nothing.”

Others singled out individuals, with one describing Vicario’s inclusion as “a mental decision”, while another claimed Maddison “does not deserve this” and that Van de Ven “does not have leadership qualities”.

On the flip side, there were more encouraging reactions, with one writing: “Strong leadership positions for the club, I think I love Maddison as the first team captain.” Another suggested Dejan Kulusevski could also have been considered, pointing to his leadership with the Swedish national side.

Spurs stars missing from the leadership group

With the leadership group capped at five players, it was inevitable that some senior names would miss out. Pedro Porro, Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha are among those who were overlooked despite their experience and influence in the dressing room.

That said, the absence of a formal role does not automatically exclude these players from contributing as leaders in their own way, since a squad often leans on different voices and personalities throughout a long season.

Porro’s exclusion, in particular, has raised eyebrows, especially given that he recently wore the captain’s armband in a match for Tottenham, a decision which had seemingly highlighted his growing status within the squad.

Thomas Frank has confirmed his leadership group at Tottenham, and it may surprise some Spurs fans.

The new Spurs boss has been in the job for nearly four months, but Thomas Frank has put off deciding on Tottenham’s leadership group until now.

The Dane has waited until he has gotten to know the players, but he has already revealed the identity of at least one player who will join captain Cristian Romero in the final list.

Frank revealed that Micky van de Ven would be part of Tottenham’s leadership group, after the Dutchman led the side against Bodo/Glimt in Romero’s absence.

The five-man Tottenham leadership group announced

Tottenham have now announced that, alongside Romero and Van de Ven, the three other players who constitute the leadership group are Guglielmo Vicario, James Maddison and Ben Davies.

Vicario was also part of Tottenham’s leadership group under Ange Postecoglou, but the other two names may come as a surprise.

Ben Davies is yet to feature for Spurs under Frank, and neither is Maddison, who is expected to be out injured for the majority of the season.

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Two surprise abstentions in Spurs’ leadership group

Many Spurs fans would have expected Pedro Porro to be part of Frank’s leadership group, given that the Dane handed the captain’s armband to the right-back against Doncaster Rovers.

Frank has also repeatedly praised Rodrigo Bentancur and his professionalism, which some may have seen as a sign that the Uruguayan would be considered for a leadership role.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to pull off an unbelievable transfer coup in January, with the Lilywhites forcing themselves to the front of the queue to land a big-name Premier League star.

It has been widely reported over the last few weeks that signing a top-class defender would be one of Spurs’ top priorities in January.

We have seen sources over recent days claim that Tottenham have explored a move for Jarrad Branthwaite, while many outlets have also said that Thomas Frank is keen on reuniting with Nathan Collins.

However, a new update has now suggested that the Lilywhites have set their sights on one of England’s most important players.

Tottenham are now leading the race to sign Marc Guehi

CaughtOffside have now asserted that Tottenham Hotspur have now moved to the front of the queue to land Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in January.

According to the outlet, industry sources now believe that Spurs are favourites to land Guehi after his move to Liverpool fell through on summer deadline day.

The report claims that the centre-back’s time at Selhurst Park looks likely to end in January as he will have six months left on his deal, and Palace have no intention of losing him on a free next summer.

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The South London club are thus ready to listen to offers for their captain and would accept just €20m-€30m (£17.4m-£26.1m) for him when the transfer window reopens.

Tottenham see the 25-year-old as someone who can add leadership and stability to their backline, and the deal would be well within the club’s January budget.

Spurs face competition from elite European clubs for Marc Guehi

CaughtOffside make it clear that Tottenham would have to see off competition from some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League and across Europe to land the centre-back.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are both weighing up January offers for Guehi, and sources close to the player suggest that he is open to testing himself in La Liga.

Additionally, Liverpool remain alive to his situation after missing out on him in the summer, while both Man City and Man United are also monitoring the defender’s situation.

Tottenham return to Premier League action with a tricky trip to Elland Road, and with Thomas Frank still shaping his squad, here are three bold predictions that could define their clash with Leeds United.

Tottenham Hotspur are back in Premier League action this weekend, and it is a lunchtime kick-off against newly promoted Leeds United.

It is fourth versus 12th in the league table, with both sides coming off the back of draws in their previous outings, Spurs having been held 1-1 by bottom-placed Wolves and Leeds drawing 2-2 with Bournemouth.

It is the final league fixture before the international break, and Tottenham fans will be hoping their side can finally break what has become a frustrating international break curse.

Ahead of the clash, here are our three bold predictions that could happen.

Archie Gray to start for Tottenham at Elland Road

Thomas Frank may well look to freshen things up in the centre of the pitch this weekend, and that could involve a change in midfield.

Archie Gray has started only once all season in the Premier League, with his first start coming in matchweek one when Spurs faced Burnley, but he is yet to start another league game.

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During the midweek, the teenager produced a lively cameo off the bench in Spurs’ last Champions League outing, with his energy and willingness to drive forward leading to the cross that forced a Bodo/Glimt own goal.

He could now return to midfield against his former side, and that would likely see Rodrigo Bentancur rested after a poor display last time out in Europe.

Xavi Simons to start in the 10 role and score the opener

Tottenham have lacked creativity in recent weeks, and that has led to calls for Xavi Simons to be deployed in the number 10 role, something Thomas Frank has so far avoided in the league.

The Dane has often relied on Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr to be the creative players in his setup, which has not entirely been convincing.

Saturday afternoon, however, could mark Simons‘ first Premier League start as the central playmaker, and the 22-year-old could very well crown it with a goal to properly announce himself on the English stage.

Tottenham to keep a clean sheet at Leeds

Spurs have struggled for clean sheets in recent weeks, conceding in their last two outings, yet the trip to Elland Road could be the perfect chance to tighten things up at the back.

It would be a fourth clean sheet in the league if Tottenham can keep Leeds at bay, and despite Guglielmo Vicario making a few errors recently, the Italian has shown enough resilience to bounce back.

With Simons getting on the scoresheet and Spurs shutting the door at the back, the long-running international break curse could finally end, with Tottenham sealing a much-needed win before the pause in domestic action for the first time since October 2023.

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Rodrigo Bentancur to a new long-term contract, with the Uruguayan regularly playing alongside Joao Palhinha this season.

Since Thomas Frank walked through the door, Spurs have tied down captain Cristian Romero to a new contract.

Djed Spence has also put pen to paper on a new deal, even though the full-back’s last new contract came less than 12 months ago.

Tottenham announced today that Rodrigo Bentancur has become the latest key player to sign a new Spurs contract, committing his long-term future to the N17 club.

Tottenham are fans of Rodrigo Bentancur partnership

Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that, as well as keeping Bentancur long-term with a new deal, Tottenham are also inclined to activate the £26m option to buy Joao Palhinha at the end of the season.

The journalist asserts that the Spurs boss and others at the club have been impressed by the partnership that Bentancur and Palhinha have formed at the base of the Tottenham midfield.

Palhinha and Bentancur have started four Premier League games together so far this season, although that included the 1-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth, 2-2 draw to Brighton, and the recent 1-1 draw at home to Wolves.

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Journalist says the Bentancur-Palhinha partnership has major shortcomings

However, not everyone is a fan of pairing the Portuguese midfielder with the Uruguayan in the middle of the park.

Journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke suggested recently that playing Bentancur and Palhinha together hinders Tottenham creatively and in ball progression, despite the defensive benefits offered by that double-pivot.

Pitt-Brooke suggested that it is perhaps time for Frank to rethink using Palhinha in games where Spurs are expected to have a lot of the ball and win.

Tottenham fans will love what Rodrigo Bentancur said after signing a new long-term contract with the North London club.

It was an open secret that contract talks were ongoing between the club and the midfielder, with Alasdiar Gold revealing a few days ago that Bentancur was close to agreeing a new deal.

This morning, Spurs confirmed that Bentancur had put pen to paper on a new long-term deal, although, curiously, the club did not announce the exact length of the contract.

The former Juventus man, who has made 122 appearances for the Lilywhites to date, has now opened up on his feelings about committing his future to the club.

Rodrigo Bentancur wants to stay at Tottenham for many more years

The Uruguay international has suffered a couple of injury setbacks during his time at N17, but he has been a pillar of the side under every manager when fit.

Bentancur has now admitted that he and his family are very happy in North London and revealed that he foresees being at Tottenham Hotspur for a very long time.

The 28-year-old said on penning a new deal (via Tottenham’s official website): “I feel really good and I’m very happy to continue my story with this fantastic club. My family are happy; I have fantastic friends and teammates who work hard every day. I love this Club and feel really good here.

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“Winning the Europa League was a fantastic moment, and we want to build on this now, to win more trophies. We have a new Head Coach, a new captain and I want to enjoy many more years at the Club.”

Thomas Frank says Bentancur is one of Spurs’ most important players

Frank has been very complimentary of Bentancur from the day he walked through the door at Spurs, and the Dane has now made a very interesting statement about the midfielder.

The Tottenham boss described the experienced star as the glue that holds the Spurs team together, which shows just how highly he rates him.

Frank said: “I’m extremely happy that Rodrigo has committed his future to the Club. It shows his belief in what we are building here and that we are starting a journey which we hope will be really special.

“Rodri is a big part of that. He’s a fantastic midfielder who can dictate games and be the glue that holds the team together. He also has the ability to arrive in the penalty area, create goals and score them, too.”