Spurs Web

Dominic Solanke has now given an honest update on his injury recovery and the mood in the Tottenham Hotspur camp.

Thomas Frank is currently navigating a difficult injury crisis at Tottenham Hotspur, with more than ten players sidelined because of various physical issues.

The Dane will be hoping for some form of relief following the November international break as Tottenham prepare to face Arsenal, especially with several key players pushing to return to full fitness at Hotspur Way.

Dominic Solanke had been tipped for a possible return in the coming weeks, although the striker has now addressed his situation, choosing not to put a fixed date on when he expects to be involved again.

Solanke has been battling with injury problems since pre-season and has managed only a handful of minutes in competitive action, coming off the bench briefly during Tottenham’s matches in August.

He has been managing an ankle problem and even underwent surgery, yet he is still working individually and has not been able to return to full training on the grass at Hotspur Way.

Speaking about a potential return, he revealed the emotional and physical toll his recovery has taken, explaining how the initial diagnosis proved misleading and how surgery became necessary.

MORE SPURS STORIES

He told The Athletic: “It has been very difficult. At first, I did not think I would be out for too long but we did not really understand the extent of the injury.

“I was trying to get back as quickly as I could but it did not happen, so I had to have surgery. Since then, I have been working to get back.

“I am not putting a timeline on it because I have been telling everyone ‘I am going to be back soon’ for the last few months. I am taking it day by day but hopefully I will not be much longer.”

Spurs’ forward options are thin as Dominic Solanke remains sidelined

This all but rules Dominic Solanke out of this weekend’s north London derby against Arsenal, as Frank’s options in the centre-forward role continue to look thin at a crucial stage of the season.

The Dane currently has Richarlison, Mathys Tel and Dane Scarlett as his senior options in that position, and he will be hoping to avoid further setbacks in that area of the pitch with fixtures piling up in the wake of Randal Kolo Muani’s fractured jaw.

Indeed, Solanke is a big miss for Tottenham, and given his profile and the way he links play, a return to full fitness will be a major boost for Frank, as he will be able to set up his side in more varied ways, an asset he has not had in the past few months..

Tottenham Hotspur may need to act fast if they wish to land a Serie A star who has been on their radar since the summer.

Spurs ended up completing late deals for Randal Kolo Muani and Xavi Simons in the final days of the summer transfer window, but there were many other attackers for whom the Lilywhites explored moves.

One of those is Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, who Tottenham attempted to sign on loan with an option to buy, before they turned their attention to Kolo Muani.

Spurs have been backed to reignite their interest in Lookman in January, but they now face competition from two other clubs.

Fenerbahce and Galatasaray want Ademola Lookman

Football Italia report that Fenerbahce also tried to sign the Atalanta star in the final few days of the summer transfer window.

The Turkish giants are now ready to try again for Lookman in January, and they have been joined in the race by their fierce rivals, Galatasaray.

Gala are hoping to unite the 28-year-old with his international teammate Victor Osimhen, but neither club from Istanbul have put any concrete proposals on the table yet.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Spurs’ pursuit of Lookman is complicated by recent development

Some reports from Italy have claimed over recent weeks that Tottenham are ready to pay £51m for Lookman in January.

However, a couple of days ago, TEAMtalk pointed out that Spurs’ pursuit of Lookman has become complicated due to a managerial change at Atalanta.

While Lookman had fallen out with former manager Ivan Juric and was seeking an exit, new manager Raffaele Palladino is keen on integrating the forward into his plans.

An experienced Tottenham Hotspur player received his marching orders after making a shocking tackle during an international friendly on Tuesday.

It has been a positive international break for Tottenham players, with a total of 17 Spurs players sealing their spots in next summer’s World Cup.

One of those is Rodrigo Bentancur, who will be at next summer’s tournament, with Uruguay having wrapped up a spot at the 2026 World Cup last month.

However, the South American side, who are managed by former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, were humbled by tournament hosts the United States on Tuesday.

Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for Uruguay

Mauricio Pochettino’s men thrashed Uruguay 5-1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday.

Bentancur started the game and played 64 minutes before being sent off for a horror challenge.

The Tottenham man slid into a tackle with his foot high and with his studs showing, going over the top of the ball before catching an opponent on the shin.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Bentancur is expected to start for Spurs against Arsenal

Thomas Frank has continued to defend the midfield pairing of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur and has tended to default to the same double-pivot in big matches.

One would expect the same pairing to start at the Emirates on Sunday, particularly with Pape Sarr a doubt to be fit for the Arsenal clash.

From a Tottenham perspective, it is thus not a bad thing that Bentancur did not play 90 minutes in Florida, albeit that is not the manner in which the 28-year-old would have wanted his evening to end.

Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to make a move for Antoine Semenyo, but there is one factor which worries the club about the pursuit of the Bournemouth man.

Semenyo has been heavily linked with a move to Spurs over the last two months, and the Lilywhites have now been given renewed hope of doing a January deal.

It was reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein on Monday that a £65m release clause in Semenyo’s contract becomes active in January.

However, Tottenham are expected to face plenty of competition for Semenyo, and there is one club the North Londoners are particularly worried about.

Tottenham fear competition from Liverpool for Antoine Semenyo

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham sources are confident that they have the financial means to activate the Ghana international’s £65m release clause.

It is explained that Spurs were previously working under the belief that a deal for Semenyo may have to wait until next summer, but after the revelation about the winger’s release, they are now prepared to act in the upcoming transfer window.

However, the outlet explains that the Lilywhites are fearful that Liverpool would provide stiff competition for the 25-year-old.

MORE SPURS STORIES

As a result of the Reds’ interest in Semenyo, Spurs are also thought to be looking at other options, with the club having come up with an ‘extensive list’ of attackers.

Who are the other wingers on Spurs’ wishlist?

Over the last week, a number of sources have claimed that Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye is also near the top of Tottenham’s wishlist.

In fact, it has been alleged that Spurs have already made contact over a deal for Ndiaye in January.

A former Tottenham Hotspur scout has confirmed that a versatile French attacking midfielder is one of the names on the Lilywhites’ transfer wishlist in January.

It has been widely reported that Tottenham want to add a wide player to their squad in January, with several players from across Europe mooted as targets for the Lilywhites.

Over recent days, it has emerged that Spurs are taking a close look at a young French attacker, whom they explored a move for back in the summer.

Tottenham reportedly made an approach for Maghnes Akliouche in the final weeks of the summer window, and it turns out that the 23-year-old remains on the club’s radar ahead of January.

Tottenham insider confirms Maghnes Akliouche transfer interest

A few days ago, TEAMtalk reported that Spurs scouted Akliouche in France’s 4-0 win over Ukraine last week, with the winger coming off the bench to make a positive impact in his debut for his country.

Les Blues subsequently beat Azerbaijan 3-1 on Sunday, with the Monaco man getting his first start for the country and finding the back of the net.

Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown has now confirmed that Frank does want to add another winger to his squad and that Akliouche is a player who is admired by the North London side.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Brown told Football Insider: “Tottenham are looking to sign a flair player on the wing. It’s something the manager wants to add to his side, and potentially an attacking midfielder too, so it won’t come as a surprise that they’ve been keeping tabs on him.

“They’ll have watched him for France, and obviously he scored a goal in that game which has done him no harm in terms of that interest.”

“Akliouche is very highly rated in France and he’s now playing for the national team, so of course that’s a good sign as far as his qualities go.

“If he keeps impressing, he could definitely be somebody Tottenham go for, because he fits the bill of the players they want to add to their squad.”

Mick Brown has doubts about Spurs’ January ambitions

Some sources have claimed over recent weeks that Tottenham are ready to make a statement attacking signing in January, which will be music to the ears of their supporters.

It has been suggested that the likes of Antoine Semenyo and Iliman Ndiaye are among the names on the Lilywhites’ radar, but Brown is not entirely convinced the club will be able to get that level of player through the door.

The former Tottenham scout added: “I think there are a few players on their radar, and I have questions about whether they could get it done. It’s difficult to say how much they will be willing to spend in January, but the manager will want to add to his squad and so they’ll be assessing their options.”

Brennan Johnson has revealed that he is his own harshest critic after he scored during Wales’ 7-1 thrashing of North Macedonia.

Johnson delivered one of the greatest moments in the recent history of Tottenham Hotspur when he netted in the Europa League final. However, he has struggled to nail down his place in the starting lineup for his club.

The 24-year-old has featured in every Spurs Premier League fixture this season, but this has often been from off the bench.

Even after scoring four goals in all competitions, Johnson is still having to work very hard to show Thomas Frank he is good enough.

Brennan Johnson reveals he always has a point to prove

Johnson was only given seven minutes of playing time when Wales faced Liechenstein on Saturday. However, he played the full 90 as Wales destroyed North Macedonia, baggining a goal and an assist in the process.

Delivering for his team is something Johnson sees as a responsibility and according to the Wales international, he always has a point to prove.

MORE SPURS STORIES

He told BBC Match of the Day Wales: “I think I always feel like I have a point to prove. I’m someone who can be quite tough on himself.

“I just always want to go out and perform my best.”

Johnson is always feeling the pressure

While Johnson has claimed he is tough on himself, he might actually not be as critical as Tottenham supporters. One minute, the Johnson again chant is being sounded at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the next there are fans calling for him to be dropped.

Former Wales player Ashley Williams even commented how some Wales supporters did not believe Johnson should start against North Macedonia, but he proved his doubters wrong in the end.

Now he must do the same at Spurs and show Frank why he deserves to be starting on a regular basis.

Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up an important long-term decision on one of their brightest young defenders, as club scouts track his progress closely while he holds talks with Spurs about a key decision.

Luka Vuskovic has had an impressive start to life in the Bundesliga with newly promoted German outfit Hamburg.

The Tottenham defender’s top displays since joining Hamburg have earned him back-to-back Bundesliga Rookie Awards.

On the international stage, Vuskovic has been just as good, earning a first start for Croatia during this international break, clearly a step in the right direction.

Tottenham are monitoring Luka Vuskovic closely

With the teenager turning heads, Sport Bild, as relayed by Sport Witness, are reporting that Spurs scouts are keeping a close eye on Vuskovic’s progress at the German side.

It is claimed that the centre-back himself is also in talks with Tottenham about his future. Vuskovic is a player with huge potential, one that Spurs will not want to lose.

He impressed while at Westerlo last term and has continued to impress with Hamburg this season; Tottenham know they have a big decision to make next year when his current loan ends.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Spurs weighing up next steps for Luka Vuskovic as Bundesliga sides show interest

Vuskovic’s impressive form has only put him in the spotlight, and he is now attracting interest from clubs in the Bundesliga.

It is understood that Tottenham know that Dortmund are keen on landing Vuskovic, while Hamburg are hoping to keep him for another season.

It is this interest that has prompted Tottenham to monitor their on-loan star closely.

The outlet also claims that Hamburg believes they can convince Vuskovic to stay for an extra year, due to his desire to play alongside his brother Mario, who is banned until November 2026, and that desire is seen as a potential trump card for the newly promoted side’s hopes of keeping him.

Tottenham Hotspur are facing a legal threat over the usage of a song which has become a club anthem.

Barry Manilow’s ‘Can’t Smile Without You’, which came out in 1975, has become synonymous with Tottenham, with the supporters adopting it as their anthem for over two decades.

The North London club regularly blast out a version of the song before and after matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Lilywhites even used a ‘Can’t Smile Without You’ banner to cover empty seats when matches were played at their stadium behind closed doors during the pandemic.

Writer of ‘Can’t Smile Without You’ demands royalties from Tottenham

The Sun have now revealed that the man who helped write the song, Geoff Morrow, supports the club’s fierce rivals, Arsenal.

Morrow has revealed that he has requested royalties from Tottenham for the song’s usage, but the Lilywhites have refused to pay up.

He told the outlet: “I hoped that Spurs would be willing to sit down and meet with me to discuss this, but they haven’t been interested.

MORE SPURS STORIES

“When we wrote the song, we never imagined it would become a football anthem. It was written as a love song. What is really frustrating is Spurs won’t accept they are using our song.”

Spurs say Geoff Morrow’s request has no legal basis

The report points out that other Premier League clubs pay royalties for songs crowds sing along to, including Liverpool for ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.

However, they explain that Tottenham argue that Morrow’s demands for royalties have no legal basis under licensing rules.

The Sun say that they reached out to Spurs about the issue and the club refused to comment on the matter.

Tottenham Hotspur travel into another highly charged north London derby this weekend, and with Thomas Frank searching for a statement result, we have attempted to predict the Dane’s starting XI against Arsenal.

Thomas Frank will be hoping to get one over Tottenham Hotspur’s biggest rivals, Arsenal, when the two face off on Sunday.

The Dane’s record against the Gunners inspires little confidence, as he has won just one of his last nine meetings against the Gunners.

Despite it being a big ask, Spurs supporters will be looking to see their side put up a fight at the weekend as Tottenham look to get back to winning ways after their 2-2 draw with Manchester United in matchweek 11.

With Spurs chasing a win, we have now attempted to predict Tottenham’s starting XI for their clash at the Emirates.

Predicted Tottenham XI vs Arsenal

Goalkeeper – Guglielmo Vicario: It is most definitely a no-brainer on who will be behind the sticks for Tottenham, as Guglielmo Vicario has been in good form of late, and he should keep his place.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Right-back – Pedro Porro: Thomas Frank is not afraid to mix this up in the full-back position, as we have seen him move Djed Spence to the right with Destiny Udogie staying on the left, but we do not expect any changes at right-back when Spurs visit the Emirates Stadium.

Centre-back – Cristian Romero: The Argentine impressed while with Argentina in his singular friendly clash during the break, and he should be fresh to play against Arsenal.

Centre-back – Micky van de Ven: The Dutchman is a man in good form and he will be an asset for Frank in this encounter, where set pieces will be crucial. He is Spurs’ top goal scorer and he should start at the weekend.

Left-back – Destiny Udogie: We do expect Djed Spence to miss out here, with Frank opting for a more left-footed option in Udogie to help keep width on the flank.

Pivot midfielder – Joao Palhinha: The midfield could be very physical, and this will be the sort of encounter where Palhinha’s defensive acumen will be of great use.

Pivot midfielder – Rodrigo Bentancur: With this being an away clash, Frank will want to keep this tight in the middle of the park, and that should see him continue with the pivot pairing of Palhinha and Bentancur.

Centre midfielder – Xavi Simons: This will be a big game for Simons, who could announce himself to the Lilywhites faithful in style after a series of underwhelming displays since his move to north London. We can see Frank sticking with the Dutchman, especially after his goal while away with the Netherlands.

Right winger – Mohammed Kudus: The Ghana international missed out against Copenhagen and Manchester United in Spurs’ last two games. If he is fit, he will take up a spot on the right.

Striker – Richarlison: Spurs are short of number nine options, with Randal Kolo Muani picking up a facial injury against United and Dominic Solanke also sidelined. This leaves Frank with Richarlison and Tel as his main centre-forwards.

Tottenham Hotspur have now discovered how much they have to pay to land one of their top midfield targets in January.

It has been suggested that Thomas Frank’s men may bulk up their midfield in January, and one Wolves star, who has been on Tottenham’s radar since last year, could be on the market.

Last week, TEAMtalk reported that Spurs are expected to reignite their interest in Joao Gomes in January, with the Lilywhites thought to have been impressed by the Brazilian’s consistent displays over the last 18 months.

According to a new update, the Wolves player has now made up his mind on his future after the Midlands club’s woeful start to the Premier League season.

How much would Tottenham have to pay for Joao Gomes?

A new report by Portuguese news outlet Record claims that Gomes has become one of the top midfield targets for Manchester United in January.

Interestingly, it is revealed that the 24-year-old would be happy to jump ship from Molineux, seeing as Wolves, who are winless in the Premier League so far, seem bound for relegation.

The report asserts that an offer of around £44m would be enough to prise away the Brazilian international away from Rob Edwards’ side.

MORE SPURS STORIES

Man United and Spurs could also battle it out for another midfielder

Gomes is not the only central midfielder who is wanted by both the Red Devils and Spurs in January.

It has been widely reported that Man United could battle Tottenham for Conor Gallagher, who has fallen down the pecking order at Atletico Madrid this season.