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Tottenham Hotspur have a lot of work to do in order to land Ivan Toney in January after the latest update regarding the striker’s future.

Many pundits believe that Toney is the man to solve Tottenham’s issues up front, amidst the heavy speculation linking the striker with a move to N17.

Last month, Thomas Frank said that he would be happy to work with Toney at Spurs, and over recent weeks, we have seen the transfer rumours intensify.

Several sources suggest that the former Brentford striker may be tempted to join Tottenham to boost his World Cup prospects ahead of next summer.

Tottenham will face plenty of competition for Ivan Toney

It has now been reported by Sky Sports that the race for the 29-year-old’s signature is heating up ahead of January.

It is asserted that several Premier League clubs have now started enquiries about bringing Toney back to England in the upcoming transfer window.

This includes Everton, who are watching the centre-forward’s situation at Al-Ahli closely ahead of January.

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However, the outlet points out that the main roadblock for Premier League sides in the pursuit of the England international is the high £400,000-plus wages he is currently on in Saudi Arabia.

Spurs eyeing unique formula to tempt Toney

It has been pointed out by some reports that the former Bees star would risk a big tax bill if his lucrative Saudi contract is terminated early.

This includes a recent update by TEAMtalk, who revealed that Tottenham are trying to sign Toney on loan in January to get around the tax problem.

The outlet explained that a loan move is the ‘only viable path’ for the England striker to return to the Premier League in the upcoming transfer window.

Tottenham academy graduate Kazaiah Sterling has recounted his experience working with Mauricio Pochettino and many of the superstars in the club’s first-team squad.

Sterling, who joined Tottenham’s academy from Leyton Orient in 2015, starred for the club at the youth levels and was seen as a potential first-team prospect by many at Hotspur Way.

However, the former England Under-18 international never managed to break through at Spurs, and following a few spells in the EFL, has forged a career in the United States, playing in the second tier behind the MLS.

Now 27 years old, Sterling is one of the stars of the Baller League, an indoor six-a-side competition, which is quickly gaining popularity in the UK.

The former Tottenham man was on the cusp of the first-team when Pochettino was in charge and had opportunities to train with the Spurs squad.

He admitted that at first, he was scared of the Argentine, explaining that the former Spurs boss was extremely demanding in training.

When asked about working with Pochettino, Sterling said (via Football.London): “He was really good, but my first years, I was very scared, because he didn’t really speak to us, he didn’t give too much away. My first encounter with him, I was definitely very scared. Obviously, as a young player, you want to really impress.

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“But the more I got to work with him, I really enjoyed it. He’s very professional, very demanding. I feel like even to this day, a lot of the habits he kind of forced upon us stick.

“With him, because he’s very professional, if you’re not doing certain things, you won’t be in the first team. When I first came up, he didn’t really care who you were, if weren’t training properly, not professional all the time, you weren’t going to be anywhere near the first team.

“That’s how Harry Kane got his chance. That was Pochettino’s philosophy. It doesn’t matter who you are, as long as you work and show that you’re willing to listen and be professional, then he’ll give you a chance. It was really good to be around that sort of environment.”

Sterling names the senior Spurs stars who took him under their wing

The former Tottenham man confessed that the likes of Aaron Lennon and Danny Rose were helpful when he was coming through the ranks at Hotspur Way.

However, unsurprisingly, he named Harry Kane as the player he looked up to the most, given that the now-England captain had come from the club’s academy.

When asked about his experience training with the big-name stars at Spurs, Sterling responded: “Adebayor was hilarious, honestly. When he was training with us, he was quite good to be fair. Aaron Lennon was really good. I’d say that definitely helped me.

“In my first few months, I was paired up with Aaron for a lot of time training against him. It was good to see what the level of a first-team player was like. I enjoyed them training with us. It helped me get a taste for what first-team football is like.”

“Danny Rose was really good with me. He really looked out for me,” he remembered. “Eric Dier, he was really good with the young players. Michel Vorm as well. Danny took me under his wing and was very encouraging, as was Eric.

“To me, Harry Kane wasn’t just a first-team player, he was an academy prospect as well. Knowing I was going to be training with someone like that, taking the same steps, was so inspiring and encouraging.

“And on top of that, his quality was like… well it was a joke, honestly. Everything he’d do was literally perfect, each strike was perfect, honestly. Training, even replicating it in games, seeing what he’s doing now is no surprise to me at all.”

Tottenham fans will be encouraged by the progress that Dejan Kulusevski is making as he steps up his recovery.

Thomas Frank and his coaching staff are still waiting to get their first look at the Swede in the training ground, with the 25-year-old having not kicked a ball since the start of May due to a knee injury.

The Spurs boss will be keen to have the Swede on the pitch as soon as possible, given Tottenham’s continued creative woes this season.

The latest update provided by Kulusevski’s Tottenham teammate, Destiny Udogie, suggests that the former Juventus man is now making some good progress.

Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski steps up his recovery in Dubai training camp

It turns out that the 25-year-old has been enjoying some warm-weather training in Dubai during the international break.

He was joined in the camp by Destiny Udogie, who himself has had multiple knee injuries this season and has thus not been included in the Italy squad.

Udogie shared a video on his Snapchat of Kulusevski being put through some warm-up drills by a member of Tottenham’s staff, and the Sweden international appeared to be moving without any discomfort.

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When is Kulusevski expected to be back fit?

The have been suggestions that Kulusevski could be available for selection by the end of this month.

However, that appears to be an optimistic timeline, given that the attacking midfielder has not had any competitive action for seven months.

Tottenham Hotspur have just learned that they may face competition from Man United for a young Premier League midfielder who they are big fans of.

It has emerged over recent days that Tottenham Hotspur could solve their creativity issues in the middle of the park by swooping for a highly-rated young English player.

This update came from journalist Dean Jones, who claimed that Spurs are big fans of Bournemouth starlet Alex Scott and are continuing to keep an eye on his development.

Jones explained that the Lilywhites have been tracking the midfielder for a long time and asserted that members of Tottenham’s recruitment team are big fans of the youngster.

Man United could challenge Tottenham for Alex Scott

Scott did not hit the expected heights in his first couple of seasons with the Cherries, but he has started fulfilling his potential this campaign.

The midfielder’s impressive displays have seen him get his first England call-up, and it has now been revealed by Graeme Bailey that Man United are also big fans of the Cherries star.

Bailey told United in Focus: “Alex Scott is emerging as a real name now and United are well aware of his talents. I am told they watched him and liked him during his Bristol City days, but now he is maturing into a dominant player.

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“We know all the big names linked to United heading into the New Year and ahead of next summer, but keep an eye on Scott – he is a possibility for a number of clubs and that includes United.”

Why Spurs may have an advantage over Man United in Alex Scott race

As Spurs Web has reported previously, the Lilywhites may have a big advantage over Man Utd and other suitors in the race for the Bournemouth man.

This is because on a couple of different occasions, Alex Scott has publicly admitted that he is a big Tottenham fan and that he comes from a Spurs-supporting family.

Tottenham have received a much-needed boost on the injury front, as one of their sidelined defenders has taken a significant step towards making his long-awaited return ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.

Since completing his move to Tottenham Hotspur, Thomas Frank has not had a clean bill of health to work with.

The Dane has had to cope with injuries to several of Spurs’ first-team players, yet he has still managed to keep his side within touching distance of the top four.

Before the November international break, as many as ten Tottenham players were ruled out through injury, leaving Frank with a depleted squad.

However, after the two-week pause, the Dane will be hoping for some positive developments on the fitness front as his side prepares for a busy stretch of fixtures.

Radu Dragusin steps up recovery for Tottenham

Thomas Frank has now been handed a first piece of encouraging news, as Radu Dragusin has taken a major step forward in his Tottenham recovery.

The Romanian international has been working his way back from an ACL injury sustained back in January during a Europa League clash against Elfsborg.

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Tottenham’s official account has confirmed that Dragusin played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Leyton Orient today, marking an important milestone in his rehabilitation process.

It is a development that suggests the 23-year-old could be nearing a return to first-team action in the coming weeks.

Spurs handed timely boost ahead of fixture congestion

Indeed, it is positive news for Tottenham, especially considering the stage the season is now entering.

Fixtures are set to come thick and fast after the November break, and Frank will need as many fit bodies as possible to navigate what lies ahead.

In December alone, Spurs are scheduled to play eight matches across all competitions in just four weeks, a gruelling run that will stretch the depth of the squad.

The Tottenham boss has relied heavily on Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven as his central defensive options, with Ben Davies and Dragusin both unavailable for extended periods.

Van de Ven has featured in every Premier League and Champions League game this season, with little opportunity for rotation.

A Sky pundit has now issued a stark warning to Tottenham Hotspur fans over Thomas Frank’s style of play

Making the jump from managing Brentford to a top-six side was always the big question mark hovering over Thomas Frank’s head when Tottenham Hotspur decided to appoint him manager.

The Dane has handled the pressure well, but sections of the Tottenham fanbase are yet to be convinced by the 52-year-old.

Spurs’ home form has been a cause of frustration for many, with Tottenham winning just two home games all season, while the pragmatic style of football on display has left supporters on edge.

Clinton Morrison warns Tottenham fans about Thomas Frank’s approach

Thomas Frank, however, has managed to pick up results even when performances have been far from convincing.

Spurs currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, just four points off second place and eight behind the leaders.

Sky Sports pundit Clinton Morrison has now issued a warning to Tottenham fans regarding Frank’s tactical approach, following eleven league games into the season.

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Tottenham supporters have already voiced their displeasure twice this campaign, once after the defeat to Chelsea, where Spurs were outplayed, and again when Frank substituted Xavi Simons against Manchester United last time out.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Morrison defended Frank’s management style while admitting that the fans’ frustrations are understandable.

He said: “It must be hard to play there for the players, but that is why you are paid good money to be a footballer, to entertain.

“The home fans pay their hard-earned money and they can voice their opinion. Their opinion might not always be right, but they will think it is right.

“Xavi Simons did not want to come off and Mathys Tel comes on and scores the goal, so Thomas Frank, I think he does know what he is doing the majority of the time.

“I think he has gone in there and done well. The thing with Tottenham is it is not going to be the football that they [fans] expected, because Thomas Frank is not that kind of manager.

“We saw what he did at Brentford. They are hard to beat, they are a threat from set pieces, and they get wins, and that is how it is. So if they thought Thomas Frank coming in was going to be attractive football, it is not going to be like that.

“He knows, Thomas Frank, because he is a very, very good manager, and it is someone who I have got a lot of time and respect for, that he has to be successful at Tottenham, and they have to start winning home games because performances like on the weekend, that is not going to cut it with these Tottenham fans, because they voice their opinion.”

While results are often what matter most in football, at a club like Tottenham, the style of play cannot be ignored.

Spurs have had pragmatic managers in the past, and although they achieved results, the lack of exciting football never sat well with the supporters, often leading to managerial changes.

Frank needs to find the right balance. Against sides that Tottenham are expected to dominate, the performances must reflect that dominance.

There have already been too many games this season where Spurs have been second-best, and when that becomes a pattern, the fans have every right to question the manager.

Lucas Bergvall who has missed Tottenham’s last two matches through injury, will link up with his national squad this week, and his manager has now revealed the medical protocols that will be followed with the player.

Tottenham are currently missing 11 players through injury, but many of them are expected to be available after the international break.

Six senior Spurs stars, including several injured ones, will remain at Hotspur Way after a few of them pulled out of international duty.

However, Lucas Bergvall, who missed Tottenham’s last two games, is set to be involved in his country’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers if he comes through training unscathed.

Lucas Bergvall suffered a concussion against Chelsea a week and a half ago and was forced off in just the seventh minute of the contest.

He subsequently missed Spurs’ clashes against Copenhagen and Man United, and Graham Potter has now explained that the midfielder will now receive special treatment with the national team when he reports for training.

Speaking on Monday, the Sweden boss told Fotbollskanalen about the Spurs star: “He will train tomorrow [Tuesday], but no heading. He will probably be able to train tomorrow. But we have to examine him; he is not here yet. I will speak to him and the doctors, but as I understand it, he will be there tomorrow.”

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Bergvall could resume full training by the end of this week

Sweden face Switzerland in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, and Potter is hopeful that the 19-year-old will be ready to go for that clash.

He made it clear, however, that the final decision on whether the Tottenham Hotspur man can rejoin full training will be made by the doctors.

Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to see one of their new signings recreate one of Harry Kane’s most iconic Spurs moments.

The Tottenham Hotspur injury curse, which plagued Ange Postecoglou’s team, is alive and well, even with a change in management.

Randal Kolo Muani is a fine example of this curse, as the Spurs striker had an exceptional injury record before moving to North London. However, he has already suffered a dead leg this season and took multiple weeks to recover.

Muani fractured his jaw in a more recent incident, but it was reported that he will not need surgery, meaning he could be back sooner than the initial six-to-eight week timeline.

Randal Kolo Muani must wear a mask when he plays for Tottenham

The Daily Mail report that Muani was checked over by a specialist on Monday. This was to assess the damage he suffered after his collision with Harry Maguire during Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United. They concluded the injury was not as bad as what was originally feared.

Because the centre forward does not require surgery, he will be available to play for Spurs sooner than the 6-8 week diagnosis. However, it remains to be seen whether this includes the match against Arsenal or his parent club PSG in the Champions League.

Whatever the case, Muani will have to wear a protective mask in order to ensure he does not do any further damage to his jaw.

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Muani has the opportunity to recreate a famous Harry Kane goal

Many Spurs fans will remember Harry Kane scoring the winning goal against Arsenal in 2016 before proceeding to tear off the mask he wore during his celebration.

It would be some moment for Muani if he was able to score in the North London derby too and rip off his mask in a similar fashion.

The 26-year-old is yet to score for Tottenham, and there is no better place to begin his tally than at the Emirates Stadium on November 23 – if he can make his return in time.

A third Tottenham Hotspur player has withdrawn from international duty in favour of rehabilitating at Hotspur Way during the break.

Randal Kolo Muani was forced to pull out of the France squad after suffering a broken jaw in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw against Man United.

While Spurs have not given a timeline for the forward’s recovery, some sources indicate that Kolo Muani could miss six to eight weeks of action.

A few days ago, it was confirmed that Mohammed Kudus had pulled out of the Ghana squad for the upcoming friendlies against Japan and South Korea after the winger missed Tottenham’s last two matches with a knock.

Tottenham defender Ben Davies withdraws from Wales squad

It has now been announced that Ben Davies, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, has also decided not to link up with the Wales camp.

The experienced Tottenham Hotspur defender was originally named in the Dragons squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia.

However, an announcement from the Wales FA now reads: “Isaak Davies and Rhys Norrington-Davies have been added to the squad to face Liechtenstein and North Macedonia. Ben Davies, Ben Cabango and Kieffer Moore have withdrawn due to injuries.”

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The 32-year-old is yet to make a single appearance for Tottenham this season, partly due to injuries.

Six senior Spurs players will train at Hotspur Way

According to reports, six senior players will have sessions at Hotspur Way over the next two weeks after either being left out or withdrawing from the national squads.

Apart from Davies and Mohammed Kudus, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, Dominic Solanke, Dane Scarlett, Antonin Kinsky, and Brandon Austin will be at the training ground.

Tottenham’s expected points in the Premier League this season fall well short of the points tally that they have actually acquired.

Many will be wondering why there is a feeling of a mini-crisis surrounding Tottenham Hotspur this season, given the club’s results.

The Lilywhites sit in fifth place in the Premier League table and remain unbeaten in the Champions League so far. This is despite the fact that Spurs have had to deal with an extremely bloated fixture list.

However, the numbers clearly suggest that Tottenham’s performances have not been up to scratch.

Tottenham are outperforming their xG considerably in the Premier League

A team’s expected points are calculated based on the xG they register and concede each game to ascertain how many points a team should have.

Sqwaka have now revealed that based on those calculations, Tottenham should have accumulated just 11 points instead of the 18 they now have.

According to the data-analysis platform, that would put Spurs in 15th place in the xG table, with just two wins, five draws and four losses from their 11 matches so far.

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One fundamental flaw with xG counts against Spurs

Apart from the obvious flaws in using xG as the main metric to judge chances created, there is one big fundamental flaw with the system that gives an unfair reading of any match.

Put simply, most teams that are in the lead are more likely to sit back and invite pressure, which means that the sides that are trailing tend to have more shots in the latter stages of the game.

That has certainly been the case with Spurs, with Frank not afraid to sit back and preserve leads, with the Dane often throwing Kevin Danso in as the third centre-back to help the Lilywhites see out wins.

However, having said that, there is no doubt that Tottenham’s results this season flatter them a bit, and Frank’s men are yet to click as an attacking force.