Football London

Tottenham and Thomas Frank are hoping to put the finishing touches on the £13million transfer for the teenage Santos left-back

Tottenham are hoping to put the final touches on the £13million deal to sign Santos left-back Souza as paperwork must be completed for his move.

In a busy week at the club, Spurs signed Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid in a £34.7million deal and on Wednesday 19-year-old Souza landed to undergo his medical with the club and go through the formalities of his side of the switch from Santos to link up with Thomas Frank's side.

The young Brazilian is understood have completed his medical but the move was always likely to take longer to go through than Gallagher's transfer due to various paperwork being required for his move from South America.

Media in his home country have said that Santos did not hold 100 per cent of his rights with a percentage owned by the player himself which he reportedly signed over to the Brazilian side in order to secure the move. The Premier League does not allow third party ownership of player's registration rights with 100% required to be owned by the club.

Tottenham must also ensure that the teenager gets his work permit in order through the UK government and their stringent points system. Santos president Marcelo Teixeira has already confirmed that the money from the sale of the defender will be used to settle some debts the Brazilian club have to avoid a transfer ban.

There is a chance that Souza's move may not be confirmed until after the weekend but the defender was always unlikely to be included in the squad for Saturday's game against West Ham as the Brazilian season finished a month ago and he will be looking to increase his fitness at Hotspur Way once his move goes through.

South American football expert Tim Vickery believes Souza has all the attributes to shine in the Premier League and is on the radar of Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"Terrific business. I like him very much. He's a good left-back. Physically strong, skilful, a good footballer. He can defend, he can attack," Vickery said on talkSPORT.

"He's come through his first season which has been really difficult because Santos were fighting against relegation and it's a tough ask at Santos, because you've got all of that history and tradition of Pele but it's a club that represents a relatively small city in Brazil. They're really up against it but you've got all the demands, so it's a tough support base to play in front of and he's done really, really well.

"He obviously wants the move and Tottenham came in with eight million (initially), not nearly enough. Santos were relishing a little bit of an auction for him to push the price up. It seems he wants Tottenham and I would be very happy to see him come in. Maybe not immediately straight away but he's on Ancelotti's radar as a left-back for Brazil so I think he's very, very promising indeed."

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.

The Tottenham Hotspur boss spoke to the media on Thursday and there were some differences to be noted compared to his previous press conferences

There was something different about Thomas Frank's latest Tottenham press conference at Hotspur Way on Thursday.

On the face of it, Saturday's derby against West Ham is huge. The Hammers are the only London side worse than 14th-placed Spurs this season, lying in the drop zone with 14 points to their name and only three wins. They have only claimed a single victory on the road in their 10 matches so far, which came at Nottingham Forest way back in August.

Tottenham have won just twice in their past 13 matches, and with their dreadful home record in the Premier League they need to put on a derby display in front of their fans. Some sections of the media have already dubbed this derby as this season's 'El Sackico', with both Frank and Nuno Espirito Santo under pressure from two disgruntled fanbases.

Yet something about Frank's press conference at the Tottenham training ground at an unusually later time of 4pm on Thursday felt at odds with noise on the outside. The sun was setting at Hotspur Way but the Dane did not appear in the slightest to be a man who felt it was close to setting on his time at the north London club.

This was the press conference of a man who appeared to have felt the backing of those above him this week. The 52-year-old had previously worn the look of a number of his Tottenham predecessors in recent weeks - tired, frustrated and wondering what he had got himself into.

Yet as Thursday evening drew in, Frank looked reenergised. This was no doubt helped by having a chance to regather himself in the absence of a midweek match, but there felt something more to this press conference.

It was the longest press conference since his excited but slightly nervous introductory one back in July, which must feel like a lifetime ago for him. That day he spoke for almost 41 minutes in a busy room full of journalists. On Thursday, he talked to those present for around 39 minutes with fewer reporters in the room but with longer, confident answers.

It has been a week in which Spurs reacted quickly to the latest injury setback within the squad and got him a player to improve his starting XI in Conor Gallagher, a player the Dane helped to get through the doors with his phone call to the midfielder, explaining his role within his team and the project going forward under him.

Frank also led the drive to bring in John Heitinga as his assistant manager and got his man, the Dutchman bringing plenty of experience and the knowledge of what it takes to help coach a team to the Premier League title.

The 42-year-old former centre-back will take on Matt Wells' duties in primarily dealing with Tottenham's defence and the World Cup runner-up will bring a certain gravitas to the party and should enjoy working with his compatriot Micky van de Ven and captain Cristian Romero among others.

Heitinga's ability as a coach and communicator has been respected during his time at both West Ham and Liverpool and with Ajax's academy. He was unable to match his reasonably successful caretaker spell of his childhood club in 2023 with a positive experience as the permanent manager last year, but the lessons learned will serve him well at Tottenham after reflecting on what went wrong in his first managerial post.

So on Thursday Frank sounded like a man who has seen plans put in place that involve him at their centre this week, albeit with the clear understanding that results must improve in the short term and he must win over the Tottenham fans and connect with those who believe this has been too big a step up for him, otherwise he will be fighting a losing battle.

"Yeah, that's fine (the pressure). I'm happy to take that. It's all about how we can get the players out there full of confidence and brave and play forward. I know it's a big London derby, of course, against West Ham, with the rivalry and everything, but it's all about us. For me, it's all about us," he said.

"It's how we come out with energy, positive, forward, adding, hopefully, first half against Sunderland, second half against Villa. If we can do that, then we'll put a top performance out there, and then we'll win the game."

This latest press conference felt geared towards getting a positive, hopeful message out there. Previously Frank has edged closer to the Antonio Conte style of being blunt about the reality of the north London club's current situation, although nowhere near as brutally as the Italian.

Some Spurs fans want to hear that honesty, but many take it as running down their club and blaming them for having unrealistic expectations, and in the wake of finally winning a trophy for the first time in 17 years.

Frank was more positive on Thursday. He veered away from his habit of pointing to last season and passing the blame, and instead spoke about the things that must improve under him, especially the attacking nature of the team. That he has been able to be more open about injury timelines has cut off another avenue of frustration.

The fans and media have mostly been left guessing on player returns this season, but recent days have brought much-needed clarity on Dejan Kulusevski's complicated knee injury, as well as the precise timelines for Rodrigo Bentancur and Mohammed Kudus - both out until April - and the hamstring injury that will keep Richarlison out for seven weeks.

Whether it's Frank or someone around him, there's perhaps been a realisation that the Dane does deserve some sympathy - as did his predecessor Ange Postecoglou - for the long-term injuries to key players that have slowed the building work he's trying to do. Being mysterious or vague about those injuries creates frustration rather than that sympathy and understanding.

"I'm very aware of how this football world works," he said. "I know we haven't got enough of the results we want. I know, I can just see the small steps we're constantly making. I still refer to the last six games with more positive, consistent performances. Not perfect, but there's some good signs of a team where we are talking about sometimes not being able to deal with enough setbacks and resilience.

"The two second halves against Bournemouth and Villa where it is so easy to fall apart. They actually step in together, they add more. I think that's talking about a culture that's getting a little bit stronger, a little bit more 'come on, let's do everything we can to turn this little momentum'.

"In football, sometimes momentum changes like that. I can see the small signs of the culture, the training, how the boys have been training here, especially Tuesday, Thursday, very intense, focused, working very hard on the offensive part of the game, because we know the defensive in many ways looks quite good, not through the roof, but quite good. Big improvements, set pieces are there.

"It's the offensive we need to do better. That's what we're working hard on. I think all the small steps we're doing, with everything from signing Conor, signing John Heitinga as assistant coach, excellent signing, Rafi [Moersen] as football operation officer, a key member in the direction, how we want to do things. Everything is going forward. We just need to add a top performance and a win on Saturday."

There have been huge changes in the past nine months with Frank one of 12 new department heads who have been appointed at Tottenham during that period. It's a time of turmoil as everyone finds their feet and works out their place in the structure and Frank himself is trying to do that.

He began his Spurs tenure by declaring that 'we will lose matches'. He was being honest and Tottenham did, but no football fan wants to hear that as one of the introductory rallying cries. That narrative has changed in the past week with the Dane admitting at his last pre-match press conference that he did not leave Brentford to be anything other than top of the Premier League eventually.

On Thursday, Frank told football.london that all of the changes within the club will require adjustment but he firmly believes they will lead to something special.

"I know the one thing you don't have in football is time, but the one thing that has also been proven to bring success is time," said he said. "So it's a little bit of a conundrum. You need time, not only me, but everyone to gel and make this big engine tick and get up to momentum and pace. Then it's like an unstoppable force. That's the big aim.

"There's a few new people and all of us need to get to know each other, how we work and to get the right process and structure in place is important. But alongside that, we need to perform to our best ability in the most positive way and that needs to start on Saturday against West Ham."

Frank has started looking forward rather than sideways or backwards, and that's something Tottenham fans are desperate for his team to do on the pitch. Supporters need hope and they want something and someone to believe in. That's what Thomas Frank must provide at a club that is desperate to give him time to prevent that sun from setting.

Richarlison has revealed his true feelings after Tottenham removed a photo of him and Brennan Johnson at the club's training centre in Enfield

Richarlison has delivered his verdict on a behind-the-scenes change at Tottenham's Hotspur Way training ground following Brennan Johnson's move to Crystal Palace.

Johnson, who scored the winner in last May's Europa League final win against Manchester United, departed Spurs to make the £35m switch down to Selhurst Park earlier this month.

After Johnson netted that infamous goal, a tribute was put inside Tottenham's training centre. Indeed, it featured an image of the Wales international celebrating alongside Richarlison in Bilbao.

Text alongside the photo read: "Greatness, happiness when we are at our best."

However, following Johnson's move to Palace, Spurs have decided to take down the image from the Europa League final against Manchester United and replace it with a brand new one.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Instead, Spurs have stuck up a photo of the team in a huddle before a Premier League game. The text has also been removed, with "win together" chosen as the new words on the wall.

It's safe to say that Richarlison, one of Tottenham's Europa League heroes, is displeased with the decision to remove Johnson's image and replace it with a new one.

In an Instagram story on Thursday morning, the former Everton and Watford forward uploaded a video of him walking towards the wall and showing the fresh design.

Alongside that, Richarlison sent a message to Tottenham and Johnson in Portuguese as well sharing an English caption: "No more legend [crying face emoji]."

Richarlison then re-shared an Instagram story from November that saw the iconic photo on the wall at the club's training centre in Enfield.

The 28-year-old made six appearances for Spurs during their 2024/25 Europa League campaign, scoring once in the process. He was handed a rare start for the 1-0 win against United in the final, coming in off the left with Johnson on the right and Dominic Solanke through the middle.

Despite this, Richarlison has been a more prominent figure for Thomas Frank. He has started 20 matches for Spurs this season, though that figure is expected to remain the same until at least March.

This is because Frank confirmed in his pre-West Ham press conference on Thursday that Richarlison is set for at least seven weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. "Richy unfortunately got a hamstring injury that will keep him out for up to seven weeks," the Spurs boss confirmed.

Frank then added that Tottenham are in the market for attacking reinforcements, just hours after a £34m deal for ex-Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher was announced. "We are in the market, as I said many times, to see if we can improve the squad but it needs to be something that we improve for the short and long term.

"It can’t only be for the next four months. We need to think bigger picture as well. But, of course, we know that we are a few offensive players down."

The Tottenham Hotspur boss has been speaking about the huge changes taking place within the north London club and how it will affect things

Thomas Frank claims Tottenham can become an unstoppable force if they can get through their current period of turmoil on and off the pitch.

Frank is one of 12 new department heads who have been appointed at the north London club in the past nine months, with the biggest change being CEO Vinai Venkatesham taking over the steering of Spurs' ship in the wake of Daniel Levy's ousting after 24 years at the helm.

Tottenham confirmed this week that sporting director Fabio Paratici will be leaving next month to take on a similar position at Fiorentina and Rafi Moersen would be joining from the City Football Group in a newly-created Director of Football Operations role. Frank has also appointed a new assistant coach in former Liverpool coach and Ajax boss John Heitinga.

The result has been a lot of new faces trying to find their feet simultaneously. Frank, who is struggling in 14th place in the Premier League with an injury-hit squad, believes that if time is given then Tottenham can become something special.

"I know the one thing you don't have in football is time, but the one thing that has also been proven to bring success is time," said the Dane. "So it's a little bit of a conundrum. You need time, not only me, but everyone to gel and make this big engine tick and get up to momentum and pace. Then it's like an unstoppable force. That's the big aim.

"There's a few new people and all of us need to get to know each other, how we work and to get the right process and structure in place is important. But alongside that, we need to perform to our best ability in the most positive way and that needs to start on Saturday against West Ham."

Frank will have a new face available for that game in Conor Gallagher after his £34.7million signing from Atletico Madrid and the Tottenham boss wants another attacker added to the ranks. Richarlison is set to miss seven weeks with a hamstring problem, Mohammed Kudus out until April with a quad injury and Dejan Kulusevski is still not back from his knee surgery.

"We are in the market to see if we can improve the squad, but it needs to be something where we improve the squad, short and long term," he said. "It can't only be for the next four months. We need to think bigger picture, but of course, we know that we are a few offensive players down in that aspect."

The former Brentford boss is delighted with the arrival of Gallagher though to bolster his midfield options after losing Rodrigo Bentancur for three months to a hamstring injury.

"It's a top signing, a very good player, great experience in the Premier League, also in La Liga, captain of two teams," said Frank. "That character, leadership, experience, and still young, 25, with plenty of development to reach, but coming in on a good level, bringing his pressing abilities, directness, scoring goals, but also able to find good positions on the pitch, is exactly what we need."

Tottenham have confirmed their sixth deal of the January transfer window, with several incomings and outgoings within the squad completed so far to help transform the options available to Thomas Frank.

Tottenham have confirmed an exit for Damola Ajayi, who joins League Two side Bromley on loan for the remainder of the season. The 20-year-old was recalled from his loan deal at Doncaster Rovers before making the switch, where he made 19 appearances across all competitions with two goals and one assist.

The forward has previously been part of the first-team setup at Tottenham, making his senior debut in a Europa League win over Elfsborg. Ajayi managed to score in the game, making his mark as one for the future as part of the 3-0 triumph, and continued his journey through the academy ranks.

While he didn't quite have as much involvement for Doncaster as he would've wanted, a move to Bromley marks a return for the youngster. He had previously featured for the League Two outfit in their academy ranks before he made the switch to Tottenham.

Ajayi's transfer marks the sixth deal that Spurs have concluded in a busy January transfer window, one day on from confirming the signing of Conor Gallagher. The midfielder joined from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth roughly £34m, continuing a market that has seen the club move quickly to shuffle their options.

“I’m so happy and excited to be here, taking the next step in my career at an amazing club,” Gallagher said after putting pen to paper on a deal with the Lilywhites. “I wanted to be a Spurs player and thankfully the club felt the same. It was very easy.

"It happened very quickly and I’m ready to get on the pitch. I know how great the fans are, I’m really happy to be a part of it here and want to create special moments and memories together."

Thomas Frank added: "Conor is a top midfielder, who we have worked tirelessly to add to our squad. He is still young so has plenty of room for improvement but also has huge experience across the Premier League, La Liga and with the England national team.

"Conor has captained teams so will bring leadership, maturity, character and personality to our dressing room, while his running power, pressing ability and eye for goal will strengthen us in a key area of the pitch."

Gallagher's move came after Brennan Johnson's exit, which was met with mixed views from the fans, as the Europa League winner made his way to Crystal Palace. The forward was not a regular under the head coach, having struggled to make an impact, with the hierarchy deciding to sell him while his stock was still high.

Other exits include a loan move for Jamie Donley to Oxford United, Manor Solomon to Fiorentina, Kota Takai to Borussia Monchengladbach, and Yang min-Hyeok to Coventry City. There will be some hope that the January window will be the start of an upward turn for Tottenham.

Loan moves for promising players, such as Ajayi, could bring about some more game time and opportunities to grow for stars who can still make an impact for the senior team. The business looks far from over for Spurs as well, with some other moves being lined up for the rest of the window.

Young left-back Souza looks set for a £13m move to Tottenham in the coming weeks, which should add some extra options in the backline. Destiny Udogie's injury struggles has seen Djed Spence shifted to the left for most of the campaign, meaning there is less competition on the right for Pedro Porro.

The arrival of the Brazilian should add some extra quality to the backline, along with plenty of potential for the future. There could be some further moves, if the club decide that Frank needs some extra firepower at his disposal.

Here's every single word Thomas Frank said in his press conference ahead of Tottenham's Premier League match against West Ham

Thomas Frank had mostly positive news to discuss in his latest press conference on Thursday afternoon ahead of Tottenham's Premier League match against West Ham.

Tottenham have brought in some much-needed quality for Frank's team with Conor Gallagher joining in a £34.7million move from Atletico Madrid after Rodrigo Bentancur underwent hamstring surgery, which will require at least three months of rehabilitation. Spurs are also set to bring in 19-year-old Brazilian left-back Souza in a £13million switch from Santos as he awaits a work permit.

Frank has some mixed injury updates on Lucas Bergvall and Richarlison and spoke about further transfers to come, as well as the impending departure of sporting director Fabio Paratici and the appointment of a new assistant manager in John Heitinga.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Frank. Scroll down for a full transcript from the press conference at Hotspur Way.

What's the injury latest on Richarlison, Lucas Bergvall and Yves Bissouma coming back?

Yes, Richy unfortunately got a hamstring injury that will keep him out for up to seven weeks. Lucas could be available, hopefully available for Saturday.

Yeah, Bissouma is back, so he's available as well. Yeah, and then both Destiny and Dom are close to finishing a good week of training, so they're of course obviously a bit closer to, both be involved and available, but closer to play even more minutes. So that's positive, they look good, both of them.

Is Gallagher the player Spurs need, and what qualities will he add?

Yeah, I think it's a top signing. Can't praise Fabio, Johan and Vinai enough, the ownership, for doing it and get it done, get it over the line. We went quick.

I think what he brings in terms of abilities, first and foremost, he's a very good player, great experience in the Premier League, also in La Liga, captain of two teams. So that character, that leadership, that experience, and still young, 25, with plenty of development to reach, but coming in on a good level, bringing his pressing abilities, his directness, scoring goals, but also being able to find good positions on the pitch, is exactly what we need.

How will you approach the game and the pressure it brings this weekend?

Yeah, that's fine (the pressure). I'm happy to take that. It's all about how we can get the players out there full of confidence and brave and play forward. I know it's a big London derby, of course, against West Ham, with the rivalry and everything, but it's all about us. For me, it's all about us.

It's how we come out with energy, positive, forward, adding, hopefully, first half against Sunderland, second half against Villa. If we can do that, then we'll put a top performance out there, and then we'll win the game.

Do you need everyone to back you to turn things around?

Yes, I'm very aware of how this football world works, no doubt about that. I know that we haven't got enough of the result we want. I know, I can just see the small step we're constantly doing. I still refer to the last six games with more positive, consistent performances. Not perfect, but there's some good signs of a team where we are talking about sometimes not being able to deal with enough setbacks and resilience.

The two second halves against Bournemouth and Villa where it is so easy to fall apart. They actually step in together, they add more. I think that's talking about a culture that's getting a little bit stronger, a little bit more, come on, let's do everything we can to turn this little momentum.

In football, sometimes momentum changes like that. I can see the small signs of the culture, the training, how the boys have been training here, especially Tuesday, Thursday, very intense, focused, working very hard on the offensive part of the game, because we know the defensive in many ways looks quite good, not through the roof, but quite good. Big improvements, set pieces are there.

It's the offensive we need to do better. That's what we're working hard on. I think all the small steps we're doing, with everything from signing Conor, signing John Heitinga as assistant coach, excellent signing, Rafi as football operation officer, I think it's the correct title, but just a key member in the direction, how we want to do things. Everything is going forward. We just need to add a top performance and a win on Saturday.

How do you think Gallagher has evolved since his time in Spain and under Simeone?

I think every experience makes us better in a way, either clearly impact or reflection over it and learn from the experience. Quite a few of the conversations I had with Conor, he really liked the experience at Atletico, he really liked working with Simeone, he really liked everything about it (but) of course, we were privileged that he would like another chance and it was possible. I think that experience added to how he ended his last year in Chelsea, I think he was at times unplayable and I think he was a fantastic player for Chelsea that season. So that's the Conor Gallagher we are looking at. That's the Conor Gallagher I'm thinking can step straight into this team and help us straight away.

When you spoke to Gallagher, why do you think he decided Spurs is right project for him?

I think of course one thing is the Premier League, secondly is the project and the opportunity here, the role he could get in the team. I think first and foremost as a player that can help the team with his abilities, the character and the culture, I think the way he is as well in terms of pushing the group every single day, training matches. I think you can see he is very exciting and there is some very exciting potential in this club.

Nuno Espirito Santo has been successful everywhere other than Spurs and now at West Ham. How surprised are you at his results?

I think Nuno deserves a lot of respect for everything he has done in the Premier League. He has had huge success, especially Forest and Wolves. Remarkable what he did there in many, many ways. I think he is a top coach, he showed it many times. We know that every challenge is difficult, just different challenges, but for us on Saturday it is about us coming out with energy, positive and brave.

You said with Conor Gallagher, every experience makes you better. How has this experience of Spurs made you better?

Everything, you learn about the club, how it is working, you learn about the staff, the players, every person I am working with here, that definitely makes me better. No doubt about that. Closer and the more you know, the better decisions you hopefully can make. The sharper, the more precise you are about what needs to be done to get us to where we all want us to be, where this fantastic club should be and in the top of the Premier League, that is where we want to be.

How does it feel to be under this much pressure?

I think it is just, I would say for me it is only focusing on what I can affect. There is a lot of noise, I know that because I have been told and I am not stupid. Of course I know we want more good results, but I am also focusing on what I can see is actually working and we need to do more of that. I know we need to focus on being calm, do the right thing and keep carrying on. If you do that, then you know it is a random game, but if we keep doing the right thing, then that randomness, hopefully, because we do more things right and we have done that especially in the last six games, that randomness will turn because we keep going after the positive and believe what we are doing is the right thing and then things will turn.

At Brentford, you felt unbeatable at home, is it a self-fulfilling prophecy now that every time you play at home with Spurs, you are under pressure and it’s so difficult?

I definitely think something, especially when we turn this around and we won three games at home in every competition in a row, that would be a big step. I think it would be a very good idea to start on Saturday that unbeaten run at home in many ways, because sometimes it can feel a little bit not as smooth or easy, just coming, but as soon as you turn that corner, things will be a little bit more smooth if that makes sense? So, hopefully that energy and then the collaboration between the team and the fans that you felt second half against Villa, first half against Sunderland, that's what we need to get more of.

When you have that then it's a fantastic place, our fantastic stadium, our home, and that's where we need to be. I mean it. Any successful team needs to create a fortress. I know it's been difficult, but that's what we're aiming for. The more we do, the more we believe, the more we do together, the better chance we'll have.

Did you drive the process to bring John Heitinga through the door and did you sense someone who may have a bit of a point to prove after what happened at Ajax?

Yeah, it was a process we did together. Of course I was a big part of it, because Johan, Fabio and I were the main drivers of that. I think he was a standout candidate with everything he's experienced. Of course, obviously a top playing career, that's one thing, but also I like how he then did after that in terms of his experience in the academy of Ajax.

Of course, when you play there, that's one thing, but when you also go back and coach there, that's one of the best academies in the world. So he walked the hard way, and then on top of that had two good experiences in the Premier League in West Ham and Liverpool.

And now also been trying to stand out there where there's a bit more noise and wind sometimes. That gave him a perfect profile. I'd met him now a few times before, and all the character references we took, just a top guy, top integrity, top football person.

No Richarlison for almost two months, Kudus not back until April, waiting for Kulusevski to come back, are you in a situation where you have to sign someone in an attacking position, because we saw the other day you didn't have the options from the bench?

Yeah. It is what it is. We need to deal with what we have. But of course, Villa brought a little bit more experience and quality on the pitch than we were able to do there. But hey, it is what it is.

We are in the market, as I said many times, to see if we can improve the squad, but it needs to be something that we improve the squad, short and long term. It needs to be that decision.

It can't only be for the next four months. We need to think bigger picture as well. But of course, we know that we are a few offensive players down in that aspect.

We know Fabio Paratici is leaving now to go to Fiorentina, you spoke about Rafi coming through the doors as well. There is so much change at Tottenham, so many heads of department have changed, is it going to take a while for everyone to work out what they are doing, pick things up and take it forward?

Yes, but I know the one thing you don't have in football is time. But the one thing that has also been proven right to success is time. So it's a little bit of a conundrum. You need time, not only me, but everyone to gel and make this big engine tick and get up to momentum and pace. And then it's like an unstoppable force at one stage. That's the big aim we're aiming for.

But there's a few new people in and all of us to get to know each other and how we work and get the right process and structure in place is important. But alongside that, we need to perform to our best ability in the most positive way and that needs to start on Saturday against West Ham.

There was a great scene when Conor Gallagher was playing for Atletico and he made two crunching tackles and the crowd went nuts, Simeone loved it and he earned the nickname 'The Pitbull'. What do you think of the nickname and how did you sell the vision to Conor Gallagher to believe in your project?

Yeah, I think it's a great nickname. I think it shows Conor has a lot of good offensive abilities. His ability to arrive in the box scoring goals, his way of finishing. I think he's a clever finisher as well. I think his skill set around the last third is good in terms of arriving in the right positions.

I told him about the project and the plan with him, and the club and what we are aiming for and all that suited him very well. I think he suited us and I think we suited him.

Is he probably looking at it as well that he's got a great chance of making the England squad next summer? Is that part of his thinking?

To be fair, that we didn't speak about. Sometimes you could do that. He didn't mention it, I didn't mention it. I could imagine it's a very important thing for him but for me it was all about Tottenham. What can he add to us short-term, long-term? What is the plan, what is the vision for him and the club.

Just in terms of how you're feeling at the moment, it feels like you make progress, you sign Conor Gallagher, then you find out Richarlison is out for seven weeks. Is it a big two-step forward, one-step back for you at the moment?

Yeah, it's not a straightforward road, let me put it that way. I think we are probably one inch on Micky van de Ven's head away from a 3-2 winner against Bournemouth and we have eight points in four games, a bit more momentum. Sometimes these bits need to drop for you as well. It seems like when we get a fit player back, then another one gets injured.

That's football sometimes. We need just to get through it and get through the tough spells. There's only one way forward, that's keep walking. If you are in tough times, you can only walk forward and walk through it and work through it. So be calm, carry on.

Thomas Frank has provided the latest Tottenham injury news ahead of the Premier League clash against West Ham

Thomas Frank has confirmed Tottenham star Richarlison will be out for up to seven weeks after picking up a hamstring injury in the FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Frank said: "Richy unfortunately got a hamstring injury which will keep him out for up to seven weeks. Lucas could be available, hopefully for Saturday. Bissouma is back so he's available as well. Destiny and Dom got a good week of training so are closer to playing more minutes."

MORE TO FOLLOW.

We'll bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

For the latest news and breaking news, visit football.london. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you for the capital's clubs.

Shining a light on the issues fans really want to know about and providing rolling coverage of the latest news, football.london's writers give you the bigger picture on your club by knowing the little details inside-out.

Follow us on X @Football_LDN - for the all latest news as it happens in real time.

Tottenham have shown their support to Thomas Frank by announcing the arrival of another member to the coaching team, who previously featured for Liverpool.

Tottenham have announced the arrival of John Heitinga as part of Thomas Frank's backroom coaching staff at the club. The former centre-back enjoyed spells playing for Ajax, Atletico Madrid, Everton, and Fulham before taking to coaching in 2016 after hanging up his boots.

The 42-year-old spent time coaching at Ajax, while he also had a spell as Liverpool assistant in 2024, where he helped guide the Reds to a Premier League title under Arne Slot. He then made his move back to Ajax in May 2025, looking to guide the club forward after a tough few seasons.

He was brutally axed earlier this season after a slow start to the campaign, which left him on the hunt for a coaching gig once again. The move to Tottenham helps strengthen the options available to Frank on the training ground, following what has been a tricky spell for the Dane.

On the appointment, the head coach told the official Tottenham website: "John is a great addition to our coaching staff. His ability, personality and character will add huge value both on and off the pitch.

“He had an impressive playing career across Europe – including five years in the Premier League – and with the Dutch national team.

“As a former defender, that will be one of his main responsibilities on the training pitch, and he brings great coaching and management experiences from all levels of the game, which will really help us moving forward.”

Heitinga was highly-rated from his time at Liverpool, even with his previous links to rivals Everton, after his short spell at the club. Slot outlined his thoughts on the coach when he was linked with the Ajax job last year, and said: "If Ajax would be smart, they would consider him. He is ready to take on a job like that.

"If John is smart, he would stay one more season," he added. While it ultimately didn't work out for Heitinga, he is clearly seen as a quality coach and may be one who can help Spurs during a difficult time.

It may come as a boost that Tottenham need to truly boost themselves further up the table, following a rocky few months in N17. While Frank managed to earn a few results early in his tenure, a lack of points on the board now leaves Spurs 14th in the Premier League, eight points off the top four.

Part of the challenge for the head coach, who was hired from Brentford last summer, has been connecting with the fanbase. While results will naturally get the supporters behind teams, the lack of a clear identity and questions over the direction of the club has left an agitated feeling around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

That hasn't been helped by the lack of cup action to cling onto, after an exit in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup for the Lilywhites. Attention turns towards the Champions League, where a miraculous run would be needed, as well as the possibility of some improvement in the Premier League.

While there have been struggles, Tottenham have looked to inject some quality into the team over the January window to bolster the options available to the man in charge. Conor Gallagher has signed from Atletico Madrid for a fee worth roughly £35m, bringing some energy and final-third quality to the midfield.

Souza is expected to join for £13m this window too, adding further quality to the left-back ranks, following injury troubles for Destiny Udogie and a shuffle in the backline involving Djed Spence. There are also injury returns that could change the picture for Frank in the coming weeks.

Dominic Solanke's return to the frontline is a welcome boost, while there is hope that Dejan Kulusevski is finally able to make an appearance in the weeks ahead.

Thomas Frank is holding his press conference on Thursday ahead of Tottenham's Premier League match against West Ham on Saturday.

After weeks which have been spent speaking about injuries or defeats, the Spurs boss finally has some positive conversation topics after a busy few days in the winter transfer window for the north London club.

Tottenham have signed former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher in a £34.7million move from Atletico Madrid to bolster his options after Rodrigo Bentancur underwent hamstring surgery, which is expected to require three months of rehabilitation. Spurs are also set to bring in 19-year-old Brazilian left-back Souza in a £13million switch from Santos as he awaits a work permit.

Frank will hopefully speak about both players if the latter's deal is confirmed before his later than usual 4pm press conference and the Dane will explain whether Gallagher can come straight into his Tottenham side for a big London derby against West Ham.

The head coach will also deliver some injury updates, with Lucas Bergvall of particular concern to the Tottenham supporters, as well as news on further transfer moves for the club both in and out of the north London outfit and the impending departure of sporting director Fabio Paratici as well as the appointment of a new assistant manager in John Heitinga.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold is among those putting the questions to Frank. Scroll down for his latest updates from the press conference at Hotspur Way.