Football London

Here's the Tottenham Hotspur team Thomas Frank has selected to face Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

Thomas Frank has made two changes to his Tottenham team as they welcome Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The drab draw at Brentford saw Frank being booed into the new year by the travelling Tottenham fans as he approached them to applaud their efforts. The supporters had sung 'boring, boring Tottenham' during the encounter and chanted for former players and managers throughout another dull performance, albeit with a second clean sheet in a row.

The need for a more adventurous performance at home has seen Frank move away from the more defensive Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha partnership in the centre of the pitch.

With Lucas Bergvall back on the bench Frank has got creative himself in the absence of his sole fit playmaker Xavi Simons, who is serving the final game of his three-match suspension, with Mohammed Kudus seemingly in a more central role with Archie Gray moving back alongside one Bentancur.

With Spurs selling Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace for £35million in the opening days of the window, Frank cannot use the Wales international and instead has Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel playing either side of Richarlison on Sunday.

Both full-backs have been playing a lot of football and that could open the door for Ben Davies to make a rare start at left-back. Young talent Luca Williams-Barnett is on the bench.

Here's the team Frank has selected:

Tottenham Hotspur take on Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon and we've got all the action from the game.

The promoted Black Cats will arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend with one of the best defensive records in the Premier League and remain a threat despite missing six players who are at the Africa Cup of Nations. Spurs have recorded successive clean sheets but have struggled to create chances. in their games.

Frank was booed loudly by the travelling Tottenham supporters on New Year's Day as he attempted to approach them to applaud their efforts after the goalless draw at his former club Brentford. Those fans had sung 'boring, boring Tottenham' during the encounter as well as chant for former players and managers throughout.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold is covering the game live from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Scroll down for his latest updates from the match.

Here's the Tottenham Hotspur team that we reckon Thomas Frank will select to face Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon

Thomas Frank will be looking for another Tottenham clean sheet while trying to entertain the frustrated fans as Sunderland come to town on Sunday.

The promoted Black Cats arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with one of the best defensive records in the Premier League and punching above their weight despite missing six players who are at the Africa Cup of Nations. They will be looking to frustrate a Spurs side that has recorded successive clean sheets but has struggled to create chances.

That culminated in Frank being booed by the travelling Tottenham supporters on New Year's Day as he approached them to applaud their efforts after the drab goalless draw at his old club Brentford. The fans had sung 'boring, boring Tottenham' during the encounter and chanted for former players and managers throughout another performance lacking in creativity and cohesion from the Dane's side.

The need for a more adventurous performance at home will likely see Frank move away from the more defensive Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha partnership in the centre of the pitch.

With Lucas Bergvall a doubt again after missing the Brentford match that could mean Frank getting creative himself in the absence of his sole fit playmaker Xavi Simons, who is serving the final game of his three-match suspension.

The Tottenham boss could use the misfiring Mohammed Kudus in a more central role with Archie Gray moving back alongside one of Bentancur and Palhinha.

With Spurs deciding now was the time to deplete their already meagre attacking options by selling Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace for £35million in the opening days of the window, Frank will have to decide which of Wilson Odobert, Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel play with Richarlison on Sunday.

He might also be tempted to manage the Brazilian's minutes in order to keep him free of injury for the trip to Bournemouth in midweek, which would mean Kolo Muani or Tel up front.

The same could apply for Micky van de Ven, with the possibility of Cristian Romero missing further games due to his FA charge for failing to leave the pitch promptly following his red card against Liverpool. Both full-backs are also playing a lot of football and that could open the door for Ben Davies to make a rare start at left-back.

Here's the team we reckon Frank could select:

(4-2-3-1) Vicario; Spence, Romero, Danso, Davies; Bentancur, Gray; Tel, Kudus, Odobert; Kolo Muani.

The Tottenham Hotspur boss believes the supporters hold the key to success as the club's 2026 home campaign begins on Sunday

Thomas Frank believes the "boring, boring Tottenham" chants from the club's fans might seem like the 'biggest problem in the world' when in fact those same supporters hold the key to success.

The travelling fans chanted the putdown towards their players on a couple of occasions during Thursday night's drab goalless draw at Frank's former side Brentford as a depleted Spurs team once again struggled to create chances. When Frank went over to approach the 1,700 supporters after the final whistle to applaud them for making the trip across the capital he was met by loud boos.

On Sunday, the Lilywhites will look to turn the page on their home form and start 2026 afresh as they welcome Sunderland to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Last year, the club slumped to 11 home defeats in the Premier League, the most Tottenham have racked up in a calendar year in their entire history. Their tally of just four league wins at home during those 12 months was their second worst tally since 1915.

Following the anger of the travelling fans in midweek, who sang nostalgically for former players and managers throughout the night, there are fears the atmosphere could turn toxic inside Spurs' huge home stadium on Sunday afternoon if they falter against a Black Cats side that has punched above its weight this season with one of the best defensive records in the top flight.

Frank is not fearing that possibility though and believes the players can do their part in getting the supporters onside.

"There are a lot of other things to worry about in life that are much more important. What I’m focusing on is making sure we perform in the best possible way. All my focus is on that," said the 52-year-old. "It’s also to make sure if we perform well, if we do what we do, also when we’re struggling, it hasn’t changed because there was some chanting [on Thursday].

"When we play the game we need the fans behind us. They need to push and help us. It’s just facts, that’s the way it is. If they can see we run hard and do everything we can, then they should help us all the way and that’s hopefully enough to win the game."

Frank believes the reaction at the Gtech Community Stadium in midweek from the travelling faithful has blown the situation out of proportion and that Tottenham were in fact starting to turn around their home woes.

"It is a beautiful example of how football works. It was one snapshot of the game. Before that, at home, we played against Brentford, we played a very good game, the fans were fantastic," he said.

“We played against Slavia Prague, they helped us, were fantastic. We played against Liverpool, they almost gave us a draw, where it seemed like everything was a little bit against us. The last three home games, the fans have been very good.

"Then there were the chants last night and boom, now it’s the biggest problem in the world."

He added: “I’m pretty sure that all the fantastic Tottenham fans we have out there, they want the best for the team, for the players, they want to do everything they can to push them.

“And why not? Hey, it’s life and football is hope. There’s always hope. We’re going into that game with massive hope. There’s massive hope that we can start 2026 with a win and take one step closer to making our stadium a fortress."

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news as Thomas Frank, Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange get to work in the January window

Tottenham have already been very busy in the January transfer window, despite it being open for a matter of days.

Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange have been hard at work behind the scenes with a number of outgoings already confirmed. Brennan Johnson has completed his permanent exit to Crystal Palace and three fringe stars have been sent out on loan until the end of the season.

Thomas Frank wants incomings at Tottenham Hotspur this month, too, with the Dane making his wishes known via the media. "We will be in the market," Frank said. "We are definitely interested in, if we can, strengthening the squad. We will do that. I've said it a few times before that things are important.

"Of course, different types you can add to a squad, but the main bit is the ones we add need to be ones that we really think can improve the team. And then, like normal, there can be outgoings if you want to try to make a share of the squad."

With that said, football.london takes a closer look at all the moves completed by Tottenham so far this January.

Tottenham transfers (in)

None

Tottenham transfers (out)

Brennan Johnson (Crystal Palace) - £35million

Jamie Donley (Oxford United) - loan

Manor Solomon (Fiorentina) - loan

Kota Takai (Borussia Monchengladbach) - loan

A handful of Tottenham players have also sent messages to the now Crystal Palace winger

Brennan Johnson has sent Tottenham a five-word goodbye message after completing his January move to Crystal Palace.

The 24-year-old put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year deal at Selhurst Park on Friday, with the Eagles paying £35million for the Welshman's services. The former Nottingham Forest man was Tottenham's top scorer last season and produced the winner in the Europa League final against Manchester United to end Tottenham’s 17-year wait for silverware.

However, he has largely been a back-up to summer recruit Mohammed Kudus since Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou. After completing the move to south London, Johnson took to Instagram to share an emotional video of his best Spurs highlights.

The winger also posted a message alongside the video, which reads: "Been a ride. Thank you @spursofficial." A number of his now former Tottenham teammates have commented on the post, such as Destiny Udogie, James Maddison and Micky van de Ven.

Johnson is set to make his debut for Palace in their Premier League match against Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday. “I’m really excited and I’m really happy,” he said.

“Crystal Palace are such a great club, one that I’ve always admired. It’s a great time for me to be here and join the journey that this club is on.”

Palace manager Oliver Glasner said: “I’m really delighted that Brennan has joined the club. He arrives very early in the window, so credit to the club for making this happen so quickly.

“Brennan will give us options in our attacking play with his pace and goalscoring ability and with all the upcoming games he will be a valuable addition to the squad.”

The Tottenham Hotspur head coach has been speaking about transfers and life at the rebuilding north London club right now

Thomas Frank feels like The Running Man right now as he admits it's difficult to enjoy life at Tottenham amid the struggles of rebuilding the club.

The 52-year-old enjoys early morning runs around London's Richmond Park and believes the ups and downs at Spurs require him to power through the problems that are mounting. Frank found himself booed by the travelling Tottenham supporters on New Year's Day as he approached them to applaud their efforts after the drab goalless draw at his old club Brentford.

The fans had sung 'boring, boring Tottenham' and chanted for former players and managers during another performance lacking in creativity and cohesion from the Dane's side. The north London outfit lie 12th in the Premier League table and are going through a huge rebuilding process which has brought 13 new heads of department within the club, including Frank and CEO Vinai Venkatesham.

Ahead of Tottenham's first home game of 2026, against Sunderland on Sunday, when asked whether he was actually enjoying the challenge of stepping out of his comfort zone after nine years at Brentford, Frank could only laugh.

"That’s a good question! I like that question. Let me put it this way. When you need to put in a big, big shift and it’s not smooth and it’s tough, it’s probably difficult to enjoy it," he said.

"If I run hard, I don’t enjoy that moment, but I know I need to keep my head down and run hard to get through it to get my fitness up, or win a race. We are in a situation where you need to run hard, to stay in it, to get through it.

"On the other side, when we look back on this spell or maybe this first year when it was tough, you’ll think what a learning experience, it made us so much better for the future. So the short answer is, no, but the reality is you can't."

He added: "When I take myself out of it and look down, I think what a privilege to be in charge of this fantastic club in a period where it’s a big transition. The transformation of 2025 has never happened as much in 140 years. There’s a lot of changes but the potential is huge."

More changes are coming in the transfer window, with Brennan Johnson having already departed for Crystal Palace in a £35million deal, and Frank wants the club to push hard for signings that improve his starting line-up.

"We are there in the market and will do everything we can to improve the squad, but we should be so aware that short-term impact can’t limit long-term success" he said. "But on the flip-side, can we do something that will really improve us? I think we should go very hard for that."

He added: "It always needs to be both players that can impact the team now, that’s the main priority but at the same time it’s not that we just stop signing teenagers because you need to have players with impact now and players for the long term.

"Sometimes you sign a young player who is good enough to play now, sometimes you sign a young player who comes in and you send him on loan and they are part of the long-term thinking so it will still be a mix of both."

Frank believes it's key the club does not drop too far down their list of favoured targets next month.

"We have lists of players and we have priority numbers one, two, three, four, five and six in every position. And if we go to number six…. it’s probably not as good as you want. Is number six good enough for us to get to where we want to be in the future? Probably not. But it’s a fine balance," he admitted.

"Sometimes you need to take some steps forward before we can get the perfect solution. So, that’s why I’ve said every decision we make needs to be for long-term success but [be] very aware of how impactful it can be now, as well. So that could end with that [no signings]. But of course I hope that we are [active].

"I know that Johan [Lange], Fabio [Paratici], Vinai are working day and night to do everything, together with the recruitment team, the [Lewis] family is backing us with everything. But I think the best clubs take good, sensible decisions."

Joint sporting director Paratici has been tipped to leave Spurs for a Head of Football role at Fiorentina so eyebrows were raised when the struggling Serie A side took Manor Solomon from Tottenham on loan on Friday.

All Frank would say on that move was: "I just think that every transfer is something we agree on as the right decision. So in that case it’s the same."

When asked who Paratici works for right now, the Dane first joked: "Good question, maybe you know." He then quickly said: "Fabio is Tottenham sporting director. I spoke to him twice yesterday. He is working very hard for Tottenham.

"I just know when I speak to Fabio and Johan, who I spoke to this morning, the two of them are working very, very hard."

With Johnson heading out of the door to Palace, a player who contributed 25 goal involvements last season, where will the goals come from this season? Frank is confident that a number of his current squad will step up.

"There’s a lot with potential in that aspect. Richy has done well compared to a lot of other seasons. He is fit and available and still playing without key creators behind him," he said. "I’ve always liked Solanke. I’m convinced he will score a lot of goals for us when he’s fit and available. Wilson and Mathys have very good potential. Mo needs to score more goals and will score more goals."

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the departure of Brennan Johnson. The 24-year-old forward, whom the Lilywhites signed from Nottingham Forest in September 2023 for £47.5m, has joined Crystal Palace in a club-record deal.

Johnson featured 106 times for Spurs, scoring 27 goals and providing 18 assists. The Wales international helped Tottenham win the UEFA Europa League in May 2025, finding the net from close range in the final at the San Mames Stadium.

During Ange Postecoglou's spell in charge, Johnson played a key role in the side. Despite his impressive performances, recording at least 15 direct goal contributions in each of his previous two Premier League campaigns, the Welshman struggled to force himself into Thomas Frank's starting lineup.

While Johnson appeared 22 times for the Dane, he only played about 900 minutes. Frank preferred Mohammed Kudus, whom Tottenham signed from West Ham for an initial £50m in July 2025.

football.london understands Johnson was informed by the hierarchy that he was surplus to requirements on New Year's Eve. The Welshman attracted interest from the likes of Bournemouth, Everton, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United before the Eagles swooped in and secured his signature.

It's understood that Crystal Palace forked out £35m for Johnson, who Steve Parish has described as an 'exciting young talent'. Speaking to club media, the Eagles chairman said: "I’m delighted that Brennan has joined us at Crystal Palace.

"An exciting young talent with an excellent recent record in domestic, continental and international football. We feel we are the perfect place for Brennan to continue his already impressive journey, and his arrival bolsters our attacking options in what is proving our busiest season to date, competing on numerous fronts including, for the first time, in Europe."

Oliver Glasner has claimed Johnson will be a 'valuable addition'. The Palace head coach said: "I’m really delighted that Brennan has joined the club. He arrives very early in the window, so credit to the club for making this happen so quickly.

"Brennan will give us options in our attacking play with his pace and goalscoring ability and with all the upcoming games he will be a valuable addition to the squad."

Meanwhile, Johnson added: "I'm really excited and I'm really happy. Crystal Palace are such a great club, one that I've always admired. It's a great time for me to be here and join the journey that this club is on – I'm super excited."

Crystal Palace have confirmed that the former Tottenham winger, who has signed a four-and-a-half year deal, will be available for selection for Sunday afternoon's clash against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. Johnson will wear the number-11 shirt.

Shortly before the two clubs announced the move, Frank was asked to comment on Johnson's future. The Dane, who kept his cards close to his chest, said: "I think there are different scenarios.

"There are players that want to leave, there are players that are a little bit like, hmm, do they want to stay or do they want to leave? And then there are players that don't want to leave.

"And that is the three different cases you need to solve between the sports directors, head coach, player and agent. And hopefully in the most cases, everyone is happy in the end of the situation."

Here's every single word the Tottenham Hotspur boss said on Friday ahead of the Premier League match against Sunderland

Thomas Frank faced a grilling at his press conference on Friday ahead of Tottenham's Premier League match against Sunderland on Sunday.

The Spurs boss oversaw a dull 0-0 draw at his old side Brentford on Thursday night, which ended with him being booed by the travelling Tottenham supporters as he approached them after the game. Those fans had also sung throughout the night about 'boring, boring Tottenham' as well as chants for Brennan Johnson, with last season's top scorer tying up a £35million move to Crystal Palace after being told he was surplus to requirements.

Frank was asked in his latest press conference about both topics, as well as the January transfer window and the latest injury news on Lucas Bergvall and Dominic Solanke.

Our Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Frank at Hotspur Way. Here's the full transcript from the press conference.

You can go ahead and announce Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace now....

Nice opening, there is probably something about the rumours, but that is the only thing I can say right now.

There are rumours he could be involved for Palace against Newcastle this weekend?

That I know nothing about and basically don't care about. So, like with everything, I'm very happy to speak about everything when everything is announced or published. If that is we sign a player, we sell a player or staff member in or out or whatever it is. But for now, yeah, it is what it is.

Is he in the Spurs squad to face Sunderland?

He was not in the squad yesterday, and you will see that tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

You tried to sign Johnson at Brentford, what has changed that means you now might sell him?

I would say, I'll repeat my answer as I just said. If that's the case, I would love to answer that question when and if it happens.

How do 'boring, boring Tottenham' chants make you feel?

I definitely got some reminders about it, including one today. So thank you for that. It's not perfect. We want us to be free flowing. I think a couple of things I want to reinforce positively is the last two away performances. To stand on the foundation we were building was very strong against Crystal Palace and Brentford. I think we were very good defensively, actually fantastic defensively last night. Gave them more or less nothing. I think that's hugely important. I think we understood how to close down their transitions.

Then we're working very hard and understand the frustration, I share them too, very hard on the offensive part of the game. There's a few things in that we need to do our best to improve. One of them is, for example, yesterday we lost the ball unforced errors 25 times. I showed those 25 clips to the players today. Just short, a reminder that that's focus, that's concentration, all that. Of course, football is a game of mistakes. You lose the ball, so that can happen because of bad decisions, bad touch, whatever, or concentration. So, could just half of them be better? That will provide us more attacks. And there was definitely maybe five at least good counter-attacks, where a better touch, then we are suddenly 3v3. Then it looks a little bit more lively, a little bit more open, a little bit better. So that's the one level we need to do. Then the next bit is the patterns and the structure and getting in the right positions. We didn't get that right last night. I showed that again to the players today. That is my responsibility, together with the coaches. I always take that. And then the third thing. I think it's also okay to mention that we still lack some very important offensive players that’s been out for a while.

I don't want to mention it again. I'm getting a little bit bored, very bored, and sick and tired of naming them. And on top of that, we didn't have Xavi Simons for various reasons, or Lucas Bergvall. So, the ones on the pitch, always trust them, always believe in them. I think Wilson (Odobert), I've said it many times, is a very promising player that I believe a lot in. He looked so lively against Crystal Palace, but also natural with a young player, (that) he was a little bit up and down yesterday. I'm convinced he'll be very good for us. And then on top of that, you play every game, every third and fourth game. And when you do that, the ability with the concentration level and the physical level to be on the top, to keep producing, is what, how can you say, splits the good players from the very best to do that. And sometimes you can be a good player to go to the very best, but you also learn along the way. So that's where we are right now. It's unfortunately very boring, but that's the fact.

We need to do everything we can to put an attacking, intense, front-footed performance out against Sunderland in two days' time. I'll do everything I can to make sure we do that. And if we do that and get three points, it's seven from three, which would be a very good output. So that's the aim. By the way, against a Sunderland team that’s done unbelievably well. And I know for a fact, because when I say attitude, I'm confident in my own skill set. I'm also very humble about who I am, where we are, and what we need to do. And I know what we're facing tomorrow against Sunderland, because I've been there myself. That's going to be tough, but we need to be on it. That was a long answer, actually.

Is it also a long answer because you were hurt?

No, No. It's a long answer because I'm explaining the situation where we are.

To dare is to do, do you need to be more daring?

I think I'm very daring. I'm sitting here.

Enzo Maresca is the latest managerial casualty, you said you were at an interview for that very job. Was that a close shave, a lucky escape for you?

I think we don't know what happened behind the scenes. At Chelsea, it's your guys' job to be clever there and come with good suggestions to why he's not there anymore. So, yeah, we don't know that. I think there can be very good reasons for it. There can be bad reasons. Who knows?

And basically, I don't care. I have other things to worry about. The one thing I would say is it's difficult to build something sustainable, successful, if you don't keep key persons in the job for a long time. I've said that many times. All the top examples of clubs being successful year in, year out, they had the head coach, the CEO, the sports directors, the key members, coaching staff in the club for a long time.

How do you give your players confidence, to not be afraid, not be hesitant to take the game to Sunderland at on Sunday?

We, of course, keep reinforcing the messages, keep trying to do the right thing, keep trying to be brave, try to go forward. I think that's the key thing. And then understand that this Premier League is unbelievably tight. And when it's tight, it's not like it's that easy, but the main thing is that we keep being brave.

The fact Sunderland have signed so many players, they had an overhaul, how difficult will it be?

I think [Regis Le Bris] has done fantastically. Very, very impressive. The first season in the Premier League, and also, as you say, with changing a lot of players. It's been very clear what they want to do. They understand that when you go up in the Premier League, you need to defend very well. They're very good on set-pieces. They're very good.

They fight, they run, and now they've got the confidence and done very well against a lot of teams, but also away from home. So it's going to be a tough test.

With Dominic Solanke, are we looking at mid-January or late January?

The thing I need to open up about, of course, is when he's out there on the pitch with pictures, then that's positive, of course. But to say mid-Jan or end of Jan or 25th of Jan, I will not do that. I will very much look forward to name the date when he's involved in the squad.

Any other players coming back?

Lucas Bergvall is a doubt. We hope he'll be ready.

In the transfer window, how difficult is it for a manager to tell a player that's heading out the door and they have to go to a new club?

I think there are different scenarios. There are players that want to leave, there are players that are a little bit like, hmm, do they want to stay or do they want to leave? And then there are players that don't want to leave. And that is the three different cases you need to solve between the sports directors, head coach, player and agent. And hopefully in the most cases, everyone is happy in the end of the situation.

We spoke a little bit about the bench last night, two goalkeepers, not a lot of options, does that show how difficult it is for you right now with the unavailable players but also how this transfer window has to be done right to get in players that can improve things?

Yeah, I think again, it's my job, my responsibility to find solutions when there's tough times. I will never run away from that. But of course, it's easier to have a fully fit squad and you just know, OK, I have these five tools, I can do this in the midfield, I can do that on the wing, I can do that on the striker, maybe whatever, change the full-back, whatever it is. And yes, we were limited last night, but that's part of it.

There are some games you will have like that in a season and you need to do those spells, and I think that's another thing, those spells, I know it's not popular to talk about, but those spells, if you then don't lose and you get a point and you're very solid defensively, that's a good thing. That can be a very good point in the end of the season.

Do we want to play better? Yes. But that's unfortunately the situation right now.

What made you pick two goalkeepers on the bench rather than maybe another young player like Callum Olusesi?

That could also have been the case. It wasn't last night.

On Wilson Odobert, there's so much raw potential and talent in there, but then there'll be moments in games where maybe he's not as strong, like last night we saw 35-year-old Jordan Henderson outpacing him, which shouldn't probably happen...

With all due respect to Jordan, yeah.

Of course, but he shouldn't be outpacing Wilson. What does he have to work on and develop to become the player that he can be?

I think take the positive away from the Crystal Palace substitution role, where he was so lively and they couldn't catch him and should have scored at least a goal. And then last night, I think there was still some very positive glimpses. And I think he is in the situation where he takes a little bit better decision when there's, let's say, three times the touch, because even if he's taken it, that will just get him in a top position as soon as it's turned and we're three vs three, instead of it's a bad touch and then we go the other way, for example.

So just keep learning that. That's just a normal part of football. Unfortunately, there's a little bit of extra focus in the Premier League, but hey, that's part of it.

Can you be successful at Tottenham without the fans behind you?

Erm, I will try to maybe turn that question around to say that if you are successful, the Tottenham fans will be behind you. So, the fans will get behind us and I am pretty sure that yes I am booed last night but I am pretty sure there is a lot of fans behind us.

When you think you’ve had two London derbies away, got four points, two clean sheets, on paper that looks like progress but at the end they are booing you and chanting boring, boring Tottenham, is there a misalignment here with what you see as success in terms of results and the style of football the fans need to see but they’re not seeing yet?

Yeah, but I think expectation is good and I also think we are probably in a bit of a transition. Not that we don’t want to play a lot better but the club, the squad, the injuries, all that taken into consideration is part of that. And in a transition period when not everything is perfect and you don’t get the won or we don’t play as good as we want or I want… I’m very aware that Crystal Palace win and happy with it because it’s very important to have the ability to do that, but also very aware that we didn’t play as good as I want in that aspect. Also I acknowledge where we are, so it's just that understanding of that. It is fair that I understand it a little bit better and the fans want more.

Fans are struggling with what the plan is under yourself and long-term. I know you said to compete in all competitions, but what would be success this season and next season and so on?

What I'm 100 per cent sure will happen is that I know we will be able to score a lot of goals and I know we will be much more dominant in a lot of games, but with the current situation with too many of the top players out, playing a lot of games, that just make it more tricky, also with no time to train, it’s just reality. I think there's not one coach that will not say that and then we need to manage everything between that.

That is just small steps in the right direction every day and keep walking forward, keep improving and then things will take care of itself. Probably answer a few more questions in press conference like this, improve a little bit, get the wins and then it will be forgotten because it goes like this (click). Right now it's the talk of the town, fair enough. Tomorrow will be forgotten, it will be a new thing and we just behind the scenes need to be calm and work on the things very hard and keep improving.

Would top-half be a success, would 12th or do you have to be in Europe?

“I think for me to name a position where we should end or want to end, I think there's so many things you don't control in that aspect. I promise that we are very ambitious, we know exactly where we want to go, but I think it's about improving next step in front of me, make sure that we come up flying Sunday against Sunderland, look more in-sync. I think reality is it will not be perfect, but can we see good glimpses of more offensive attacking threat and get the win, that would be a step forward.

Tottenham forward Manor Solomon is set to join Serie A strugglers Fiorentina on loan for the remainder of the season with an option to buy

Tottenham attacker Manor Solomon has been pictured in new colours ahead of completing his loan switch to Fiorentina

The Israel international spent the first half of the campaign on loan in Spain with Villarreal.

However, the 26-year-old only made six La Liga appearances for the Yellow Submarine, scoring one goal and that prompted the parties to discuss an early termination of the loan.

Solomon only joined Villarreal in the final hours of the summer window after he was told he was surplus to requirements at Tottenham.

Intriguingly, he has now joined Fiorentina, who have been strongly linked with a swoop for Spurs sporting director Fabio Paratici.

La Viola, currently two points adrift at the bottom of Serie A, are desperate to fight their way out of trouble as they continue to flirt with the prospect of relegation to Serie B.

Fiorentina have also been linked with a loan for Spurs' Romanian defender Radu Dragusin.

Solomon has now completed his medical tests and looks poised to join La Viola imminently. The deal is an initial loan which will also include an £8.72million buy-option.

The former Fulham starlet joined the north London club in July 2023 on a free transfer from Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk.

He has made just six appearances for Spurs, however, as his fine start to the 2023-24 campaign under Ange Postecoglou was cut short by a serious knee injury.

Solomon was forced to undergo surgery on his meniscus and later came close to joining Crystal Palace last summer, only for the transfer to collapse.

The Israeli will not be the only forward to depart Spurs at the start of the January window with Brennan Johnson set to join Palace for £35million.

The Welshman is understood to have met with Eagles boss Oliver Glasner on Thursday ahead of making a final decision on a transfer.

Bournemouth, Everton and Sunderland had also shown an interest but Johnson is set to join the Eagles imminently.

Tottenham paid £47.5million to land the 24-year-old back in September 2023. He finished up as their top-goalscorer in all competitions last term with 18 - including the precious winner in the Europa League final.

There has also been loan interest in winger Mathys Tel with Roma said to be among the Frenchman's admirers.

Meanwhile, centre-back Kota Takai has sealed a season-long loan switch to Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany.