Football London

Tottenham youngster Luca Williams-Barnett has landed the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for September despite only turning 17 last week.

The attacking midfielder, who made his Spurs debut for Thomas Frank's first team in the Carabao Cup third round tie against Doncaster, won the monthly prize for what is an U21 league despite his age. Williams-Barnett signed his first professional contract on his birthday at the start of this month.

He netted his first hat-trick at Premier League 2 level in a 6-3 victory at Leicester City last month while still 16, also providing an assist in that game. The youngster then sent in a corner from which Dane Scarlett set up Jun'ai Byfield to knock home the winning goal in a 1-0 home victory over West Bromwich Albion a week later.

After his impressive step up to join Wayne Burnett's development squad, the Premier League Football Development Panel named the teenager as the winner of the latest Player of the Month prize. His Tottenham U21s team-mate Rio Kyerematen was also shortlisted for the award after a strong month in the competition.

Frank said of William-Barnett's debut against Doncaster: "Very happy with that. I think it's always a pleasure to be part of a young player's debut. So, yeah, happy with that.

"Definitely over the last many years the focus on the talent development and academies across the world is so big. So the talent pool is bigger. There are these talents coming through that are younger and younger. But one thing is the debut when you're 16. The next step, and much more important, is how Luca or other players take those steps forward. It's very tough to keep going and then get into the first team as a really regular player. But the first step is very important."

If Williams-Barnett continues at his current pace and with the required work ethic, then there are high hopes for him to continue his first team exploits under Frank.

James Maddison is aiming to be back in action for Tottenham before the end of this season but will not rush his recovery from his anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Spurs midfielder suffered the injury to his right knee late on in the friendly against Newcastle in South Korea on August 3, which was Son Heung-min's farewell match for the club. It came after Maddison had only recently returned having missed the Europa League final because of a medial ligament injury in the same knee.

The 28-year-old released a YouTube video on Friday evening showing the first three weeks of his recovery and on his first visit back to Hotspur Way after his operation, he spoke to his team-mates. Maddison thanked both Rodrigo Bentancur and Cristian Romero for sitting with him while he was emotional inside the stadium after the game in Korea.

Spurs captain Romero simply said: "We're family." Bentancur gave Maddison a boost by explaining that his recovery was longer and he needed nine months out because the Uruguayan also damaged the meniscus in his knee, which the England international did not.

When speaking to club doctors, Maddison admitted that he is going to make sure that he is completely ready before coming back, but is hoping to return eight months after the injury which would see him back in April for the Premier League season's final couple of months.

"I've already looked [at the average time out], if it's eight months, six months isn't a question. The stage I'm at now, this needs to be right now," he said. "I'm 28, I'm going to be 29 when I return, I'm in my prime, really. These are my peak years ahead of me. I need to come back and I need to stay fit. So actually I'm not going to be pushing to say 'oh why are you taking so long', sort of thing.

"But if it gets to eight months and we're flying or whatever, if I'm in the right frame, that will allow me to play this season won't it, towards the end."

There were plenty of other interactions between Maddison and his team-mates including one with his fellow midfielder Pape Matar Sarr at the training ground.

"You're my favourite player in the group at the minute. You look sharp," said Maddison. "You look good. It makes me feel better when you play like you did the other night [against PSG]. I think you can get 15 goals this season. I want you to. Promise. 15 goals and I'll get you a gift."

Sarr replied: "Yeah I'll do it for you."

There were also early signs of Dominic Solanke's ankle problem when early in the season the striker said about his ankle when asked by Maddison how it was: "As good as it can be."

Tottenham have identified Brentford winger Kevin Schade as their potential Son Heung-min transfer replacement, according to latest reports. The South Korea international, who culminated a staggering 10 years at the club by winning a trophy, departed this past summer to join MLS side Los Angeles FC.

Attempts were made by Spurs to sign a permanent replacement immediately with Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo linked before a move for Manchester City star Savinho was actively pursued, though that switch did not materialise.

Randal Kolo Muani was brought in on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day, but he has played just 13 minutes due to injury. The Frenchman played a half of football on Friday in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford.

Wilson Odobert looks to be Thomas Frank's chosen left-winger currently, but a new addition is seemingly still wanted - judging by a transfer update from Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg.

He wrote on X: "EXCL | Tottenham are among the teams closely monitoring the development of Kevin #Schade. The 23 y/o left winger is under contract with Brentford until 2028, and #Tottenham have shown interest in a potential transfer in the summer of 2026. One to watch this season — he is currently part of the German national team."

Schade has only managed one Premier League goal this season, but it is fair to say he is now part of a very different Brentford attack after both Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo departed the club for Newcastle United and Manchester United, respectively, this past summer.

Since moving to the Premier League, the German forward has picked up 20 goal contributions from a total of 82 appearances.

Given the output Son was able to maintain over a prolonged period, it is not quite the dream replacement, especially after a cash injection.

As confirmed in a club statement, the Lewis family "through ENIC Sports & Development Holdings Ltd (“ENIC”), injected £100 million of new capital into the Club."

Since leaving Spurs, Son has been in great form with eight goals and two assists arriving from his opening 10 games. He is certainly taking in all the new experiences since moving to the United States, with that continuing in his visit to watch the LA Rams in action at the SoFi Stadium last weekend.

In a video uploaded to their social media account, he said: "I've never seen a better stadium than Tottenham, but this one....So much better."

Despite scoring some memorable goals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it is understandable that he made such a claim with the SoFi Stadium quite the spectacle.

Tottenham Hotspur welcomed Watford in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Hotspur Way on Friday which gave a trio of first team players some much-needed minutes.

Spurs took the opportunity to hand a few of Thomas Frank's squad a run-out against the Championship visitors, who now have a new but familiar face in charge in the shape of Javi Gracia after Paulo Pezzolano was sacked with the Hornets in 11th spot in the table.

Watford brought a strong side to Tottenham's Enfield training ground and duly ran out 2-1 winners on the day against a Spurs side mostly containing young players, but this was more about getting some game time into the legs of players, including summer arrival Randal Kolo Muani. The France international arrived on deadline day in a loan move from PSG and has thus far only made a brief 13-minute substitute appearance from the bench in the Champions League win against Villarreal.

That's because in a training session in the days after, the 26-year-old was involved in a collision with midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, which left him with a dead leg that did not heal quickly and kept him out for the next month.

Now Kolo Muani is back in training though and played 45 minutes in the behind-closed-doors friendly as he stepped up his recovery from the injury. The Frenchman had already been working on his fitness before the injury as he had not played a minute of competitive football since early July at the Club World Cup for Juventus before that Spurs debut and had not been involved in pre-season work with PSG.

The other two first team squad members involved in the friendly against Watford were striker Dane Scarlett, who has been playing for the U21s in recent games, as well as goalkeeper Brandon Austin.

With most of Tottenham's players on international duty, it proved a helpful opportunity to get some fitness into various legs and it could mean with another week of work Kolo Muani might be available to take a spot on Frank's bench for the game against Aston Villa next Sunday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Even Djed Spence's Tottenham team-mates cannot escape his "penitentiary", so what hope do his opponents have?

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to the season under new head coach Thomas Frank after turning his Spurs career around under Ange Postecoglou last year when it seemed like his Premier League dreams might take longer to get going than he expected after struggles in his first couple of years at the north London club.

Spence roared back though and worked his way into the Tottenham starting line-up, mostly providing another option on the left rather than his natural right-back role, and his form not only earned him his England debut last month but on Thursday night he made his first start for Thomas Tuchel.

England kept a clean sheet as they swept aside Wales with three goals in the opening 19 minutes and that allowed Spence to add a very familiar name to the list of wingers he has in his "penitentiary".

The full-back had started to hint on social media about dispensing with the wingers he came up against in pre-season with an image of Arsenal's Bukayo Saka after Spurs' 1-0 win in Hong Kong. Spence used a photo of the England winger on the floor in front of him with the caption "On to the next one".

That of course may just have meant Tottenham's next friendly in South Korea against Newcastle, but the captions began to get clearer. After the 2-0 win at Manchester City, Spence was up against Oscar Bobb and Rico Lewis down his flank and he posted after the game at the Etihad Stadium "Bring me your favourite winger" along with a devil's face emoji.

A few weeks later and another future England colleague got the treatment with Jarrod Bowen pictured, along with the first reference to Spence's winger prison after the 3-0 victory at West Ham with the caption "Who doesn't love a derby win. Penitentiary expanded".

Even his Spurs team-mates did not escape being locked up on social media. In Tottenham's 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup, the visitors had 19-year-old Tottenham winger Damola Ajayi on loan and playing on the right. Spence later posted an image of the teenager behind bars with the words "I'm sorry Lil bro. Welcome to the penitentiary". To his credit, Ajayi responded to it well with a gif of Neil Warnock, a rather pivotal character from Spence's past.

It was no holds barred for Spence now and that mean Brennan Johnson got the treatment after Thursday night's England win against Wales.

Spence has begun tucking the penitentiary images at the end of his Instagram collages and there it was with the Spurs winger's head on a leashed dog with the full-back holding the chain, using the Grand Theft Auto V meme.

"Very happy to get my first England start with a great win, but forget about all that emotional stuff for a second.. YOU CANNOT ESCAPE THE INEVITABLE. LETS TAKE A WALK TO THE PENITENTIARY BROTHER," posted Spence in the captain alongside.

So who is next to be potentially locked up in the Tottenham defender's infamous penitentiary?

Next up after the international break is Aston Villa, who will arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19. If Spence plays at left-back then he will likely be up against 24-year-old Ivory Coast attacker Evann Guessand.

The Corsica-born forward was signed for £30million in the summer from Nice and is yet to get off the mark with a goal or assist for Villa and has mostly been playing off the right for Unai Emery's side. Spence will be hoping to prevent him from getting his landmark first goal for the visitors.

Spence is likely to rotate with Destiny Udogie, and even Pedro Porro on the right, with games coming every three days but for the purposes of this article we're selecting Spence as the left-back for every match and running the England international into the group.

That means he would likely come up against a much-linked Spurs target in the summer window, Maghnes Akliouche, as the north London club travel to Monaco in the Champions League on October 22. The 23-year-old France international has two goals and one assist to his name in six Ligue 1 games so far and will present plenty of trickery and ability down the right-flank for Monaco.

Up next is a trip to Everton on October 26 and potentially another Tottenham transfer target from the past 12 months in the shape of Tyler Dibling. The 19-year-old has played on the right in the past couple of games for Everton, although David Moyes had been using Iliman Ndiaye a fair amount in the role and the Senegal international has three goals and an assist from his seven Premier League games so far so could get the nod against the Lilywhites.

October 29 brings the Carabao Cup fourth round trip to Newcastle, where Sweden international Anthony Elanga has mostly been the right winger of choice but has failed to provide a goal or assist yet in the Premier League since his move from Nottingham Forest. Jacob Murphy has also been turning out on the right for Eddie Howe, so Spence could come up against either if he starts at St James' Park.

To complete the run of the next five matches is a home derby on November 1 against Chelsea when Spence, if he is at left-back, will likely have to deal with Neto and his array of talents. November brings plenty more challenges with games against Manchester United, Arsenal and PSG among the bunch.

That means Spence will have plenty of opportunities to add more names to his penitentiary and Thomas Frank will be hoping he does, because the more wingers who get locked up behind those social media bars, it can only mean good things for Tottenham.

Thomas Frank's tenure at Tottenham has started strongly and some of his players have begun the new campaign well while others are yet to find their feet under the Dane.

Going into the October international break, the 51-year-old head coach has got Spurs sitting third in the Premier League table, unbeaten in the Champions League so far and through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup where they will face Newcastle at St James' Park.

With a string of new faces, some injury problems and a range of differing performances across his opening 11 matches at the helm, Frank has used 22 players so far for Tottenham.

We're going to rate all of the ones who have played 90 minutes or more so that means three miss out on ratings because there's just not a strong enough of a sample size to go off for Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani, who have played 49 and 13 minutes respectively, while 16-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett got his debut against Doncaster Rovers in the 87th minute and will hopefully get plenty more minutes over the coming months and years.

Here are our Spurs player ratings for the season so far plus the head coach, and yes we're using half marks to help us out. As usual we're rating the players against their own expectations for this season rather than against each other.

Guglielmo Vicario

Vicario has appeared in 10 matches and kept clean sheets in four of those games. The Italian has had some sticky moments, occasionally in not pushing the ball far enough from danger with reaction saves, but his mistakes have been somewhat exaggerated when on the whole he's been solid enough. His stats up against other Premier League goalkeepers have him top for prevented goals, save percentage, touches, passes completed and short passes completed. The stats from DataMB suggest no goalkeeper has completed more passes or short passes in Europe’s major leagues this season. He's not perfect but some of what he's done has gone under the radar, such as the huge late save at Leeds to help Spurs win the game last weekend. 7

Antonin Kinsky

Just the one game for the Czech keeper with a clean sheet against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup and he made a terrific save during that otherwise quiet encounter in goal. Not much of a sample size but the 22-year-old will get more minutes this season. 6

Pedro Porro

One of only three players to have played in all 11 matches for Spurs and has played more minutes than anyone else with 907 which is no surprise after last season. The Spaniard has contributed two assists and should have had more. Defensively he's helped Spurs to five clean sheets even if he's had some tough moments with wingers, not least in the matches against Bodo/Glimt - although he did grab an assist and play a part in the late equaliser - and Bournemouth, although Porro won't be the last full-back to struggle with Semenyo. 6.5

Djed Spence

Spence keeps going from strength to strength. He hasn't been perfect and definitely looks better on the left but he's played in 10 of the 11 Tottenham matches and has added plenty of wingers to his penitentiary. His form has been rewarded with his England debut and first start on Thursday night as well as a new Spurs contract. Just needs to add some assists and better final third play to his game while his European performances haven't been his best, but this has been overall a good start to the season. 7

Destiny Udogie

The Italian returned from injury to play in eight games this season and has looked bright with some strong displays as his fitness has improved. 6

Cristian Romero

The new Tottenham captain has led by example across the nine matches he's played in and very little has got past him as he's played his part in the clean sheets. Fresh from that new contract he also scored in the UEFA Super Cup and provided that perfect assist for Bergvall's goal at West Ham. Spurs missed him when he didn't play in Bodo and that says plenty. 7.5

Micky van de Ven

Stepped up another level this season under Frank and has added goals to his game with three in his 10 matches after the Dane challenged him to score more. Van de Ven captained the team against Bodo and scored that night before taking his place in the new leadership group ahead of older players like Porro and Bentancur. That leadership ability might have come as a surprise for some but Frank saw it immediately in the young Dutchman. Has the second highest amount of minutes for an outfield player in the squad with 890 and that shows his growing fitness. 8.5

Kevin Danso

In and out of the team with seven appearances, but only three starts and none in the Premier League. He's helped close out some games but his lack of rhythm has showed at times, especially with his passing. 5.5

Joao Palhinha

One of the bargains of the summer transfer window and he's been pivotal to Spurs playing well with his assured, combative displays in anchoring the midfield. The Portuguese has appeared in all 11 games and scored three goals, which has been an unexpected bonus with important strikes at Manchester City, against Wolves and that acrobatic effort against Doncaster. 8.5

Rodrigo Bentancur

Another to get a new contract, the Uruguayan has been inconsistent this season so far. At times, he's been superb with his composure on the ball, at other times that composure has vanished as the games have worn on and he's put Spurs in trouble at times. Frank loves him though and he should benefit from that trust to get back to some consistency. 6.5

Lucas Bergvall

Another season of development for the young Swede, often playing in a more advanced number 10 role than he was last season. He's contributed one goal and three assists, while also forcing the Villarreal own goal that ended up being the winner that night. It's easy to forget Bergvall is still only 19-years-old because he's played 55 times for Spurs since arriving last year. So much more to come which will frighten opposition players everywhere. 8

Pape Matar Sarr

Started the season well and has one goal and two assists to his name, but has lost his rhythm a little bit in recent weeks after a little thigh issue kept him for a couple of games. 7

Archie Gray

Finally getting the chance to play in midfield and Gray has mostly impressed when he's got his chances across five matches, albeit often coming off the bench late on, including playing a key part in forcing the late own goal at Bodo. Just the 188 minutes so far under his belt this campaign. 6

Xavi Simons

Just the seven games at this point and he's been mostly put out on the left. The Dutchman is adjusting gradually to the pace and power of the Premier League, with one assist to his name, but there's been recent signs that he's starting to pick up the rhythm required, especially when played in the number 10 role. 6.5

Wilson Odobert

Just the one assist from nine matches but the young Frenchman has also started to show signs of getting into the swing of Frank's system. The Dane really likes the winger and if he improves his strength and decision-making then he could become a real handful on the left as he hasn't got the end product right now that his skills suggest he should have. 6

Mohammed Kudus

Spurs' player of the season so far with five assists and that first goal last week from his opening 10 games in a Tottenham shirt. So much strength and trickery and he's been the outlet for the north London side when the going has got tough. His team-mates always look for him because they know he can hold the ball-up. There's a more advanced and goal-threatening Mousa Dembele vibe to Kudus with his ability to twist and turn with the ball at his feet. He's going to become a Spurs star because there's even more to come. 9

Brennan Johnson

Kudus' arrival has impacted Johnson the most even though he started off well with back-to-back goals in the opening two Premier League games and the 24-year-old bagged another against Doncaster Rovers. It says plenty about the Wales international that he's had a disappointing season so far yet is Spurs' joint top scorer - behind Mr Owen Goal - after topping the goal charts last season. Needs to add more to his game, especially his one-vs-one play and grab any opportunities that come, wherever Frank uses him. 6.5

Mathys Tel

Everyone was delighted for the 20-year-old Frenchman when he scored at Leeds last weekend after a tough few weeks, including being left out of the club's Champions League squad. He's being used though across the other competitions with seven appearances so far and he's adjusting to that striker role with each passing appearance. The key though will be how much game time he gets, and where he plays, when Solanke and Kolo Muani return. 6

Richarlison

Started the season superbly, including that brace against Burnley, and he netted to spark the comeback at Brighton while also grabbing an assist at Manchester City, but he's looked like a player overplayed because of the injury situation up front. The Brazilian's consistency has dropped, as has his movement into dangerous areas. He's staying fit though at the moment which is a huge plus and he will benefit, even if he might not like it, from the other strikers returning to give him a rest. 7

And the manager...

Thomas Frank

You can't really argue with 11 opening matches that have brought just one defeat since that UEFA Super Cup penalty shoot-out. The Dane has come in and tried to build a strong foundation to the team and he hasn't been helped by the injuries up front at the other end of the pitch.

Yet to be third in the Premier League table at this point, unbeaten in the Champions League so far and in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup is exactly what the 51-year-old was asked to come in and do - compete across all competitions.

It hasn't always been pretty and Frank's team is definitely still trying to figure out how to create and play more fluid football going forward, even if they've scored the joint-third most goals in the Premier League.

You can see the development in some players already and what will now be key is building on the manner of the attacking performances and how the Dane deals with the inevitable injury crisis to come with so many fixtures in the schedule.

Thomas Frank has enjoyed a bright start at Tottenham. The ex-Brentford manager has brought a welcome mix of consistency and tactical flexibility - qualities that were missing under Ange Postecoglou last season.

A record of six wins, four draws, and a single loss from their first 11 matches reflects a strong start, highlighted by an impressive 2–0 triumph at Manchester City in August. Yet after a promising early streak, Spurs' momentum has slowed, with three draws in their last five fixtures.

Clean sheets have become rare. After conceding only once in their opening four Premier League games, Frank's side have let in four goals in their last three outings and six across their last five matches in all competitions.

Overall, Tottenham's outlook remains positive, though a demanding sequence of fixtures is looming. They face home games against Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as challenging away trips to Monaco, Everton, and Newcastle.

Frank will need to have every detail finely tuned to navigate this period successfully. With that in mind, here are four major priorities for the Dane as he prepares for the rest of the season.

Get Xavi Simons firing

Tottenham's capture of Xavi Simons from under the noses of Chelsea this summer felt like a coup. Yet while the Dutchman's arrival generated significant excitement, his North London debut has been steady rather than spectacular. He hasn't performed poorly, but he also hasn't justified his £52million price tag.

Part of the challenge is that Frank has yet to determine Simons' best position. The 22-year-old, who has contributed just one goal involvement (an assist against West Ham) in seven appearances, has been deployed in multiple positions - No. 10, left wing, and No. 8 - but has struggled to find proper rhythm in any of them.

Simons is not a like-for-like replacement for James Maddison, the creative heartbeat he has stepped in for following Maddison's ACL injury. Where Maddison thrives with invention and flair, Simons is more of a passing midfielder - someone who keeps the game flowing and links attacks rather than producing solo moments of magic. This isn't a weakness, but he requires the right system and support to shine.

For Frank, the priority is clear: pinpoint Simons' best position and structure the team around him to unlock his potential. Once he settles into a defined role and builds confidence, Tottenham could finally witness the talent that dazzled at Barcelona and PSG academies and impressed in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig last season.

Find a reliable No. 9

For Spurs to progress under Frank, they require a reliable, clinical centre-forward - a true No. 9 capable of converting half-chances. Currently, that profile is absent from the squad.

Dominic Solanke has shown glimpses of quality, but injuries have hindered his consistency. Richarlison works hard but remains unpredictable in front of goal, while Mathys Tel, though talented, is still a long-term prospect rather than a reliable weekly scorer.

Randal Kolo Muani, on loan from PSG, remains largely untested. Once hailed as a rising star after his breakthrough at Eintracht Frankfurt, his stint in Paris didn't pan out, and although a loan spell at Juventus was an improvement, it wasn't remarkable. He's currently injured, limiting his impact on Spurs.

Among these four, there is talent and potential, but not the ruthless finishing needed to compete for top-four positions. Tottenham need a striker capable of scoring 20+ goals per season - someone who can turn tight games into wins and lift the team when form dips.

That is the kind of edge Harry Kane once provided, and it's what Spurs have missed since his exit. Kane is often linked with a return but has poured cold water on the idea of a Premier League comeback any time soon, meaning alternatives must be sought.

Frank's task is twofold: either get one of the current forwards performing consistently or recruit a striker who can deliver elite output.

Samu Omorodion is one possibility. Since joining Porto in 2024, he has scored 24 goals in 37 league games. The Spain international, previously linked with Chelsea and compared to Didier Drogba and Victor Osimhen, has an £84m release clause.

Though costly, his current form suggests he could be worth it. Similar fees were paid this summer for Hugo Ekitike and Nick Woltemade, who both turned out to be smart investments.

A January move may be unlikely, but Tottenham could start planning for a summer transfer now. Meanwhile, Frank must aim to get at least one striker firing immediately. Without that, Spurs' potential ceiling remains frustratingly limited.

Work out the midfield

Despite a promising start, one major question persists: what is Tottenham's best midfield? Rotation is necessary, but establishing a consistent central trio is vital for rhythm and cohesion.

So far, Frank has experimented with various combinations involving Joao Palhinha, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, Xavi Simons, and Archie Gray in different trios. Sometimes he deploys a flat three, other times two sitting behind a No. 10. That adaptability is part of Frank's appeal. But excessive flexibility can breed uncertainty.

Palhinha and Bentancur provide a disciplined base but may lack the creative spark to unlock tight games. Sarr offers energy, while Bergvall and Gray bring composure, but none have firmly established themselves. Maddison's eventual return raises further questions: does he slot in as a pure No. 10, or will he be better suited deeper?

These decisions are crucial. The midfield is the engine of any successful side, and while depth is valuable, stability fosters understanding. To evolve from a promising team into a cohesive unit, Frank must identify his preferred trio and give them time to gel.

Get going in the Champions League

Tottenham could benefit greatly from making a strong European statement this season. A deep Champions League run would enhance their reputation and reassert their status among the continent's elite, a position they have not fully occupied the Mauricio Pochettino era.

The campaign began modestly. A narrow 1–0 win over Villarreal was followed by a lacklustre 2–2 draw with Bodo/Glimt, leaving Spurs with work to do in the group stage. Momentum is essential - a sequence of wins could push them toward the knockout rounds and restore belief at this level.

They have already shown they can compete with Europe's finest, nearly beating PSG in the Super Cup before conceding two late goals and losing on penalties. Such performances prove Tottenham have the quality; now they need consistency.

For a young squad, a strong European campaign could boost confidence and build a winning mentality. While Spurs have shown flashes domestically, transferring that form to Europe would mark real progress.

With Champions League qualification for next season not yet guaranteed, there is every reason to push for it. A confident approach could not only elevate Tottenham's season but also reaffirm that they remain capable of mixing it with the best.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence has taken a brutal dig at club teammate Brennan Johnson after England secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Wales in a friendly at Wembley Stadium. The Three Lions ended the match as a contest inside 20 minutes after a blistering display from Thomas Tuchel's men.

Aston Villa duo Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins bagged the opening two goals inside 11 minutes. The first came thanks to a neat finish from Rogers, while Watkins showed his poacher's instincts at the back post to double the advantage.

The result was taken out of all doubt when Arsenal's Bukayo Saka curled home a third for England as Tuchel's side prepared for their next World Cup qualifier against Latvia, which could see them advance to the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada. From a Spurs perspective, the result was a mixed one for their players.

For Spence, it was a night to remember as he made his first appearance for the England first-team at Wembley Stadium. As for Johnson, it was one he would like to forget in a hurry.

Sadly for the winger, Spence was not letting him off that easily. Post-match, the defender sent a brutal message to his club teammate, celebrating the result.

"Very happy to get my first England start with a great win," he wrote on Instagram. "But forget about all that emotional stuff for a second.

"You cannot escape the inevitable. Let's take a walk to the penitentiary brother."

The post was accompanied by a compilation of images showing Spence in action, including one of him alongside Johnson during the game. He also included a superimposed picture of himself walking Johnson on a leash that was used in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise.

Spence is no stranger to social media antics and was recently asked about it in a sit-down interview with TNT Sports pundit Peter Crouch. When shown some of his recent activity, including references to the penitentiary, the defender explained that he creates the posts with players that he has a personal friendship with.

After the 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers, Spence posted an image of Damola Ajay 'behind bars'. Ajay is currently on loan at the South Yorkshire club from Spurs and the Tottenham defender admitted that it was merely a joke and not done to cause offence.

It has been a great season so far for Spence at Tottenham. In the September international break, the 25-year-old became the first Muslim player to represent England.

Former Tottenham Hotspur chief football officer Scott Munn is closing in on a new role at Serie A side Parma, according to reports in Italy.

football.london reported back in June that the Australian had been placed on gardening leave by Spurs after less than two years at the club. The 51-year-old was a key ally of Ange Postecoglou during his time at the club. However, when the head coach was sacked following the Europa League win in Bilbao, along with the arrival of a new chief executive officer in Vinai Venkatesham, Munn's time at the club headed towards its close.

The decision would come amid a summer of change at Tottenham with chairman Daniel Levy departing after 24 years at the north London club as well as his long-time advisor and Spurs executive director Donna-Maria Cullen, a long-time advisor, while the Lewis family, who injected £100million into the club on Thursday, took a more prominent ownership role.

Now Gazzetta dello Sport and Parma Today has reported that Munn is finalising a deal to join Parma as the new head of the Krause Group's football division. The decision is said to have been made by Parma president Kyle Krause to strengthen the Serie A club's organisational structure.

When Munn joined Tottenham back in 2023 from the City Group, after a delay following his initial announce, he joined in the newly-created chief football officer role.

At that point Levy said of him: "Scott has a unique and broad experience of running sporting organisations at the highest level and will take responsibility for the leadership and management of our football activities to instil best practice both on and off the pitch."

Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall will soon make it impossible for Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson to bench him, reckons his long-time former coach.

The 19-year-old has made a huge impression at Spurs since joining in January 2024 and despite his age has already played 55 times for the Premier League club, contributing two goals and seven assists. After playing in a deeper role under Ange Postecoglou, Bergvall has been employed in a more attacking role by Thomas Frank and continues to be a regular under the Dane.

The teenager is seen as one of Sweden's big rising talents yet his international boss Tomasson appears yet to be convinced by his readiness despite his appearances in the Premier League, Champions League and last season's triumphant Europa League run to the final, which he missed in Bilbao through an ankle injury.

Bergvall has just four international caps for Sweden and has not played a single minute for his country since November last year. He was not named in the squad in March and then missed the June games with his ankle damage. While the young midfielder was called up for the World Cup qualifiers last month, he watched on unused as Sweden drew 2-2 in Slovenia and then lost 2-0 away against Kosovo.

Bergvall will now be hoping to get minutes as the under-fire Tomasson's Sweden welcome Switzerland on Friday evening before hosting Kosovo on Monday night.

His former coach at both Djurgarden and Brommapojkarna, Peter Kisfaludy is among those frustrated in his homeland at the lack of minutes for the teenager and told fotbolldirekt in an interview this week that it will soon become impossible for Bergvall to be left out of the starting XI.

"It is the national manager who decides, but I think many people, including me, feel that it will soon be impossible to keep Lucas out of the team any longer," said the coach, who has worked with Bergvall since he was a small child. "He should start now, considering how he is growing in both the Premier League and the Champions League and with such offensive qualities – he should only start in a Swedish national team.

"Look at what he does at a club that is at the top of the Premier League. You have to understand that he ran 12km in Tottenham's match with Villarreal and I don't think anyone else in our senior national team does that. The drive he has in his running... and he's just getting more and more powerful."

He added: "If there's something that Tottenham loves [about him], it's his transition game. He can play as both a number six and a number ten and can equally take on the defensive work. I'm convinced that his drive with the ball will eventually make him a high-level scorer for both club and national team."