Football FanCast

Despite spending over £100m on new additions during the summer transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur failed to address the issue at the top end of the pitch.

The likes of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons arrived in North London, bolstering the ranks, but neither are natural centre forwards, which has left Thomas Frank short in such an area.

Richarlison has operated in such a role for the majority of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, but he’s often failed to deliver - as seen by his run of eight games without a goal.

Dominic Solanke is another option the Dane will have been hoping to rely upon, but the club-record addition, who cost £65m last summer, has been sidelined since August after undergoing ankle surgery.

Randal Kolo Muani was added to the Lilywhites squad in the summer, only joining on loan from PSG, but he’s only started one game across all competitions to date.

However, the board could be about to back the new manager during the upcoming January transfer window, with numerous names already appearing on the club’s shortlist.

Latest on Spurs' striker search

Over the last couple of days, Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović has been mentioned as a possible target for Spurs in January, with returning Sporting Director Fabio Paratici likely playing a key role in the deal.

The Lilywhites have been named as one of the sides pursuing a move for the 25-year-old, who’s already found the net three times in Serie A throughout 2025/26.

Any deal for the Serbian international could prove to be a cut-price one, with the talisman’s current contract with the Serie A outfit set to expire at the end of June next year.

However, he’s not the only attacker currently in their sights, with Porto talent Samu Aghehowa another option currently being considered by Frank and Paratici.

According to TEAMtalk’s latest report, the Lilywhites have been closely monitoring the Spaniard over the last couple of months and are considering a potential approach in January.

The article also states that the 21-year-old could be an expensive addition for the Lilywhites this winter, especially considering the talisman has a £87m release clause in his current deal in Portugal.

As previously mentioned, it’s clear the board are targeting a new number nine in the near future, but any addition will have a near-impossible task of filling the void in North London.

Why Spurs’ latest target could be Frank’s own Harry Kane

The likes of Richarlison and Solanke have often been given a hard time by the Spurs supporters over recent seasons - no doubt due to the levels produced by Harry Kane before them.

The England international was so often the key man for the first-team during his decade-long spell in North London, with the figures he produced nothing short of breathtaking.

He netted a total of 280 goals in his 435 competitive outings for the Lilywhites, a tally that sees him sit at the top of the club’s all-time goalscoring charts.

Breaking down his numbers further adds yet another dimension to his quality, with the England international scoring over 30 goals in 50% of his seasons in England’s top-flight.

However, he was sold to Bayern Munich for a reported £82m in the summer of 2023, leaving the Spurs squad without that clinical centre-forward they so often turned to in moments of struggle.

As a result, Frank has been unable to work with the 32-year-old, but he could be handed his own version of the talisman, should the club complete a deal for Aghehowa.

The Spaniard has become known for his goalscoring ability in Portugal over the last 12 months - as seen by his incredible tally of 36 strikes in his 56 appearances.

He’s already managed to register 11 goals in his first 14 appearances, which has led to talent scout Jacek Kulig labelling him as “one of Europe’s most prolific players”.

Aghehowa’s underlying stats further highlight the all-round talent he possesses in attacking areas, subsequently making him the perfect player to fill the void Kane left a couple of years ago.

He’s achieved a total of 2.4 shots on target per 90, a total which ranks him within the top 5% of all players in the Liga Portugal for the ongoing campaign.

The youngster has also completed 81% of the passes he’s attempted, whilst winning 58% of the aerial battles he’s entered - arguably making him the perfect focal point for Frank’s men.

Despite being a target man, the Spaniard has also demonstrated tidy footwork over recent months, as seen by his total of 1.3 successful dribbles per 90 in 2025/26.

It’s unclear if Porto would be willing to negotiate a deal lower than his release clause, but Paratici should be working tirelessly to complete a deal for his signature.

Should he make the move to North London during the winter months, it certainly will hand Frank the talisman he’s craved - potentially allowing the Dane to have his own version of fan-favourite, Kane.

Tottenham Hotspur’s exit from the Carabao Cup last night was evidence of the hot and cold nature of Thomas Frank’s tenure at the helm so far in 2025/26.

Coming into the clash against Newcastle United, the Lilywhites claimed a superb 3-0 victory against Everton in the Premier League - but such a showing at St James’ Park was the polar opposite.

Fabian Schar and Nick Woltemade’s efforts either side of the break secured the win for Eddie Howe’s men, with Frank’s first chance of claiming a trophy in North London evaporating in front of his eyes.

The Dane only made four changes from his starting eleven that defeated the Toffees on Sunday night, but little players failed to cover themselves in glory on Tyneside.

One player in particular was handed a second successive start last night, with such a run now expected to come to an end after his dismal display against the Magpies.

Brennan Johnson’s evening to forget against Newcastle

After Mohammed Kudus’ summer arrival from West Ham United, winger Brennan Johnson has often had to resort to minutes off the bench to make an impact for Spurs.

Such a decision may have come as a surprise to many of the Lilywhites faithful, especially after the Welshman ended last year on 18 goals - even scoring the winner in the Europa League final.

However, 2025/26 has been a different story for the 24-year-old, with his performances night and day from his spell under Ange Postecoglou last campaign.

His showing against Howe’s side was yet another disappointment - with his withdrawal in just the 65th minute highlighting his lack of positive impact in the North East.

Johnson only achieved a total of 28 touches, whilst losing possession on 14 occasions, subsequently gifting the ball back to the opposition every other time he was in control of the play.

Other figures such as zero dribbles and crosses completed further demonstrate his lack of creativity, something which Kudus has possessed in abundance - as seen by his tally of four assists for the Lilywhites.

Such was the level of disappointment around his showing, one Spurs analyst labelled the former Nottingham Forest star as a “passenger” - which proves Frank made the right decision by replacing him with the Ghanaian this summer.

The Spurs player who now looks finished under Frank

Alongside Johnson, numerous other players struggled to match the expectations placed upon them by the Spurs faithful ahead of the meeting with Howe’s men.

Joao Palhinha has been an excellent addition for the Lilywhites, offering the side the perfect ball-winning option at the heart of the midfield, but he was forced to operate out of position last night.

The issues at the back saw the Portuguese international drop into a centre-back role - ultimately taking away his best quality, as seen in his tally of zero tackles won.

Despite his lack of impact, Palhinha certainly left more of a positive impression than Richarlison, with the centre-forward once again ensuring an evening to forget.

After being dropped to the bench against former side Everton on Sunday, Frank recalled him to his starting eleven - handing the Brazilian the opportunity to prove his worth.

However, for the eighth game in a row, the 28-year-old was unable to find the back of the net, with his underlying figures showcasing his lack of impact against the Magpies.

Richarlison managed to complete just nine passes during his 78-minute display, whilst also losing possession on eight occasions, often being unable to provide the local point Frank has craved.

In front of goal, the Brazilian was just as wasteful, registering three shots on target, but two of which were defined as big chances missed - leading to one analyst labelling his showing as “unacceptable”.

His dismal display was further highlighted by his inability to complete any dribbles, crosses or create any chances for his teammate, with the manager desperately needing a solution to his problems.

Randal Kolo Muani was brought on in the second half, with the Frenchman producing numerous mazy runs which could see him handed the chance to start from the off against Chelsea.

As for Richarlison, his double on the opening day of 2025/26 has certainly fooled people into thinking he can be the talisman Frank needs to achieve success in North London.

However, there’s no denying that the Brazilian has ultimately failed to match those standards in recent weeks, as seen by his goal drought, which dates back to the 20th of September.

It’s clear he’s not the man the Lilywhites need to progress to the next level, with his career at the club pretty much all but over - which should open the door for a potential January exit.

Newcastle United's Carabao Cup campaign continues. Eddie Howe's fine record against Tottenham Hotspur continues. The sense that the Magpies are gearing up for yet another glittering chapter in this incredible story grows stronger.

A pair of headers got the job done against Thomas Frank's Spurs, courtesy of centre-back Fabian Schar and new striker Nick Woltemade, who arrived from Stuttgart for a club-record £69m fee in August, replacing Alexander Isak.

The German striker faced his detractors upon that high-profile and much-scrutinised move to the Premier League, but he's passing each test with flying colours, and he proved his worth once again with a strong performance in the cup.

Nick Woltemade continues to impress

Woltemade, 23, has scored six goals from just 11 matches in a Newcastle shirt. That's quite the return for a raw, up-and-coming forward trying their hand in a new country for the first time.

But he's been immense, and his confident header against Tottenham, latching onto Joe Willock's cross, underscored the quality and potential still to come.

Woltemade has drawn all the plaudits, with onlookers singing his praises once again as he helped his team advance to the quarter-finals. Yet again, he proved he's more than just a goalscorer, creating two chances and winning four duels (as per Sofascore).

However, he wasn't the best player on the pitch, and that's a testament to the outfit Howe has crafted.

Indeed, there's one man in particular who is starting to look like one of the very best in the business.

Newcastle's "absolute joke" outplayed Woltemade

Newcastle are defined by their recruitment, and while you could pick any number of Howe signings as jackpot additions, none stand taller than Sandro Tonali, whose rise has been well-documented over the past year, and yet he still shocks onlookers with his quality.

After a tough maiden year in England, the Italy international has grown into his skin and is now one of the Premier League's best players. He simply has so many dimensions to choose from, and was praised to no end for his Man of the Match performance.

Described as an "absolute joke" who "just keeps getting better and better" by journalist Andy Sixsmith, there's a feeling across Tyneside that the 26-year-old could be the key to shattering expectations this term, and he took Newcastle that step closer with a controlled performance against the Lilywhites.

Schar opened the scoring in the first half, but it was Tonali's inch-perfect delivery that found the Swiss's head. This is a man of many talents, who won both of his tackles and made seven ball recoveries besides.

But most impressive of all is that the 92-touch Tonali lost the ball only three times on the evening. He was sitting in the centre of the park, and yet he was almost untouchable as he orchestrated and engineered.

The Shields Gazette were blown away by the tireless performance, hailing Tonali's 9/10 display and drawing attention to his energy and quality. In a sentence: he was peerless in the middle of the park.

Tonali just continues to be so effortlessly good. His football is a work of art, but he's tenacious and gripping too, absolutely a completely-shaped midfielder.

Tottenham Hotspur crashed out of the fourth round of the Carabao Cup last night, losing 2-0 against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United side at St James’ Park.

Thomas Frank’s men were sunk after two goals from Fabian Schar and Nick Woltemade, subsequently offering very little in return at the opposite end of the pitch.

The Dane will no doubt be disappointed with the defeat, but the nature of it too, especially after being unable to find the back of the net with any of their six shots on target.

Such a defeat crosses off the first opportunity for the new manager to get his hands on a piece of silverware after taking the reins during the off-season.

However, regardless of the result, the performance will be the most infuriating aspect for the boss, with numerous players struggling to take advantage of the start handed their way.

Spurs’ poor performers against Newcastle

Richarlison started the 2025/26 season in excellent fashion, scoring twice on the opening day, but the Brazilian has massively failed to deliver over the last few months.

The 28-year-old started the clash against the Magpies last night, but once again struggled, as seen by his tally of just nine passes completed and one big chance missed.

The centre-forward also failed to complete any of the dribbles, crosses or long balls he attempted - ultimately being hugely wasteful in all aspects of his game.

Richarlison wasn’t alone in failing to deliver, with midfielder Pape Sarr unable to stake his claim for a regular role once again in his first start since the end of September.

The Senegalese international was restricted in his double pivot role with Rodrigo Bentancur, subsequently losing possession on ten separate occasions on Tyneside.

The 23-year-old likes to operate with freedom to allow him to create chaos, something which he was unable to do, as seen by his tally of zero dribbles completed.

Despite the showings from the aforementioned duo, one other Lilywhites star massively struggled against Howe’s side, with Frank needing to drop him from his starting eleven.

The Spurs star who needs to be dropped after Newcastle

Last night’s defeat against Newcastle was just the third competitive defeat of the Frank era at Spurs, but it will no doubt highlight the areas of improvement for the manager.

After replacing Ange Postecoglou in the summer, the 51-year-old was handed over £100m worth of funds to make the changes he required to the first team squad.

Mohammed Kudus was his biggest addition at a staggering £55m, but the Ghanaian was dropped to the substitutes bench and only brought on with 25 minutes remaining.

His tally of one goal and four assists in the Premier League highlights his immediate impact in North London, subsequently nailing down the right-wing position as his own.

As a result, Brennan Johnson has often been limited to minutes off the bench himself, but given Kudus’ rest, the Welshman was handed the chance to start from the off.

It was the 24-year-old’s second start in a row after featuring against Everton on Sunday, but once again, he failed to repay the manager for the faith shown in him.

The winger featured for just 65 minutes against the Magpies before being replaced, subsequently showcasing his lack of positive impact on the pitch.

He only achieved a total of 28 touches during the defeat - a tally fewer than goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who managed 50 - whilst also completing just 11 passes.

Johnson also attempted four crosses on Tyneside, but none of which were able to find a teammate - but he also struggled to have an individual impact as he failed to register a single shot on target.

Other tallies, such as 100% ground duels lost and 14 times possession lost, further indicate his struggles, with Frank desperately needing to drop him from his starting eleven.

To top off his dismal night, Johnson was handed a measly 5/10 match rating by The Standard’s Matt Verri - further showcasing how disappointing he was during his 65-minute showing.

The manager will no doubt be hugely disappointed with the Welshman’s inability to impress, with the Dane certainly needing to drop him against Chelsea on Saturday.

Kudus has certainly cemented such a position within the Lilywhites squad, with Johnson now needing to get used to limited minutes off the bench.

Tottenham were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by a superior Newcastle United side at St. James' Park on Wednesday night, and pundit Jamie O'Hara was quick to point out one player during the 90.

Newcastle 2-0 Tottenham

Spurs fell behind with 24 minutes gone when Fabian Schar met Sandro Tonali’s corner – which was delayed by Djed Spence re-tying his bootlaces – with a firm downward header, prompting ultimately-futile protests from the visitors that the defender had not been allowed to get back into position.

Thomas Frank's side might have been level through their most fluent attack of the half 13 minutes before the break when Brennan Johnson headed the ball into the path of the unmarked Lucas Bergvall, but his cross fell behind Richarlison and the midfielder only just failed to reach Johnson’s driven ball at the far post two minutes later.

Aaron Ramsdale fielded Kevin Danso’s speculative effort and Richarlison’s header, but in the meantime, Harvey Barnes had fired against the crossbar after Thiaw had played a Tonali cross back across goal and his side headed in at the break with the slimmest of advantages.

Joe Willock should have extended Newcastle’s lead within two minutes of the restart, only to mistime and misdirect his header from Barnes’ cross, but he soon made amends after Malick Thiaw picked off Danso’s ball forward.

Willock crossed for Nick Woltemade to head past Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who was stuck in two minds coming out to parry, with the Magpies doubling their advantage.

As Spurs pushed men forward in the search of a foothold, the hosts prospered on the counter, but they needed a superb one-handed save from Aaron Ramsdale to keep out Pape Sarr’s curling attempt on the hour and another to repel Richarlison’s clever flick from a Pedro Porro cross.

However, there was no way back for Frank’s men in the end, as Spurs went back down south with nothing to show for their efforts.

Jamie O'Hara slams "non league" Antonin Kinsky for Tottenham goalkeeping

Given what was a questionable bit of goalkeeping at best from Kinsky, with the Czech ace at fault for being in no mans land for Woltemade's goal, O'Hara was among the many critics to take aim on social media.

This moment sealed Tottenham's fate as Frank's side went crashing out of the cup, and there is a serious case to be made that Kinsky's fatal error of judgement cost the Lilywhites a place in the quarter-finals.

O'Hara, taking to X, blasted the 22-year-old's "non league" goalkeeping standards right after Woltemade's first and Newcastle's second of the game.

There have been doubts surrounding number one Guglielmo VIcario's ability to command his area this season, but the Italian's exceptional shot-stopping against Monaco and Everton all but seals his place as Frank's first choice keeper for now.

Going by his display against Newcastle, the young Kinsky could still have some way to go, though it is important to remember that the ex-Slavia Prague sensation is still in his infancy when it comes to goalkeeping years.

Coming into the 2025/26 campaign, expectations were all over the place for Tottenham Hotspur supporters after the hot and cold season prior under Ange Postecoglou.

The Lilywhites finished 17th in the Premier League but won the Europa League, but it wasn’t enough for the Aussie to keep his job - with such responsibility falling into the hands of Thomas Frank.

He’s been tasked with the responsibility of leading the club back up England’s top-flight, whilst also being competitive in the Champions League after their recent European triumph.

The Dane has already made an immediate impact in North London, losing only three of his first 14 games at the helm and subsequently achieving a 50% win rate to date.

Numerous players have already managed to impress during the current campaign, with one first-team member in particular catching the eye after his summer transfer.

How Kudus compares to other PL wingers in 25/26

In an attempt to hit the ground running as Spurs manager, Frank spent big to land the signature of winger Mohammed Kudus - forking out £55m for his signature from West Ham United.

The Ghanaian international arrived with huge excitement, understandably so given the nature of the fee, but it’s safe to say he’s already delivered the goods in North London.

The 25-year-old has already netted his first goal for the Lilywhites, whilst laying on four assists for his teammates - the joint most of any player in the division.

However, Kudus’ underlying stats are just as impressive, with his figures further highlighting how big of an impact he’s already had during the early days of his time at the club.

He’s completed the most take-ons of any player in Europe’s top-five leagues across 2025/26, with his tally of 30 successful take-ons over three times higher than Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.

The Ghanaian also ranks in the 98th percentile for take-ons completed per 90 in the Premier League (3.7) - further showcasing his incredible ability at beating the opposition.

Getting past a defender is one thing, but the former West Ham star has also highlighted his ability to produce the end product at the end of his mazy runs.

Kudus has achieved an average of 7.6 crosses per 90, a tally that ranks him in the top 2% of all attackers in the Premier League, with 1.9 of his efforts finding a teammate in the 18-yard box.

Such a feat has allowed him to register 0.5 assists per 90, which also ranks him in the top 3% of all players in England’s top-flight - with his £55m fee now looking like a real bargain.

The Spurs player who’s now becoming world-class

Despite Kudus’ success in the Premier League, numerous other Spurs players have managed to impress under Frank - helping the side currently sit in 3rd place.

Micky Van de Ven has been a huge presence at the back for the Lilywhites, helping the first-team keep a total of four clean sheets in the first nine league outings of 2025/26.

However, he’s also demonstrated his talents at the other end of the pitch, scoring three times in England’s top-flight and sitting as the club’s joint-top scorer.

Such a feat has also been replicated by midfielder Joao Palhinha, with the Portuguese international making an immediate impact in North London after his summer transfer.

The Lilywhites board secured the 30-year-old’s services on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich, but it was a deal that didn’t satisfy a portion of the fanbase.

However, a couple of months on, the deal is now looking like a phenomenal piece of business, with the former Fulham star undoubtedly one of the best additions in the Premier League this campaign.

Palhinha, who earns £135k-per-week, has featured in every league game to date, subsequently producing numerous incredible figures - the most impressive of which is his tally of 39 tackles won.

Such a figure is the highest of any player in the division at present, with only one other player managing to register 30 or more successful regains of possession in the Premier League.

As a result, he’s currently averaging 5.1 tackles made per 90, whilst also coming out on top in 8.6 duels per 90 - with both tallies ranking him within the top 3% of all players in England’s top-flight.

However, like Van de Ven, he’s also managed to thrive within forward areas, already scoring twice and registering an assist - with his latest strike securing a late point against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

As previously mentioned, it’s his ball-winning ability that has caught the eye most in North London, leading to one analyst labelling him as the "best in the world” for regaining possession for his side.

His current deal has a £30m option to buy next summer, with Frank and the hierarchy desperately needing to trigger such a clause amid his recent form with Spurs.

A dominant number six has been firmly on the club’s agenda over the last few years, with Palhinha finally providing such a quality - but it’s crucial the club don’t let the loanee slip through their grasp.

Micky Van de Ven’s addition back in the summer of 2023 raised eyebrows among many Tottenham Hotspur supporters, especially after the hierarchy forked out £40m for his signature.

Such a fee was a hefty one during the Daniel Levy era, but it may have come as more of a surprise given the Dutchman was largely an unknown quantity to many of the fans.

However, just over a couple of years on from his move, he’s cemented himself as a key member of Thomas Frank’s squad - arguably being one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Despite his defensive role, the 24-year-old has had a huge impact within attacking areas, netting three times in the Premier League this season - putting him joint top of the Lilywhites’ goalscoring charts.

It’s not all been plain sailing for the club within the defensive department, with numerous other big-money additions unable to live up to the hefty fees paid for their services.

Spurs’ issues at centre-back for Van de Ven’s arrival

Spending big on centre-backs hasn’t been alien to Spurs in recent years, as seen by their £42m addition of Davinson Sanchez back in the summer of 2017 - a then club-record transfer.

The Colombian racked up over 200 appearances for the Lilywhites over a six-year period, subsequently leaving in the summer of 2023 to join Turkish side Galatasaray.

He was a solid option under various managers in North London, but ultimately, the fanbase were left disappointed - especially after paying a club-record fee for his signature.

Joe Rodon was another youngster signed by the hierarchy to potentially grow into an elite-level centre back, subsequently paying Swansea City £11m back in the summer of 2020.

However, the Welshman would only make 15 Premier League appearances for the club, before being sold to Leeds United as part of the Archie Gray deal in 2024.

It’s safe to say with Van de Ven, times have changed in North London, but the club have already unearthed another top-level talent who could be a real hit with the fans in the years to come.

The Spurs star who’s a bigger talent than Van de Ven

Whilst he’s been battling with injuries over the last few months, Van de Ven’s importance to the Spurs side simply cannot be understated - with Frank’s men a much better side with the Dutchman at the back.

He’s already helped the Lilywhites keep seven clean sheets across all competitions, with the 24-year-old evidently having a huge impact at both ends of the pitch.

The defender has also demonstrated his strength in another area, with the former Wolfsburg man registering the fastest speed of any player in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25.

At present, he’s currently partnered by Cristian Romero at the heart of the backline, but that could be about to change in the years ahead, given the emergence of Luka Vuskovic.

The Lilywhites forked out a reported fee in the region of £12m for the signature of teenage sensation from Hajduk Split, with real hope he can be a first team starter in the near future.

The Croatian has spent a couple of years out on loan, with his spell on loan at Westerlo catching the eye - but for his attacking quality rather than his talent at the back - just like Van de Ven.

He scored seven times and notched two assists in his 36 outings, a simply staggering feat for a young defender, which earned him another loan move - this time to Bundesliga side, Hamburg.

The prospect of top-flight German football may have seemed like a huge jump to many, but the 18-year-old has wasted no time in impressing the supporters of Die Rothosen.

Vuskovic, who’s been labelled “one of the most exciting teenage centre-backs” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has already opened his account for the German side in 2025/26.

However, his defensive stats are just as impressive, with the youngster winning a staggering 10.2 duels per 90 - 7.5 of which have been in the air - subsequently achieving a success rate of 87%.

He’s also completed 100% of the dribbles he’s attempted, whilst completing a total of 84% of his passes - showcasing his incredible all-round game despite his tender age.

It’s very rare you come across such a dominant young centre-back, but it’s clear Vuskovic has all the tools needed to be a monster hit with the Lilywhites fanbase in the years to come.

Should he stay on his current path, there’s no reason why he can’t emulate Van de Ven’s success in North London and even surpass the Dutchman’s recent levels.

Thomas Frank’s start to life at Tottenham Hotspur has certainly been an impressive one, as seen by his side’s current Premier League standing in 2025/26.

The Lilywhites currently sit third in England’s top-flight, after losing just two of the first nine outings - even keeping four clean sheets during such a period.

His men have been just as impressive at the opposite end of the field, as seen by their tally of 17 goals in the first nine matches, with Mohammed Kudus having a huge bearing on such a record.

The Ghanaian has made an immediate impact after his £55m switch from West Ham United, subsequently registering one goal and four assists in the league to date.

However, despite his impressive start to life in North London, he may have a long way to go until he makes the list of the Lilywhites’ best additions within the last decade.

Spurs’ best additions over the last decade

Over the last few years, Spurs have made numerous high-profile additions to help the first-team squad mount a challenge for a Premier League title challenge.

Cristian Romero was brought into the club on loan in the summer of 2021, but would move to North London on a permanent basis 12 months later for a reported £42.5m.

Such a deal may have seemed to be an expensive one, but three years on, it could go down as one of the Lilywhites’ best over the last few years, given his impact in North London.

The Argentine has brought a needed steel to the club’s backline, racking up a total of 133 appearances across all competitions - even being named as part of the current leadership group.

However, Heung-min Son will no doubt take top spot for Spurs’ best addition in the last decade, with the South Korean exceeding all expectations during his spell in the Premier League.

The hierarchy paid £22m for his signature from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2015, an absolute bargain given his total of 454 appearances in North London.

He would score on 173 occasions during his decade-long spell with the Lilywhites, with such a tally putting him fourth in the club’s all-time goalscoring charts.

From solo goals against Burnley and incredible long-range strikes against North London rivals Arsenal, he was capable of the spectacular and handing the fanbase moments to last a lifetime.

Son was even a part of the club’s Europa League-winning campaign in 2024/25, with such an achievement undoubtedly cementing his place as a Lilywhites icon.

The player who could be Frank’s answer to Son

After such success in Europe, Son decided to call time on his Spurs career, leaving in the recent transfer window to join MLS outfit LAFC in a deal worth a total of £20m.

The South Korean international left for a net loss of just £2m from the fee forked out for his signature - further highlighting the incredible business done by the Lilywhites hierarchy.

The decision meant that current boss Frank was unable to have the opportunity to work with the iconic forward, which has often left him without a settled left-winger.

Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson and Xavi Simons have all operated in such a position over the last few weeks - but none have managed to clinch the faith of the boss in the role.

However, that could change in the years ahead, with the club already having a superb young talent within their ranks in the form of teenager Hyeok-min Yang.

The 19-year-old joined the Lilywhites from Gangwon FC back in January, undoubtedly being brought into the club for the future years rather than the present.

It’s evident he already possesses bags of talent, with the youngster scoring 12 times in his 38 appearances for his homeland club, prior to his switch to England earlier this year.

However, in order to gain familiarity with the demands of English football, he’s been sent on various loans in the Championship - currently spending the 2025/26 campaign with Portsmouth.

Yang may only have featured in seven league outings to date, but he’s already made an immediate impact with Pompey, registering two goals and one assist in England’s second tier.

His impressive form on the South Coast has led to Korean analyst Jason Lee stating that the teenager is just “like Son Heung-min” - huge praise indeed given his compatriot’s achievements in North London.

Yang’s underlying stats at Fratton Park further indicate how impressive he’s been in 2025/26, with the winger ranking in the top 18% of players for goals per 90.

Other tallies such as 1.8 fouls won and 4.7 touches in the opposition per 90, showcase the danger he poses to the backlines in the Championship, even despite being just 19.

There’s no denying that he has a long road ahead of him before he makes an impact in North London, but there’s no disputing that he could be a real asset to the club in years to come.

Should he get anywhere near the levels produced by his compatriot in the Premier League, Yang will be a force to be reckoned with and potentially help catapult Frank’s men to yet more silverware in the near future.

Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly considering an offer to sign a Premier League striker to replace the struggling Dominic Solanke for Thomas Frank in 2026.

Frank ready to replace Solanke

It's been an excellent start for Frank in North London. After becoming the first Premier League side to win away at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, Spurs now sit as high as third in the Premier League. Any thoughts about a repeat of last season are long gone and the Lilywhites are on course to earn their place back in the top four.

Not everyone is thriving under the Dane, however. In fact, the likes of Solanke have failed to win over the new manager entirely and now reports are suggesting that the former Brentford boss simply does not rate him.

The same reports also claimed that Spurs could replace the former Liverpool striker as soon as January, which could open the door to an early exit just over a year on from his £65m move from Bournemouth.

What hasn't helped the forward's case is his injury history. Since the start of last season, Solanke has missed 26 games through injury. For a £65m signing, that was always likely to give those in North London something to think about.

The early season form of Richarlison as well as the introduction of loan signing Randal Kolo Muani is also unlikely to help Tottenham's record signing, who is facing an uphill battle to get in to Frank's side for the first time.

Now, further reports have claimed that the Lilywhites are considering a 2026 offer to sign the 28-year-old's replacement in a brutal decision from all involved.

Tottenham considering Igor Thiago offer

According to Caught Offside, Tottenham are now considering a 2026 offer to sign Igor Thiago from Brentford. Frank initially welcomed the forward to West London for a record deal in 2024 before the Bees broke that record to sign Dango Ouattara in the summer just gone. Now, the Dane could reunite with his towering striker in North London.

The Brentford star has recovered from a long-term injury issue and is now thriving under Keith Andrews - scoring seven goals in 10 games in all competitions so far this season. It's, therefore, no surprise that Spurs are reportedly eyeing a €35m+ (£31m+) loan to buy offer for Thiago in the January transfer window.

“Selfless, I think, would be the first thing that springs to mind.

“Always puts the team first, sometimes at the detriment of his own performance. I think he's such a team player. He's getting real rhythm in his game now and confidence in his game, and he's shown exactly what he's all about and why the football club brought him here 15, 16 months ago.” (Andrews on Thiago earlier this season)

Tottenham Hotspur supporters have often been blessed with the likes of Harry Kane providing the goods within the final third - but the current first-team are massively lacking such a presence.

Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani have shared the responsibility at the top end of the pitch in recent weeks, but neither have scored since the middle of September.

Their joint top scorer in the Premier League this season is centre-back Micky van de Ven, which further highlights the lack of quality currently available to Thomas Frank at present.

However, with the January transfer window rapidly approaching, the Dane has the opportunity to land a new talisman to help him in his quest for success in North London.

Numerous players have emerged on their shortlist over the last couple of weeks, with returning Sporting Director Fabio Paratici likely to play a key role in any potential pursuits.

Spurs’ move for a new talisman in January

Over the last couple of days, Spurs have been strongly linked with a move to land Porto star Samu Aghehowa this winter, but such a deal would be a huge investment.

After scoring 11 times in his first 14 outings of 2025/26, it’s safe to say the Spaniard is a man in demand - but any transfer would cost a pretty penny given his current £87m release clause.

However, he’s not alone on their shortlist at present, with Paratici making the most of his Juventus links to try and strike a deal for the signature of Dušan Vlahović.

According to Italian outlet Gazzetta, the Lilywhites are firmly in the race to land a cut-price deal for the Serbian, with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2026.

It also confirms that Bayern Munich are in the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, but Frank’s men could hold the edge given Paratici’s links to the Old Lady.

Such a move would finally hand the Dane the talisman he’s craved, which could allow the frontman to be his next version of a player who thrived under his guidance at Brentford.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be Frank’s next Toney

During Frank’s seven years at the helm with Brentford, he was able to rely on striker Ivan Toney for a four-year period, with the striker constantly producing the goods in front of goal.

The Englishman registered 72 goals in his 141 appearances for the Bees, the most of any player during the Dane’s reign across the capital - often being the player to pop up in key moments.

Given the lack of options currently at Frank’s disposal in North London, there’s no denying he wishes he could rely on a player of the 29-year-old’s quality.

Such a move could have come to fruition back in the summer of 2024, but the Lilywhites opted for a move for Dominic Solanke, as the former Bees star completed his own move to Saudi Arabia.

A deal for Toney’s signature may prove unlikely, but Frank could land his next version of the Englishman in the coming months, should Paratici complete a deal for Vlahovic.

Both have demonstrated unbelievable goalscoring records over recent seasons, with the Juve star finding the net 62 times in his 152 appearances for the Italian giants.

The 25-year-old's goalscoring record is one thing, but his current contract issue in Turin could provide the Lilywhites board with a bargain option to solve their centre-forward woes.

His underlying figures from the current campaign also showcase the all-round quality he would add to the side, finally handing the manager the needed presence he’s craved since taking the reins.

Vlahovic, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers” by Luca Toni, has only started three Serie A games in 2025/26, but it hasn’t stopped him from finding the back of the net on two occasions.

His tally of 1.1 shots on target per 90 also highlight his accuracy in attacking areas, with his total of 2.5 aerials won per 90 handing Frank the focal point he’s searching for.

The Serbian currently ranks in the 88th percentile of all players in Italy for goals scored per 90, potentially making him the missing piece in the Dane’s Lilywhites attacking puzzle.

It’s currently unclear how much a deal for Vlahovic would cost this summer, but it’s evident that he would be a perfect addition to the club’s impressive frontline.

Should he match the levels produced by Toney under the Dane’s guidance at Brentford, it would be a stellar move and offer the chance for the club to reach new heights in the near future.