Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur have been lucky enough to have numerous top-level attacking talents on their hands over the last couple of years - often handing the supporters moments to cherish forever.

Heung-min Son is just one player who falls into such a category, with the South Korean forward a talent who often managed to produce the goods within the final third.

The winger scored a total of 173 goals for the Lilywhites, a tally which puts him fourth in the club’s record books, with an impressive chunk coming against local rivals, Arsenal.

He scored nine times in his 22 appearances against the Gunners, the third most of any side he’s faced in his career - further highlighting his impact in the North London Derby.

However, despite his impact for Spurs, he was unable to better one player who has often proved to be a thorn in the side of the club in the meetings against them.

Bukayo Saka’s form against Spurs

After his breakthrough in 2020, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has featured against Spurs on ten separate occasions, subsequently being on the winning side in 60% of the outings.

The Englishman has scored five times against the Lilywhites, averaging a goal every other game and often popping up and finding the net in key moments of derby encounters.

He may not have scored in any of the clashes last season, but he did register the assist for Gabriel’s second-half winner, with Mikel Arteta’s side once again claiming bragging rights.

Saka has now registered 25 or more combined goals and assists in each of his last three seasons, further highlighting the top-level talent he possesses, all despite being just 24 years of age.

Given the levels he’s produced, there’s no denying the Lilywhites faithful must wish they had a player of his calibre, but it’s safe to say stars such as the winger would now cost a pretty penny.

However, boss Thomas Frank shouldn’t worry, with the Dane already having his very own version of the Englishman within his ranks at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Spurs star who’s Frank’s own Saka

Spurs’ 2024/25 campaign was a topsy-turvy one to say the least, with huge highs being achieved all whilst failing to deliver in other competitions under Ange Postecoglou.

The Aussie ended their 17-year wait for a trophy with their Europa League triumph, but ultimately, it glossed over the cracks that appeared in the Premier League.

He could only achieve a 17th-placed finish in England’s top-flight, subsequently suffering 22 defeats in the process - something which would cost him his job in North London.

Frank was appointed as the manager to pick up the pieces, a task he’s seamlessly taken to immediately, as seen by his tally of just one loss in his opening nine competitive outings.

While he’s added the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons to his ranks this summer, he already had his answer to Saka within his ranks in North London.

Dejan Kulusevski is a player who’s yet to feature under the Dane due to injury, but there’s no denying that the attacker will have a huge role to play upon his return in the months ahead.

The Swede, who has been dubbed "phenomenal" by one creator, is currently sidelined with a knee injury, but did manage to star on a consistent basis in 2024/25 before he went under the knife to fix the recurring issue.

He registered 10 goals and 11 assists across all competitions last campaign, ending the year as one of the Lilywhites’ most creative outlets within attacking areas.

Such is the level of his performances last year, he was dubbed as a similar player to Saka by FBref, further highlighting how impressive he was under Postecoglou.

When comparing their respective figures, Kulusevski managed to outperform the Arsenal star in various key areas, showcasing the huge amount of quality he possesses.

The table highlights the depth of areas he managed to outclass Saka, with his return to fitness undoubtedly a huge boost to Frank and the Spurs fanbase.

It’s unclear what level of fitness he will possess after such a long injury layoff, but when he gets fully firing, the Swede will add another dimension to the club’s potent frontline.

If he can replicate or better his numbers from last year, there’s no reason as to why the forward can’t help Frank make his first season in North London one to remember.

Tottenham have emerged as favourites to sign a "game-changing" forward as the Lewis family make their sporting intentions for Spurs clear this week, having pumped £100 million worth of capital into the club.

Tottenham given £100m cash boost after Lewis family injection

On Thursday, the Lilywhites made an official announcement of their owners' call to back the club with fresh funding, with Thomas Frank's side receiving nine figures which will be spent on the day-to-day running of Spurs.

CEO Vinai Venkatesham, alongside new non-executive chairman Peter Charrington, will now decide where specifically this new money will be invested — and some of this cash may well go into their transfer planning.

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol shared news last month that the Lewis family were planning to inject funds into Tottenham, and suggested that these finances could be reinvested into their recruitment drive.

With January on the horizon, Frank may well be backed with key reinforcements, amid reports that the North Londoners want to sign a new centre-back and winger (TEAMtalk).

Tottenham missed out on a deal for Man City winger Savinho in the summer after having two bids rejected, and he's since put pen to paper on a contract extension at Eastlands running until 2031.

Spurs are also admirers of Brentford captain Nathan Collins, Franks' former star at the Gtech Community Stadium, amid their pursuit of new defensive options.

Given the Lilywhites club-record signing Dominic Solanke has proved unreliable when it comes to fitness since his £65 million move from Bournemouth last year, not to mention doubts surrounding Richarlison, it is reported elsewhere that Tottenham could even bring in another number nine.

Frank has reportedly contacted former Brentford star Ivan Toney about the possibility of a loan move to Tottenham in January, but while this is yet to be backed up by reliable media sources, it is clear that Vasco de Gama sensation, Rayan, is on their radar.

Tottenham in pole position to sign Vasco de Gama star Rayan

Multiple reports from South America in the last month have claimed that Tottenham could open talks for Rayan, who's just become the youngest Vasco player to reach 10 Brazilian top flight goals since Dinamite in 1973.

The highly-rated teenager is one of Brazil's rising stars right now, scoring 14 goals in all competitions this season, and his contract is rumoured to contain a tantalising £35 million release clause.

Rayan's deal also expires in December 2026, meaning he can agree a pre-contract in July, and Vasco chiefs are working to protect themselves by agreeing a new contract to raise his exit clause, potentially to as high as £52 million.

That is according to journalist Jorge Nicola, who reports that Tottenham are currently in pole position to sign Rayan and are prepared to bid around £26 million as things stand, which would apparently meet Vasco's expected price.

Aston Villa, Barcelona, Chelsea, Brighton, Porto, Fiorentina, Zenit and even Nottingham Forest have also been linked with the 19-year-old, so he's currently a man in demand, with the possibility of an auction also there.

Vasco boss Fernando Diniz has lavished the right-winger's incredible potential already, calling him a "very rare" breed of player.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has been warned about a Spurs star who could cost his side points this season, with the Dane looking to continue building after his solid start to life at N17.

Thomas Frank earns Tottenham praise after good start to season

Barring fairly lucky draws against the likes of Wolves and Bodo/Glimt recently, with Frank's side snatching those results from the jaws of defeat, Spurs' new boss is beginning to win admirers.

Over his first 11 games at the helm, the 52-year-old has averaged close to 2 points per match, having suffered just one normal time loss since taking over from Ange Postecoglou in the summer.

From the offset, Frank prioritized building a strong defensive foundation, addressing one of Tottenham’s key weaknesses last term.

His teams are disciplined and organized, with Frank's arrival seriously reducing the defensive errors that previously plagued Spurs.

Centre-back duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero have thrived in the tactician's structure, with pundit Jamie O'Hara even boldly claiming they are the best defensive partnership in Europe right now and "walk" into Real Madrid's team.

After their gritty 2-1 win away to Leeds United, Spurs sit third in the Premier League table after both breaking their pre-international break curse and ending Leeds' year-long unbeaten run in the league at Elland Road.

There is an air of positivity around North London right now, especially after the Lewis family just pumped £100 million into Tottenham via ENIC, which suggests the post-Daniel Levy era could be an exciting one.

However, one puzzle that Frank needs to solve is what to do with midfielder Yves Bissouma.

The Mali international was omitted from Frank's UEFA Super Cup squad for disciplinary issues, specifically turning up late to training on more than one occasion, and is yet to play a single competitive minute for Tottenham so far this season.

This is partly down to injury, but reliable reports suggested that Spurs were open to offers for Bissouma when the Saudi, Turkish and Greek transfer windows were open past September 1 — indicating he may not have a long-term future.

The 29-year-old's contract expires in 2026, and he was also notably left out of Tottenham's 22-man Champions League squad.

Thomas Frank warned about Tottenham star Yves Bissouma

Speaking to Tottenham News, former Brentford boss Martin Allen has warned Frank that Bissouma could cost Tottenham points if they choose to reintegrate him into the fold, saying that the midfielder has got a lot of work to do.

Allen also suggested that Bissouma "can't be bothered" to make meetings or get in on time, which may be a real issue.

“He’s got a lot to prove,” Allen said.

“He is a good player, so we will see. Let’s hope his discipline can improve and his timekeeping for sure.

“I always felt that if you’re late off the pitch, and you can’t be bothered to make meetings and get in on time for training, then you’re going to be late on the pitch.

“And if you’re late on the pitch, it’s going to cost your team, it’s going to cost you goals, cost you points, and nobody wants that in their football club. So, he’s got a lot to do.”

The ex-Brighton star played a key role in Tottenham's journey to the Europa League final, starting both semi-final legs against Bodo/Glimt and the final against Man United.

Bissouma was a regular under Postecoglou overall, playing 44 times in all competitions last term, and if he can address his disciplinary issues, Frank could really use a player of his quality.

Son Heung-min's legacy at Tottenham Hotspur will live on for generations.

The South Korean international made 454 appearances for Spurs; only Steve Perryman, Gary Mabbutt, Pat Jennings, Tom Morris, Cyril Knowles and Glenn Hoddle can boast more.

During ten years at the club, Son scored 173 goals, thereby behind only Harry Kane, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Smith and Martin Chivers, fittingly bowing out having hoisted aloft the Europa League trophy in Bilbao.

Now at LAFC, Son is loving life in MLS, scoring eight goals in nine appearances to date, including a hat-trick against Real Salt Lake in Utah last month.

Back at Tottenham, the question was always going to be how would they fill Son's void, who has been a virtual ever-present in the Spurs side for ten years, but have they struck gold on an "absolute jewel"?

Why Spurs fans are excited about Luka Vušković

One thing you'll never be able to explain to non-football fans is supporters' propensity to get massively excited about a player who has never even played for their club before.

Well, Luka Vušković is the latest player to fall into this category.

The 18-year-old centre-back joined Tottenham from Hajduk Split earlier this summer for a reported fee of £12m, despite having made only 11 senior appearances for the Croatian giants, on top of 14 on loan at Radomiak Radom in the Ekstraklasa.

Thus, he was loaned out to Hamburg, certainly impressing for die Rothosen so far.

He has started each of their last four Bundesliga matches, opening the scoring against Heidenheim at Volksparkstadion, helping to secure their first victory back in the top division.

HSV supporter Fiago labelled him the "best 18 year old centre-back I‘ve ever seen in my life", while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout believes that he is "destined for great things".

Well, his statistics certainly make for impressive reading.

Thus, there's plenty of reasons why Spurs supporters should be excited about Vušković, but do they have an even bigger talent already in this squad?

Tottenham's next Son Heung-min

Because he arrived in January, initially on loan, before the move was made permanent in June for around £30m, Mathys Tel joining Tottenham seems to have gone under the radar, but could prove to be an excellent piece of business.

This season did not start particularly well for the Frenchman, not included in Spurs' Champions League squad, admitting that he is "definitely hurt" by the decision.

However, at the weekend, Tel responded by scoring his first goal of the season, breaking the deadlock against Leeds at Elland Road.

Manager Thomas Frank stated that he was incredibly "emotional" after this goal as he is "so happy for him. I think the character he's shown from a young man just really impressed me from day one".

So why is Tel so highly-rated?

Well, after making only ten appearances for Stade Rennais, Bayern Munich signed him for around £25m back in the summer of 2022, at which point Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labelled him an "absolute jewel​​​​​​​".

He scored 16 goals in only 83 appearances for the Bavarian giants, known for his blistering pace, becoming Bayern's youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted against Viktoria Köln in the DFB-Pokal.

Nevertheless, the presence of a certain Harry Kane limited his game time, hence why Bayern reluctantly sold him to Spurs.

Well, according to Football Transfers, Tel's estimated value is around £45m, for comparison, Vušković is valued at around £14m, suggesting the £30m Tottenham paid is a real bargain.

So, why could he replicate Son's success?

Well, the South Korean also arrived from the Bundesliga at the age of 21, a year older than Tel is now, while the pair also have positional and stylistic characteristics, both possessing electrifying pace as well as an eye for goal, often deployed from the left but capable of playing through the middle too.

Thus, with Dejan Kuluševski, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke all currently sidelined, Spurs are crying out for some creativity in their forward line, something Tel could very much provide.

Having already proved himself capable of contributing at a high level at such a young age, Tel may well be the biggest talent in the Tottenham squad, not to dampen any of the justified excitement around Vušković!

Tottenham Hotspur are a team in transition. But this passage of action, during which Spurs will fully embrace Thomas Frank's tactics after summer spending and a divorce with Ange Postecoglou, doesn't have to be unsuccessful.

Because Tottenham won the Europa League last season, Ange making good on a promise, and now they are Champions League competitors once again. In the Premier League, Spurs have had a few hiccups but boast 14 points from seven fixtures, just two points and places behind pace-setters Arsenal.

This speaks of progress, Tottenham making inroads as they look to cement themselves at the front of the English top flight and ensure last season's triumph does not prove to be a flash in the pan.

Impressive though the Londoners' start has been, they sit 13th in the xG (expected goals) charts after seven matches. Though 13 goals have been scored, the xG total is just 7.4, which can be used to highlight the need for more fluent and incisive attacking play.

That is to say, Spurs could still do with another top-class striker.

Why Spurs still need a striker

Just one year ago, Tottenham broke their transfer record to bring over Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth for a £65m fee, add-ons included.

Last year was a struggle for Tottenham, and Solanke suffered on an individual level too, scoring only nine times in the Premier League as knee issues disrupted his year.

This term, the 27-year-old featured twice off the bench at the start of the league term before suffering an ankle injury.

Richarlison has been in red-hot form so far this season, but the Brazil international is notorious for his ebb and flow from form and confidence, and his fitness record leaves something to be desired too.

Heung-min Son's summer departure has taken something from Tottenham; Frank lacks a goalscorer of the highest standard. Even so, Spurs are growing by the game, and when this final piece of the puzzle is found, it could be scary stuff for the rest of the Premier League.

Of course, this doesn't necessarily have to come in the form of a big-money signing. Harry Kane graduated from the Tottenham academy before going on to become one of the deadliest goalscorers in English football history, after all.

Kane was sold to Bayern Munich two years ago, and perhaps there is still a search down N17 for the England skipper's successor.

That said, though, some privy to Tottenham's deadlings at youth level would suggest maybe that signature has already been penned.

Spurs have already signed the next Kane

Kane has been incredible for Bayern Munich, ending his trophy-chasing hoodoo and consolidating his position as one of the best players of his generation. This season, the 32-year-old has scored 18 goals across just ten matches in all competitions.

Replacing him has proved a tough ask, but since Kane originated from the Tottenham academy, some coaches at the club might be excited at the thought of repeating the trick with new signing Mason Melia.

Melia, 18, will join Tottenham in a deal rising to £3m in January 2026, with St Patrick's Athletic confirming it is the record sale for an Irish Premiership side.

Not technically a part of Spurs' youth set-up, Melia is sure to cut his teeth at development level before breaking onto the senior stage. But the early readings are promising indeed, with 94 appearances for St. Pat's and 24 goals and eight assists to his name.

Described as "the Irish Alexander Isak" for his effortless strike of the ball and his ball-carrying ability, there's no question that Melia has the base qualities to become a success as Frank's frontman, with Liverpool's new talisman widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.

Melia made his first-team debut in his homeland when he was only 15, and the fact that he is approaching centurion status just three years later, 18 years old, tells much of the high regard he is held in.

Twinkle-toed and innately comfortable in the final third, the Irishman has the potential to be a star. The next Kane? That's a tough one, but his progress thus far as a professional and the likeness to Isak confirm his potential.

It is just as exciting to note that this is not a transfer target, admired and considered against the backdrop of rival interest, but a Tottenham player in all but his shirt, with the completion date now on the horizon. Melia will touch down in London and establish his craft, developing the skills which have been marked as Premier League-worthy.

And Tottenham, after all, have made landing elite-level prospects their business over the past few years. The academy scouts know when they have sighted a star in the making.

It is too soon to pass judgement on Melia, who has not even officially left his homeland to join the Lilywhites. But the talent is there, with his ranginess, movement and presence in the final third indeed leading to comparisons against Isak, the British record man.

While the Lewis family will be wary about a knee-jerk reaction, spending big on another number nine, it may be that another signing must be made to tide things over.

But, looking through a longer lens, Melia might just prove to be the next superstar in north London.

Tottenham striker Richarlison could leave the club in 2026, and it is believed that Thomas Frank has already been offered a replacement for the Brazilian.

Richarlison targeted by Orlando City with talks held

The 28-year-old started this season in electric fashion, scoring an early goal of the season contender with a bicycle kick against Burnley on the opening day, but doubts have surrounded Richarlison's ability to lead the line on a consistent basis.

Signed for £60 million from Everton, the striker's flashes of brilliance have been undercut by stretches of inconsistent form and bad luck with injuries.

Frank dropped Richarlison in favour of Mathys Tel against Leeds, with the Frenchman responding by scoring their opening goal of the game and helping Tottenham to a gritty 2-1 win at Elland Road.

“Richarlison for me, big money, £60 million he cost. He started the season on fire, two goals against Burnley, then scored a tap-in against Brighton,” pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor told talkSPORT last week.

“Then you’re like, this could be the season Richarlison kicks on and becomes the main man, but the same thing happens season after season with Richarlison.

“He will have a couple of good games, he’ll have three or four games where he will give absolutely zero, and if he’s leading your line, with Solanke’s injury problems, that’s a scare for me for Spurs.”

With his contract expiring in 2027, CEO Vinai Vinkatesham and the new-look Spurs board must make a decision on the striker's long-term future soon.

Crystal Palace have been named as a potential destination for Richarlison, as have MLS side Orlando City, who've moved with the most serious intent so far.

Oscar Pareja's side held a meeting with the forward's representatives in London ahead of a potential 2026 move, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, with an exit for Richarlison next summer viewed as possible, even if he's a "key player" for Frank at this moment in time.

Dominic Solanke's injury woes, with the striker still out of action after minor ankle surgery, also highlights the potential need for Spurs to consider new striker options heading into next year.

Frank is said to have personally contacted Ivan Toney about the possibility of joining Tottenham on loan in January, according to some reports, and now Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović has emerged as an option too.

Tottenham offered Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović by agents

According to journalist Graeme Bailey and TBR Football, Vlahovic's camp are reaching out to potential suitors, and they've held talks with Spurs.

The Serbia international's contract expires in 2026, meaning he could be available either for free next summer or for a small fee in January. He's started the campaign in fine form — scoring four goals in eight appearances so far — including a brace against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

That being said, he'd almost certainly have to take a dramatic pay cut on his rumoured £370,000-per-week wages if a move to N17 is to become possible.

As Tottenham are offered the chance to sign Vlahovic, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich also weighing up free transfer offers next summer, Frank's side could potentially sneak ahead of the European heavyweights by agreeing a low-cost winter deal.

Money won't be an obstacle, especially since the Lewis family have just pumped £100 million into Spurs via ENIC.

What's more, Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé has already called Vlahovic "one of the best of his generation".

Nottingham Forest are believed to be making contingency plans if they decide to sack manager Ange Postecoglou, which is still rumoured to be a possibility as Evangelos Marinakis weighs up his next move.

Ange Postecoglou's disastrous start at Nottingham Forest

Postecoglou’s tenure at Forest has been marked by a disastrous start, casting a shadow over the club’s hopes for progress this season.

Since taking the reins after Nuno Espírito Santo’s unceremonious departure, Postecoglou has struggled to find form, becoming the first permanent Forest manager in a century to fail to win any of his first six matches.

His attempts to implement a new playing philosophy — characterized by high-intensity pressing and open attacking football — have yet to yield any results, leaving the squad visibly unsettled and fans frustrated.

Chants of 'you're getting sacked in the morning' rang around the City Ground during Forest's shock 3-2 defeat to Danish minnows FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, and discontent from supporters will only be piling pressure on Marinakis after his controversial decision to sack Nuno.

Reports suggest that Marinakis is furious with Forest's current state behind-the-scenes and holds personal accountability for his role (TEAMtalk), and if results don't improve soon, the Greek billionaire isn't afraid to be ruthless and make another immediate managerial change (Sky Sports).

Should Forest decide to part ways with Postecoglou, several candidates have emerged as potential replacements.

Fulham’s Marco Silva is considered a leading contender, especially given his relationship with Marinakis following the pair's time at Olympiacos together (talkSPORT).

Silva’s contract situation and success on a shoe-string budget at Craven Cottage makes him an attractive long-term target, while other names linked include Rafa Benitez and Oliver Glasner, both of whom bring proven experience managing in the Premier League.

Benitez was spotted close to Marinakis during a recent Olympiacos clash against Arsenal in the Champions League, whilst Glasner is reportedly emerging as a "prime candidate" for the Forest job if Postecoglou does leave.

Marco Silva expected to leave Fulham amid Nottingham Forest interest

Sharing an update on the prospect of Silva's potential appointment, talkSPORT's Alex Crook has urged Tricky Trees supporters to "keep an eye" on the Portuguese with his deal — said to include an £8 million release clause — due to expire in 2026.

Crook also says that he expects Silva to depart Fulham at the end of his contract amid Forest's interest, but also states it'll be tricky to convince the tactician to swap jobs immediately.

“One name to keep an eye on… Marco Silva at Fulham,” Crook said.

“Now, I think it’s difficult to get him out of Fulham mid-season, but his contract is up at the end of the season.

“I don’t expect him to stay at Craven Cottage, I think he’s been quite vocal about his unhappiness during most of the transfer windows he’s been in situ.

“He does have a good relationship with Marinakis, he was at Olympiacos when they won their 43rd league title, so I think if they do decide to change managers again, then he would be a genuine contender.”

The 48-year-old, who guided Fulham to Premier League promotion from the Championship, has since kept them afloat with solid mid-table finishes, and they briefly contended for Europe last season — despite underspending in comparison to their top flight rivals.

Ex-Hull City striker Evandro, who worked with Silva at the MKM Stadium, has branded Silva a "master" tactician.

Tottenham Hotspur stepped into the Thomas Frank era with excitement, but anxiety too. Last season, Ange Postecoglou led the club to the Europa League title, but Spurs also finished 17th in the Premier League.

Circumstances matter, but there was much to be desired and Daniel Levy was justified in dismissing the Australian. Tottenham still ended their long search for silverware, and they did so having lost their definitive talisman of modern years at the very start of Ange's tenure.

Harry Kane's sale to Bayern Munich two years ago took from Tottenham their bona fide superstar. Heung-min Son once bore such a reputation, but he had steadily declined over a couple of years before moving to LAFC during the summer.

Now, though, there's a sense that a few within the Lilywhites fold could reach such a level with a blend of hard work and Frank's coaching.

The new Spurs superstars

Tottenham attacked the summer transfer window and have been duly rewarded for their ambition with several exciting talents.

Front and centre has been Mohammed Kudus, whose pace and physicality have seen him settle in at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after completing a £55m move from West Ham United in July.

The Ghanaian winger scored and assisted against Leeds United last weekend, instrumental in the 2-1 win. He's imperfect, sure, but the pros far outweigh the cons, and four assists from seven top-flight fixtures so far (placing him joint-first with Jack Grealish) is nothing to be sniffed at.

The likes of Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel are also stars for the future, already playing important roles in Frank's squad.

However, whether any of these players will rival the very best of the best remains to be seen. Premier League heavyweights such as Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland and Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah.

However, the £52m signing of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig this summer felt significant. Indeed, Tottenham have landed themselves an attacking midfielder with the potential to rival any across Europe.

Frank has struck gold on Xavi Simons

In August, Tottenham had to swallow their pride as Arsenal stole from them the signature of Eberechi Eze, who signed in a £60m deal after a move was in place down N17 for the Crystal Palace sensation.

Tottenham missed out on a number of transfer targets, but they struck gold with Simons, who had looked for many weeks to be joining Chelsea before the Blues signed Alejandro Garnacho.

Having played and impressed over the past several years in Germany with Leipzig, Simons arrived in England with more than his share of excitement, saying he had "been dreaming of this for a long time".

And while the bedding-in period is very much in swing right now, the Netherlands international has shown glimpses of elite quality, having previously been described as a "world-class" talent by countryman Rafael van de Vaart.

The data backs this up. Not only did Simons perform prolifically in front of goal for his German side, notching 46 goal contributions from 78 outings in all competitions, but his underlying data emphasises his ability.

Data platform FBref have crunched the numbers: across the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign, the 22-year-old ranked among the top 16% of positional peers for goal contributions, the top 15% for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive passes, the top 19% for progressive carries and the top 5% for ball recoveries per 90.

A ball recovery is defined by the number of loose balls recovered by a player.

The Dutchman's robustness and consistency across all facets for Leipzig further underpins his potential, and indeed his chances of becoming the standout for a Tottenham side on the up.

While the likes of Salah and Haaland are one-of-a-kind players, Simons, too, is the full package, and has a style of play that could see him remain a cut above his Tottenham teammates, scoring and creating and orchestrating and defending.

Could Simons even leave north London, one day, with the awe and admiration of the Tottenham persuasion in a similar fashion to Kane? Certainly, we could look back at that £52m transfer fee as a shrewd figure.

As per Transfermarkt, Simons is already worth around £61m, and given his youth and inexperience within the English game, he is only going to get better as time goes on.

Harking back to FBref, the statistical site have revealed Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Martin Odegaard to be among his most tactically comparable players. Looking at the success each of these creators has forged for themselves in recent years, it's easy to see why fans are beginning to get excited.

Called a "game-changer" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, this is exactly the type of buy to align with the grand plans of the club. Richarlison and the like have quality in the final third, but this is a different standard.

Simons was the marquee signing at Tottenham this summer, and with that comes expectation and scrutiny. He hasn't yet provided the sustained quality that his skillset suggests is in there, but it will come, especially with one of the finest coaches in the business, Frank, pulling the strings.

When Simons hits his stride, raising Spurs' collective level, we might just find this outfit celebrating the birth of a new superstar, one who could rival the Salah's and the Haaland's of the Premier League.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is personally in awe of a marquee player who he believes is the ideal player for his Spurs system, and the Lilywhites are also reportedly prepared to table a bid for him in January.

Tottenham's reported January transfer plans

We're now 11 games into Frank's tenure as Spurs boss, and the Dane appears to already be transforming the North Londoners into a far more resolute side.

Despite some recent concerns from a section of the fanbase after their 'narrow escape' draws against Brighton, Wolves and Bodo/Glimt, Tottenham displayed real grit at Leeds United last weekend to end their run of seven straight defeats in games just prior to an international break.

Goals from Mohammed Kudus, who was the player of the match, and fellow summer signing Mathys Tel sealed a 2-1 in Yorkshire to also end Leeds' year-long unbeaten run in the league at Elland Road.

The win means Spurs sit third in the Premier League table with the joint second-best defensive record in the division, with only table-topping Arsenal conceding fewer goals - a stark contrast to Ange Postecoglou's final season in charge when they were far more fragile at the back.

So far, ex-chairman Daniel Levy and the board's decision to appoint Frank is paying off, despite Simon Jordan urging Levy to consider Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner before Spurs hired their current boss.

The reshuffled Tottenham board following Levy's departure, with CEO Vinai Venkatesham taking a more prominent role in the day-to-day running of the club, are also poised to try and back Frank in the January transfer market.

Spurs are reportedly keen to sign another winger and centre-back when the winter window opens, after they tried and failed to sign Man City forward Savinho in the summer, with the Brazil international since extending his Eastlands contract and ending all hope of a potential deal.

One of their rumoured targets for 2026 is Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, who also signed fresh terms earlier this year, and this has elevated his market value to north of £75 million.

Tottenham preparing January bid for Antoine Semenyo amid Thomas Frank belief

That is according to TEAMtalk, who report that Tottenham are positioning themselves to make a major January move for Semenyo and could be "next to bid".

The winger's explosive form so far this season has made him one of the Premier League’s most sought-after wingers.

Semenyo has scored six goals and provided three assists in his first seven league games, including a brace against Liverpool at Anfield, helping Bournemouth to a surprise top-four position and attracting attention from England’s top clubs, including Arne Slot's side, Manchester City and Spurs.

Frank is said to view Semenyo as the "perfect fit" for his squad, particularly given the inconsistent displays from Brennan Johnson and the club’s need for more dynamism out wide.

Semenyo’s ability to play on either flank — combined with his raw pace, directness, and clinical finishing — makes him a tailor-made fit for Frank’s tactical system.

Tottenham’s pursuit of the Ghanaian international is expected to intensify in mid-season as a result, with an offer exceeding £60 million likely to test Bournemouth’s resolve, despite their price tag of £75m.

The Cherries, after extending his deal until 2030, are in a very strong position — and it is even believed that Semenyo rejected an approach from Arsenal in the summer.

However, the 25-year-old's camp are apparently open to exploring other moves in January if a top side can meet Bournemouth's lofty demands.

Tottenham Hotspur’s deal to land Tanguy Ndombele back in the summer of 2019 was one that generated huge excitement amongst the fanbase, with the hope that the midfielder could take the club to the next level.

The hierarchy forked out a then club-record fee of around £62m for his signature, but it rapidly transpired that such a deal would be a huge waste of money.

He only featured 91 times for the Lilywhites over a five-year period, before being released in the summer of 2024 - leaving on a free transfer to join Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice.

Whilst Ndombele was capable of producing a moment of magic, they were too far and between, leading to his attitude and fitness being brought into question.

However, one other big-money addition has also struggled to make himself a fan-favourite, which has once again highlighted the club’s struggles within the transfer market.

Richarlison’s struggles at Spurs in 2025/26

After costing £50m back in the summer of 2022, Brazilian forward Richarlison also had high hopes to succeed at Spurs, but he’d largely been a backup option in years gone by.

However, the arrival of Thomas Frank has given him a new lease of life in North London, with the Dane handing him a start in five of the seven league outings during the 2025/26 campaign.

The 28-year-old scored twice in the opening day victory over Burnley, but has since scored just once, often struggling to have a positive impact on any of the encounters.

His latest start came against Bodo Glimt, but he was unable to make the desired effect, only registering ten touches of the ball during his 90-minute performance.

He was subsequently dropped to the bench for the recent victory over Leeds United at Elland Road, further highlighting his inability to impress as of late under Frank.

Throughout his 101 appearances for the Lilywhites, the Brazilian has only managed to find the net on 23 occasions - a tally which has fallen way below the standards set by the fanbase.

However, despite his lack of success, another player currently on the books looks like a bigger waste of money, with such a deal being one of the worst in their recent history.

The Spurs player who’s the biggest waste since Ndombele

Spurs supporters have previously voiced their concerns over the lack of spending from former chairman Daniel Levy, with the 63-year-old often coming under fire for his lack of ambition.

Whilst the Lilywhites were the most profitable club in England’s top-flight during his tenure, such a feat largely came down to his lack of spending during his two-decade spell in North London.

He oversaw numerous high-profile departures from the club during his spell, with Harry Kane’s £82m transfer to Bayern Munich leaving a huge hole in the final third of the first-team squad.

The Lilywhites paid a club-record £65m to prise him away from the Cherries in the summer of 2024, with real hope and expectations placed upon his shoulders amid the transfer fee.

Last season was his first in North London, but he struggled to hit the ground running, scoring just nine Premier League goals in his 27 appearances - subsequently finding the net every three matches.

As a result of his disappointing opening year in the capital, he was labelled “woeful” by one analyst, but he was given the benefit of the doubt to try and improve his performances in 2025/26.

However, the 28-year-old has once again suffered another injury setback, with his ankle issue preventing him from making a case for a starting role under Frank.

Solanke has only featured for a total of just 31 league minutes in 2025/26, with his fitness issues also a concern in recent times - which has certainly contributed to his lack of impact.

He also earns a small fortune in North London, with the board currently paying him a staggering £140k-per-week and taking home just shy of £7.3m in wages alone last campaign.

When coupling his transfer fee and wages together, he’s currently costing in the region of £8m per Premier League goal he’s netted - an absurd amount of money despite the huge fees constantly being spent within the modern game.

There’s no denying he still has the chance to turn things around in North London, but his injury record and lack of impact is there for all to see at present - with no end yet in sight for the England international.

If he is unable to transform things in the months ahead, he could certainly be one of the worst signings in the club’s history, potentially competing with Ndombele for that title in the process.