Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur's recruitment hasn't been good enough in recent years. Winning the Europa League under Ange Postecoglou's management before the summer coated over the many issues that still saw the Australian dismissed in one final flourish of power by Daniel Levy.

Now, Thomas Frank is trying to put the London club to rights, but it's hardly been smooth sailing for the old Brentford, who needs more potency and leadership in attacking circles.

Tottenham have not been slick enough in the final third. That needs to change, and if ENIC Group are serious about lifting Spurs and cementing them at the top of the European ladder, they need a new talisman, someone like Bukayo Saka.

Spurs in talks to sign their own Bukayo Saka

Harry Kane left, and then Heung-min Son did too. Different forwards have since been welcomed down N17, but Tottenham haven't yet recaptured that star power.

The Londoners could do with a figurehead like Saka, who has been front and centre of Arsenal's revival under Mikel Arteta's wing. Saka is an inspiring winger, but he's also hard-working and singular in his style.

Tottenham need a bit of that, and they might just have found their own version in Said El Mala.

According to reports in Germany, Tottenham are ready to do battle with Manchester United for the Koln wonderkid, who has been in fine fettle in the Bundesliga this season. The 19-year-old is valued somewhere in the ballpark of £35m and it's alleged that club-to-club talks have begun.

His power and economical use of such strength has revealed a likeness to Arsenal's star forward, and it's clear that the Lilywhites would be wise to act quickly and win the race.

Why Spurs need to sign Said El Mala

El Mala is enjoying a stunning rise to the top. He has already been called up to the international stage by Germany boss Julien Nagelsmann,

A destructive dribbler, El Mala has a quality when driving the ball forward that cannot be taught. His brilliance is inherent, and at Tottenham, he could become a superstar in the Premier League while concurrently developing into Frank's main man.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 6% for successful take-ons and the top 11% for tackles won per 90, emphasising his blend of technical quality, power, and commitment.

A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.

Picture this: you're an up-and-coming winger, beginning to make headway in the German top flight. You are 19 years old, and one year ago, you starred in Germany's third tier. You have since been described as "the most direct winger in Europe" by data analyst Spencer Mossman.

This is El Mala's reality. He is in his infancy as a professional, and yet his performances have caused a storm that is set to lead him to prominence in the Premier League. Tottenham need to take a punt here and sign their own Saka-esque star.

He is not on the Three Lions man's level, not yet. But the pointers suggest he will be, bearing similarities and perhaps even more explosiveness and sharpness in front of goal.

A self-defined "street footballer", El Mala also plays with an intelligence to match his combative nature. In this, he shares traits with Saka, and that has indeed been picked up by FBref's data patterns.

He likes to pepper the goal, does the young Koln star, but he also likes to chip in with defensive contributions and activity in the duel. Having started only six Bundesliga fixtures this term, the teenager has already found a real clinical edge,

Tottenham might look at El Mala's signature and deem the payment required to be sizeable. Perhaps the transfer chiefs would be right. But he's only going to get better, and given that Arsenal's rise and rise would not have come about without Saka's emergence, this is a player worth paying for.

Tottenham Hotspur need stability, and they also need a clear and attractive culture to work its way back into the stadium, lifting the fans and filling within the first-teamers confidence and identity.

With Spurs 11th in the Premier League, one win from their past seven matches, Thomas Frank is feeling the pressure, and failure to see an uptick in form over the coming weeks will send the Danish coach's fragile tenure in a spin.

But projects take time, and Tottenham could yet create something akin to Mauricio Pochettino's nostalgic tenure. The likes of Heung-min Son and Harry Kane were the defining figures of that fruitful era, but Tottenham created a team that purred from head to toe.

Dele Alli is a shining example in that regard, having joined from MK Dons as a teenager in 2015. The prodigy's rise not only elevated his team but also strengthened the connection with the fanbase too. Now, ENIC Group are looking to repeat the trick.

Spurs looking to sign their new Dele Alli

Tottenham are hoping to get busy in the January transfer window. Frank's squad is perforated with holes, and they need patching up. However, away from the more pressing need for impactful additions, Johan Langa and Fabio Paratici are looking to add youth to the ranks too.

Antoine Semenyo is among the Premier League superstars on the London club's radar, and Guglielmo Vicario's woes have prompted scrutiny on Spurs's goalkeeping plans too.

But Tottenham have an eye for an up-and-coming talent, and they've found a target who might become one of the very best in the business in a few years.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham have joined a long list of clubs in registering their interest in Leicester City starlet Jeremy Monga. The 16-year-old has already established himself in the Championship club's first team.

While Chelsea, Liverpool and the Manchester giants are all namechecked, it is Tottenham who are singled out as pushing 'very strongly' for the left winger's signature. One year ago, PSG came sniffing around and were informed that Monga, 15 at the time, would cost £15m. That figure is sure to have since ballooned.

Why Jeremy Monga could be the new Dele

Monga is very young, but he has already made his Premier League debut, becoming the second-youngest player in the top flight when entering the fray for soon-to-be relegated Leicester against Newcastle United in April.

Leicester were doomed, but the fact that he featured seven times until the end of the campaign makes a firm comment on his potential, with the physicality and speed to succeed at the highest level.

And yet he's still so young. Monga is way ahead of schedule, settling into a big role at the King Power Stadium this term. In this, he could emulate Spurs's former starboy.

Monga's ability to carry the ball forward apace has already handed him plenty of plaudits. He has been described by journalist Graeme Bailey as being "a generational talent", having made more senior appearances than the likes of Premier League starboys Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha.

He has only scored once in the second tier this term, but what a goal it was. That's a teenager with jaw-dropping technical quality. That's a player who, should he join Tottenham, would fall into the category of Dele-esque.

Dele scored 16 goals across 39 League One fixtures in 2014/15, his final year in the EFL before being plucked up to the big time by Daniel Levy and Tottenham.

The 37-cap England international's personal problems are deeply saddening, but there's no question that he was one of the best young talents in the world back in his heyday, with Pochettino even saying in 2017 that he's "the best young player" in Europe.

More of a central attacking midfielder than Monga, the parallels are still there, with the Foxes starlet boasting all he needs to emulate his older countryman and make an age-belying impact at Spurs.

Though he wouldn't be expected to take a leading role from the off in Frank's system, Monga has what it takes to become the club's finest winger since someone like Son.

He has what it takes to become a young superstar.

Tottenham have held loose talks over signing a 'strong' Man City player amid concerns over one of their most selected players, according to a new report this week.

Tottenham set for active January transfer window

As already confirmed by under-fire boss Thomas Frank, Spurs are set for an active January.

“Of course. We will definitely be in the market. No doubt about that,” Frank said last week.

“We want them as early as possible, like every other time and let’s see if we can have them before the 31st of January."

Co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, who were newly announced in the dual role earlier this season, are also set for their first transfer window officially working in unison, and it could be a crucial one.

Pressure is mounting on Frank after a dismal 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, and sections of supporters are convinced that the Dane isn't the right man to take them forward in this new era post-Daniel Levy.

Reports suggest that Tottenham will look to back Frank with a new forward signing next month to alleviate the burden on Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus as their arguable two most important creators.

Dejan Kulusevski isn't expected back any time soon, with Sweden boss Graham Potter predicting a March return for the winger and hopefully in time for their World Cup play-off against Ukraine.

Meanwhile, James Maddison is still undergoing his long-winded rehab from an ACL injury sustained in pre-season, so he could be out until nearer the end of 2025/2026.

Bringing in an alternative winger may well be crucial, with Fabrizio Romano reporting this week that Tottenham are aggressively pursuing Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo after news of his £65 million release clause.

Meanwhile, an attacker might not be the only item on Paratici and Lange's agenda, with 'growing concerns' surrounding goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario following a litany of high-profile errors this season.

That is according to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, who report that Frank's side are also in the market for a new shot-stopper.

Tottenham hold loose talks to sign Man City keeper James Trafford

As per their information, Tottenham have held exploratory talks over Man City goalkeeper James Trafford as Frank prepares to address worries about Vicario ahead of January.

The 23-year-old has emerged as a priority target for Spurs, who believe the young Englishman represents an ideal foundation for their goalkeeping position moving forward.

Trafford rejoined City in the summer following his impressive Championship campaign with Burnley, yet finds himself trapped behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order at the Etihad.

City are understood to be receptive toward allowing Trafford's exit to facilitate his development, with early conversations surrounding a temporary deal including a mandatory buy clause.

However, Pep Guardiola has already indicated his preference to keep the goalkeeper until the end of the season, though Trafford himself is pushing for regular action elsewhere.

Guardiola lavished praise on Trafford as a 'strong' character with a 'big personality' too, right after Tottenham upset City at Eastlands back in August.

“What happened does not belong just to James," Guardiola said.

"To James what happened with the second goal [against Spurs], he’s a strong man and huge personality."

This comes as Frank weighs up a potential replacement for Vicario, who's been linked with a return to Italy with Inter Milan next year.

Trafford's age and high ceiling make him an attractive proposition for Frank's rebuild.

The England prospect combines senior experience with untapped potential for growth. His stature, shot-stopping credentials and comfortable distribution would also address Vicario's deficiencies.

A structured loan would also give Tottenham financial flexibility, while evaluating whether Trafford can really handle the pressure at a top club challenging for European qualification and silverware.

Tottenham Hotspur may have hoped that they had finally found their next Mauricio Pochettino when they appointed Thomas Frank to replace Ange Postecoglou in the summer.

Pochettino spent five years in the dugout in North London, reaching a Champions League final in that time, and none of the club's managers since he left have made it past two years in charge.

The likes of Ange Postecoglou, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and Nuno Espirito Santo all tried and failed to follow in his footsteps, and Frank looks set to be the latest to try and fail.

Why Spurs should sack Thomas Frank

Despite only being four months into the season, ESPN recently reported that there is growing concern among the fanbase about the Dane's future at the club, despite also reporting that Spurs are not set to cut ties with the head coach.

The former Brentford manager's performance this season has left a lot to be desired, as the team's displays in the Premier League, in particular, have been poor.

Frank's style of play has been awkward to watch at times. Spurs struggle to consistently create chances, whilst playing attractive football, with the tactics and systems that he deploys.

As you can see in the table above, only three teams in the Premier League have a lower xG tally than Spurs, whilst their actual position compared to their Expected Position suggests that they have been fortunate to pick up 22 points.

With this in mind, it currently looks unlikely that Frank is set to go on and be the new Pochettino who will enjoy a long spell in North London playing attacking, exciting, football.

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has been linked with Spurs in the past, per TEAMtalk, and they should revive their interest in him by sacking Frank.

Why Spurs should swoop for Iraola

The Europa League champions should fire their current boss to make a move for the Cherries tactician because he has the potential to be their next Pochettino.

Tottenham, as evidenced in the earlier graphic, scored 559 goals in 293 matches for the Argentine manager, which shows that they were a prolific and exciting team to watch.

Given how poor Frank's side have been at creating chances and playing good football this season, appointing a manager who plays attractive and effective football should be a priority for the Lilywhites.

Iraola's Bournemouth side are certainly fun to watch, as evidenced by their 4-4 draw with Manchester United on Monday night, and their statistics in the Premier League back that up.

Since the start of the 2024/25 campaign, the Cherries have generated roughly 13 more xG than Tottenham have under Postecoglou and Frank combined, despite the fact that Spurs spent £65m to sign Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth in the summer of 2024.

Tottenham signed the England international in the hope that he would be able to bring the goalscoring prowess he showed for Bournemouth to North London, but he only scored nine Premier League goals last season, per Sofascore.

Instead of looking at the output, as they did with Solanke and may do with their reported interest in Antoine Semenyo, they should look at the manager whose structure created an environment for Solanke and Semenyo to thrive at the top end of the pitch.

Frank, whose side sit in the bottom four for xG, has not created a structure that has allowed a player like Xavi Simons, for example, to thrive, because his team is not set up to consistently create high-quality chances.

Iraola, who was described as "one of the best in the (Premier) league" by Como scout Ben Mattinson and "one of the best in Europe" by one journalist, has proven that he can coach an exciting attacking set-up at Premier League level and that he can develop high-value talents, like Solanke and Semenyo.

Therefore, the Spaniard could be the next Pochettino at Spurs as another manager who plays attacking, fearless, football that could get fans excited, making him a coach who has the potential to be a long-term appointment, rather than a pragmatic short-term hire.

The January transfer window is just around the corner and it will be interesting to see what Tottenham Hotspur decide to do with their squad.

A winger seems to be one of the positions that is on the agenda for Fabio Paratici. RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande and Juventus sensation Kenan Yildiz are two players who have been linked with a move to the club in recent weeks.

Signing a new winger is not the only move that Spurs should make to bolster their attack ahead of the second half of the season, though, as they should also be in the market for a new number nine.

Why Spurs need to sign a new centre-forward

Centre-forward has been a problem position for the club since they sold Harry Kane to Bayern Munich for £86.4m in the summer of 2023, which is not a surprise given that Tottenham's all-time top scorer, with 280 goals, was always going to be a tough act to follow.

Dominic Solanke was signed from Bournemouth for £65m last year, but the English striker only scored nine goals from 10.97 xG in the Premier League last season, per Sofascore, and has been out since August with an ankle injury this term.

Richarlison has been the first-choice centre-forward for Tottenham in the 2025/26 campaign, partially down to Solanke's injury, and has only scored seven goals in 25 appearances in all competitions, per Sofascore.

The Brazil international has scored some stunning goals, including the one above and an overhead kick against Burnley on the opening day, but he has not provided consistency on the pitch, as evidenced by the graphic below, which is why a new striker should be signed.

Richarlison, despite his inconsistency in front of goal, has not been Tottenham's most frustrating player this season, though, as there is another flop who should be sold in January.

The Spurs flop who should finally be sold in January

With the January transfer window on the horizon, Spurs should finally cash in on Pedro Porro, whose form has left a lot to be desired in the 2025/26 campaign.

OnlyTottenham podcaster Seb Martin claimed that the Spain international has been "absolutely diabolical" at the end of last month, and it is hard to disagree with that assessment of his performances this season.

Porro lost possession 22 times and lost five of his eight ground duels, per Sofascore, in the dismal 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the weekend, which was the latest in a long line of disappointing performances from the full-back this term.

As you can see in the table above, the former Sporting defender has been far more wasteful and less creative in possession than he had been in the top-flight for Spurs last season.

Porro, as of a couple of weeks ago, was also the third-most dribbled past defender in the division, which shows that his defensive work has also been lacking.

His performances have declined under Thomas Frank, as evidenced by these statistics, and the January transfer window provides the club with an opportunity to part ways with him.

Earlier this month, TEAMtalk reported that Manchester City are keeping tabs on the defender's situation in North London, ahead of a possible swoop for his services, which suggests that there is interest in the full-back if Spurs decide to cash in on him.

Porro has been even worse than Richarlison, who has at least provided some big moments with his goals, this season and that is why Tottenham should finally cash in on him, after almost three years at the club.

City may be hoping that they can get him back to the form that he showed in the past for Spurs, but there is no guarantee that he will not continue to underperform and regress on the pitch.

Therefore, Spurs should cut their losses and cash in on him amid interest from their Premier League rivals, to fund a move for a new right-back to come through the door.

Tottenham have indicated they're ready to bid up to £35 million for a PSG target after concrete discussions, according to a report this week.

Thomas Frank under fire after woeful Tottenham defeat

Spurs' frankly humiliating 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday has dramatically intensified the pressure surrounding manager Thomas Frank, with growing concerns that the Dane may already be out of his depth despite only arriving from Brentford during the summer.

That loss at the City Ground represented arguably Frank's worst afternoon since taking charge, with his side thoroughly outclassed from first whistle to the last.

Callum Hudson-Odoi's brace and Ibrahim Sangare's spectacular late strike condemned Spurs to their sixth league defeat of the campaign, leaving them languishing in mid-table.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario endured a nightmare performance that exposed deeper problems within Frank's squad.

The Italian first placed teammate Archie Gray under immense pressure when playing out from the back, allowing Sangare to steal possession and tee up the opener. Five minutes after halftime, Vicario badly misjudged Hudson-Odoi's overhit cross, watching helplessly as it sailed over him into the far corner.

This season alone, Vicario has registered the most errors leading to goals of any goalkeeper in the Premier League, further highlighting his decline in form.

Frank admitted his dismay over the performance afterwards, acknowledging how his side looked increasingly disjointed after conceding.

However, worrying underlying statistics suggest deeper issues.

Tottenham are overperforming expected goals by 9.7 — the highest margin in the Premier League — suggesting current results flatter underlying performances.

Only three teams have attempted fewer shots this season, with Spurs ranking seventeenth for shots on target.

Spurs quite simply need inspiration from somewhere, and Frank has already confirmed that they will be active when the January transfer window opens for business next month.

“Of course. We will definitely be in the market. No doubt about that,” Frank said last week.

“We want them as early as possible, like every other time and let’s see if we can have them before the 31st of January.

“If I ever speak about other players, it needs to be [Lionel] Messi or [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [who] are retiring soon.

“I think not about that specific situation or other players, just every position we have, we have more players on the list for right-back, centre-back, number six, goalkeeper, right-winger, whatever, and it is never straight forward in terms of signing players, that’s for sure.”

While FC Koln's Said El Mala has already rebuffed a potential winter transfer, that hasn't stopped Spurs from making an approach for his services.

Tottenham ready to bid up to £35m for Said El Mala after approach

That is according to Sport Bild, who report that Tottenham have made a 'concrete' enquiry over signing El Mala, a player also wanted by the likes of PSG, Man United and Bayern Munich.

Spurs have also 'indicated' that they're willing to offer up to £35 million for the German winger's signature, so the intent is there.

The 19-year-old has emerged as one of the Bundesliga's breakout stars this season, establishing himself as Koln's most exciting talent since Florian Wirtz left them for Bayer Leverkusen years ago.

Despite primarily featuring as an impact substitute under coach Lukas Kwasniok, the Krefeld native has delivered devastating contributions with six goals and three assists across 16 league appearances.

The Germany Under-21 international was also given his first call-up to the senior squad by Julian Nagelsmann in November, featuring on the bench in their 2-0 win over Luxembourg.

If El Mala continues this form, he could be an outside contender for Germany's 2026 World Cup squad, and all of this interest from Europe's elite is certainly a big sign of how highly-rated he is.

Tottenham face the prospect of losing an ever-present of Thomas Frank's starting eleven as Inter Milan prepare an offer to sign him, according to reports.

Thomas Frank under pressure after dismal Nottingham Forest loss

There was already pressure on Frank before their dismal 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest last weekend, but it has now reached boiling point.

Spurs endured a dismal afternoon at the City Ground on Sunday, suffering a comprehensive loss to Sean Dyche's side that has since intensified scrutiny surrounding Frank's position.

The visitors were thoroughly outplayed throughout, managing just one shot on target as Callum Hudson-Odoi's brace and Ibrahim Sangare's spectacular late strike condemned Spurs to their sixth Premier League defeat of the season.

The result leaves Tottenham languishing in mid-table with only four points now separating them from 16th-placed Forest.

Frank admitted afterwards he was "burning inside" following what he described as a "bad performance," acknowledging his side looked increasingly disjointed after conceding.

"It's hugely annoying, burning inside," Frank told reporters.

"I had such a good feeling going into this game, then we deliver this performance, which is not good enough. It's a bad performance, overall.

"I thought, especially after the first goal, we looked even more disjointed. Before that, they were winning more of the duels, landing more of the second balls and the worst thing is I think we threw the ball away about 20 times, simple passes, and when you lose those three elements, it's very difficult to win a football match."

The defeat ended a brief three-match unbeaten run that had provided temporary optimism following victories over Brentford and Slavia Prague.

Internal discussions are reportedly underway at Tottenham regarding Frank's future (Fabrizio Romano), though the club hierarchy insists no imminent decision will be made.

Frank is apparently under no immediate threat of losing his job (ESPN), though patience is wearing very thin among supporters who are increasingly frustrated by conservative tactics and underwhelming performances.

To make matters worse, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario endured another nightmare performance against Forest, culpable for both of Hudson-Odoi's goals.

The Italian first placed teammate Archie Gray under immense pressure when playing out from the back, allowing Sangare to steal possession and tee up the opener.

Five minutes after halftime, Vicario badly misjudged Hudson-Odoi's overhit cross, which sailed over him into the far corner.

The 29-year-old has been repeatedly linked with a return to Serie A in the build up to next year, with news outlet L'Interista providing a fresh update.

Inter Milan ready offer for Tottenham number one Guglielmo Vicario

Vicario has played more minutes than any other Lilywhites player in the league this season as their undisputed number one, but the Spurs mainstay would like a return to Italy.

That is according to L'Interista, who also report that Inter are ready to offer £17.5 million for Vicario, even if Tottenham would like north of £22 million.

Even though there is a difference in price right now, it is believed that the Nerazzurri could bridge that gap as he ticks a lot of boxes for Cristian Chivu's side.

Inter could also offer Vicario a significant pay rise on his current £75,000-per-week pay packet at Spurs to tempt him towards the San Siro, and they're 'convinced' that a deal can be done for him.

This also coincides with reports that Tottenham are assessing potential goalkeeping options ahead of the new year.

Micky van de Ven has been in the news this week after the Tottenham Hotspur defender opted to go on The Overlap to do an in-depth interview with Gary Neville.

The Netherlands international spoke about a range of topics, which you can go and watch on their YouTube channel, and explained that the main reason he signed for Spurs was because Ange Postecoglou promised that he would be a starter.

That has been the case for the left-footed star so far in North London, as he has started 54 of his 55 appearances in the Premier League for the club, per Sofascore.

The former Wolfsburg defender has not had the best start to the season, losing 62% of his aerial duels in the top-flight (Sofascore), and could lose his place as a starter unless his form improves.

Spurs ready to make move for Premier League star

Van de Ven's security in the starting line-up could also come into question if the Europa League champions are able to bring in another player in his position.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham Hotspur are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi in the January transfer window.

The report claims that Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United are among the other teams, alongside Spurs, who have made contact with the England international's representatives to gauge his interest in a move.

It adds that Tottenham, along with the other Premier League sides mentioned, are 'ready' to make an offer to sign the Eagles star, whose contract at Selhurst Park is due to expire at the end of the season.

Why Guehi would be an upgrade on Van de Ven

If Spurs can win the race for Guehi, whether that is for a cut-price fee in January or on a free transfer next summer, he could come in as an upgrade on Van de Ven on the left side of the defence.

Despite being naturally right-footed, the former Chelsea academy graduate typically plays in the left centre-back role for club and country, which means that he could come in as a direct rival to the Dutchman's place in the team.

Van de Ven brings attacking qualities, with six goals this season, to the side, but Guehi has also shown that he can make an impact at the top end of the pitch, with two goals and three assists as a centre-back this term, per Sofascore.

This shows that replacing the Dutchman with the Palace captain may not hinder Tottenham too much from an offensive perspective, whilst it could improve them defensively, based on their respective form this season.

Guehi's impressive performances in the Premier League for Palace in the 2025/26 campaign suggest that he would improve Thomas Frank's backline as a direct replacement for van de Ven in the left-sided centre-back role next to Kevin Danso or Cristian Romero.

As you can see in the table above, the England international has outperformed the Dutchman in a host of defensive metrics in the top-flight this season, particularly in aerial duels.

Van de Ven's 38% win percentage in aerial duels is a dismal statistic to have as a centre-back, tasked with being dominant in the air against attackers and defending set-pieces, whilst Guehi excels in that department, winning 71% of his aerial contests.

These statistics may go a way to explaining why Palace have conceded six goals fewer than Spurs in the Premier League, per Sofascore, and are six places above them in the league.

Reporter Bobby Manzi once described Guehi as a "monster in defence" and his statistics this season back that claim up, as he has been a dominant and impressive Premier League centre-back.

Therefore, Spurs should be pushing hard to win the race for Guehi's signature, either next month or in the summer, because he could come in as a significant upgrade on Van de Ven, who would then not have the starter status that he joined for in the first place.

Newcastle United have now made contact over a potential deal to welcome a former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder back to the Premier League, according to reports.

Eddie Howe: Newcastle "weren't a mess" vs Sunderland

Newcastle just can't find any consistency at the moment. From last-gasp Champions League draws and impressive victories over the likes of Manchester City to a 1-0 defeat in the Tyne-Wear derby at the hands of Sunderland, the Magpies are quickly becoming one of the toughest sides to predict in the league.

Defeat at the Stadium of Light sparked more questions about Eddie Howe's tenure than ever before in Tyneside. Club captain Bruno Guimaraes even slammed the performance at full-time in a brutally honest review, but Howe has chosen to remain optimistic about his side's display.

He told reporters earlier this week: "I think Bruno's comments, he was 90 per cent right initially.

"I don't think we were a mess. I don't think the other parts of his original comments were wrong. But we weren't a mess. We were very well organised. We just didn't deliver the performance that we wanted to. I think Bruno's very emotional and that's part of his success.

"That's why he's such an outstanding player for us and leader for us but it's making sure our messaging is right to the outside world. The second statement he put across is 100 per cent right and that's what we need. The mindset now is we can't affect the past. We can only affect the future and we need to do that together."

Whether Guimaraes was right or wrong last weekend, there's no doubt that Newcastle need reinforcements in January if they are to set their sights on European qualification once again.

Welcoming a player with experience on Europe's biggest stage certainly wouldn't be a bad idea on that front either, making Giovani Lo Celso a standout target.

According to reports in Spain, Newcastle have now made contact over a deal to sign Lo Celso in the January transfer window. The former Tottenham midfielder has struggled to make his mark in La Liga this season, scoring once in 13 games, and could now be on his way back to the Premier League.

At his best, the Argentine is capable of unlocking the most stubborn defences and at just €25m (£22m), he'd be a bargain deal for Newcastle if they managed to finally get him back to his best, free-flowing form in Tyneside.

Dubbed "great" by former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou the last time that he was in the Premier League, Lo Celso may come back to haunt those in North London and end some unfinished business in England when the January transfer window arrives.

It all comes down to consistency for the Argentine, who only showed glimpses of his best at Spurs. Newcastle can't afford to splash more money on midfielders who fail to live up to expectations and there's no denying that Lo Celso would be a risk.

Tottenham Hotspur’s 17th-place finish in the Premier League last season will no doubt have rung the alarm bells of the hierarchy during the off-season.

As a result, Ange Postecoglou was handed his marching orders, which led to the responsibility falling into the hands of Thomas Frank after his appointment from Brentford.

The Dane was even-handed funds of over £100m in the summer window to make the changes he desired to the squad, but it appears as though the cracks are starting to show once again.

The Lilywhites are currently sitting in 11th place in England’s top-flight, after enduring a slump in form which has resulted in four losses over the last seven matches.

During such a run, one player has no doubt played a huge part in their struggles, with his mistakes undoubtedly costing Frank’s men during numerous key moments.

Why Guglielmo Vicario has struggled in 2025/26

Over the last couple of months, boss Frank has still decided to stick with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario despite the shot-stopper making numerous mistakes in the Premier League.

His failed clearance against Fulham led to Harry Wilson firing into an empty net, with such an effort proving to be the winner and contributing to the recent poor form in North London.

Sunday’s outing against Nottingham Forest also showcased the 29-year-old’s struggles, with his short pass to Archie Gray being picked off by Ibrahim Sangare - leading to the opening goal.

He also massively misjudged Callum Hudson-Odoi’s second-half cross at the City Ground, leading to a two-goal cushion for Sean Dyche’s side and confining Frank’s men to another loss.

This campaign alone, Vicario has registered the most errors leading to goals of any ‘keeper in the division - further highlighting his lack of quality in recent months.

Ultimately, the club need to sort out the situation between the sticks, with the lack of quality in such a department no doubt preventing the side in key matches.

Spurs star is becoming Frank's biggest weakness

With the club sitting in the bottom half of England’s top-flight, it’s evident that Frank is yet to find the winning formula on a consistent basis after taking the reins at Spurs.

Richarlison has often been the man to start in the centre-forward position, but often to little effect, as seen by his performance against Forest on Sunday afternoon.

The Brazilian featured for the entirety of the defeat, but could only register a total of 16 touches - the lowest of any player on the pitch, showcasing his lack of impact.

He also failed to register a single shot on target, whilst also losing 75% of the aerial battles he entered, often being dominated by the Reds’ backline.

However, despite his struggles, his teammate Rodrigo Bentancur has once again come under fire, with the Uruguayan international another player who’s struggled to match expectations.

He’s featured in all but one league game of the 2025/26 campaign, but that doesn’t mean he’s been below the standard many expected after his new contract.

Frank evidently has a lot of faith in the 28-year-old, but it should no doubt be wearing thin, especially when taking his recent showing against the Reds into consideration.

Bentancur started the game and featured for 59 minutes before being withdrawn, with his numbers from the game showing his lack of positive impact at the City Ground.

He failed to win any of the three tackles he entered, whilst being beaten in 80% of the aerials he contested, often being dominated just like Richarlison.

The midfielder also only registered 46 touches of the ball, whilst also giving possession away on five occasions - highlighting his wasteful nature in possession.

After the showing in the East Midlands, Mitch Fretton, a journalist and content creator, labelled him and Vicario as “clear weaknesses” in the current squad.

Both have massively struggled to match the faith shown in them by the manager, which could lead to both of them being offloaded in the months ahead.

The Dane was brought into the club to bring added success after the Europa League triumph, but if he is to do just that, he desperately needs to offload Vicario and Bentancur.