Football FanCast

The last few months have been a whirlwind for Tottenham Hotspur supporters, especially considering the topsy-turvy nature of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Lilywhites won the Europa League under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, with the Aussie delivering on his promise of always winning a trophy in his second season.

However, it was somewhat overshadowed by the 17th-place finish in the Premier League, which ultimately cost the 60-year-old his job in North London.

The responsibility of building on the triumph was handed the way of Thomas Frank, with the Dane joining the club from fellow top-flight club Brentford during the off-season.

Despite his arrival, some players have struggled to match the levels they produced last campaign, which will have no doubt been frustrating to the new manager.

The Spurs players who have struggled in 2025/26

After arguably his best-ever campaign in 2024/25, Brennan Johnson has endured a dismal current campaign and has often failed to deliver when called upon by Frank.

The Welsh international has only netted two league goals in 2025/26 to date, subsequently dropping down the pecking order and only making five starts since the Dane’s arrival.

He was even sent off in the latest Champions League clash against FC Copenhagen, which pretty much sums up the decline he’s endured over the last few months.

Johnson hasn’t been alone in struggling to match the levels he produced last season, with midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur another who’s been unable to produce on a consistent basis.

The Uruguayan international has only made eight starts to date, but his numbers from the current campaign showcase his dismal form in North London.

He’s ranked in the 43rd percentile for passes completed and has only been able to make 0.5 interceptions per 90 - often struggling to make an effect in and out of possession.

The Spurs star who needs to be offloaded

The decline of some players has led to the recent additions during the summer, with the hierarchy landing Mohammed Kudus in a £55m deal from West Ham United.

The Ghanaian international has since replaced Johnson on the right-hand side of the attack and has already made an immediate impact for the Lilywhites.

He’s scored once and registered four assists in the Premier League to date, with the latter of the two tallies the joint-highest of any player in England’s top-flight.

Kudus would have been joined in the final third by Dominic Solanke, but the Englishman has massively struggled with injuries and has been out of action since the end of August.

He’s been struggling with an ankle issue over the last couple of months, subsequently restricting him to a total of just 31 Premier League minutes in 2025/26.

As a result, the hierarchy decided to delve back into the transfer market to complete a loan deal for striker Randal Kolo Muani from French side PSG.

The 26-year-old’s move generated huge excitement within the fanbase, but after a couple of months, it’s safe to say that the deal so far has been a disaster for everyone involved.

He’s struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, with the loanee subsequently failing to score in any of his eight outings across all competitions.

His underlying stats also showcase his lack of form since his transfer on Deadline Day, with the former Juventus star undoubtedly struggling to meet expectations in England.

He’s only registered a total of 0.47 shots per 90 in England’s top-flight - with such a tally ranking him in the lowest 1% of all other attackers in the division this season.

Kolo Muani, who earns a reported £150k-per-week, has also registered just 1.4 touches in the opposition box and 0.4 aerials won per 90, which place him in the first percentile - further highlighting his lack of positive impact to date.

Such form backs up one content creator’s previous claim about the forward, with the Frenchman previously being dubbed “one of the most overrated players in the world".

It’s evident that the move to date has been a huge failure, with the club desperately needing to cut ties and allow other players to stake their claim for a starting role.

His loan deal shouldn’t be made permanent in either of the two windows before it expires, but it’s crucial the club do invest big and land a new talisman for Frank.

Tottenham have reportedly made an eye-watering initial offer to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo ahead of the January transfer window after contacting Los Blancos president Florentino Perez.

Rodrygo's once-prominent status at Real has come under serious threat this season, with the Brazilian winger's reduced role fueling speculation about a potential departure from the Bernabeu.

The 24-year-old's situation has deteriorated rapidly since Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout. Despite featuring in 13 matches this season, Rodrygo has managed just 359 minutes of playing time in all competitions, less than 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono, Arda Güler and the exit-linked Vinícius Júnior.

More tellingly, he hasn't completed a full 90 minutes in any game at all this term, suggesting a serious fall down Alonso's pecking order.

Rodrygo has started just three of his 13 competitive matches in 25/26, including only one start in his last seven La Liga games, raising serious questions about his future at the club where he's won two Champions League titles.

The former Santos sensation, speaking to reporters in Brazil's mixed media zone earlier this week, opened up about his lack of chances and put on a dedicated front.

However, behind-the-scenes, whispers are indicating that a January exit could be on the cards for him.

Rodrygo was attracting interest from Tottenham in the summer, with north London rivals Arsenal also holding talks over signing the South American as far back as May, according to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg.

While a move to the English capital didn't materialise for Rodrygo, it could well be revisited in January, with ESPN Brasil reporting that he's privately open to leaving Real after growing dissatisfied under Alonso.

From Tottenham's perspective, it is believed that Thomas Frank's side are prepared to spend a club-record fee on bringing Rodrygo to N17, as per reports from Spain, and there's now been another update on his future, again involving Spurs.

As per Spanish media sources, the Lilywhites have approached Perez with a proposal already.

Tottenham are now said to have made an 'initial offer' of around £75 million for Rodrygo, with £62 million to be paid in full plus a further £13 million in add-ons. Right now, they're apparently showing the 'most interest' of any potential suitor, with Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici setting their sights on a statement signing.

However, that isn't to say they're alone in the race, as other unnamed Premier League clubs have inquired about Rodrygo as well.

The Lewis family recently backed Tottenham with a £100 million cash injection which could be put towards the club's recruitment drive, and reports of this nature suggest that they're looking to usher in a post-Daniel Levy era with real aplomb.

Tactically, he offers Frank exactly what the Dane has been missing — creativity.

His strengths include exceptional dribbling, key passing, finishing and crossing ability (WhoScored), providing that spark from wide areas which Tottenham have desperately lacked so far, bar Mohammed Kudus.

Rodrygo's versatility across the front three would give Frank real tactical flexibility as well, given he's capable of operating on either flank or even centrally.

AZ Alkmaar striker and former Tottenham golden boy Troy Parrott has been linked with a return to the Premier League, but could Spurs take the plunge and re-sign the young star once tipped to emulate Harry Kane?

Parrott has emerged as one of Europe's most in-form strikers this season, with his prolific displays for AZ and heroic performances for the Republic of Ireland catapulting him back into the Premier League spotlight after rebuilding his career in the Netherlands.

The 23-year-old Dubliner has enjoyed a sensational campaign in the Eredivisie, demonstrating the clinical finishing and all-round game that once made him Tottenham's most exciting academy prospect.

Parrott started the season in blistering fashion, netting ten goals in his opening seven appearances across all competitions before a knee ligament injury disrupted his momentum at the end of August. Since returning to action, he's added three more, taking his tally to 13 strikes in just 14 matches this term — one of the best records in Dutch football.

However, it is his recent international exploits which have truly captured attention across Europe.

In November's World Cup qualifying double-header, Parrott delivered two performances that will live long in Irish football folklore. He scored both goals in a stunning 2-0 victory over Portugal, before producing an even more dramatic display against Hungary.

His hat-trick, including a 96th-minute winner, secured a miraculous 3-2 victory in Budapest and booked Ireland's place in the World Cup play-offs.

This is a far cry from his spell at Spurs, where he ultimately failed to break into the first-team after successive loan spells in England's lower tiers. Disappointing stints at Millwall, Ipswich Town, MK Dons and Preston North End yielded just 13 goals in 102 appearances, with Parrott making the bold decision to move permanently to the Netherlands.

Initially joining Excelsior on loan, where he rediscovered his confidence with 17 goals in 32 games, he secured a permanent transfer to AZ in the summer 2024 for nearly £7 million.

The move has proven transformative. Last season, Parrott scored 14 goals in 28 Eredivisie matches, including a stunning four-goal haul in a 9-1 demolition of Heerenveen. His performances helped propel AZ to fifth whilst establishing himself as the league's joint third-highest scorer.

Now, with Parrott in the form of his life, Premier League sides are considering a move.

West Ham are among Parrott's suitors ahead of the January transfer window, and AZ are poised to demand nearly quadruple what they paid for the forward — having slapped a £26 million price tag on his head.

This is now backed up by GiveMeSport and reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, who also share the odds of Parrott re-joining Tottenham.

Unfortunately, for those who'd be keen to see the number nine back at N17, it is bad news.

GMS report that a Tottenham return for Parrott is 'off the cards', and it is believed that the north Londoners did not insert a buy-back clause in the deal which saw him join AZ last year. That being said, they do have a 20 per cent sell-on clause, so Thomas Frank's side could get a decent seven-figure windfall via the likes of West Ham or Fulham if either side manages to strike an agreement.

Spurs' disinterest in bringing Parrott back comes despite their hunt for a striker.

Dominic Solanke has suffered with injury issues this season, playing just 49 minutes all season, and the England international is apparently set to miss their upcoming clashes against Arsenal and PSG (The Athletic).

Meanwhile, Richarlison has struggled for form, and reports in Italy suggest Roma are eyeing a move for Mathys Tel amid his desire to leave Spurs in January.

Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange — Tottenham's co-sporting directors — are prioritising the signing of a centre-forward, with Al-Ahli's Ivan Toney believed to be a top target, among others.

However, going by this latest update, Spurs' potential new striker won't be Parrott despite his transformation abroad.

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has been at the centre of reports that he could leave the Bernabeu mid-season following a lack of game time under Xabi Alonso, and Tottenham are believed to be among the contenders for his signature.

Rodrygo finds himself at a career crossroads as his situation at Madrid continues to deteriorate.

The Brazilian, once considered a crucial part of Los Blancos' attacking plans, has seen his role dramatically diminish since Alonso's appointment, sparking widespread speculation about a potential January departure.

Rodrygo has played just 359 minutes this season, having started just two out of a possible 10 La Liga games, and is firmly behind Vinícius Júnior in the pecking order for his preferred left-wing position.

The 24-year-old, who was regularly linked with a summer exit, including to Spurs, has struggled for opportunities despite his previous contributions to the club's success.

ESPN Brasil have backed up the possibility that Rodrygo could leave in January, stating that the ex-Santos sensation is "dissatisfied with his situation" and "maintains the option" of leaving as early as the next transfer window.

This has put a host of Premier League sides on alert, including Tottenham once again, and there are suggestions that the north Londoners could go all out for his signature.

Now backed by the Lewis family as they attempt to usher in a post-Daniel Levy era, the club, led by co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange are apparently prepared to pay a club-record £70 million for Rodrygo, according to reports from Spain.

The £283,000-per-week star would be a statement signing for the Lilywhites, and reports suggest that Real are prepared to slash his asking price from their original £88 million summer valuation down to around £53 million, amid rival interest from Arsenal and Chelsea (TEAMtalk).

This means that Spurs' mooted £70m stance would be more than enough, but none of this means anything without the player's approval.

Indeed, Rodrygo has now moved to speak out about his Madrid future, attempting to quell the noise surrounding his unrest in the Spanish capital.

Rodrygo breaks silence on Real Madrid future amid Tottenham interest

Speaking to the media, Rodrygo has hinted at his unhappiness surrounding game time right now, but also suggests he has no fears when it comes to inclusion in Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad.

While the attacker appears to be presenting the front of 'I'll work hard for the manager', behind-the-scenes whispers tell a different story, and we wouldn't at all be surprised if a Premier League club manages to tempt him across the channel.

Meanwhile, football finance expert Stefan Borson is convinced that Tottenham could sign Rodrygo on loan.

"I think to do it permanently would be almost impossible for all but a couple of sides," Borson told Football Insider.

“I think the loan situation is different, of course, because there’s a sliding scale as to what people pay. Do they pay a loan fee? Do they pay all his wages? Do they pay a loan fee plus his wages? That depends on how much Real Madrid want him out the door, want to see him in a different league and if other people want to take that gamble.

“I think it looks like he’s the sort of player that could interest Spurs on a loan, especially if the purse strings are being loosened by the Lewis family and they want a bit of magic dust into the side. He could be a good player for that.”

Tottenham take on Arsenal in a mouth-watering North London derby clash this weekend, with all eyes on that and the looming January window as Frank looks to put his stamp on the squad.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League triumph in the 2024/25 campaign allowed numerous players to write themselves into the club’s history books forever.

The Lilywhites ended their 17-year wait for a piece of silverware, and did so in tremendous fashion after defeating fellow Premier League side Manchester United in Bilbao.

Ange Postecoglou handed the fanbase memories to last a lifetime with the triumph, but it wasn’t enough to maintain his position as manager in North London.

Thomas Frank was elected as the man to take the reins during the summer, with the Dane handed the responsibility of taking the club to the next level after the European success.

However, his appointment has prevented numerous players from kicking on in their careers, with the first-team members often struggling to replicate the form they demonstrated under the Aussie.

The biggest losers from Thomas Frank's appointment at Spurs

Yves Bissouma was often one of Postecoglou’s first names on the teamsheet during the 2024/25 campaign, as seen by his tally of 44 appearances across all competitions.

The Malian international featured in 11 of the 15 club’s European outings last campaign, but it’s safe to say his spell under Frank has been far from successful to date.

He was left out of the club’s UEFA Super Cup final after being late numerous times, resulting in missing out on the club’s Premier League squad for the current 2025/26 campaign.

However, he’s not alone in that regard, with Brennan Johnson one of the Lilywhites’ most important players in the previous campaign, as seen by his phenomenal goalscoring record.

The Welshman scored 18 times across all competitions - even netting the winner in the Europa League final - subsequently ending the year as the club’s top goalscorer.

Like Bissouma, he’s struggled for consistency this time around, with the 24-year-old only starting five league games out of a possible 11 since Frank took charge in the summer.

Mohammed Kudus’ arrival has no doubt pushed him down the pecking order, with the manager seemingly preferring the Ghanaian international over him at present.

Spurs star is no longer "one of the best in the world"

Spurs’ £120m spending spree during the summer window has made competition for places even tougher in 2025/26, with the first-team now having incredible depth in certain areas of the squad.

Given the number of competitions the Lilywhites are currently featuring in this season, it’s crucial Frank has the ability to rotate and rest certain players when needed.

Competitions such as the Premier League and Champions League will likely take priority, which has seen numerous players have to settle for minutes off the bench as a result.

Djed Spence has taken his career in North London to the next level over the last couple of years, with the full-back taking advantage of the injury crisis last campaign.

The Englishman made himself a regular starter under Ange last campaign, which has resulted in the 25-year-old now becoming an international regular under Thomas Tuchel.

His starts at right-back has provided competition for Pedro Porro in such an area of the pitch, with the Spaniard often missing out from the starting eleven as a result in recent months.

The 26-year-old has become known for his ability in possession rather than out of it, with Spence the complete opposite and making him an excellent fit for Frank’s system.

In 2024/25, Porro registered nine assists across all competitions, the most in a single season since his move to England - resulting in one journalist labelling him the “best in the world”.

However, in the ongoing campaign, the full-back has only registered one assist to date - showcasing his struggles - with his underlying stats also a cause for concern.

He’s completed just 72% of the passes he’s attempted to date, with such a tally ranking him in the bottom 8% of all players in England’s top-flight this season.

Porro’s crossing success has also taken a massive hit in recent months, as the Spaniard has only completed a total of 17% of his efforts as of the middle of November.

Out of possession, he’s struggled just as much, as seen by his tally of just 3.9 duels won per 90, with such a figure placing him in the bottom 25% of all defenders in the league.

His lack of defensive talent is also evident in his tally of being dribbled past 1.3 times per 90, which is higher than 82% of other full-backs in the division at present.

Such numbers will certainly be a cause for concern to the manager, especially given the quality of players such as Spence already on the books in North London.

Despite his form under Ange, Porro could now find himself on borrowed time in the near future, with the hierarchy potentially tempted to cash in on him and invest in other areas of the squad.

Tottenham Hotspur fans have entered the 2025/26 campaign with huge expectations, especially after the Europa League triumph against Manchester United at the end of May.

The Lilywhites ended their 17-year wait for a trophy in Bilbao, which has no doubt cranked the pressure up on Thomas Frank after he took the reins from Ange Postecoglou during the off-season.

He completed four deals of his own during his maiden summer in North London, with his arrivals racking up over £100m spent to help improve the options at the Dane’s disposal.

The likes of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons made the move to join the Lilywhites, with the pair helping the side sit in fifth-place in the Premier League at present.

However, Frank will no doubt want to further bolster his squad in the upcoming January transfer window to improve the club’s chances of finishing in the Champions League places once again.

Numerous players have been strongly touted with a switch to North London, but one name has been continuously been mentioned over the last couple of weeks.

The latest on Semenyo's move to Spurs in January

Over the last couple of days, Spurs have been named as one of numerous Premier League clubs in the hunt to land a deal for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo in January.

The 25-year-old has been one of the division’s biggest talents in the 2025/26 campaign, with the Ghanian already scoring six times and registering three assists in his 11 appearances.

Such a tally of nine combined goals and assists is the second-highest of any player in the division, with only Erling Haaland notching more at this stage of the season.

Over the last couple of days, it’s become apparent that the winger could be available in the upcoming transfer window, with the Cherries potentially powerless to losing their starman.

It’s been reported that Semenyo has a £65m release clause which becomes active in the winter market, with Spurs just one side currently interested in a move for his signature.

The likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool also remain keen on a deal for the attacker, but it’s unclear who is leading the race for his signature.

However, it would be yet another huge investment by Frank, especially after splashing upwards of £50m on two different additions during the recent summer window.

A deal for Semenyo would also be a joint-club record, with such a fee matching the price paid for Dominic Solanke after his own switch to North London from Bournemouth back in 2024.

If the club are to afford such a deal in the coming months, the club will likely have to offload numerous first-team players to help balance the books in the process.

How Spurs can fund the Semenyo move

Over the years, Spurs have spent big on numerous players across various areas of the pitch in an attempt to try and battle for Premier League supremacy.

The hierarchy have spent upwards of £400m in the last couple of years to back various managers, but their investment has often been wasted on numerous players who have failed to match the demands in North London.

Tanguy Ndombele is arguably the biggest example, after the hierarchy forked out a reported £63m for the Frenchman’s signature back in the summer of 2019.

He only made a total of 91 appearances for the Lilywhites over a five-year spell, before being released and returning to his homeland to join Nice back in the summer of 2024.

Frank’s current squad also does boast numerous big-money additions, with the centre-back partnership of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero costing nearly £100m combined.

However, the pair have been worth every penny in North London, with the partnership helping the Dane’s side keep the fourth-best defensive record in the division at present.

However, not all the club’s big-money investments have paid off in recent years, with Richarlison one player who has massively struggled to match expectations at the club.

The Brazilian joined the Lilywhites for a reported £60m back in the summer of 2022, with such a move raising the eyebrows of many supporters given the nature of the transfer fee.

In the three and a half years since such a move, the 28-year-old has racked up a total of 108 appearances for the first-team, only finding the back of the net on 24 occasions.

This season alone, Richarlison has massively struggled to match the levels many expect of him, with the club desperately needing to move the former Everton man on in the near future.

He’s often been ineffective in numerous matches, as seen by his average of 22.3 touches per 90 this season, with the Brazilian only notching 10 touches in 90 mins against Bodo Glimt in the Champions League.

Other figures, such as a 50% dribble success rate and just 42% aerials won in the Premier League to date, showcase his poor all-round quality at the top end of the pitch.

As a result of his disappointing displays in recent months, Gabriel Agbonlahor stated that he believes the Brazilian is “one of the worst signings in Premier League history”.

The manager will no doubt want added quality in the final third, as seen by their move for Semenyo, but they will likely need to move Richarlison on to generate the funds needed to land the Ghanaian.

However, Richarlison has been subject to interest in recent months, with MLS outfit Orlando City FC already registering interest in a potential transfer for the striker.

Frank and the hierarchy will certainly need to jump at the rumoured interest, with this window one of the last opportunities to get some of their £60m investment back.

If the club want to land Semenyo, a sale of the Brazilian is desperately needed, with all parties needing a fresh start, which could help secure a move for the Bournemouth star in the process.

Tottenham travel to Arsenal on Sunday facing their toughest challenge of the season so far, knowing a positive result could transform their campaign but fully aware that history is stacked firmly against them.

Thomas Frank takes charge of his first North London derby as Spurs manager, inheriting a team whose season has been defined by mixed fortunes.

Spurs sit fifth in the Premier League table and owe that to their extraordinary away form, averaging a competition-high 2.60 points per game, with four wins and a draw from their five matches on the road.

This remarkable record places them top of the Premier League away form table and represents a real bright spot in an otherwise inconsistent campaign. Since their opening day victory against Burnley, Spurs have lost three and drawn two at home, averaging just 0.83 points per game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season.

Tottenham shared the spoils in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Man United in their last outing, and boast impressive away stats with the joint-most goals scored (12) and the fewest conceded (three) on their travels.

The numbers suggest that when the Lilywhites play on enemy turf, they transform into a different proposition entirely. That being said, their record away to Arsenal is truly abysmal, having won just twice there in the league since the Premier League began.

The timing of this game could hardly be worse from an injury perspective either.

While star winger Mohammed Kudus should recover from a knock to face Arsenal, and Lucas Bergvall could be available after completing concussion protocols, we are still waiting for official confirmation on Randal Kolo Muani, Archie Gray, Ben Davies, Dejan Kulusevski, Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma and Kota Takai's availability.

James Maddison is a certainty to miss the clash, and likely won't return until June next year.

Tottenham are also waiting to discover whether Pape Sarr will be fine to play after he picked up a knock on international duty with Senegal, but apart from that incident, Frank will be relieved to come through the break fairly unscathed.

Rodrigo Bentancur gets 2/10 in 'nightmare' Uruguay performance after 5-1 USA defeat

However, another player who endured a non-ideal international break was midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur.

Frank has been urged to ditch the defensive midfield partnership of Bentancur and summer signing Joao Palhinha, despite their exceptional performances individually.

The former was recently awarded a brand-new contract after his promising start to 2025/2026, but a slump in form for Bentancur appears to have come at the worst time.

Bentancur endured a nightmare in Uruguay's 5-1 defeat to the USA in Tampa, with South American news outlet El País handing him a lowly 2/10 rating for his performance, despite being given the captain's armband by Marcelo Bielsa.

El País states that the 28-year-old was overrun in midfield and could never get a foothold against Mauricio Pochettino's USA side, who eventually ran rampant on a real night to forget for him.

The former Juventus star was left out of Frank's starting eleven to face United in favour of Sarr, but given the African's knock against Brazil, Bentancur could well return to the line-up against Arsenal depending on developments.

Frank will be praying that Bentancur can put that Uruguay showing behind him and help to keep Arsenal at bay this Sunday.

Tottenham Hotspur have been something of a mixed bag this season, but at least the Londoners are well set for a prolonged period of success, having recruited a range of exciting young talents over the past few years.

While there are many teenage talents waiting in the wings, Thomas Frank and Ange Postecoglou before him have succeeded in integrating youth, with the average age of Tottenham's starting 11 in the Premier League this season 25.2, as opposed to a 27-year-old average during the 2022/23 campaign.

Who could be a better purveyor of this new focus than Micky van de Ven? The 24-year-old has increasingly become a talismanic force for the Lilywhites.

How Van de Ven is becoming the main man at Spurs

Van de Ven isn't quite a spring chicken, having racked up 51 Premier League appearances, but he's still well before his prime as a centre-back, and he's still emerging as a superstar for Tottenham.

The Dutch defender has been described as "world-class" by journalist Sonny Snelling, with his remarkable blend of athletic power and position-bending pace making him a force to be reckoned with.

It is crucial that Tottenham keep him in their ranks over the coming years, with few players more influential than him in the Premier League. It would be difficult for Spurs to sign an even better star to strengthen their backline, after all. Certainly, it would be difficult to find someone capable of mimicking the former Wolfsburg player's dynamic skills.

Of course, Tottenham's prudence and promotion of their academy talent has seen them land such a player already.

Spurs have signed a bigger talent than Van de Ven

Van de Ven is a unique profile, but then Tottenham have also signed a singular talent in Luka Vuskovic, with the 18-year-old bearing the skillset to become one of the Premier League's finest.

Hailed as a "freak talent" and a "freak athlete" for his physical profile by analyst Ben Mattinson, Vuskovic is currently plying his trade out on loan in Germany with Hamburger SV, with Spurs having wrapped up a deal for the youngster in 2023, yet to integrate him into the senior set-up.

While there is much work still to be done, the Croatian prospect has only increased the hype across his first few months in the Bundesliga, having established himself as a core part of Hamburg's defence, who are 13th after ten matches.

Looking at how the teenager compares with Van de Ven this season, it's easy to see why there is so much chatter around his name. You might even say Van de Ven is being outperformed by the younger man.

Translation from the Bundesliga to the Premier League can prove a hard task, but Vuskovic certainly has what it takes, and his physical attributes are only going to develop further over the coming years.

With this in mind, we might consider the 6 foot 4 teenager to have what it takes to become Tottenham's leader at the rear, ahead of Van de Ven, ahead of Cristian Romero.

In fact, WhoScored believe that Vuskovic's performances have been so impressive that he gets into the European Team of the Season so far, higher-rated, in fact, than Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes beside him.

Not just a warrior at the back, in the words of U23 scout Antonio Mango, much like Van de Ven, he is "turning into a goal machine" having netted seven goals on loan at Belgian side KVC Westerlo in 2024/25.

Though Vuskovic still has some developing to do, there's no question that he's a potential superstar, and if he does come to partner the Dutchman down the line, he might even outstrip him.

This weekend is arguably the biggest in Thomas Frank’s tenure as Tottenham Hotspur manager, when he leads his side out against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

The Dane has yet to get his first taste of the North London Derby, but he will be looking to get one over Mikel Arteta and secure bragging rights for the Lilywhites faithful.

Such a fixture is huge for supporters, with the meeting between the two clubs one of the first dates they look for upon fixture release day, before a ball is kicked.

However, it’s been a game that the white side of North London have often come out on the losing side away from home - subsequently winning just one of their last 32 encounters.

If Frank’s side are to write themselves into the history books, they will desperately need to keep one player quiet throughout the clash at the Emirates.

The threat Bukayo Saka poses to Spurs this weekend

Bukayo Saka may ply his trade for Arsenal, but he’s cemented himself as one of the Premier League’s most threatening attackers over the last couple of years.

The Englishman has managed to register over 20 combined goals and assists in all competitions in each of the last three years - often providing the difference in such a fixture.

He’s often popped up with the goods in attacking areas, as seen by his record against the Lilywhites since his senior debut back in the 2020/21 campaign.

Saka has featured on ten occasions against Spurs throughout his professional career, racking up a total of five goals - subsequently finding the net in 50% of his outings in such a clash.

He’s also popped up with various assists in the North London Derby, with his corner to Gabriel securing the Gunners all three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last campaign.

It’s evident that the winger possesses serious quality, often coming alive on Derby Day, with Frank and his squad desperately needing to silence him on Sunday afternoon.

However, he too could unleash his own version of the Englishman at the Emirates, with the Lilywhites star potentially able to inflict serious trouble on Arteta’s men.

The Spurs star who’s becoming their answer to Saka

Players such as Saka don’t come around very often, and when they do, they cost a pretty penny - many of which undoubtedly cost a small fortune in the modern-day.

Whilst Spurs are unlikely to pay over the odds for top-level talents, they have invested heavily into the frontline over recent years - as seen by their deal to land Brennan Johnson.

The hierarchy forked out a reported £47.5m for the Welshman’s signature back in the summer of 2023, with the attacker showcasing his talents in North London last campaign.

He registered a total of 18 goals across all competitions last season, the highest of any player in the squad, often starring off the right-hand side of the club’s attack.

However, he’s fallen down the pecking order in recent months, which has resulted in various options being considered within the forward line in the capital.

Mathys Tel joined the Lilywhites on a permanent basis during the summer window, with the Frenchman costing a total of £27m from German side Bayern Munich.

The 20-year-old is capable of operating off the left-hand side or even as a centre-forward, with Frank able to rely upon the youngster in a variety of different positions.

When operating on the left, he’s able to cut inside and onto his favoured foot - something which Saka has made a name for himself for in England’s top-flight.

His similarities to the Englishman are also reflected in his shot on target accuracy, with Tel matching the winger with his tally of placing 33% of his efforts between the posts.

The Frenchman has previously impressed in his professional career, but has transferred his skills over to the Premier League, as seen by his tally of two goals in the league this season.

Tel’s efforts in attacking areas have led to huge praise from numerous outlets, with Bayern Chairman Herbert Hainer labelling him “one of the biggest talents in Europe”.

However, he will need consistent first-team minutes to reach the heights many have touted him to, with Frank needing to trust him in the near future to reap the rewards.

He’s shown that he’s capable of producing the goods in attacking areas, potentially able to provide the difference in the clash against the Gunners on Sunday.

Tel has proven he’s able to be the club’s answer to Saka, but it remains to be seen if the manager will show faith in him to allow the youngster to continue on his upward trajectory.

Tottenham are reportedly looking at signing a new centre-forward ahead of the January transfer window, which opens in just over a month's time.

It's been a promising start to the season for new manager Thomas Frank on paper, with his new-look Spurs side remaining undefeated in the Champions League and fifth in the Premier League table. However, it is worth nothing that a few of their on-field performances have left a lot to be desired so far.

The north Londoners were booed off following an abject 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea in the London derby recently, finishing the 90 minutes with just one shot on target all game as Frank's side continued their atrocious home form.

Spurs have won just three of their last 20 Premier League matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Frank's only top flight victory on home turf remains that 3-1 win at home to league newcomers Burnley on the opening weekend.

The Dane has attracted some criticism over Tottenham's 'one-dimensional' style and serious lack of creativity in open play, but he hasn't been helped by a plethora of injuries to key attacking players.

Playmaker James Maddison will miss practically all the 2025/2026 season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season, while last season's second top scorer and club-record signing, Dominic Solanke, continues his slow recovery from what was a 'minor' ankle problem.

Solanke is apparently 'unlikely' to return for this weekend's pivotal North London derby as well, leaving Frank to once again call on either the out-of-form Richarlison or Mathys Tel to lead the line.

Reports suggest that Frank views Richarlison and Solanke as 'expendable' members of his Spurs squad, and Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport believes that Tel is 'unhappy' at Tottenham with a potential loan move to Roma on the cards in January.

These claims will fuel other reports that Tottenham are prioritising the signing of another centre-forward.

Former Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who's been in red-hot form for Al-Ahli since his 2024 move to the Middle East, is believed to be on both Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange's radar ahead of January.

Tottenham hold 'preliminary talks' to sign Ivan Toney

While the England international outcast has bagged 41 goals in 59 appearances for the Saudi Pro League side, he's largely been excluded from Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squad, bar the one call-up earlier this year.

With the 2026 World Cup looming, it is believed that Toney could instigate a return home to increase his chances of returning to the England fold.

According to TEAMtalk, the 29-year-old has already informed Al-Ahli of his desire to leave in January, and Spurs have taken the lead in the race for his signature.

Frank views him as the 'clinical' striker that Spurs need to propel them towards major silverware, with Tottenham holding 'preliminary talks' over signing Toney, who's also willing to take a seismic 50 per cent pay cut on his rumoured £427,000-per-week wages to make a move happen.

Toney bagged 20 Premier League goals in his best season at Brentford under Frank, with the tactician labelling him England's second-best striker behind Harry Kane at the time.

“Ivan is amazing in many, many aspects,” Frank said in 2023.

“The way he copes with pressure and distractions is amazing. He’s been scoring goals, performing for the team and driving the team. He’s remarkable.

“I can only talk about the Ivan that I see every day around the place and he’s a fantastic person around the group. He’s got that unique emotional intelligence to be aware of all the players, and every staff member.

“Ivan trains well and he’s clearly the number two striker in England, that’s proven by his goals and performances."

Other reports claim that Al-Ahli value him at around £30 million for a permanent deal and Toney has already 'directly' spoken to Frank about a move to Tottenham.

However, a loan deal may be more feasible due to complications surrounding what would be a very large tax bill if Toney comes back to England permanently so soon after arriving in the Gulf.