Football FanCast

It's been a tough season for Tottenham Hotspur, and now, with Igor Tudor at the helm for the remainder of the campaign, they know they can either sink or swim.

Indeed, Tudor's first port of call is to engineer a 'manager bounce' and lift Spurs back up to higher ground in the Premier League, well away from the relegation zone they are in danger of plummeting into.

However, it's important to remember that Tudor is only on call until the end of the season, when his interim contract expires.

If he proves a success over the business months of the season, he'll be in the running for the job, but there's no question that Mauricio Pochettino remains the leading candidate to whip this beleaguered bunch back into shape.

Why Spurs want to appoint Pochettino

It's understood that Tottenham have marked a shortlist comprised of three managers: Roberto De Zerbi, Andoni Iraola, Pochettino.

Pochettino, of course, knows the north Londoners well, and he's admitted in the past, since leaving, that he would love to return one day.

His prime Spurs side were a force to be reckoned with, after all, and that level of fluidity and attacking sharpness could go a long way toward rekindling this club and restoring the identity that has gone walkabouts over the past several months.

Small wonder that Spurs were so successful, with Poch's attack-oriented system charged by a clear culture that gave rise to talents such as Dele Alli.

What Tottenham would give to have such a player in their mix. There is actually someone in the squad who's considered a similar player to the troubled England sensation, but he's actually emerging as the Londoners' new Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Spurs have found their new Hojbjerg

Dele was slated by Jose Mourinho to become "one of the world's best". He is a two-time winner of the PFA Young Player of the Year, and he sc

The 29-year-old was such a unique midfielder, and in Conor Gallagher, perhaps there were some at Tottenham who thought they had landed a new version when signing Atletico Madrid's centre-midfielder for £35m in January.

The one-time Chelsea star was described as playing like a “Poch-era Dele Alli” by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke. This was a glowing endorsement of the Three Lions star's quality, a skilled presser and dangerous asset when charging into the final third.

That said, Gallagher perhaps doesn't offer quite as much variation as Tottenham fans had been led to believe, and in this, he might actually be emerging as the new Hojbjerg, keeping it crisp and winning plenty of duels without offering very much nuance on the ball.

Hojbjerg completed 184 matches for Tottenham after joining from Southampton in 2020. His combative side led Danish teammate Morten Bisgaard to hail him as a "monster", and this is something he shares with Gallagher, who is also intelligent and industrious.

The key point here, though, is that Gallagher, 25, lacks the ability to puncture defences, rarely creating a goal from nothing and rarely splitting defences open with surgical passing.

There were qualities Dele boasted in his Premier League heyday, and while Gallagher might have been considered such a player before he made the move to Spurs, it's quite clear that he does not fit the same mould.

If Pochettino does return to the club this summer, he will make use of Gallagher's skillset, for sure, but there's no question that he will not designate the Englishman a playmaking berth of a semblance to that which Dele played way back when.

Instead, he may need to control the midfield and dictate the tempo from deeper, and in that, he would be the new Hojbjerg.

Arsenal have been handed a timely boost ahead of their crunch North London derby clash against Tottenham, according to Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal set for biggest game of the season against Spurs

Sunday could hardly matter more.

Arsenal travel to Tottenham sitting top of the Premier League, and a win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would drive a potentially decisive gap between themselves and the chasing pack in the title race.

For Spurs, it is an entirely different kind of pressure — a new manager in the dugout, a shambolic injury list and a fan base desperate for something to cling to after a wretched few months.

Igor Tudor takes charge of his first fixture as Spurs boss, and they could barely have asked for a tougher introduction.

It is, in short, a game that both clubs desperately need and for entirely different reasons. And heading into the weekend, the fitness news from the Arsenal camp has given Arteta genuine cause for optimism.

The Spaniard confirmed earlier this week that both captain Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are in contention to return against Spurs, but Arteta has now shared more good news.

The biggest scare in the days since Wednesday's deeply frustrating 2-2 draw at Wolves centered around Leandro Trossard.

The Belgian came off the bench to replace Bukayo Saka midway through the second half, only to be caught by a blow to the jaw from Wolves defender Santiago Bueno in the closing stages.

A concussion substitution was immediately called, and Trossard was withdrawn for assessment.

Given the strict protocols surrounding head injuries — players must pass through a series of stages before being cleared to return to competitive action — so the concern was immediate and serious.

Trossard was therefore a doubt to face Tottenham this weekend as a result, but at his pre-match press conference today, the Arsenal boss delivered a welcome update.

Trossard clears concussion scare to boost Arsenal ahead of derby showdown

Trossard is in fact fine.

No concussion was confirmed, meaning the 31-year-old is free to feature this weekend without any protocol restrictions standing in his way.

"Yes," said Arteta when asked if Trossard is ok for Sunday.

"He's fine, yes."

It is a significant boost.

Trossard has contributed five goals and five assists in the Premier League this season and offers Arteta a level of versatility and composure that is difficult to replace.

The good news did not stop there. Arteta revealed there is "a big possibility" that both Odegaard and Havertz will be available for Sunday.

Odegaard has been sidelined with a knee problem picked up at Brentford, while Havertz has been nursing a hamstring issue since the win over Sunderland earlier this month. Neither made the trip to Molineux in midweek.

Should both return, Arsenal's squad suddenly looks considerably stronger than it did 48 hours ago.

Arteta also confirmed there are no fresh concerns, which points to Bukayo Saka being available after his own late withdrawal against Wolves.

Unfortunately for teenage sensation Max Dowman, the 16-year-old is still unlikely to feature despite returning to training this week.

Spurs, by contrast, are understood to be without at least 10 first-team players through injury and suspension, with doubts remaining over Richarlison and Pedro Porro ahead of final checks.

The stage is set. For Tudor, it is a baptism of fire. For Arteta and Arsenal, it is an opportunity they cannot afford to waste.

Tottenham Hotspur have nearly reached the weekend, and Igor Tudor is ready to welcome Arsenal to N17 and win a deflated fanbase on his first day under the spotlight.

It's been a testing period for the Lilywhites. Thomas Frank was sacked last week after a miserable attempt at succeeding Ange Postecoglou, who won the Europa League last year but was dismissed by Daniel Levy in one final display of authority.

That call has split opinion, but Spurs supporters are in concert that Frank's run has been the lowest of the low. It's crucial that sporting director Johan Lange and club CEO Vinai Venkatesham handle this deftly, with West Ham United only five points behind them on the edge of the Premier League relegation zone.

Tottenham have a front-footed manager at the helm for the remainder of the campaign, but who could he actually rekindle and see take charge in a sustained return to form.

The Spurs stars Tudor could revive

Last summer, Tottenham signed Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig. The Dutch playmaker cost them £52m, and he has been coveted by Chelsea earlier in the transfer window.

However, he's had something of a tough time, his creativity neutered by Frank's stuttering system. Bringing such a high-potential attacking midfielder to the fore will be among Tudor's priorities.

Randal Kolo Muani is another who could find his feet. Did you know the struggling loanee enjoyed a brief but rewarding stint under the Croatian coach at Juventus last season, scoring five goals across only 11 matches during that spell.

On the right flank, Pedro Porro has taken his share of flak this season. Some of his defensive displays have been woeful; he's made five defensive errors this season. That said, he remains a superb creative asset.

Should Tudor implement the 3-4-2-1 formation that has been his preference in previous jobs, Porro might just find himself in a more suitable role, with the added centre-back adding security and more grass coverage at the back.

Of course, whether Spurs actually have the numbers in central defence remains to be seen. Or indeed the quality to make it happen.

There is one man who could make it happen and become the centrepiece of Tudor's system, emulating a former icon in Mousa Dembele.

Tudor could revive Spurs' wantaway star

Dembele is one of the best-loved Tottenham players in recent memory, having arrived from Fulham in 2013 and initially struggled before growing into a unique and irreplaceable part of the system, adept in a box-to-box midfield role.

An expert controller, Dembele's metronomic grasp on the central midfield was a thing of beauty, and he was once hailed by Belgium teammate Kevin De Bruyne as being "the best in the world".

In this, Cristian Romero could make a similar case, with a skillset that most centre-backs could only dream of, yet a player who has been hindered by inconsistency.

Deembele polished his boots after an up-and-down start to life in north London, and Tudor could drill in a stable system that would give rise to Romero's finer qualities, finally securing him the recognition he deserves as one of the very best to do it.

Tudor's vision aligns more closely with Romero's own outlook. Aggression is embraced in this new world at Tottenham, though channelled and used to promote front-footed football that will make greater use of the Argentina international's technical abilities and his aerial ability in the attacking box.

The 27-year-old Romero, let's not forget, might be at something of a low ebb but remains an elite centre-half, someone who stands taller than Micky van de Ven (figuratively). He's hot-headed and passionate to a fault, but that doesn't mean he's the real deal.

Tottenham fans know this, of course, and while Chris Waddle has asserted to Football FanCast that he "never really wanted to be at Spurs", his anger toward the board and the position his team find themselves in says otherwise.

There is a sinking feeling, right there in the pit of Lilywhites fans' stomachs, that Romero is headed for the exit. He's a contentious figure, for sure, but the South American is one of the best in the business, hailed by journalist Roy Nemer as "one of the best defenders in the world".

The skipper has the potential to become a true talisman for Tottenham over the coming months, and while rumours of his potential sale are concerning, Tudor could be the perfect force to bring him back to the fore, content in his berth at Tottenham once again.

Tottenham Hotspur's interim manager, Igor Tudor, has been thrown in at the deep end. At the end of his first week in the job, his side will host title-challenging Arsenal in the Premier League.

Tudor will have a clearer picture of what lies ahead after watching the Gunners' draw at Molineux against bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers, but there's no question that Spurs' recent record against their north London rivals has left much to be desired.

While Spurs are at a low ebb after Thomas Frank's disastrous tenure, this reset could bear dividends, releasing the players from the constraints that have kept them so far below the level we know they are capable of reaching.

However, Arsenal are a ferocious beast, and Mikel Arteta's side will be desperate to get back on track after a disappointing run of results that have jeopardised their title charge.

Tudor cannot let that happen, and to secure all three points, the Croatian coach might want to make a bold call and drop Xavi Simons from the starting line-up.

Why Tudor might drop Xavi Simons

Last summer, Tottenham signed Simons from RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga, and it's fair to say he had a tough time in the early knockings of the season, with content creator Ronaldo Brown claiming the diminutive playmaker had been "swallowed in the Premier League" due to his lack of rhythm and physicality.

It might help Spurs' case to make their system a bit more compact, especially in the first half. Tottenham suffer from one of the worst first-half records in the Premier League this season, 16th on that count.

Dropping Simons might feel like something of a negative move, but Arsenal have an unforgiving midfield, led by Declan Rice. The Dutchman could be a priceless weapon from the bench, injecting creativity and energy.

Moreover, this tactical tweak would give Tudor the license to reshape the Spurs frontline, giving an up-and-coming talent a shot who has been billed as the next Thierry Henry.

Tudor must unleash Spurs' own Thierry Henry

Simons is one of Tottenham's most enterprising attacking outlets, and so if Tudor is going to make such a call, he'd need to get it right, and by starting Mathys Tel in the 22-year-old's stead, he might just at that.

Admittedly, Tel isn't exactly a hidden gem in north London. The former Bayern Munich has been at the club for just over a year, and his loan spell became permanent for £30m last summer.

However, the French prospect has had a tough time in Frank's system, twice excluded from the Lilywhites' European squad. In the Premier League, he has only started six times.

A devastating finisher with dynamic and athletic movement, it hasn't worked for Tel yet, but this managerial shift could bear dividends for him, Jerman Defoe hailing him for his "Thierry Henry-like" versatility across the frontline.

Henry, of course, played his Premier League football in different north London colours, and he never lost in 11 career matches against Spurs, scoring five goals and supplying three assists.

Tel has already faced the brunt of Mikel Arteta's side, but he was also hailed as a "mind-blowing" talent by football scout Jacek Kulig when cutting his teeth in Germany, and for Tudor to give him a significant show of faith could bring him back into the ascendancy.

Tel has only scored three Premier League goals this season, but he's only missed three big chances and has won 51% of his duels. He's gifted in front of goal and has a combative edge too.

There's no question that Spurs have regressed this season. Simons is not the problem, but so far, he hasn't quite provided the solution that the board would have hoped for.

Tel, however, is one of the most promising finishers in the Premier League, and with a Titi-esque quality about him, the north London derby might just be the perfect match for him to step up under the tutelage of a new tactical mind in Tudor.

New interim Tottenham boss Igor Tudor is handing out fresh chances to players in training, with the Croatian also calling on a teenager who's yet to make his first-team debut.

Tudor set for massive Tottenham managerial debut against Arsenal

When Tudor landed in London last weekend and took in the full scale of what awaited him at Hotspur Way, he would have known the next few months were going to test every ounce of his experience.

What he perhaps did not anticipate quite so quickly was having to look beyond his recognised first-team squad just to field a competitive training group.

That, however, is the reality facing him this week.

Tudor's mandate from Tottenham's hierarchy is simple — drag this club away from relegation danger and restore some semblance of identity after a season of chronic underwhelm.

The 47-year-old has wasted no time setting the tone.

Training sessions have been sharper, more intense, more demanding than anything the players experienced under Thomas Frank (Standard Sport) — a manager whose methods had reportedly grown stale. The squad, by all accounts, have apparently responded positively to the jolt.

Tudor arrives at N17 carrying a reputation for 'high risk' and 'exciting' football, with the Times' Tom Allnutt backing this up, claiming the tactician encourages an 'aggressive' and 'front-foot' style of play.

With Sunday's North London derby against table-topping Arsenal looming and 10 players currently missing through injury, Tudor is having to get creative.

Captain Cristian Romero remains suspended, while James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert are also still out.

The list of absentees reads like a who's who of Spurs' most important players.

Odobert's ACL injury looks set to end his season, while Bergvall could stay out of action until April.

So, Tudor has done what the situation demands. He has gone looking for solution, and one of them has come from an unexpected corner.

Igor Tudor calls James Wilson to Tottenham training ahead of Arsenal

Reports from the London Evening Standard and journalist Sam Tabuteau have revealed that Tudor has called 18-year-old striker James Wilson into first-team training ahead of Sunday's clash with Arsenal.

The teenager, who only arrived at Spurs on deadline day in February on loan from Hearts — with an option to make the move permanent in the summer — was brought in specifically to bolster the group as Tudor prepares his squad for the biggest fixture in the Premier League calendar.

This comes as Tudor apparently plots to give players 'fresh opportunities' to impress at Tottenham, with Wilson now seemingly one of them.

The young Scot, who became his country's youngest ever debutant after breaking a record which stood since the 19th century, is a player who knows how to score goals.

He impressed at Hearts, amassing eight strikes in 45 senior appearances and becoming the youngest scorer in the history of the UEFA Conference League at just 17.

What is remarkable is the speed of his elevation. Signed to develop with Spurs' Under-21 side, Wilson has now found himself training alongside first-team players barely a fortnight after touching down in north London — purely because Tudor simply does not have the numbers to work with otherwise.

Whether he features on Sunday remains to be seen.

Tudor is not a manager who throws teenagers into derbies for the sake of it. But the fact that Wilson is even in the conversation tells you everything about the scale of the crisis that has engulfed this football club.

For a kid who grew up watching football from the terraces at Tynecastle, it is some week to find yourself part of a North London derby build-up.

Igor Tudor's first interview as Tottenham Hotspur's interim manager confirmed two things: the Croatian coach is not fazed by the enormity of the task in front of him, and he is determined to implement a more front-footed style than his predecessor Thomas Frank.

Supporters have been starved of attacking intent this season, and more cynical observers would point toward a sustained period of decline that has stemmed from the repeated sales of top forwards.

Finding the new Harry Kane is easier said than done, but it's something that Tudor and Spurs will need to attempt over the coming months, should they hope to stave off the threat of relegation and return to form in the Premier League.

Why Spurs need to find their new Harry Kane

Dominic Solanke has scored four goals in 11 matches since returning from injury in January. The England striker is a strong focal outlet, and he makes such a difference at the front of the ship.

However, he's not Kane, and it's clear that the Lilywhites need a goalscorer of the next level, of Kane or Heung-min Son's quality, to finally return to the top end of the table.

While fresh hopes rest on Randal Kolo Muani bouncing back now Tudor's at the helm - the struggling loanee bagged five goals across 11 games for Juventus last season under the 47-year-old's wing - it's not a lot to cling onto, and neither would it be wise to expect Mathys Tel to magically strike the ceiling of his potential now that Frank has been dismissed.

Neither of those players could be in north London next season, and while Spurs need instant relief to lift them away from the foot of the Premier League table, they also need to revive their identity and bring the fanbase back on their side.

To do that, they need to find another Kane-esque academy star to thrive alongside the more senior members of the team.

It might feel like this option can't be explored until next season, after the summer transfer window, but Tudor may actually find he has a prospect in his mix who has the potential to become an elite centre-forward by following a similar pathway that Kane once took before him.

Spurs youngster could be Kane 2.0

In January, Tottenham beat north London rivals Arsenal to the signing of James Wilson from Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. However, it's not the first time they have stolen a march on their noisy neighbours in recent memory.

Back at the start of January, Mason Melia touched down in London. The Ireland U21 international had established himself in the Republic of Ireland with St. Patrick's Thistle, scoring 21 goals and providing six assists across 76 Premier Division matches.

Tottenham signed the youth for a potential £3m fee, an Irish record, one year ago, but he stayed at home until his 18th birthday, linking up with the Premier League side last month.

However, Melia has not played competitively in any capacity as he nurses an injury, but Tudor is bound to have been made quickly aware of the player's potential, with ENIC Group making the decision to keep the 18-year-old at N17 for the remainder of the season, rather than loan him out.

The reason? Spurs want to help him integrate with the first team, and if he makes a swift recovery from the back injury that's keeping him out, he might just find himself superceding a struggler like Kolo Muani, whose loan spell hasn't worked out.

Crucially, Melia is like Kane in that he will earn his first shot at the Spurs first team having already built up a wealth of experience on the senior stage for one so young. He has even played in 12 Conference League qualifiers, scoring one goal.

Kane is one of the greatest goalscorers in English football history, and his tally in the Premier League is surpassed only by Alan Shearer, who actually has an inferior goal-per-game rate.

There are a few interesting parallels. In 2013/14, Andres Villas-Boas was sacked in December, and Tim Sherwood took the reins thereafter.

It was under Sherwood's wing that Kane was given a chance. Roberto Soldado was proving a flop, and he started only four of the club's final 17 Premier League matches of the season. It was then that Kane stepped up and scored his first three goals in England's top flight. He would go on to score many more.

Could Melia be the Londoners' new version? It's premature to say anything of the sort with conviction, but Melia is touted for big things and has even been hailed as "the Irish Alexander Isak" by GOAL's Sean Walsh for his technical and athletic qualities, a willing and able runner with deadly finishing.

He might look up to Kane, but perhaps it's a good thing that Melia is developing into a different brand of striker. He's best-placed by implementing his own style under Tudor's wing at Tottenham, stepping up and becoming the striker Spurs need after several years of frustration at number nine.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now eyeing a move for a Champions League club's "leading star", who has been in red-hot form recently.

Wolves keen on another new striker after Adam Armstrong

Wolves handed Arsenal a fresh blow in the Premier League title race on Wednesday night, fighting back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at Molineux, with Tom Edozie bagging a stoppage-time equaliser on his top flight debut.

Although the Old Gold are still almost certain to be relegated, it bodes well that they are showing some fight under the helm of Rob Edwards, ahead of a 2026-27 campaign in which their main aim is most likely to be achieving promotion.

With next season in mind, Edwards brought in Adam Armstrong during the January transfer window, and the 29-year-old evidently has what it takes to lead the line for a promotion-winning side, having picked up 21 goals and 13 assists for Southampton in the 2023-24 Championship campaign.

According to a report from Sports Boom, however, Wolves remain keen on bringing in another striker, and they are now eyeing a move for Bodo/Glimt star Kasper Hogh, who is valued at €15m - €18m (£13m - £16m) by the Norwegian side.

Hogh is attracting widespread interest, having caught the eye in the Champions League this season, with Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton also named as potential suitors, alongside clubs from the Bundesliga, Serie A and MLS.

With the 25-year-old target man under contract until 2029, Bodo/Glimt are in a strong negotiating position, but he could be a fantastic signing if Edwards' side are able to tempt his current employers into a sale...

"Leading star" Hogh tearing it up in Europe

Described as a "leading star" for Bodo/Glimt by former midfielder Frode Thomassen, the Dane has been tearing it up in the Champions League this season, chipping in with four goals and three assists in nine appearances.

On Wednesday night, the Eliteserien side put themselves in a strong position to reach the last 16 of Europe's elite competition, defeating giants Inter Milan 3-1 at home, and the Randers-born centre-forward scored the third goal.

The striker has also been prolific in front of goal in the Eliteserien, amassing 17 goals and six assists during the 2025 campaign, with his side falling just short in the title race, finishing one point behind winners Viking FK.

Having proven himself in the Champions League, Hogh could be more than ready to test himself in England, but a move to a Premier League club would perhaps make more sense, and Wolves would find it hard to compete for his signature with Tottenham.

Tottenham boss Igor Tudor arrives at Spurs nursing a critical absentee crisis, with the Croatian expected to be without an injured star until early April.

Tudor did not need long to grasp the size of the job.

From the moment the Croatian walked through the doors at Hotspur Way on Monday morning, the picture in front of him was stark. A squad depleted by double-digit absentees.

A club sitting 16th in the Premier League, just five points above the drop zone, and a North London derby against Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday — his first game in charge.

Thomas Frank's eight-month reign ended in acrimony and mounting frustration, with the Dane unable to arrest a slide that has left Tottenham contemplating the unthinkable — relegation from the Premier League for the first time in their history.

Tudor, the man called in to prevent it, arrives with a reputation for short-term impact and an 'exciting' brand of football.

He has steadied ships at Juventus, Lazio and Marseille before. This, though, might be his toughest ask yet.

The injury list alone would make any manager wince.

Captain Cristian Romero will not return until mid-March, and is also serving a four-match suspension.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur are all sidelined. Wilson Odobert has just suffered an ACL injury that looks likely to end his season entirely.

Destiny Udogie faces another month on the treatment table. Ten players missed the last outing. Ten.

Tudor has spoken of finding the right system for those available. That is not tactical tinkering — it is triage.

Among the names on that treatment room list is one that causes particular concern looking further ahead. A player who, when fully fit, represents one of the brightest young talents in European football.

A midfielder who was supposed to be central to Tottenham's future, not an afterthought in a survival battle.

That man is Lucas Bergvall, who has been sidelined since picking up an ankle sprain against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

According to journalist Dean Jones of TEAMtalk, the expectation is that Bergvall will be sidelined for another six weeks — a timeline that takes his return into April and removes him entirely from the most critical phase of Tottenham's season.

Six weeks. For a club fighting relegation, that is an eternity.

Bergvall's absence is not just a problem for today.

It speaks to a wider malaise at Spurs — a club that has spent hundreds of millions of pounds assembling what looks, on paper, like a strong squad, yet consistently finds itself unable to put those players on the pitch together.

The injury culture at Hotspur Way is a conversation that has been building for some time, and Tudor will have no choice but to address it.

For now, though, he simply needs results. Sunday cannot come quickly enough for the neutral - and yet, for Spurs, it already feels too soon.

Tottenham Hotspur’s failures in the Premier League have been there for all to see in recent years, with the club desperately lingering in the bottom half of the table.

The Lilywhites ended the 2024/25 campaign in 17th place, which resulted in Ange Postecoglou being handed his marching orders despite winning the Europa League.

His replacement, Thomas Frank, ultimately suffered the same fate in North London, subsequently being sacked in recent weeks with the club only one place higher than their finish last campaign.

The club sit just six points clear of the relegation zone at present, which presents a precarious situation that could see the side suffer a sick relegation to the second tier.

As a result, the responsibility of keeping the Lilywhites in the top division has now fallen into the hands of Igor Tudor after he was appointed until the end of the campaign.

What Igor Tudor will bring to Spurs this season

The Croatian’s temporary appointment until the end of the season certainly raised eyebrows, especially after never managing in England prior to joining Spurs.

However, his arrival could bring the needed change the Lilywhites are looking for, especially if he can implement the three-back system he’s favoured throughout his career.

The 47-year-old utilised such a formation during recent stints at Juventus and Lazio, also joining the aforementioned sides halfway through a season to try and transform their fortunes.

His back three is usually utilised along with two wing-backs, two central midfielders and two number tens in behind a lone striker at the top end of the pitch.

It will certainly bring about a fresh start for the current playing group, whilst also presenting them with a challenge to adapt to the demands after playing in a 4-2-3-1 under Frank.

Despite the injuries, Tudor will certainly have enough quality at his disposal to get the desired result, with the manager desperately needing to improve results as soon as possible.

The Spurs star who should never start under Tudor

Strikers are undoubtedly crucial to a side in a relegation battle, with Spurs previously having a whole array of big-money attacking talents on their hands.

Roberto Soldado is just one player whom the hierarchy have spent a pretty penny on in recent years, as seen with his £30m move to join the Lilywhites in the summer of 2013.

The move generated huge excitement amongst the fanbase at the time, but it’s safe to say, the move was a disaster, with the Spaniard failing to deliver in North London.

He only scored 16 times in his 76 appearances for the club across all competitions, before leaving two years later, resulting in a loss of £16m and moving back to his homeland to join Villarreal.

However, current first team member Richarlison is rapidly falling down the same line in North London, with the Brazilian falling below the standards many anticipated.

Like Soldado, he cost a small fortune, joining from fellow Premier League side Everton in a £60m deal - a move that equalled the Lilywhites’ club-record at the time.

He’s since managed to rack up 121 appearances for the club across all competitions, but he’s only managed to find the back of the net on 28 occasions at present.

Whilst he’s registered seven league goals this season - the most of any player in the squad - he’s nowhere near the level needed for a starting striker in the current predicament.

The Brazilian has also missed 12 big chances in the league this season, which is also the highest in the senior ranks, which demonstrates his lack of cutting edge in front of goal.

The manager’s arrival in North London will hand him the chance to evaluate the options at his disposal and make the changes he craves to drag the side away from the drop zone.

However, his previous period as a manager at Juventus saw him allow Randal Kolo Muani, a player currently at Spurs, to recapture his best goalscoring form in the final third.

The Frenchman netted eight goals under the Croatian’s guidance, something which he’s been unable to do, which could allow him to once again deliver under the manager.

Whilst he’s failed to net a single league goal this campaign, his previous period under Tudor could make him a regular starter - which could push Richarlison down the pecking order.

The Brazilian has also been linked with a move away from the Lilywhites of late, amid recent reports in Brazil that Spurs had set an asking price of €25m (£22m) in the recent January window.

If the club are to secure their top-flight survival, an immediate impact is desperately needed, which could see Kolo Muani strike up a superb partnership with Tudor at Richarlison’s expense.

Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer business has often been brought into question over recent years, especially during Daniel Levy’s tenure at the helm in North London.

The former chairman was often blasted by supporters for his lack of spending in the transfer market, but it’s safe to say the Lilywhites have splashed the cash in recent seasons.

Back in the summer of 2024, the hierarchy forked out a reported £65m for the signature of striker Dominic Solanke - with such a move breaking the club’s record transfer.

Since the summer of 2022, the Lilywhites have spent just shy of £700m on new additions alone, which highlights the backing the board have shown to various managers.

One player has recently made the move to North London, but the early signs don’t appear to be as positive as many of the club’s supporters were hoping for.

The stats behind Conor Gallagher’s start to life at Spurs

During the winter transfer window, Spurs forked out a fee in the region of £34m for the signature of midfielder Conor Gallagher in an attempt to bolster the quality at the heart of the side.

The Englishman’s move certainly divided opinion amongst the fanbase, with the people who were against such a move starting to look as though their scepticism was correct.

He’s so far featured in five matches since his transfer from the LaLiga giants, but he’s been unable to catch the eye - with his stats showcasing his struggles in North London.

The 26-year-old has only managed to complete 81% of the passes he’s attempted to date, which ranks him in the bottom 20% of all midfielders in the division this season.

He’s also won just 1.5 tackles per 90 since his switch back to the Premier League, which is no doubt a tally much lower than the fans expected, given his tally out of possession.

There’s little denying that Gallagher has so far failed to hit the heights expected of him, which could certainly increase the pressure on him to succeed after such a transfer.

The Spurs star who’s now worth more than Gallagher

As previously mentioned, Spurs have spent a pretty penny on new additions in recent years, but not all of their investments have been on big-money reinforcements.

Pape Matar Sarr is just one player who has made the move to join the Lilywhites in recent years, with the Senegalese international arriving for a reported £16m in the summer of 2022.

He’s since racked up over 100 appearances in North London, even scoring on 11 occasions and often popping up in key moments within the final third of the pitch.

However, he’s not the only teenager to have moved to Spurs to further their career, with Swedish star Lucas Bergvall doing the same thing back in the summer of 2024.

The hierarchy forked out a reported £8m for the 20-year-old from homeland club Djurgarden, even beating the likes of Barcelona to secure a move for his signature.

Many anticipated the teenager would originally link up with the club’s academy setup, but the extensive injury list last season handed him the perfect chance to stake his claim for a first-team spot.

Bergvall managed to feature in 45 matches across all competitions under Ange Postecoglou, subsequently playing a vital role in the success in the Europa League.

As a result of his tremendous performances in North London, the youngster received huge praise - including from The Athletic’s JJ Bull, who compared him to Luka Modrić.

"[Bergvall] has a first touch like Modric, you can fire it at him and he’s got it controlled. Think you can tell a lot about a player by first touch. Anyway, Bergvall is properly ace." JJ Bull on Bergvall.

Such praise is huge for such a young talent, especially considering the player he was being compared to was a fan-favourite with the Lilywhites - before winning six Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

The 2025/26 campaign has been an injury-hit season for Bergvall, as seen by his tally of just 26 appearances across all competitions under Frank’s guidance.

He's set to return to full fitness in the months ahead, which could allow him to be a key member of the squad under the guidance of temporary boss Igor Tudor.

However, his lack of action hasn’t stopped his market value from soaring in recent months, with the youngster now valued at £35m by Transfermarkt - an increase of £27m.

Such a valuation is now higher than that of new addition Gallagher, with the Englishman now worth just £30m despite his recent winter transfer from Atlético Madrid.

Bergvall is just one example of the excellent business that can be conducted in North London, with the 20-year-old still having a huge future ahead of him at the club.

However, given the huge fee spent on his signature and his lack of impact, the pressure is undoubtedly mounting on the new addition to stamp his authority at the heart of the side.