Football FanCast

Over the last couple of years, Tottenham Hotspur have splashed the cash in the attacking department to try and soften the blow of Harry Kane’s departure in 2023.

The Lilywhites spent £55m on the services of Mohammed Kudus this summer, with the Ghanaian occupying a starting role under Thomas Frank off the right-hand side of the frontline.

He’s already made an immediate impact in North London, as seen by his tally of one goal and four assists in the Premier League - with the latter the joint-highest of any player in the division.

However, club-record signing Dominic Solanke has struggled for fitness this campaign, with the £65m addition currently being restricted to just 31 minutes of league action due to an ongoing ankle issue.

Despite the struggles of the Englishman, one first-team member who’s been injury-free has often struggled to meet the high expectations he’s set for himself at the club.

How Johnson compares to Premier League wingers in 2025/26

Last season was arguably the best of Brennan Johnson’s professional career, with the winger ending the campaign on a total of 18 goals across all competitions.

Such a tally was the highest in the first-team squad, which undoubtedly helped catapult the Lilywhites to Europa League glory under Ange Postecoglou’s guidance.

However, many expected the Welshman to kick on after scoring the winner in the final, but Kudus and Frank’s arrival has seen a huge decline in his numbers during the first few months of 2025/26.

The 24-year-old has only registered a total of 0.9 shots per 90 in the league this season, with such a tally ranking him in the 12% percentile - meaning 88% of wingers have managed more in the Premier League.

He’s also created just 0.7 chances per 90 to date, placing him in the 18th percentile, which has restricted him to registering zero assists for his teammates at present.

Johnson has massively struggled to get past the opposition, with his tally of 0.5 dribbles completed per 90 showcasing his lack of impact - subsequently placing him in the 23rd percentile compared to other wingers.

As a result of his dismal form in North London, the club have been constantly on the lookout for other talents, which has resulted in one player appearing on their radar.

Frank's answer to Semenyo

In recent weeks, Spurs have been just one side touted with a potential winter move for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo after his incredible start to the current campaign.

The Ghanaian has been Andoni Iraola’s shining light to date, as reflected in his remarkable tally of six goals and three assists in just his first 11 matches of 2025/26.

Such form has captured the attention of numerous Premier League outfits, with Arsenal, Liverpool and the Lilywhites just three clubs on red alert for his signature.

It was reported this week that the 25-year-old has a £65m release clause that becomes active from January 1st, which could see one of the aforementioned sides grab themselves a bargain.

However, with competition being fierce for his services, it’s unclear how much of a chance Frank’s men will have in completing a deal for one of the country’s hottest prospects.

Should the Lilywhites miss out on a deal, the fans shouldn’t worry, with the club already having their answer to Semenyo in the form of winger Wilson Odobert, a player described as "a mixture of [Bradley] Barcola and Aaron Lennon" by one Sky Sports analyst.

The Frenchman joined the club in a £25m deal from Burnley last summer, but has had to bide his time in North London, often resorting to minutes off the substitutes bench.

However, in recent weeks, he’s made a major impact on Frank’s side, registering an assist against Manchester United and subsequently securing a point in the 2-2 draw.

Despite his lack of action, Odobert has been labelled a “super talent” by former boss Postecoglou, with Frank needing to hand him a more consistent starting role.

When comparing his stats to those of Semenyo, the 20-year-old has managed to outperform the in-form star in numerous key areas - subsequently showcasing the talent he possesses.

Odobert has managed to achieve an average of 4.5 progressive carries and 4.3 progressive passes per 90 - with both of the aforementioned tallies higher than the Cherries star.

He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted, with more of his efforts being key passes per 90 - subsequently offering a more creative threat in attacking areas.

The Frenchman’s dominance is further reflected in his higher take-on success rate, with Frank desperately needing to place more faith in the youngster.

£65m for Semenyo would still be an excellent deal in the current climate, but ultimately, the Lilywhites should look to avoid a move for the winger in the near future.

Such a transfer would only halt Odobert’s progress in North London, with the youngster still having bags of potential to fulfil during his period under Frank’s guidance.

Changing styles and systems has been a common thread at Tottenham Hotspur in recent times.

From the fluid football of Mauricio Pochettino to the win-at-all-costs pragmatism of Jose Mourinho. From the gung-ho, all-action style of Ange Postecoglou, to the more conservative, measured approach of Thomas Frank.

The latter man is currently trying to steady the ship again following a turbulent and chaotic 'second season' under Postecoglou, although there is a sense that the Dane needs to take the handbrake off, even with the Lilywhites currently residing in fifth in the Premier League table.

With 11 games played, the north Londoners have collected 18 points, scoring 19 goals and shipping just ten. Two years earlier, for comparison, Postecoglou's first 11 league games yielded 26 points, having scored 23 goals and conceded 13.

Of course, that rampant start wasn't maintained, although the enigmatic Aussie swiftly got supporters onside. As was evident amid the jeers at his substitutions in the recent 2-2 draw with Manchester United, Frank is yet to do just that.

Patience is required, however, with further investment likely to be needed, not least in the forward ranks. How about Antoine Semenyo, anyone?

Latest on Tottenham's interest in Semenyo

Frank is still fine-tuning his frontline, in the absence of Dominic Solanke, having unleashed 14 different attacking combinations in just 18 games this season, while never using the same one more than twice, as noted by the Daily Mail.

Ex-West Ham United man Mohammed Kudus has perhaps been the brightest spark off the right, with six goals and assists already in 2025/26, although a solution still needs to be found on the opposite side, following Son Heung-min's emotional summer exit.

Enter, Semenyo, with the "best winger in the country" - as hailed by Spurs great Chris Waddle - reportedly among the targets that Spurs are considering heading into 2026, having previously been in the mix for his signature, alongside Man United, over the summer.

As reported this week by The Athletic's David Ornstein, the north London side are still among the clubs keen on signing the Ghanaian, with the 25-year-old having a £65m release clause that comes into effect for a specific time period in January.

Previously valued at closer to £70m, it looks as if Bournemouth are now almost powerless to prevent their star man from leaving in the near future, with that £65m figure set to reduce even further over the summer.

With nine goals and assists in 11 league outings this term, unsurprisingly, Semenyo has also caught the attention of clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City, with it yet to be seen whether Spurs can nudge ahead in that intriguing battle for his services.

Should they miss out on the ex-Bristol City man, all is not lost, however, with Frank and co already having an internal solution to unleash in the near future.

Spurs' answer to Antoine Semenyo

As already stated, after trialling the likes of Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Xavi Simons off the left flank, a true permanent successor to Son on that side still needs to be found, with the South Korean moving on after netting 173 goals in 454 games in all competitions for the club.

Semenyo, for what it's worth, would be a dream solution, with his breathtaking ability having been evident in the recent win over Fulham, as he tore down the left flank before somehow converting from an acute angle.

With Liverpool and City in the mix, however, there may well be a bigger fish, with Spurs instead needing to look elsewhere to find Son's true heir in that wide role.

Thankfully, in the form of his compatriot Yang Min-Hyeok, the north Londoners may already have just that, with the teenage winger described as "like Son Heung-min" by journalist Jason Lee, who tipped him to be "Korea's next superstar".

While yet to actually feature for his parent club, Yang has shown more than just flashes of his quality out on loan in 2025, first starring during a six-month stint at Queens Park Rangers, where he scored twice and registered one assist in 14 games.

Back in the Championship again this season, now with Portsmouth, the 19-year-old has again chalked up three goal involvements from ten games across all fronts, enjoying a particularly fruitful October amid an initial slow start to life on the south coast.

Currently travailing the EFL, like Semenyo did in the past with Bristol, Newport County and Sunderland, the early signs are certainly promising for Yang, having been "on fire" for Pompey in the view of talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Not just blessed with blistering pace, what also sets Yang apart - much like Semenyo and Son - is his two-footedness. Indeed, both of his goals for QPR came with his left, while both of his efforts for Pompey have come with his right.

The former Gangwon gem - who scored 12 times in 38 senior games at his former club - looks destined to be a fixture of Frank's first-team heading into next season, with Spurs able to save themselves millions by not signing another winger to block his pathway and development.

With fellow teenager Mikey Moore - currently out on loan at Rangers - also in the equation, that left-hand side looks to be in safe hands. Semenyo might well not be needed.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank only has to wait just over a month for the chance to make further additions to his squad in the January transfer window.

The Danish head coach was backed by the club during the summer window with a host of expensive signings to bolster his options across the pitch ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Mohammed Kudus for £55m from West Ham United and Xavi Simons for £52m from RB Leipzig were the headline arrivals, as the Lilywhites splashed over £100m on two attackers to transform their frontline.

Xavi, unfortunately, has no goals and one assist in eight Premier League games so far this season, but Kudus has delivered one goal and four assists in that time, per Sofascore, as he has impressed out wide.

The former Hammers star has provided real creativity and excitement on the flanks for Spurs since his £55m move, but, like Xavi, there have been some underperforming players in Frank's attacking ranks.

One of the Tottenham stars who needs to improve his performances ahead of the January transfer window is Brennan Johnson, who is at risk of being replaced.

Why Spurs should replace Brennan Johnson

Spurs signed the Wales international from Nottingham Forest for a fee of £47.5m in the summer of 2023, and he has been a successful signing on the whole.

Johnson, of course, scored the winning goal in the Europa League final under Ange Postecoglou at the end of last season, which is why he should be considered a worthwhile signing for £47.5m, as he won the club a major trophy.

However, the underlying numbers behind his performances last season and in the current one suggest that Spurs could upgrade on him out wide if they can find the right players to improve the team.

Johnson scored 11 goals in the Premier League, to his credit, but his all-round play and lack of creativity were issues in the 2024/25 campaign for the Lilywhites.

As you can see in the table above, the Welsh forward was one of the worst-performing wingers in the top-flight when it came to progressing the ball in possession and creating chances for his teammates.

It has been a similar case this season. Johnson currently ranks in the bottom 12% for progressive passes (1.24) and the bottom 1% for shot-creating actions (1.53) per 90, whilst he does not have a single assist to his name, per FBref.

You cannot knock his knack for scoring goals, with another four in all competitions this season, but his all-round performances are why the club should look to replace him.

Spurs considering bid to sign Premier League winger

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham Hotspur are considering a bid to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo when the January transfer window opens for business.

The report claims that the Ghana international has a clause in his contract with the Cherries, which means that he can be snapped up for a fee of £65m early on in the winter window, which has put a number of sides on alert.

Spurs were said to have been expecting a January deal to be too difficult to do before they learned of his release clause, and they are now weighing up whether or not to make a £65m offer to activate it.

TEAMtalk adds, though, that Liverpool are set to provide competition for his signature and that could make it tough for the Lilywhites, given that the Reds are the reigning Premier League champions.

If Spurs are able to win the race for the Bournemouth star's signature at the start of next year, he could arrive in North London as a big upgrade on Johnson at the top end of the pitch.

Why Spurs should pay Antoine Semenyo's release clause

The Lilywhites, per TEAMtalk, have the financial power to pay the £65m release clause in January, and they should do so because of the quality that he could bring to Frank's team.

Semenyo has already racked up six goals and three assists in 11 appearances in the Premier League so far this season for the Cherries, per Sofascore, whilst Johnson has produced two goals and no assists.

The chart above illustrates the gulf in class between the two players from an offensive perspective, as the former Bristol City marksman has offered far more to his team as both a scorer and a creator of goals in the top-flight.

Semenyo, who can play on either flank or through the middle as a centre-forward, also outperformed the Spurs winger at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League in the 2024/25 campaign.

As you can see in the table above, the 25-year-old star scored as many goals as the Tottenham winger last season, but provided almost three times as many assists and averaged twice as many key passes per game.

Speaking last month, former Spurs star Chris Waddle dubbed Semenyo "the best winger in the country (England) right now", and it is hard to disagree with that assessment when you consider his form in the 2025/26 campaign.

Per Sofascore, no winger in the Premier League has scored as many goals as Semenyo (six) so far this season. In fact, only Igor Thiago (eight) and Erling Haaland (14) have scored more goals than the Bournemouth sensation.

Therefore, Spurs could improve their team and land a proven Premier League superstar by activating his £65m release clause in the January transfer window, which could leave Johnson on the fringes of the squad because the Ghana international appears to be a significant upgrade on him.

It is now down to Fabio Paratici and Frank to convince the 25-year-old star to make the move to North London in the winter window, as he could be a phenomenal addition to the squad with his quality as a scorer and a creator.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has been dealt another injury worry ahead of his side's looming North London derby clash with Arsenal this weekend.

Spurs travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday to face their table-topping rivals in what promises to be a pivotal encounter, but Frank faces a mounting injury crisis that threatens to derail his side's chances.

While it is still early doors, The Lilywhites appear to be pushing for a top-four place, and are currently sitting fifth with five wins, three draws, and three losses from 11 Premier League matches. Their form has been inconsistent, especially in a creative sense, with two wins, two draws, and two losses in their last six fixtures, with Frank still yet to get the best out of his squad on a consistent enough basis.

The injury situation ahead of the derby is particularly concerning. Frank confirmed that Cristian Romero should be available after being substituted late on against Man United due to fatigue, with the Dane stating he was "just done physically" after recently returning from injury.

Even more positively, Frank expressed real belief that Mohammed Kudus will be available, saying he is "very confident" despite missing recent matches against FC Copenhagen and Man United with a minor knock. Kudus even elected to stay in London and not represent Ghana in friendlies against Japan and South Korea to focus on his recovery.

However, they still face significant absences elsewhere.

James Maddison's ACL injury may rule him out until summer 2026, while Dejan Kulusevski and Yves Bissouma continue rehabilitation from knee and ankle problems respectively. Radu Dragusin took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly over the international break as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury, so it's very unlikely he'll be fit enough to take part, and there are numerous other concerns.

Injury-plagued striker Dominic Solanke is also 'unlikely' to feature this weekend, according to reports, as he carries on battling an ankle problem after minor surgery.

Excluding their Carabao Cup win at the Emirates in 2018, Tottenham have won away to Arsenal just twice since the Premier League's inception, with their last one in the top flight coming 14 years ago.

Tottenham's torrid record against Arsenal on enemy turf makes for pretty grim reading as a Spurs supporter, so Frank will be hoping to have as many key players fit for the derby as possible.

Tottenham dealt another injury worry as Pape Sarr picks up 'knock'

On international duty, midfielder Pape Sarr dealt Frank another worry after he was taken off in Senegal's 2-0 defeat to Brazil at the Emirates.

Initially, Senegal boss Pape Thiaw predicted that it wasn't a 'big deal', but he's since provided another update.

Thiaw has confirmed that Sarr did not travel with the squad to Turkey for their friendly against Kenya, instead remaining in the English capital. The manager explains that Sarr has in fact picked up a 'knock', which prompted them to leave him in London to undergo treatment at N17.

"We left him in London. He took a knock," Thiaw explained.

"So, we felt it would be difficult for him to recover in just two days. Since we were in his home city, we preferred to leave him at the disposal of his club so he could receive treatment there."

The midfielder's potential absence this weekend would represent another significant blow for Frank, who already faces being without numerous key players for the derby. Sarr has already played 16 matches for Tottenham this season, bagging two goals and two assists in the top flight whilst establishing himself as a regular in Frank's setup.

The timing of the injury is far from ideal for Spurs, and it remains unclear whether the 23-year-old will be fit in time for their clash against the Gunners.

Tottenham's medical team will now assess the extent of the knock, with Frank hoping for positive news as he prepares his depleted squad for one of the season's most important fixtures.

Tottenham Hotspur have had a fair few talents that have been underappreciated over the years, but none more so than central midfielder Mousa Dembélé.

The Belgian joined the Lilywhites in a £15m deal from Fulham back in the summer of 2012, with many supporters unaware of the quality he possessed prior to his switch to North London.

He racked up a total of 249 senior appearances during his seven-year spell at the club, arguably cementing himself as one of their best ever midfielders.

From dazzling runs with the ball at his feet to dominant physical displays out of possession, the talent cemented himself as a key player during his spell in the Premier League.

Since his move to Guangzhou City in 2019, the Lilywhites have massively lacked a player of his quality, with Thomas Frank unable to rely upon one player to be his own version of the Belgian.

Why Bentancur has struggled with Spurs in 2025/26

After Frank’s arrival in the summer, there was a huge question mark around what system the Dane would operate with at Spurs after utilising various formations at Brentford.

However, it appears as though the 52-year-old has settled on a three-man midfield in a 4-3-3 system, which has seen Joao Palhinha operate at the base, with two box-to-box players ahead of him.

Rodrigo Bentancur has been one of the most utilised players in such an area, as seen by his tally of 10 appearances out of a possible 11 in the Premier League to date.

However, the Uruguayan has struggled to impress in those outings, even being benched against Manchester United in the final game before the ongoing international break.

The 28-year-old’s underlying stats from the 2025/26 season showcase his struggles of late, which could see him drop down the pecking order further in the months ahead.

He has only created 0.6 chances per 90 this season, which ranks him in the bottom 25% of all players in the division - often struggling to make a huge impact when in possession.

Such a skillset is vital when playing with Palhinha at the heart of the side, with the Portuguese international known to break up the play and allow those around him to provide the creative spark.

However, out of possession, Bentancur has also struggled under Frank, only making 0.5 interceptions per 90, which also places him in the lower quarter of all midfielders in England’s top-flight.

The aforementioned figures highlight his all-round struggles in North London, which could certainly put his long-term future at the club in jeopardy - that’s despite penning a new deal earlier this campaign.

The Spurs star who’s already showing 'shades of Dembele'

Top-level midfielders in the modern game cost a small fortune, with numerous clubs in the Premier League often forking out mammoth sums to land world-class talents.

Four teams in England’s top-flight have spent £100m or more on a midfielder in the last five years, with Chelsea doing so on more than one occasion, with deals for Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández.

However, Spurs are a club that unfortunately aren’t in a position to willingly fork out such funds in the market, with more of a focus being directed to younger prospects.

Dominic Solanke remains the club’s record addition at £65m back in the summer of 2024, with no midfielder in Frank’s current first-team squad being bought for over £55m.

The likes of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr both cost a combined £22m, with both now managing to establish themselves as key first-team members in 2025/26.

However, the academy system is another avenue for clubs to go down, with the Lilywhites desperately needing to put faith in youngster Tyrese Hall in the years ahead.

The midfielder joined the club at the age of just eight, subsequently spending 12 years in the youth ranks, before making the move to join Notts County on loan in the summer.

Such a move came after the youngster registered six goals and seven assists in 28 U21 appearances in 2024/25, with such a move being his first taste of senior football.

However, whilst it may appear a daunting task to many, Hall has taken it all in his stride, as seen by his impressive numbers at Meadow Lane over the past few months.

The 20-year-old has already found the net on six occasions, with his latest strike proving to be the winner in the affair with Cheltenham Town at the beginning of the month.

Whilst he’s operated in a more advanced role with the Magpies, Hall has previously featured slightly deeper - even playing as a number eight for the Lilywhites in a post-season friendly back in 2024.

The youngster was brought on as a substitute in such a fixture and even impressed, with one of the commentators that day claiming he was showing “shades of Mousa Dembele”.

Such praise is huge given the levels produced by the Belgian during his own time in North London, with real hope that Hall can match such levels if given the opportunity.

At 20, he still has bags of time to reach his full potential, with his loan spell at Notts County undoubtedly helping him in his quest in the professional game.

However, Frank will need to keep a close eye on his progress and potentially hand him the opportunity to impress him in pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur have endured a topsy-turvy spell over the last couple of years, with Ange Postecoglou’s reign one that was as turbulent to say the least.

The Aussie achieved a fifth-placed Premier League finish in the 2023/24 campaign, but he was ultimately unable to replicate such levels in his final year in North London.

He could only guide the Lilywhites to a 17th-placed finish last time around, subsequently losing 22 games in the process - the most of any side who haven’t been relegated from England’s top-flight.

However, the 60-year-old did win the Europa League last campaign, ending the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in the role in North London.

He was subsequently sacked in the summer, with Thomas Frank taking the reins as a result, with the Dane potentially wanting to offload numerous of the Aussie’s additions in the upcoming window.

The players who could leave Spurs in the January window

During Postecoglou’s tenure at Spurs, he made numerous high-profile additions, with Dominic Solanke arriving in a club-record £65m transfer from Bournemouth in 2024.

Such excitement was generated given the nature of the transfer fee, but ultimately, his move to North London has been a failure, with injuries massively halting his progress of late.

The 28-year-old has only featured for a total of 31 league minutes in 2025/26, with Frank often unable to call upon the Englishman when needed during the early months of his tenure.

As a result, the manager may look to move the centre forward on in January, according to recent reports, which could allow for added investment in a new striker to bolster the attacking department.

He could also be joined in departing the club by numerous other players, with Manor Solomon a player who is seemingly edging closer to the exit door.

Like Solanke, the Israeli international joined under Ange’s guidance, but he’s also struggled to make the impact he would’ve envisaged upon his switch to North London.

He’s only made six senior appearances for the Lilywhites, even being sent on various loan spells - with the 26-year-old currently spending the year on loan at Spanish side Villarreal.

However, his tally of five combined goals and assists in just six games could lead to a permanent exit, which could bring his two and a half year spell at the club to an end.

The Spurs player who may now need to leave

The lowly Premier League finish last season highlights the job Frank has had on his hands since taking over, but the Dane has been unable to fully fix the problems at Spurs.

His side currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League 2025/26, even sitting 10th in the Champions League table, but the underlying problems are still evident.

The Lilywhites have only won one game on home soil in England’s top-flight to date, with such a record placing them second bottom for home form in the division.

However, away from home, the club appear unstoppable, with Frank’s men winning four and drawing one of their five league outings - subsequently boasting the best record in the league.

Other problems are also evident within the first-team squad, with Brennan Johnson a player who has seen his form take a nose-dive over the last couple of months.

The Welshman joined in a £47.5m transfer from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2023, with many supporters raising eyebrows at the nature of the fee.

Last season was by far and away his best of his career in North London, as the 24-year-old ended 2024/25 on a total of 18 goals across all competitions - the highest of any player in the squad.

However, Mohammed Kudus’ arrival has pushed the Welsh international down the pecking order and highlighted his struggles which were masked by his goalscoring tally last year.

Johnson has only started five times in the league to date, only scoring on two occasions, with his last effort in England’s top-flight coming way back in August.

His underlying figures further suggest he’s underperforming this year, with Frank desperately needing to sell the £100k-per-week star in the upcoming window.

Johnson has only completed 0.5 dribbles per 90 at a success rate of just 42%, which has led to criticism from the supporters over his lack of talent at getting past his opponents.

In front of goal, he’s been just as terrible, only achieving a total of 0.3 shots on target per 90, at an accuracy rate of just 30% - with the winger unable to match his goalscoring heights from last year.

In the view of talkSPORT's Simon Jordan, he's a "work in progress" and a "speedboat without a brain".

Given Kudus’ arrival and Johnson’s lack of impact, it would be a surprise to no one if the club decided to cash in on his services to avoid losing a small fortune on their investment.

It’s clear both parties need a fresh start in the months ahead, which could allow the club to invest needed funds in other areas to help them rise up the Premier League table in the second half of the season.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank is reportedly facing a significant blow to his January transfer plans after news about a top winger target.

While the January transfer window is set to become a major topic of discussion soon, all attention is currently centered around this weekend's North London derby clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The statistics paint a pretty bleak picture for Frank's side, with as many as 11 players either set to miss the clash through injury or are doubts at the very least.

Arsenal prolonged their unbeaten run against Tottenham to six matches in January this year, having also done the double over Spurs in 2023. The Lilywhites have also failed to chalk up a single victory against their fiercest rivals in three years, with their last win coming at the end of the 2021/2022 season under Antonio Conte.

Harry Kane's brace and a goal from Son Heung-min handed Spurs a statement 3-0 victory on their run to qualify for the Champions League that year, but that remains their only triumph over Arsenal in their last nine meetings.

While the Emirates Stadium is a notoriously challenging hunting ground for Tottenham, having failed to win there in the top flight since 2011, Frank could actually be relieved this clash will be played out on enemy turf.

Frank's side have lost three Premier League matches on home soil already this season, and their record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium over the last 12 months has been abysmal with just four victories to show from 20 home league games.

They haven't won at home at all in the league since their 3-1 win over newly-promoted Burnley on the opening weekend, leaving them second bottom of the home form table but sitting pretty atop of the away form standings (Footy Stats).

Tottenham will be handed some encouragement by Sunderland's 2-2 draw with Arsenal just prior to the international break, but it is safe to say they're up against it on Sunday, with there still being plenty of work to do on Frank's squad as the Lewis family look to usher in a post-Daniel Levy era.

According to reports, Spurs are in the market for another winger this winter after missing out on Savinho in the summer, with Ademola Lookman believed to be on their radar as one potential signing.

Frank facing 'big blow' at Tottenham after news on Ademola Lookman

The Atalanta winger appeared to be exit bound last summer and even submitted a transfer request, but an exit failed to materialise. Tottenham were repeatedly linked with the Nigerian at the end of the last window, and those links have remained ahead of January.

Lookman bagged 20 goals in all competitions last season and took home 2024's African Player of the Year award following his stunning performance in the Europa League final that year, which both won Atalanta the tournament and ended Bayer Leverkusen's historic unbeaten run.

The 28-year-old, who is also out of contract in under two years, would undoubtedly be a superb signing for Spurs and one who can play in many different attacking positions, including as a striker.

However, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke for Football Insider, Frank faces a 'big blow' in his pursuit of Lookman, as it is now believed that new Atalanta boss Raffaele Palladino could now convince the player to remain in Italy.

Also, if Spurs were to lodge a bid for Lookman in January, Atalanta would demand a minimum of £50 million to consider selling, despite the player's contract length.

All of this makes the prospect of a winter transfer to N17 looking more and more difficult for the 'world-class' forward, but there are alternatives.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League triumph at the end of the 2024/25 campaign has brought added expectations, after finally ending their 17-year wait for a piece of silverware.

Ange Postecoglou’s triumph in Bilbao ended a generational wait for a trophy, but he was sacked after such victory, handing the responsibility to Thomas Frank in the process.

The Dane was handed a huge sum of money to try and build on the triumph, with the hierarchy backing the new manager after taking the reins ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Over £100m was spent on new additions, which has led to the Lilywhites already making an impact in the Premier League - as seen by their fifth-placed standing after the third international break.

Mohammed Kudus has already hit the ground running, registering one goal and one assist in the league, but the same can’t be said for one of their big-money summer additions.

How Simons compares to other PL midfielders in 2025/26

During the summer transfer window, Spurs forked out a total of £52m for the signature of attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, with the youngster joining the club from RB Leipzig.

The move ended their summer-long pursuit of a new attacking midfielder, with numerous options being targeted before completing a deal for the Dutch international.

Premier League options such as Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze were both considered, but various factors saw the Lilywhites miss out on both of the player’s signatures.

As a result, Simons was the man chosen to fill the void, with such a move generating huge excitement within the fanbase - undoubtedly aided by the sizable transfer fee.

However, a couple of months on from his big-money transfer to North London, the 22-year-old has ultimately failed to deliver, as seen by his tally of just two assists in his first 14 outings.

His underlying stats further showcase his lack of quality, with the youngster being massively outperformed by numerous players also in a single position in England’s top-flight.

He’s only created an average of 1.01 chances per 90, with such a tally ranking him in the bottom 25% of all other midfielders in the league, with right-back Pedro Porro creating more chances in the same time period.

Simons has also been dispossessed an average of 2.1 times per 90, subsequently placing him in the bottom 18% of all players in the division for the same category.

He will certainly need time to settle into life in England after his big-money transfer, but there’s little denying that he’s been a huge disappointment in recent months.

As a result, he could find himself struggling to nail down a starting role in the near future, especially if one player continues his phenomenal development at the club.

The Spurs star who could end Simons’ Spurs career

Over the years, the Spurs faithful have been blessed with countless talents who have operated in the attacking midfield role - subsequently handing the fanbase moments to last a lifetime.

James Maddison was the latest player in the role before his ACL injury, with the Englishman achieving some phenomenal levels during his spell in the first team in North London.

He’s racked up 16 goals and 19 assists in his 75 appearances for the Lilywhites, with his tally of 12 goals in 2024/25 the highest he’s managed after his £40m switch.

Dele was another Englishman who filled such a role in the years prior, with the former first-team star managing to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award on two separate occasions.

However, whilst he failed to match the expectations over a sustained period, Frank could be about to rely on Luca Williams-Barnett during his spell in North London.

The 17-year-old has generated huge excitement over the last couple of months, with the youngster making huge waves within various age categories in the academy.

He’s been starring way above his age group over the last few seasons, with the youngster featuring in the U18s side for the vast majority of the previous campaign.

He ended the year with a staggering 23 goals and nine assists in his 24 outings for the Lilywhites, resulting in a jump up once again - now becoming a key member of the U21 side.

At just 17, he’s arguably made himself one of the age group's biggest stars, with his numbers from the ongoing season further reflecting his star quality despite his tender age.

Williams-Barnett has made just eight appearances, but it hasn’t stopped him from catching the eye, as seen by his remarkable tally of seven goals and five assists.

Back in September, he registered three goals and an assist in the 6-3 victory over Leicester City - with such a display undoubtedly his best in the 2025/26 campaign to date.

As a result of his performances, the youngster was named in the England U17 World Cup squad, with the midfielder already scoring twice during the ongoing competition.

Williams-Barnett has also made his senior debut during Frank’s tenure, as he was brought on in the 87th minute of the Carabao Cup victory over League One Doncaster Rovers back in September.

His performances across various teams in 2025/26 has led to huge praise being directed his way, with analyst Ben Mattinson labelling him as “one of England’s best talents”.

At just 17, the club will certainly have to manage the expectations placed upon him, but it’s undeniable that the Lilywhites have a phenomenal young prospect on their hands.

It’s unclear what his route to first-team success would be, but the hierarchy need to prepare a plan to allow him to match the potential he currently possesses at present.

As for Simons, he will need to rapidly buck his ideas up after his big-money transfer, with his spell in North London certainly being one to forget in recent months.

His future at the club could be in huge jeopardy in the years ahead, especially if Williams-Barnett is able to continue on his current development path in the youth ranks.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is now having to deal with unsettled players as he also prepares for a vital North London derby this weekend, according to a new report.

Spurs, under the new leadership team of co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, are bracing for a significant January transfer window where several fringe players could well depart N17.

The most high-profile of them appears inevitable for Yves Bissouma, whose spell at Spurs appears to be nearing a conclusion. The 28-year-old Mali international's contract expires in June 2026, positioning him for a potential free transfer next year amid ongoing interest from Galatasaray after they failed to sign him in the summer.

Frank has already criticised Bissouma for his punctuality and discipline, explaining at the start of 2025/2026 that the midfielder "has been late several times and the latest time was one too many".

The midfielder is currently absent with an ankle problem and hasn't featured in a competitive game all season, but The Mail report Bissouma's contract includes a one-year extension option — meaning they might not lose him for free next year after all.

In any case, they'd also only trigger it if they can't sell him in the winter, and Bissouma isn't the only player who could leave in under two months time.

Indeed, Richarlison's future also hangs in the balance.

The forward's own contract runs out in 2027, and he's struggled for consistency not just this season, but ever since his £60 million move from Everton in 2022. Richarlison is believed to be attracting interest from his former club and Frank reportedly views the 28-year-old as 'expendable', meaning a January exit for the Brazil international isn't ruled out despite Dominic Solanke's injury woes.

On-lookers wouldn't be at all surprised if one of the aforementioned pair left Spurs in the winter, provided they can sign a replacement for Richarlison, but a much more surprising name has now been touted for the exit door as well.

Mathys Tel keen to leave Tottenham in January and 'unhappy' in London

Just months after his £30 million permanent move from Bayern Munich, Roma have now emerged as potential January suitors for striker Mathys Tel.

Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reports the 20-year-old is unhappy in London and keen on departing Tottenham when the winter window opens, which comes as a shock given he's basically only just arrived and performed fairly well when called upon.

Tel scored Tottenham's equaliser against Man United last time out with an excellent finish on the turn, and opened the scoring in Spurs' 2-1 win away to Leeds just before the October international break.

However, he was also controversially excluded from Tottenham's 22-man Champions League squad by Frank, owing to the limited numbers they could select due to homegrown quota issues.

Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini has identified Tel as his primary target, viewing the youngster as someone with significant room for development who possesses the ideal profile to strengthen Roma's attacking options.

La Gazzetta even suggests that Spurs could green-light a loan deal as opposed to an outright sale, but given both Randal Kolo Muani and Solanke's struggles to stay fit, this would be rather unwise.

Given Frank's limited attacking options, Roma's apparent optimism about securing a deal may prove very premature. Tottenham need more options up top, not less, and Tel is someone who's still raw but could pay dividends in the future as he continues to adjust to life in England.

Tottenham chiefs are believed to be assessing their options ahead of the looming January transfer window, which opens in just over a month's time, and Thomas Frank reportedly wants to reinforce his attacking options.

On the pitch, all eyes turn towards this weekend's looming North London derby as Frank's side dream of their first Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium since 2011.

Frank also heads into his first derby clash as Spurs boss in testing circumstances, nursing a crippling injury crisis as he also navigates an inconsistent run of form. With as many as 11 first-team players currently sidelined, the Dane's squad depth is pretty stretched for one of the Premier League's most high-stakes fixtures.

His preparations took another worrying turn when midfielder Pape Sarr limped off during Senegal's friendly against Brazil, though his international manager, Pape Thiaw, then provided a reassuring update which suggested the knock wasn't serious.

“He got hit and then he didn’t feel well, so as a precaution, he preferred to come off," Thiaw told reporters.

"But I don’t think it’s a big deal.”

The injury list makes for grim reading. Randal Kolo Muani, Archie Gray, Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma and Kota Takai are just some of the names on Tottenham's large absentee list, with a good few not expected back in time for the Arsenal clash.

Solanke is apparently "unlikely" to make his return against Mikel Arteta's side as the striker continues his recovery from minor ankle surgery, while Kolo Muani fractured his jaw against Man United, and it remains to be seen how long the summer signing will be out for.

Mohammed Kudus should recover from a knock to face Arsenal, offering some attacking relief, while Lucas Bergvall could return after completing concussion protocols following his head injury against Chelsea — even if he was sent home from Sweden international duty after a 'setback'.

Taking into account the club's fitness issues which have plagued the Lilywhites since the start of Ange Postecoglou's final season in charge, it is no surprise that they're considering moves in the winter transfer market to reinforce Frank's options.

Tottenham tried and failed to sign Man City winger Savinho in the summer, and it is believed that another wide-forward is very much still on the agenda at N17.

Takefusa Kubo could be tempted to join Tottenham in January

Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo is a player who's long been linked with a move to Spurs.

Some reports even suggest that the north Londoners have made 'several' failed attempts to sign the Japan international, but they've been given some encouragement in the build up to January as it is claimed that Kubo is keen on Spurs as a landing spot.

His contract reportedly includes a £52 million release clause, and journalist Pete O'Rourke has told Football Insider that Kubo could still be intrigued by a move to Tottenham this winter amid Sociedad's worrying form which sees them hovering just three points above the relegation zone.

O'Rourke also calls Kubo a "top player" who'd tick a lot of boxes for Frank.

The 24-year-old, who left Real Madrid after successive loan spells away to join Sociedad permanently in 2022, averaged more successful take-ons per 90 than any of his teammates in La Liga last season (WhoScored), and more than any Tottenham player managed in England that campaign too.

Predominantly a right-winger, Kubo appears unlikely to threaten Kudus' place in the side given his exceptional start, but can operate as both a central attacking playmaker and even a second-striker, which may well appeal to Frank.

The presence of a release clause means that Spurs can bypass negotiations with Sociedad by triggering it and entering talks with the player himself.

Kubo's signing could also open up commercial opportunities in the Asian market, something which Tottenham have missed since club legend and South Korea icon Son Heung-min departed for Los Angeles FC in the summer.