Football FanCast

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.

Tottenham Hotspur's preferred price to sign AFC Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo has been revealed, with manager Thomas Frank a big fan.

Despite both Mathys Tel and Richarlison getting on the scoresheet against Manchester United in Tottenham's final match before the international break, journalist Henry Winter has made it clear he believes Frank needs to sign a new centre-forward.

Richarlison is Spurs' top scorer in the Premier League this term, having netted four goals, but the Brazilian has been inconsistent throughout his time in north London, as pointed out by Ben Foster, who questioned his work ethic earlier this season.

Foster said: "He’s a very, very good player. He’s a Brazilian international, for God’s sake. He’s a world-class player, right? But I just think sometimes he goes, ‘Right, I’ve probably done enough for a little while now. Now I’ll settle down."

With Jamie O'Hara also singling Tel out for criticism earlier in the campaign, Frank may be keen to bring in a more consistent goalscorer in the near future, and the north Londoners are very much in the race for a Premier League star.

Tottenham's preferred price to sign Bournemouth star Semenyo

According to a report from Spain, Tottenham are one of four Premier League clubs willing to pay €60m (£53m) for Bournemouth star Semenyo, in light of the impressive start the forward has made to the season.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool are also willing to spend big to get a deal for the Ghanaian over the line, but the Cherries should be in a strong position to demand a big fee, considering he is contracted until 2030.

Spurs have requested updates on the 25-year-old's performances, deciding to target him because they are keen to bring in an elite-level forward who is capable of playing both out wide and through the middle.

Bournemouth's Ryan Christie might have something to say about his teammate leaving, given that the Scot recently made it clear just how highly he rates the former Bristol City man, describing him as "scary good."

The 32-time Ghana international has been one of the Premier League's breakout stars this season, having already amassed nine goal contributions, and he is currently sitting pretty right near the top of the goalscoring charts in joint-third place.

Frank is also a big fan of the winger, who is capable of operating on both flanks, saying last season: "Semenyo can play wherever he wants to play. He’s a fantastic player. I think he’s been the best individual player for Bournemouth this season."

Amid doubts over a number of Tottenham's attacking players, Semenyo could be the ideal addition to Frank's squad, and a £53m fee seems reasonable, given the level of his performances this season.

Despite some negative noise regarding attacking regressions, Tottenham Hotspur have made headway under Thomas Frank's management, fifth in the Premier League and in a promising position in the Champions League group stage.

But Spurs could certainly do with a bit more fluency and impetus when on the charge, and such creases must be ironed out over the coming months to make this a season to remember.

It was always going to be difficult, selling Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in 2023, and Ange Postecoglou deserves credit for establishing an attractive, entertaining playing style (when things were going his way).

But it's true that some members of the squad aren't quite pulling their weight. That said, Tottenham do have some top talents who have the capacity to secure the club's place at Europe's elite table and lead Frank toward trophy-winning success.

Mohammed Kudus being chief among them.

Kudus' start to life at Spurs

There was an air of controversy about Kudus' summer transfer to Tottenham. After all, the Ghanaian winger had plied his trade down the road at West Ham United for the past couple of years, and the sale has left the Irons fanbase feeling hot under the collar.

But West Ham's loss is Tottenham's gain, with the 25-year-old having registered five assists in the Premier League this season, more than any other player.

His pace and potency have seen him add a dimension to Frank's outfit that Tottenham simply didn't boast last term, and in this, he is offering shades of Kane, taking on the responsibility of leading the club forward, bringing a unique flavour to the table.

Kudus is indeed emerging as Tottenham's new principal source of attacking inspiration, but there's actually another member of Frank's squad who's looking somewhat Kane-esque.

Spurs' new version of Kane

We're not talking about one of the Tottenham forwards here. Instead, it's Micky van de Ven whose growth into a talismanic role down N17 is leaving him in line to take Kane's leadership berth, belatedly.

The 24-year-old has been a revelation since joining from Wolfsburg for around £43m in 2023, with injuries his biggest weakness. So strong and fast and commanding, with journalist Sonny Snelling even labelling him as "world-class".

It was the 6 foot 4 star's injury that derailed the Ange hype train a few years ago, sending that project into a spin. Then, last season, hamstring injuries reigned supreme over the defender's hopes of availability. He started only 12 Premier League fixtures all season, eight of which came across Spurs' first nine fixtures of the campaign.

While Cristian Romero is Tottenham's captain, Van de Ven is the perfect counterpoint and every bit as impressive. It's perhaps important to remember that, like Kane, Van de Ven is not the skipper, with the Three Lions striker behind Hugo Lloris in that regard.

Of course, Kane and Micky van de Ven are hardly similar players. They are so different across physical and tactical bases as to be diametrically opposed.

But Van de Ven offers so much more than his central defensive role demands, and in this, he shares a likeness with Kane, whose range of passing and ability to drop deep and influence make him a very unique number nine, and with 23 goals from 17 games for Bayern this season, he's still rather good at his primary job.

Tottenham have struggled to replace Kane since selling him to Bayern, but that's more because of the 32-year-old's remarkable, unique qualities. When he left, the Lilywhites didn't only lose their record goalscorer, but their shrewdest playmaker and source of inspiration across so many years.

But his pace. Such speed. It's astonishing, in many ways, and hard to define. In the Premier League this season, furthermore, Van de Ven has completed 92% of his passes and come out on top in 63% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.

It tells much of the Dutchman's athleticism that he is first, fourth, and fifth on the all-time speed rankings (beginning 2020/21), and is a further illustration of the above-and-beyond approach he brings to his centre-half role.

As per FBref, he also ranks among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90, emphasising an attacking threat that has been on full show this season, six goals from 16 matches in all competitions.

This is a top-class player, and one whose special skills will inevitably see a wave of interest in his signature before long, Europe's heavyweights squabbling over his signature.

It is perhaps a given that Van de Ven will eventually move on. The lure of Real Madrid and Barcelona, outfits bound to have earmarked the Netherlands international among a list of loose long-term targets, may ultimately prove too much for him to ignore.

This could see him shape into the next version of Kane in more ways than one. But, whatever happens down the line, Van de Ven is a unique player who Tottenham must keep a grip on for as long as they can, for he will spearhead the Frank era toward a surface only scratched when Postecoglou defied the odds and lifted the Europa League title last season, Van de Ven playing that final and thriving.

Tottenham Hotspur have levels still to reach under Thomas Frank's management, but with such an exciting academy underbelly, there's every reason for fans to be excited about the club's long-term success.

There has been a real wave of youth investment in recent years, with Lucas Bergvall and Luka Vuskovic among the formative additions landed after showing signs of prodigious potential. However, the next superstar has yet to present himself.

Harry Kane is the most notable alumnus kicking a ball today, with the Three Lions captain in devastating form for club and country this season. Kane is one of the Londoners' greatest players of all time, for sure.

How Frank must long for the 32-year-old's qualities. He would be the icing on the cake down N17 this season. However, Kane isn't the only one-time Spurs striker making headway at the moment, with Troy Parrott in the form of his life.

Parrott's record since leaving Spurs

Parrott left Tottenham for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie in July 2024, completing a transfer worth around £7m. He had only featured four times for Spurs' senior side and had completed five separate loan spells away, the last of which was a prolific year in Holland with Excelsior.

However, his 2024/25 campaign stood as the opus of his young career. The 23-year-old has been thriving with Alkmaar, and he has used that platform as a springboard toward new heights with the Irish national team too.

Indeed, after scoring 13 goals and supplying two assists across 14 matches in all competitions for his club this season, Parrott has headed out with his nation and dragged them to the World Cup qualifiers, scoring a brace in last week's surprise victory over Portugal.

But it was the sublime hat-trick over Hungary on Sunday evening that consolidated Parrott's new reputation as a hero in his homeland and one of the most talented up-and-coming strikers out there.

How Spurs must regret letting him leave, especially considering the current conundrum Frank is dealing with at number nine. That said, they do have a potential replacement in the wings who could be seen as the club's new version of Kane.

Spurs' new version of Harry Kane

Dane Scarlett may have envisaged a bigger role at this stage of his career, but the 21-year-old Tottenham talent is undoubtedly still in with a shot of making it at the club.

Having been praised by former coach Jose Mourinho in the past for being a "diamond" of a prospect, Scarlett found a way back into the reckoning after a series of loan spells last season, and in this, he could emulate Kane and take a step forward where Parrott was unable to.

Curiously, Kane completed a series of loan spells away from Tottenham before establishing himself as one of the finest strikers of his generation. He was 21 when it all came together in London.

Scarlett must not be written off, not yet. The “fantastic finisher”, as he has been called by Frank, scored his first goal for the club in the Europa League last season, and while Frank has not yet unleashed him in the Premier League, the 5 foot 11 striker has made the bench five times across the club's past seven matches.

TNT Sports pundit Peter Crouch said after that win over Elfborg last season that Scarlett reminded him of Kane back in his younger days, having displayed such resilience to kick on after a series of loan spells and become one of Tottenham's greatest players.

While Parrott might have seen the chance for such success pass him by, it's certainly not too late for Scarlett, and given the current attacking issues at the club, one golden chance may bloom into a prosperous future down N17.

However, given his record at senior level to date, it would not be a huge surprise if things ended in the same way it did for Parrott; a move elsewhere.

It's a new week, and Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank will be gearing up for a return to Premier League action at the weekend, when his side travel to Arsenal.

Tottenham have been a mixed bag this season, certainly more secure and steely than last year under Ange Postecoglou's leadership, but lacking the snap and verve that the fanbase associates with the core of the club. To dare is to do, after all.

Someone embodying that mantra right now is Troy Parrott, whose stunning hat-trick at the weekend saw Ireland defeat Hungary and seal a World Cup play-off spot, having only days before bagged a brace to sink Portugal.

The AZ Alkmaar centre-forward, 23, is shaping into quite the goalscorer, becoming the player Spurs knew he could be after he graduated from the academy.

Parrott's record at Spurs

In July 2024, Tottenham sold Parrott to AZ Alkmaar for around £7m. The Republic of Ireland international had made his Premier League debut aged 17, but only ended up featuring three further times across all competitions before leaving for good, having completed no less than five stints out on loan.

In fact, each of the goalscorer's four senior outings for the Lilywhites came during the 2019/20 campaign, and while Spurs knew when they sold him last year that he had untapped potential, it was clear he was going to struggle for minutes given the club's attacking pecking order.

There was plenty of chatter regarding Parrott and his potential, even at that nascent stage. Of course, comparisons against Harry Kane were drawn, and talent scout Jacek Kulig has since praised him for his "incredible" performances over in the Netherlands, making good on that potential that was stunted by injuries.

There was always the promise of success. While he didn't enjoy a prolific spell with Preston North End in the Championship, the player's tenacity could not be questioned. His former manager Ryan Lowe said: "His work rate is phenomenal. For the size of him, he is a bit of a unit inside. He's not massive, but very strong, uses his body very well & he got down the sides plenty of times."

If this tells us anything, it's that development in football is not linear, and it can take talented prospects a time to find their footing after showing initial promise at the foot of their professional career.

Tottenham must learn from their past mistake - if selling Parrott for a small fee could be called an error - and devote plenty of time to their new version of the Irish hero, who arrives in London at the start of 2026.

Spurs have a bigger talent than Parrott

Parrott is growing into his skin, so sharp and dynamic in the final third. There is an expectation that he should kick on and enjoy further success over the coming years, and Spurs may have to watch ruefully on as he makes headway.

However, that poignancy will be tempered and then some by the emergence of Mason Melia, who has completed a transfer rising to £3m last season, slated to join in January after the completion of the Irish league campaign.

Having idolised Kane and made his professional debut as a 15-year-old, the rangy striker is establishing himself as quite the hot prospect, with his former youth coach Hughie Nolan remarking that "nothing has fazed him" as he has raised his level again and again over his formative years.

The Athletic's Connor O'Neill said after the announcement that he's "easily the best young talent I have seen in the League of Ireland". Parrott left his homeland and signed for Spurs before he could make his senior bow, but Melia arguably has more hype around him, and still only 18, there is so much scope for growth.

Having already featured 98 times for St. Patrick's Athletic, notching 25 goals and eight assists, Melia will provide an interesting dimension to a Tottenham side crying out for attacking inspiration. Richarlison and Dominic Solanke have not provided the answer, for differing but equally concerning reasons.

Mathys Tel is a young and talented striker, beginning to show signs of the talent that Tottenham saw when bringing him over from Bayern Munich, but the jury is very much out and there are questions relating to whether the 20-year-old has what it takes to lead the line in the Premier League.

Moreover, he has recently emerged as a transfer target for Roma in Serie A, the Italians viewing him as an alternative option to Manchester United as the winter transfer window draws near.

With Parrott doing so well at the moment, it's inevitable that wistful gazes will be cast toward the Irishman as he establishes himself as one of Europe's most underrated strikers.

But while there's a romanticism about a potential deal in 2026, bringing him back home, there's little need when Tottenham have already signed a more talented Irish striker in Melia, who is now just over a month away from heading down N17.

Frank's ability to nurture young prospects is well known in England, and Tottenham's wider embracing of their youth suggests that Melia has made the right choice in moving to the capital and choosing white. He might be a "hidden gem" at the moment, as said by analyst Ben Mattinson, but Melia will soon establish himself as a major player in the Premier League, notably described as "the Irish Alexander Isak" for his effortless strike of the ball.

Will he need a bit of time? It's more than likely. But the teenager is an aggressive and mobile striker, willing to make runs and connect play while simultaneously keeping one eye on goal at all times.

His wealth of experience, despite his young age, suggests that Tottenham may well hit the jackpot with his addition to the ranks. Parrott might be the talk of the town in Ireland right now, but in Melia, the Londoners have signed a young forward with the capacity to outstrip his older countryman and seal his place among Spurs' finest forwards of the modern age, something Parrott was unable to do before leaving for a small fee.

Tottenham Hotspur may need to improve their performance levels if they want to come away with all three points in the North London derby against Arsenal on Sunday.

The Lilywhites are fifth in the Premier League table, after 11 matches, but the underlying numbers behind their performances suggest that Thomas Frank's team are heading in the wrong direction.

As you can see in the table above, Spurs rank just above the relegation zone in a host of key performance-based metrics, but they have been able to grind out results in spite of their struggles.

Up against the league leaders this weekend, Tottenham may not be able to get away with giving up as many high-quality chances whilst failing to create many of their own opportunities.

If performances do not improve and results fall in line with the current data, questions may be asked of Frank, but also of the squad of players that has been assembled by the Europa League champions.

Some questions may be asked about how well the club have spent their money on both player transfer fees and player wages, as they may not be getting value for money.

Ranking Tottenham's top ten earners

Tottenham, as you would expect of a club that is regularly in European competitions and competing at the top end of the Premier League table, reportedly have a lot of high earners in the squad.

Per Capology, Spurs have nine players who earn between £100k and £195k-per-week in North London, and summer signing Xavi Simons is at the top of the pile alongside Cristian Romero.

Excluding Randal Kolo Muani, who is on loan, it is hard to do anything other than rank Xavi Simons at the bottom of the club's top earners, as he has no goals and two assists in 13 appearances in all competitions, per Sofascore, as an attacking midfielder.

Maddison has a claim to rank first on this list after an eye-catching haul of 12 goals and ten assists in all competitions last term, per Sofascore, but he is currently set to miss the majority of this season with an ACL injury.

Brennan Johnson should go in second, purely because of his winning goal in the Europa League, and Cristian Romero should rank third as a first-choice centre-back and current club captain, showing value for money on and off the pitch.

Kudus, with one goal and four assists in ten Premier League games for Spurs, has been a mainstay since his summer move from West Ham United and should rank fifth, whilst Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison have been long-serving members of the squad, without being genuine stars, so could slot in sixth and seventh.

Dominic Solanke, who joined in the summer of 2024, underperformed his xG of 10.97 with a return of nine goals in the Premier League last season, per Sofascore, which is why he should be eighth, behind Simons, whilst Kolo Muani and Palhinha are hard to rank as it is unclear how much of their wages they are paying as part of the loan deals.

The last remaining name on the list is central defender Micky van de Ven, who we rank in fourth place, as Lilywhites expert John Wenham has urged sporting director Fabio Paratici to improve his wages.

He told TottenhamNews: "Spurs should reward his rapid progress into one of the best defenders in the Premier League with a new deal and could even double his current salary.”

How Micky van de Ven has turned his Spurs career around

Rewind to April 2024 during his first season with the Lilywhites, after a move from Wolfsburg in 2023, and the Dutchman found himself on the receiving end of some harsh criticism for mistakes in a game against Newcastle United.

Speaking on Match of the Day, former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown called his defending "embarrassing" in a 4-0 win for the Magpies at St. James' Park, as Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon took advantage of his slips.

Roughly 18 months on from that criticism he faced, Van de Ven is now in a position where there has been a call for the club to double his wages because of how impressive his performances have been.

It is understandable for Wenham to make the claim when you consider that Romero, on £195k-per-week, reportedly earns more than twice as much as the Netherlands international does, on £90k-per-week.

Van de Ven and Romero are Tottenham's first-choice centre-back pairing in the Premier League this season and their respective statistics do not suggest that the Argentine defender is more than twice as valuable to the team.

As you can see in the table above, both players excel in different areas of the game, particularly defensively, but they both have their strengths, and Van de Ven more than holds his own.

The left-footed star is the club's top goalscorer in all competitions this season, with six goals, and may have already locked in the Goal of the Season award with his effort against Copenhagen.

At the age of 24, Van de Ven also has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve as a player, which is why it would be worth tying him down to an extended contract on better terms.

Overall, the Dutch defender has turned his Spurs career around by becoming a reliable figure at the heart of the defence for Frank this season, and appears to warrant a wage hike if Paratici can convince him to pen a new contract in North London.

The international break has provided Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank with a two-week break to prepare for the North London derby clash with Arsenal next weekend in the Premier League.

Spurs were held to a 2-2 draw with Manchester United last time out in the top-flight, thanks to a last-gasp Matthijs de Ligt goal, and they have only won one of their last four matches in all competitions.

This means that the Lilywhites will need to improve their performance if they want to come away with a result against their bitter rivals, and the Premier League's current leaders.

Whilst the international break has provided the coaching staff with more time to prepare for the match, it has also thrown up a potentially disruptive injury to one of Frank's key players.

Pape Matar Sarr had to go off in the second half of Senegal's clash with Brazil, ironically, at The Emirates with an injury, and it remains to be seen how serious a blow that is.

The latest Spurs injury news ahead of the North London derby

It is fair to say that the Lilywhites have had their fair share of injury issues in the 2025/26 campaign, as they currently have 11 players who are either out or about to return from injury, not including Sarr.

James Maddison is the one player who will certainly not be returning to action any time soon, as the England international suffered an ACL injury in pre-season that will keep him out until next year.

As you can see in the table above, Tottenham have a host of players who Transfermarkt suggests could return for the North London derby, but that is their prediction and has yet to be confirmed by Frank or the club.

It has been reported, for example, that Randal Kolo Muani could be out for up to eight weeks with his jaw injury, which means that it would be surprising to see him return next weekend.

Senegal boss Pape Thiaw claimed that the injury was not a "big deal", suggesting that there will be no long-term lay-off, but Spurs must prepare for the possibility that they will not have Sarr available, or at least ready to start, against the Gunners.

The Senegal international has started six of his ten appearances in the Premier League so far this season, per Sofascore, and his absence would leave a hole to fill in the middle of the park.

Lucas Bergvall would have been in contention to take Sarr's place in midfield after returning to the Sweden squad for the international break, but he was excused from international duty after suffering a setback in his return from a concussion.

This suggests that the 19-year-old central midfielder will either be unavailable for selection or lacking in match fitness, having not played since the clash with Chelsea on the first day of the month.

With this in mind, Spurs could ease the blow dealt by this potential injury to Sarr by unleashing experienced campaigner Rodrigo Bentancur alongside Joao Palhinha against Arsenal.

Why Spurs must unleash Rodrigo Bentancur against Arsenal

Playing the Uruguay international alongside the summer signing from Bayern Munich may not be the most popular suggestion, as there have been complaints from some supporters that it is a bit of a negative pairing.

Bentancur ranks within the bottom 38% of midfielders in the top five leagues and European competitions for progressive passes per 90 (4.13) over the past 365 days, whilst Palhinha ranks in the bottom 7% with 2.92 progressive passes per 90, per FBref.

This suggests that the perception that this midfield pairing lacks progression in possession is a fair one, but it is defensive quality that Spurs will need against Arsenal, who are top of the Premier League and have scored 20 goals in 11 matches.

Therefore, playing the £75k-per-week star next to Palhinha could be the way to go next weekend, particularly if Sarr and Bergvall are not 100% ready to start after their respective issues.

The former Juventus midfielder, described as a "mentality monster" by one analyst, came off the bench against Manchester United last time out, but started eight of his first nine appearances in the Premier League this season, per Sofascore, which shows how much Frank has relied on him.

As you can see in the table above, Bentancur ranks very highly among his positional peers in a host of key defensive metrics in the top five leagues in Europe and European competitions over the past year.

These statistics illustrate the defensive quality that he can provide in front of the back four alongside Palhinha, which is further evidenced by the club's return of seven clean sheets in the 16 games that they have been on the pitch at the same time this season, per FBref.

This suggests that Spurs may have their best chance of keeping Arsenal at bay by playing Bentancur and Palhinha at the base of the midfield to protect Cristian Romero and Micky van De Ven next weekend.

Whilst they may not provide the youthful energy that Bergvall and Sarr bring to the team, the experienced midfield pairing could be a solid option to go with if the aforementioned duo are not available or fit enough to start.

Tottenham Hotspur have submitted an official bid for Ferran Torres, with Barcelona chiefs now in a debate over whether to sell the forward.

Spurs' interest in a new forward may stem from the fact they have struggled in front of goal at times this season, perhaps partially due to Dominic Solanke's absence, recording an xG of just 0.10 across the entire match in the 1-0 defeat against Chelsea earlier this month.

Not only that, but it would be fair to say some of the summer signings haven't hit the ground running, with Randal Kolo Muani failing to find the back of the net in his opening eight matches across all competitions.

Pundit Johan Derksen has also been very critical of Xavi Simons, saying: "That Simons, he is physically incompetent. In England, they are all skilled on the ball and can all play football, but you also need physical strength.

"Tijjani Reijnders has that, and so do the guys at Liverpool, but Simons is getting lost in the onslaught. Simply because he is physically incompetent."

Although it is still early days for Simons and Kolo Muani, it is no surprise Thomas Frank & co want to bring in a new forward this January, and they have now made an official approach for a La Liga star.

Tottenham submit offer for Ferran Torres

According to a report from Spain, Tottenham have now submitted an official offer for Barcelona star Torres, with club chiefs now debating whether to cash-in, given that they could do with generating funds, in light of their financial situation.

Spurs' proposal amounts to €65m (£57m), which is tempting, but there are hints that the north Londoners may even be willing to offer more, as they are 'determined' to get a deal done, even if the La Liga club reject the opening offer.

Barca are yet to make a decision about the Spaniard's future, but if they do end up being willing to sanction a departure, the 25-year-old could be a statement signing for Frank's side.

Having initially struggled to make an impact at the Camp Nou, the former Manchester City man has developed year-on-year to become an important player, chipping in with seven goals in all competitions already this season.

Should he continue scoring at the current rate, the Spain international, who has been lauded as "world-class" by Xavi, is on course to have his best season yet, so it is understandable that Barcelona are hesitant about cashing-in.

However, should Tottenham be able to get a deal done, Torres could be the ideal addition to Frank's squad, not least because the manager's current options are struggling, with Mathys Tel on just two goals in all competitions this term.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank should be using the international break to come up with a new approach to matches after a difficult run of form across all competitions.

The Lilywhites have won one of their last four matches and only two of their last seven games in all competitions, the latest of which was a 2-2 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.

Tottenham are fifth in the Premier League, with five wins and just three losses in 11 matches, which is a respectable position to be in at this point in the season under a new head coach.

However, the underlying data behind their results suggests that they may slide down the table as the campaign progresses unless they are able to improve their performances.

As you can see in the table above, Spurs are consistently allowing the opposition to create more high-quality chances than they create for themselves, which is not a good combination.

Frank needs to find a way to add more creativity to his squad, which is why Brennan Johnson may not have much of a long-term future as a starter in North London.

Why Spurs need to move on from Brennan Johnson

Tottenham have already had value for money from the £47.5m that they paid Nottingham Forest to sign the winger in 2023, because he scored the winning goal in the Europa League final last season. That goal, alone, made the deal to bring him to the club worth it.

The Wales international has scored 27 goals in all competitions for Spurs since his move from the Tricky Trees, per Sofascore, which shows that he has offered a fairly reliable threat as a goalscorer.

However, his all-round play as a winger has left a lot to be desired and he may need to be removed from the starting line-up, or the squad in general, in order to build a team that provides more creativity week-in-week-out.

As you can see in the table above, Johnson ranked among the worst wingers in the Premier League last season when it came to creating chances and progressing play with the ball at his feet.

This season, meanwhile, the Welshman has 0.25 xA and has averaged 0.4 key passes per game across 11 appearances in the top-flight, per Sofascore, which shows that he has not improved on last season's struggles.

Spurs eyeing move to sign LaLiga winger

Now, the Europa League champions are reportedly looking at a move for a new signing who could leave Johnson on borrowed time if he arrives in North London.

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are 'eager' to seal a deal to sign Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo when the January transfer window opens for business.

The report claims that the Lilywhites want to add a centre-forward and a wide player to their squad to bolster their options in the final third ahead of the second half of the season, with the Japan international lined up for the latter role.

It adds that Kubo has a £52m release clause in his contract with the Spanish side, which would allow Spurs to activate that and skip negotiations over a transfer fee in January.

Football Insider also reveals that their interest in the Japanese star comes amid Everton's desire to keep hold of their other wide target Iliman N'Diaye, as the Toffees have no intention of letting the Senegal international depart in the next transfer window.

Why Spurs should sign Takefusa Kubo

Spurs should sign the 24-year-old attacker in the January transfer window because his arrival at the club could leave Brennan Johnson on borrowed time.

The former Barcelona and Real Madrid youngster was once dubbed the 'Japanese Messi' by ESPN, possibly as he is another diminutive left-footed right winger who excels as a dribbler and a creator in LaLiga.

Dribbling and creating chances, as aforementioned, are two things that Johnson has struggled badly with since the start of last season in the Premier League, which is why Spurs need to find an upgrade on him.

You could look at Kubo's statistics and question whether or not he is very creative, because he only has four assists for Real Sociedad in all competitions since the start of last season.

However, the Messi-esque winger's underlying numbers for the Spanish side over the past year suggest that his lack of assists is down to poor finishing from his teammates.

As you can see in the table above, Kubo ranks highly in a host of creative and dribbling metrics in the last 365 days, certainly living up to the billing that legendary Barcelona figure Xavi gave him of being "world-class."

The Japan international created a whopping nine 'big chances' in LaLiga last season, for example, but was not rewarded with a single assist for his efforts in the final third, per Sofascore.

Kubo is doing all the right things by consistently taking his team up the pitch and creating high-quality chances, and the assists could follow if he comes to Spurs to play with the likes of Richarlison and Mathys Tel, which would then leave Johnson on borrowed time.

With Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert already at the club, the signing of the Real Sociedad winger could mean that the Wales international finds game time hard to come by, due to his struggles in possession, which appear to be holding Spurs back as an attacking force.

That could make Johnson consider his long-term future in North London if a move to sign Kubo leaves him limited to a role off the bench most weeks.

Tottenham Hotspur’s squad in 2025/26 is packed with numerous midfield stars, but it’s apparent that boss Thomas Frank is yet to work out his best combination in such an area.

The Dane has utilised a three-man midfield in the vast majority of his 11 Premier League outings to date, often varying between two deep-lying options with a ten and a flat three.

Joao Palhinha arrived in the summer on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich and has started all but one, with his ball-winning presence a real component to the Lilywhites' side.

The same can’t be said for £52m addition Xavi Simons, as the Dutchman has struggled to nail down a starting position in his attacking midfield role - subsequently being named in the starting eleven on just six occasions.

However, there’s little denying that one player would have easily walked into the current squad had he still been on the books after his previous spell in North London.

Spurs’ most underrated player in the last decade

When talking about Spurs’ most underrated players in numerous years, many players will be mentioned, but one will always rise to the top - with that man being Mousa Dembélé.

The Belgian midfielder joined the Lilywhites from Fulham for just £15m back in the summer 2012, with very few supporters anticipating the levels he would produce in the capital.

He would go on to rack up a total of 249 senior appearances during his seven-year spell at the club, often catching the eye with his physicality and dazzling feet.

Standing at 6’1, you wouldn’t expect a player to easily get past the opposition, but Dembele used to glide past his men - leading to his tally of 10 goals and 11 assists.

Many of his former teammates have sung his praises in recent years, even labelling him as one of the most underrated players they have played alongside in their careers.

Former right-back Kieran Trippier is just one player to sign his praises, with the Englishman stating: “He was a remarkable player. He was unbelievable, I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves for being such an unbelievable player.”

Since his move to Guangzhou City back in 2019, the Lilywhites have massively lacked a player of his quality, with Frank and the supporters undoubtedly wishing they had a player of Dembélé’s talents at present.

The Spurs star who was tipped to be the next Dembele

In the last six years since Dembele’s departure from Spurs, the hierarchy have spent upwards of £300m on the midfield department alone - a simply staggering amount of money.

Numerous of their additions still remain on the books in North London, with the aforementioned Simons just one of the options Frank is still able to call upon.

Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall are two other young stars who have been brought to the club in the last few seasons, with both cementing themselves within the first team ranks.

The latter of the duo joined for just £8m from Swedish side Djurgarden last summer, but has already racked up a total of 60 appearances despite being just 19.

However, Yves Bissouma is another midfield addition that remains in North London, but his time at the club has been far from successful in the last few years.

The Malian joined for a reported £25m from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2022, leading to journalist Alasdair Gold claiming he’s just “like Dembele”.

‘It’s a bit like [Mousa] Dembele. Dembele wasn’t a guy that you were going to get many shots at goal from. He wasn’t a guy that you were going to get killer final ball from what he what he would do was in that just before the final third almost, you know, just kind of area midway in the opposition half.

"He would take a couple of players out of the game with a little turn with a little bit of holding the ball."

In the three years with the Lilywhites, the 29-year-old has already racked up a century of appearances - even finding the back of the net on two separate occasions.

However, it’s been a period that has been littered with controversy, with Bissouma being suspended by the club back in August 2024 after being pictured inhaling laughing gas.

Frank’s arrival has seen the downward spiral continue for the Malian, with the Dane leaving him out of the UEFA Super Cup clash with PSG after being consistently late for training.

In the three months since the final, he’s failed to make a single appearance for the Lilywhites, even being left out of the Premier League and Champions League squads for the first half of 2025/26.

Such an omission is a sign that the manager simply doesn’t see the 29-year-old as part of his long-term plans - with the hierarchy desperately needing to offload him in January.

Bissouma currently earns a reported £55k-per-week in North London, with the club paying him a staggering £1.4m since his last competitive outing in the first-team.

Not only has he failed to reach the levels many anticipated upon his move, but he’s also bleeding the club dry of crucial funds that will be needed in January.

His lack of action, current earnings and disciplinary record all point to an exit for the midfielder in the upcoming winter window, with the club needing to make his departure a priority.

Frank will no doubt want to clear him off the books, raising funds for the January market, which is no doubt a crucial point of the season in his quest to secure Champions League football a second successive year in North London.