Football FanCast

So then, Tottenham Hotspur are fifth in the Premier League as international action jumps forward once again. After 11 matches, Thomas Frank's side have been solid, but they have not been spectacular.

Frank is meticulous, looking to dot the i's and cross the t's when crafting a tactical system and a winning culture. At Tottenham, though, the scale of the task is vast, and while there have been encouraging signs since the summer, he needs to build a more creative and exciting outfit.

A sure-fire way to move closer toward this level of fluency would be to inculcate into the fold the latest academy star - the next Harry Kane, perhaps?

Spurs need to find Harry Kane 2.0

Of course, this is easier said than done. Kane is one of the greatest footballers England has ever produced, and his personal achievements down N17 have made him one of Tottenham's biggest legends of modern times.

Months before leaving Spurs for Bayern Munich in 2023, Kane became the club's all-time top goalscorer. He left having played 435 matches for the Londoners, posting 280 strikes across all competitions.

It's fair to say that Tottenham have struggled to replace him, with Richarlison and Dominic Solanke toiling away at number nine over the past few years.

To think he was once a fringe player with little hype around his name, loaned out to a string of lower-level sides before establishing himself as "their best-ever player", in the words of journalist Sean Walsh.

The lift that would be found through unearthing the new version would be immense, and Frank may find the answer in a current prospect out in League Two.

The Spurs talent who could be the next Kane

This young talent may not be a centre-forward, but he is a skilful and dynamic playmaker who could dovetail into a haggard midfield.

Plying his trade for Notts County in League Two, Tyrese Hall is demonstrating a technical craft that could be further developed over the coming years and established somewhere at the top of the Premier League ladder, perhaps finding a way into Frank's Tottenham first team.

The 20-year-old has won 53% of his ground duels in League Two this season, as per Sofascore, averaging 1.6 tackles per match besides. This is an impressive metric for a young attacking midfielder.

Jermaine Defoe has even said in the past that Hall is “one of the best players at his age I’ve seen in the country.” There's a long way for him to go, but if physicality and skill can be balanced out, Frank could have a player of surpassing ability on his hands, perhaps even the next Kane.

He's found his feet as a central midfielder at Notts County, tailored toward creating and influencing between the lines, but Hall has a diverse skillset, and it's seen him deployed across a host of roles for Spurs' youth sides.

Kane's performances for the likes of Leyton Orient and Millwall during the springtime of his illustrious career likely helped fashion him into the player he is today, the 32-year-old with 23 goals from 17 matches for Bayern this season.

Given that the noise around Hall before his breakthrough is arguably louder, with those in the know believing he is beyond something special, there's every reason to be excited at Tottenham, especially given that his profile could provide a tonic to the current creative woes.

Said to be "magic on the ball" by Magpies correspondent K-Ci Rennicks, Hall has taken a leaf from Kane's book and fostered his technical craft away from home, learning fundamental skills that the development scene simply doesn't have the capacity to match.

His creativity and flair could work wonders in the Spurs centre next season, and he might just make his mark as Kane did when bursting onto the scene way back when.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters have been blessed over recent years to witness some incredible talents wearing their shirt - none more so than attacking midfielder Dele.

The Englishman joined in a deal worth a reported £5m from MK Dons back in 2015, arriving in North London as a baby-faced 19-year-old, with many supporters expecting him to link up with the youth setup.

However, he was catapulted into the senior ranks, becoming a key member of their Premier League squad, racking up a total of 146 appearances in his first three years at White Hart Lane.

Dele ended up spending seven years with the Lilywhites, scoring 67 times and registering 55 assists - even winning the PFA’s Young Player of the Year award back to back.

Whilst he’s faced struggles off the field since his departure three years ago, the Spurs hierarchy have also struggled to replace him - leading to Thomas Frank completing a big-money deal for one star this summer.

How Xavi Simons compares to other PL CAMs in 2025/26

During the summer transfer window, Spurs were desperate for a new attacking midfielder, especially after James Maddison suffered an ACL injury against Newcastle United in pre-season.

Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze were just two of the options identified by Frank, but the former signed a new deal at Nottingham Forest, whilst the latter joined North London rivals, Arsenal.

As a result, the hierarchy completed a £52m transfer for Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, but such a deal has been a disaster for everyone involved just a couple of months on.

The Dutch international has featured 14 times across all competitions to date, but has failed to score a single goal, whilst also only laying on two assists for his teammates.

His underlying stats also highlight his lack of positive impact in England’s top-flight, with Simons only creating an average of 1.01 chances per 90 - a dismal tally for an attacking midfielder.

As a result, such a tally ranks 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.

At just 22, he has plenty of time to transform his career under Frank, but he will certainly need to do so quickly - especially considering the form of one other player in recent months.

The Spurs star who could become the next Dele

The number ten position at Spurs has been one that no player has truly nailed down since Dele’s departure, with Simons having a long way to go until he gets anywhere near the levels produced by the Englishman.

However, some slack will certainly need to be cut for the Dutchman, with the youngster needing time to adapt to a whole new country, culture and style of football in North London.

His tally of 19 combined goals and assists in the Bundesliga showcases that there’s a talented player in there, but ultimately, it’s going to take time before he reaches his full potential.

The Lilywhites hierarchy may have been better off waiting for another youth talent to emerge from their ranks and staking a claim for a regular starting role in the first-team setup.

Luca Williams-Barnett is no doubt a player who is on the lips of all the supporters, with the 17-year-old already registering 12 combined goals and assists in just eight games for the U21 side.

However, the club might already have their next Dele in the form of attacking midfielder Tyrese Hall, with the 20-year-old star already making huge waves in the professional game.

Like Williams-Barnett, he hugely impressed at U21 level last campaign, subsequently securing a season-long loan to join League Two side Notts County for the 2025/26 campaign.

Such a spell is his first taste of senior football, but Hall is taking to it like a duck to water, as seen by his phenomenal tally of six goals in his first 16 appearances for the Magpies.

His latest effort against Cheltenham Town proved to be the winner for Martin Paterson’s men, leading to coach Harry Brooks claiming he has the “exact profile Spurs lack” under Frank.

Hall has already caught the eye at Meadow Lane for his superb dribbling ability, which has seen him complete 53% of his take-on attempts, subsequently leading to 1.9 chances created per 90.

The comparison to Dele may be a huge one, but it’s certainly one that could come to fruition if Hall does manage to stay on his current trajectory on loan with the Magpies.

Dele made his name for his time at MK Dons in the EFL, with the Spurs youngster also doing the exact same thing a decade later - so don’t be surprised if Hall is a player taking North London by storm in the near future.

Over the last couple of years, Tottenham Hotspur haven’t been afraid to splash the cash in the transfer market, in an attempt to try and achieve Premier League glory.

The Lilywhites have a net spend of over £500m in the last five years alone, a figure which puts them fourth out of any team in the division for the same time period.

Daniel Levy was often criticised for his lack of spending in North London, but it’s clear that the 63-year-old did financially back various managers during his two decades at the club.

However, it’s clear in the modern game that money doesn’t equal success - especially in the Premier League - with numerous players often failing to live up to their big-money transfer fees.

The likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Roberto Soldado and Steven Bergwijn have all cost a pretty penny in recent years - with many of them leaving North London in deals much lower than what they arrived for.

In 2025/26, Thomas Frank has a couple of examples already within his first-team ranks, with two of his players arguably going down as some of their additions in recent history.

Richarlison & Simons’ form for Spurs in PL during 2025/26

Back in the summer of 2022, Spurs forked out a staggering £60m, including add-ons, for the signature of Richarlison from fellow Premier League side Everton.

Undoubtedly, given the nature of the transfer fee, his transfer generated huge excitement among the supporters in North London, but over three years on from his transfer - it’s safe to say it’s been a disaster.

The Brazilian has registered a total of 108 appearances for the Lilywhites, but has only scored 24 times - with half of his efforts coming in 2023/24 alone.

However, Frank has kept faith in the 28-year-old this season, but he’s failed to return the favour, as seen by his measly conversion rate of just 21% in the Premier League this season.

He’s also missed six big chances in his 11 outings to date, often being a wasteful option in attacking areas and falling way below the standards expected of a £60m addition.

Richarlison isn’t the only big-money addition to struggle under the Dane’s guidance this season, with Xavi Simons also unable to match the expectations many placed on him after his own move to North London.

The Dutch international, who cost a total of £52m in the summer, has racked up a total of 14 appearances across all competitions, but has only registered two assists in such a period.

The attacking midfielder is yet to find the back of the net, but has also struggled to provide the creative nature many would have expected, given the nature of the fee.

Simons has only achieved a total of 0.8 chances completed per 90, whilst also only completing 38% of the dribbles he’s attempted - showcasing his inability to impress with the ball at his feet.

He’s also only registered a tally of 0.17 shots on target per 90, a figure which ranks him in the bottom 14% of all attackers in the division - further highlighting his lack of quality in the final third.

The Spurs star who’s becoming their worst signing in recent history

After Spurs’ measly 17th-placed finish in the Premier League last season, Frank was always going to have a huge task on his hands to push the club back in the right direction.

The Dane has settled on a 4-3-3 system over recent weeks, but it still appears as though he’s yet to figure out his best starting eleven - as seen against Manchester United last weekend.

He utilised Richarlison in a wide-left position, leaving the likes of Wilson Odobert on the bench - with such a decision undoubtedly costing the side all three points in North London.

The Brazilian has mainly struggled to take the responsibility of leading the line for the Lilywhites, with Randal Kolo Muani also yet to find the back of the net after his loan move on deadline day.

However, the manager has been unable to call upon Dominic Solanke during the vast majority of his time at the club, with the Englishman massively struggling with constant injury setbacks.

The 28-year-old cost a club-record £65m from Bournemouth last summer, with his signature providing the side with the replacement to Harry Kane they were crying out for.

It has not all been plain sailing for the striker, with his tally of just nine goals in the Premier League throughout his debut campaign ultimately falling way below the standards many expected.

Other figures, such as 71% passes completed and just 33% aerials won last season, showcase his inability to operate as a target man - often struggling to offer an imposing figure at the top end of the pitch.

However, Frank’s arrival in North London will have given the talisman a new lease of life, but as seen by his recent setbacks, he’s so far been unable to make the desired effect under the Dane.

Solanke has been suffering continuously with an ankle issue over recent months, subsequently undergoing surgery that has kept him on the sidelines for an extended period.

He’s not featured since the 2-0 triumph over Manchester City on the 23rd of August, with the Englishman subsequently missing a total of 81 days of first-team action.

As a result of his fitness issues, he’s only accumulated a total of 31 minutes of league action this campaign - an unacceptable tally given the fee forked out for his signature.

Solanke has only racked up 29 league appearances for the Lilywhites in his near 18-month stint at the club, something which is nowhere near the level expected given the mammoth price tag paid for his services.

In that time, he’s also managed to register a goal in every three matches, with Solanke so far being unable to fill the boots vacated by Kane a couple of years prior to his move.

Given his transfer fee and lack of form in North London, the 28-year-old has so far been a huge waste of money, with a new centre-forward desperately needed in the near future if Frank is to be a success at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur’s activity in the transfer market over the summer was largely successful, with numerous of their additions already making a huge impact in the Premier League.

Mohammed Kudus was the most expensive addition during the recent window, joining the Lilywhites in a £55m transfer from London rivals West Ham United.

The Ghanaian has already adhered himself to the supporters, with his tally of one goal and four assists the highest tally of any player in Thomas Frank’s first-team squad.

However, not all of their big-money additions have hit the ground running in North London, with Xavi Simons only able to register a single league assist after his £52m switch from RB Leipzig.

At just 22, he will have bags of time to adapt to life in England’s top-flight, but the same can’t be said for another first-team member who will likely be on borrowed time in the near future.

The total cost of Spurs’ deal to land Richarlison

Back in the summer of 2022, Spurs paid a reported £60m for the signature of striker Richarlison, with the Brazilian moving to North London from fellow Premier League side Everton.

Many supporters were excited upon his arrival, no doubt due to the size of the fee, but it’s safe to say the 28-year-old’s spell at the club has been nothing be plain sailing.

During his three years with the Lilywhites, he’s racked up a total of 108 appearances across all competitions, but has only scored a total of 24 goals in such a period.

However, he’s also taken home a small fortune in wages, with his £90k-per-week wages seeing him earn a total of £18.72m in wages alone since his transfer.

When combining his transfer fee with his wages, Richarlison has cost the hierarchy a total of £78.72m - a simply staggering amount of money given his lack of impact.

Given his tally of 24 goals, he’s cost around £3.28m per effort - further highlighting how much money the board have wasted on his signature over the last few seasons.

The player who could end Richarlison’s Spurs career

The numbers behind Richarlison’s deal at Spurs are nothing short of mind-boggling, but his underlying stats from the current campaign further indicate his lack of positive impact.

The Brazilian has only scored four times in the Premier League to date, but he has missed six big chances in the process, which has no doubt hindered his ability to provide the goods.

He’s also registered the least amount of touches of any player on the pitch in four of his 11 league appearances, often being unable to make a real impact on proceedings.

When in possession, the 28-year-old has struggled to find a teammate, only completing 63% of his passes - a tally which ranks him in the bottom 12% of all players in the division.

His lack of quality, coupled with his staggering cost, should see the club look to move him on in the near future, with Frank desperately needing to drop him from his starting eleven.

However, that may be a tricky task given the recent injuries to Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani, but the Dane does have an excellent option in the form of Mathys Tel.

The Frenchman originally joined on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich last campaign, but he made such a move permanent in the summer - costing a fee in the region of £27m.

However, he’s found minutes hard to come by under Frank, with the 20-year-old only starting three matches out of a possible 11 in England’s top-flight to date.

Tel, who’s been labelled “one of the best finishers in Europe” by Ben Mattinson, has managed to impress despite his limited minutes, as seen by his tally of two goals.

Such a tally is all the more impressive when delving into his minute per goal ratio, with his 124-minute goalscoring record the best in the current squad in North London.

The youngster has also caught the eye with his dribble success, often taking the ball past the opposition and handing the side a more nimble and off-the-shoulder type of centre-forward.

Despite his small frame, Tel has managed to make a nuisance of numerous backlines, even impressing out of possession and winning the ball back 1.1 times per 90 in the final third - which places him in the 95th percentile.

There’s no disputing that Tel is still a young and raw talent, but he’s already demonstrated glimpses of his quality, which should see Frank hand the Frenchman a consistent run of starts.

As for Richarlison, he could find himself on the fringes in the coming months, with the hierarchy needing to cash in as soon as possible to avoid losing a small fortune on their investment.

Tottenham Hotspur are poised to be without a big name for their crucial North London derby clash against Arsenal on November 23, with the player's return from injury up in the air.

Spurs take on Mikel Arteta's Premier League title frontrunners in a mouth-watering clash at the Emirates Stadium following the conclusion of this latest international break, and the stakes are high for both sides.

Thomas Frank is attempting to guide the Lilywhites to a top four finish and build upon Ange Postecoglou's final season in charge with another piece of major silverware, but concerns have surrounded their general creativity in open play and plethora of key absentees.

While Arsenal have also struggled to keep their star attackers fit this campaign, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres all racing to be fit for Tottenham, Frank's extensive injury list is much longer.

Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison are among the forwards who've been absent with serious injuries, and the latter is not expected to return until midway through 2026.

Summer signing Randal Kolo Muani was the latest to be sidelined after fracturing his jaw in their 2-2 draw with Man United last weekend. While the Frenchman, who only just returned to full fitness after a dead leg, won't require surgery, it remains to be seen how long he'll be out for or if he'll be able to wear a mask and play against Arsenal.

Star winger Mohammed Kudus was 'touch and go' to face Man United and ultimately left out by Frank, with the 25-year-old also not selected for Ghana's upcoming friendlies against Japan and South Korea.

There is every chance that Kudus, who's stood out as their most in-form attacker this term, will recover from his knock in time to play against Arsenal, but the same cannot be said for striker Dominic Solanke.

Tottenham poised to be without Dominic Solanke for North London derby

The Englishman has yet to start a competitive game since Frank's arrival at the club, playing just 49 minutes in total across all competitions, and his once minor ankle issue is taking a while to fully recover from.

Solanke was forced to undergo small surgery on his ankle problem and the initial prognosis was that he'd be back fairly soon. However, the 28-year-old still hasn't played a single minute since Tottenham's 2-0 win away to Man City right at the start of the season.

Recently, when asked if Solanke would be back on the field before the end of 2025, Frank's response wasn't that convincing at all.

“I do hope so," he said.

"I would say let’s see what happens after the international break. We are still [making] steps forward. It’s on track so far.”

Standard Sport have now reported that Solanke returning from injury to face Arsenal is looking "unlikely", and they could even welcome back defender Radu Dragusin before him.

The Romanian is set to feature in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the international break, which will be his first piece of action since rupturing his ACL back in January. Some reports suggest that Tottenham could even sell Solanke when the window reopens, with Frank viewing the forward as "expendable" amid repeated links to former Brentford star Ivan Toney.

Right now, Frank has just Mathys Tel, who can't participate in the Champions League after being left out of their 22-man squad, and Richarlison to select from as their readily available striker options.

If injury were to befall Richarlison, like it did for large periods of last season, Frank would be in serious trouble.

Solanke finished 24/25 as the club's second top scorer behind Brennan Johnson, and they've missed both his poacher's instinct and general link-up play.

Tottenham Hotspur have struggled with two major issues in the Premier League this season, with the centre-forward area just one department that has been called into question.

Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani have often shared the responsibility at the top end of the pitch, but neither of whom have been able to nail down the position as their own.

The Brazilian international may have scored in the previous clash with Manchester United, but he’s often failed to deliver when called upon, as seen by his tally of just four goals to date.

However, the midfield area has also been one of concern for Thomas Frank, with the Dane yet to establish his best partnership in the middle of the park.

Joao Palhinha has arguably made himself one of the first names on the teamsheet, with his tally of 49 tackles won in the Premier League this season the highest of any player in the division.

Despite the performances of the Portuguese international, he’s not been able to find a regular partner at the base of the side - but one player shouldn’t operate in the role alongside him.

How Bentancur compares to other midfielders in the PL in 2025/26

Over the last few years, midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been a key member of the first team squad, racking up 130 appearances for Spurs in the last three seasons.

The hierarchy forked out a fee in the region of £21.5m for the Uruguayan’s signature in January 2022, a bargain fee given his extended stint in North London.

However, despite starting eight matches in the Premier League this season, the 28-year-old has fallen way below the standards many expect from him, given his previous performances.

Such displays have led to calls from the supporters for Bentancur to be dropped, with his underlying stats from the ongoing campaign further showcasing his lack of impact in 2025/26.

He’s only completed 86% of the passes he’s attempted, whilst only achieving a total of 1.1 long balls per 90 - with the latter ranking him in the bottom 15% of all players in the division.

The Uruguayan has only created 0.6 chances per 90, ranking him in the bottom 25% of all players in the division - something which is vital alongside a ball-winner like Palhinha.

Given the Portuguese international’s ability to break up the play, it’s handed Bentancur the responsibility to help transition the play, but he’s been unable to do so - as seen by the aforementioned figures.

Out of possession, the former Juventus star has also massively struggled to make a positive impact, which has no doubt led to the supporters’ recent frustrations.

He’s made just 0.5 interceptions per 90 - ranking him in the 25th percentile - whilst also being dribbled past 0.6 times per 90 - the highest of any midfielder in the Spurs squad.

Palhinha has massively dominated Bentancur in the ball-winning department, with the former of the duo winning nearly three more tackles per 90 in 2025/26 at present.

The Spurs star who can end Bentancur’s Spurs career

Bentancur’s decline at Spurs has been a difficult one for the supporters to watch, especially given the heights he’s previously achieved during his time in North London.

However, his recent performances in the current season highlight his drop-off in form, with Frank needing to consider alternative options in the middle of the park.

Youth has emerged in such an area, with the likes of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr both staking their claims for regular starting roles in the years ahead for the Lilywhites.

The latter of the pair started in the draw with United on Saturday afternoon, whilst the Swede has missed the last two outings after suffering a concussion against Chelsea.

Sarr even completed the most passes of any player in the contest last weekend, showcasing that he already has one up on Bentancur with his talents with the ball at his feet.

However, Frank already has another talented teenager on his hands in the form of Archie Gray, with the midfielder deserving of more time in the first team setup.

The Lilywhites faithful likely raised eyebrows when the hierarchy forked out £40m for his signature last summer, after just one previous season as a professional at Leeds United.

No doubt the deal was one for the future, after joining Spurs at 18, but he was catapulted into the limelight under Ange Postecoglou last season due to the injury crisis in North London.

Gray ended up making 46 appearances across all competitions last season, with many of which coming at centre-back and full-back - roles which are somewhat unfamiliar to the teenager.

He still managed to thrive in 2024/25, even registering numerous impressive figures such as 89% passes completed and 1.8 interceptions made - both of which were higher than Bentancur.

However, since Frank’s arrival in the off-season, the 19-year-old has struggled for consistent first-team action - only making six appearances across all competitions, with two of which coming in the Premier League.

He’s only been rewarded with a single start to date, with Frank often overlooking his ability to thrive under his guidance - something which has been a mistake to date.

Gray is a player who possesses huge potential, even being labelled a “future £100m CM” by Ben Mattinson, with many analysts believing in him more than his current manager.

As previously mentioned, his figures from the last campaign highlight the talent he possesses, but ultimately, he’s been unable to replicate such levels given his lack of first-team action.

Between now and the end of the season, Frank desperately needs to hand Gray more consistent minutes to allow the youngster to reach his full potential in North London.

Any consistent spell for Spurs could certainly spell the end for Bentancur at the club, with the manager needing to offload the Uruguayan to allow Gray to match the expectations placed upon him after his mammoth transfer.

Tottenham Hotspur are a club still in transition after Thomas Frank’s appointment in the summer, with the full extent of his system yet to be witnessed by the supporters.

The Dane was appointed on a three-year contract after Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal, with the 52-year-old only able to win five of his first 11 Premier League outings.

He’s only managed one league triumph on home soil to date, with such an issue needing to be addressed if the Lilywhites are to have any hope of finishing within the top four.

However, some of the players currently in his first-team squad have also done themselves no favours, leading to criticism of the manager for his team selection at times.

As a result, numerous players could be pushed closer to the exit door, potentially creating the additional funds needed to help build on the activity in the summer transfer window.

The Spurs players who could depart during the January window

Yves Bissouma is a player who has constantly been touted with a move away from Spurs in recent times - even before Frank took the reins back in the summer.

The Malian appeared to have burnt his bridges early on with the new boss, after being left out of the UEFA Super Cup final due to various disciplinary problems.

He’s failed to make a single appearance since Frank’s arrival, also struggling with injuries - which makes him an almost certainty to depart the Lilywhites in the winter.

Brennan Johnson is another player who could be pushed closer to the exit door in North London, something which may come as a surprise six months ago after netting the winner in the Europa League.

The Welshman has since lost his starting role in 2025/26, with Mohammed Kudus subsequently becoming the manager’s number one choice off the right-hand side.

He’s struggled to win his place back in the starting eleven of late, even being sent off in the Champions League clash with FC Copenhagen - further highlighting his lack of positive impact under the new boss.

The Spurs player who Conte was “very happy” to sign

Antonio Conte’s tenure in charge of Spurs was a memorable one for all the wrong reasons, with the Italian unable to get the best out of the crop of players at his disposal in North London.

The Italian spent just under 18 months at the helm in North London, but was unable to secure any silverware and often became known for his inability to succeed in the role.

The 56-year-old even produced a remarkable rant after the clash with Southampton in May 2023, massively digging out the quality of players and criticising their lack of quality.

It ultimately spelt the end of his time in charge of the Lilywhites, leaving the club after achieving a 53% record - but without any silverware to show for his efforts.

However, he was handed key funds to make changes he desired, as seen by the £60m move to sign Brazilian striker Richarlison from Everton in the summer of 2022.

The Italian was extremely pleased with such a move at the time, even stating that he was “very happy” to land the frontman to help bolster the options within the final third.

However, three years on from his transfer to join the Lilywhites, the 28-year-old has struggled to make himself a fan-favourite and has often struggled to produce the goods.

Frank has continued to show faith in the forward during the early stages of 2025/26, but it’s so far been to no avail - especially when delving into his stats from the ongoing season.

He may have scored four times in his 12 Premier League appearances to date, but the fanbase have grown frustrated with his lack of clinical edge - often missing more chances than he’s scored.

Richarlison has also been alien at the top end in numerous matches, as seen against Bodo Glimt in September, where he only registered a total of 10 touches in his 90-minute performance.

At present, he only has 18 months left on his current deal at the club, which could see them run the risk of losing him for nothing if they refuse to sell him in January.

However, the Brazilian certainly hasn’t done enough to warrant a new deal, nor has he been clinical enough to maintain the backing of Frank in the centre-forward role.

Given the circumstances, the hierarchy desperately need to offload Richarlison in January and invest the money wisely in a new talisman to help the Dane in his quest for success at the club.

There have been some emotional farewells from Tottenham Hotspur over the last couple of years.

While Ange Postecoglou's exit was not met with tears, the departures of Harry Kane back in 2023 and Son Heung-min in 2025 were sad indeed.

Kane left for Bayern Munich as the greatest goalscorer in Spurs history while Son will certainly go down as one of the most electrifying and most-liked players the supporters have ever seen.

While the South Korean saw his powers wane last season, he did still score 11 goals and register 12 assists in his 46 appearances.

Trying to replace that output has been a challenge. While Son reminds everyone of just how good he still is at LA FC, bagging ten goals in his first 12 outings in MLS, the likes of Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Brennan Johnson continue to divide opinion with their displays in the Spurs forward line.

Richarlison, in particular, is a polarising figure and despite his goal against Manchester United on Saturday, is not likely to last too much longer as a Lilywhite.

Why Richarlison's Spurs career is under threat

Has there been a more perplexing player in Tottenham's recent history than Richarlison?

Signed for a mega £60m back in 2022 after an 11-goal and five-assist season for Everton, hopes were great for a player who had been a real nuisance in the Premier League.

That said, whatever possessed Daniel Levy and Co to pay such a massive sum was questionable even then. It's a question we're still trying to answer to this day.

It's been a troubled few years for the Brazilian in north London. Back in 2022/23, he scored just one goal in 27 Premier League outings. He did net 11 in 2023/24 but followed that up with another terrible return last season, bagging five goals in 24 outings across all competitions.

On paper, the forward's numbers from the ongoing campaign don't look bad. The 28-year-old has scored four goals in 11 top-flight outings but his inconsistency is what frustrates supporters so much.

Having missed a big chance in the first half in classic Richarlison fashion, he flicked home a deft header on Saturday, a moment that looked as though it had won Thomas Frank's side the game. We all know how that ended.

That rather summed up the attacker's time at Spurs. A rash finish followed by a goal, but it simply hasn't been acceptable for a number of years now.

BBC Sport's Nat Haywood perhaps described Richarlison best this season, simply beginning an article by describing him as an "enigma."

While he has found himself in decent form during 2025/26, the former Everton and Watford man has had his chance. He's often found wanting in front of goal and his injury record is not the best either. As per Transfermarkt, he has missed 377 days of action since moving.

So, what's the solution? Well, fortunately enough for Frank, Spurs have a number of top-drawer youngsters in their ranks.

How Spurs can solve their Richarlison problem

Truth be told, not many clubs in the country possess the calibre of young talent that Spurs currently have in their ranks.

From Lucas Bergvall, once wanted by Barcelona, to Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert, there are plenty of fresh faces in the first-team squad.

Beyond that, teenager Mikey Moore, who was previously compared to Neymar by James Maddison, has just scored his first goal on loan at Rangers while Spurs are also due to welcome the "Irish Alexander Isak" to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the form of young Mason Melia.

Lest we forget Luca Williams-Barnett too, a 17-year-old who made his senior debut just a matter of weeks ago.

For now, however, we'd like to focus on a young South Korean by the name of Yang Min-hyeok.

Spurs officially announced the signing of Yang back in the summer of 2024 and he joined the club once he had turned 18 in January of this year.

A winger by trade, before he'd even moved to Spurs, journalist and South Korean football expert, Jason Lee, suggested that the teenager "is expected to be Korea's next superstar like Son Heung-min."

While the forward is yet to hit those dizzy heights just yet, it's been an impressive start in senior football.

Before he'd even become an adult, Yang was making a mighty fine impact for Gangwon FC in the K-League, playing 38 times for the South Korean side, scoring 12 times and supplying six assists. It's easy to see why he'd captured the eye of Spurs scouts.

The young attacker is yet to play a senior competitive game for the Lilywhites but has enjoyed two separate loan spells in the EFL, firstly with QPR last season and secondly with Portsmouth in 2025/26.

Yang's numbers don't capture the imagination too much just yet but one can excuse a period of adaptation for someone who has only been in Europe for 11 months now.

It took him a few months to get up to speed at Portsmouth but he is now earning some impressive reviews. Scout Jacek Kulig wrote how he is "on fire" at Pompey, having scored against Watford and also fired in a winner against high-flying Middlesbrough in October.

Further described as the "Korean Marco Reus" by football writer Albert Kim, he wrote that "if you give him too much time and space, he’s going to hurt you." That certainly sounds a lot like Son.

Yang has a long way to go before he can be considered a player ready to make an impact in the Spurs first team but capable of playing on either flank, as well as a striker, he has the positional versatility and attributes to take Richarlison's place in the squad in the future.

Tottenham Hotspur’s start to life under Thomas Frank has been topsy-turvy to say the least, with the fanbase no doubt feeling mixed emotions during the opening months of his tenure.

The Dane has led the Lilywhites to incredible heights away from home in the Premier League, currently remaining as the only side yet to lose on their travels in 2025/26.

However, their form in North London has been a huge cause for concern, with their record of one win, two draws and three losses from their six games the second worst in England’s top-flight.

Frank’s men haven’t won on home soil since the 3-0 opening day triumph over Burnley, subsequently going 87 days without a home victory - a simply unacceptable statistic.

However, with January rapidly appearing on the horizon, it will no doubt present a fresh opportunity for the 52-year-old to further bolster the squad to end such a dismal record.

Spurs’ hunt for new attacking talent in the January window

Over the last couple of days, Spurs have been credited with an interest in landing numerous top-level attackers to help improve Frank’s options within the final third of the pitch.

The Lilywhites have been named as just one Premier League team in the race to sign Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, with the Japanese winger set for a winter exit from the LaLiga outfit.

A fee in the region of £52m has been mooted for the 25-year-old’s signature this winter, which has led to the player himself speaking of his desire to move to the Premier League.

However, he’s not the only player from Spain’s top-flight currently in their sights, with Real Madrid star Rodrygo another top-level talent the hierarchy are preparing a move for.

According to one Spanish outlet, the Lilywhites are set to make an €80m (£70m) offer for the 24-year-old in January, after the Brazilian fell down Xabi Alonso’s pecking order.

The report also states that the player himself is extremely keen on a move to the Premier League, which could led to a potential club-record deal for Frank’s men.

Why Spurs’ £70m target would be an upgrade on Kudus

Only a couple of months ago, Spurs did splash the cash on a new forward, subsequently spending a fee in the region of £55m on the signature of Mohammed Kudus.

The Ghanaian completed such a deal from rivals West Ham United, but the 25-year-old has already made himself a fan-favourite with the Lilywhites faithful in North London.

He’s featured ten times in England’s top-flight to date, already racking up one goal and four assists - with such a tally the highest tally of any player in the first-team squad.

Kudus’ only goal came in the triumph over Leeds United back in October, but he will have to wait to make a further impact after missing Saturday’s draw with Manchester United through injury.

His tally of 34 dribbles is the highest of any player in the Premier League, further highlighting the immediate impact he’s had since his big-money transfer this summer.

However, his minutes could prove to be limited from January onwards, especially if the hierarchy manage to complete a deal for Madrid star Rodrygo.

The £70m would be a huge statement of intent from the board, but it would also allow them to recruit an elite-level talent - as seen by his tally of 23 combined goals and assists in 2024/25.

When comparing his stats to those of Kudus from the ongoing campaign, the Brazilian has massively outperformed the Ghanaian in key areas - showcasing how much of an excellent addition he would be in January.

Rodrygo, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by Ben Mattinson, has achieved a better shot on target accuracy rate, subsequently showcasing his increased goal threat over Kudus.

He’s also completed more progressive passes and carries per 90, highlighting his ability to get the ball into dangerous areas for those around him in attacking areas.

Other numbers, such as more key passes and more passes into the final third completed, also demonstrate his creativity, which could help bolster Frank’s side’s impressive figures in 2025/26.

There’s no doubt £70m would be a mammoth price tag, but it would be a deal that would help the manager’s quest to transform their current dismal record on home soil.

At just 24, Rodrygo has bags of time to improve further and potentially help the Lilywhites reach the next level after their Europa League triumph at the end of last season.

Tottenham Hotspur need a striker. How many times have we heard that one over the past couple of years?

Replacing Harry Kane at number nine was always going to be an onerous task, a glaring spotlight against Ange Postecoglou at the start of his tenure.

After all, no man has ever scored more goals in a Tottenham shirt than the England captain, who is also far and away the Three Lions' record scorer, with 76 strikes from 110 matches.

After a year, Dominic Solanke was signed for a £55m fee, but he has struggled with injuries, and is out now under Thomas Frank's wing until December, at the earliest.

What the Lilywhites needed was for loanee Randal Kolo Muani to maintain fitness and find form as the club's leading striker over the coming months.

However, he too has fallen victim to a cruel injury blow.

The latest on Kolo Muani's fitness

In August, Tottenham added Kolo Muani to their ranks for the duration of the 2025/26 campaign. The Paris Saint-Germain forward had fallen out of favour in the French capital and spent the second half of last season on loan with Juventus, where he scored 12 goals and impressed with dynamic and stylish forward play.

Spurs felt they had sealed a shrewd signing for the season, and perhaps they have, but the France international spent the early weeks of the term out injured, and though he's started three of the club's past four matches in the Premier League, he has yet to score or assist.

And he won't anytime soon. Withdrawn at the interval against Manchester United last weekend, it has since come to light that the 26-year-old has fractured his jaw and will need to see a specialist. This will rule him out of action for six to eight weeks.

Mathys Tel scored in the draw to the Red Devils, but Frank actually has another Spurs prospect who could not only fill in at number nine but realise his potential as the club's next Kane.

Spurs' new version of Harry Kane

Kane devastated Premier League defences for so many years before leaving Tottenham for Bayern Munich in 2023. His time in Germany has been laden with goals, and he has convinced the few detractors that he is one of the greatest forwards of his generation.

How Dane Scarlett would love to emulate his idol. The Tottenham forward has already mimicked his countryman in spending a series of terms out on loan with lower-level clubs, and he has now found a place in Frank's first-team squad, coming off the bench as Spurs beat Copenhagen in the Champions League last week.

The 21-year-old graduated from Tottenham's youth academy several years ago, making his senior bow under Jose Mourinho in 2021, the Portuguese coach even hailing the youngster as a "diamond" of a prospect.

He is fast and sharp-witted and a "fantastic finisher" besides, something that has been picked up by Frank this season, who then spoke of the player's potential and his need to play games.

In a fully-fit Spurs squad, this might be somewhat difficult, but he has been handed a golden opportunity to impose himself with Kolo Muani and Solanke both out of action for the foreseeable future.

Did Scarlett not score his first senior goal for Tottenham under Postecoglou's wing in the Europa League last term? This could be the mood-lifting gambit the club needs after a difficult, yet somewhat progressive, start to the campaign.

From an attacking standpoint, Tottenham have left plenty to be desired across the opening weeks of the season. However, by unleashing the new version of Kane in the homegrown Scarlett, they might just turn the tide and realise their potential under Frank's wing.