Football FanCast

Micky van de Ven has been in the news this week after the Tottenham Hotspur defender opted to go on The Overlap to do an in-depth interview with Gary Neville.

The Netherlands international spoke about a range of topics, which you can go and watch on their YouTube channel, and explained that the main reason he signed for Spurs was because Ange Postecoglou promised that he would be a starter.

That has been the case for the left-footed star so far in North London, as he has started 54 of his 55 appearances in the Premier League for the club, per Sofascore.

The former Wolfsburg defender has not had the best start to the season, losing 62% of his aerial duels in the top-flight (Sofascore), and could lose his place as a starter unless his form improves.

Spurs ready to make move for Premier League star

Van de Ven's security in the starting line-up could also come into question if the Europa League champions are able to bring in another player in his position.

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham Hotspur are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi in the January transfer window.

The report claims that Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United are among the other teams, alongside Spurs, who have made contact with the England international's representatives to gauge his interest in a move.

It adds that Tottenham, along with the other Premier League sides mentioned, are 'ready' to make an offer to sign the Eagles star, whose contract at Selhurst Park is due to expire at the end of the season.

Why Guehi would be an upgrade on Van de Ven

If Spurs can win the race for Guehi, whether that is for a cut-price fee in January or on a free transfer next summer, he could come in as an upgrade on Van de Ven on the left side of the defence.

Despite being naturally right-footed, the former Chelsea academy graduate typically plays in the left centre-back role for club and country, which means that he could come in as a direct rival to the Dutchman's place in the team.

Van de Ven brings attacking qualities, with six goals this season, to the side, but Guehi has also shown that he can make an impact at the top end of the pitch, with two goals and three assists as a centre-back this term, per Sofascore.

This shows that replacing the Dutchman with the Palace captain may not hinder Tottenham too much from an offensive perspective, whilst it could improve them defensively, based on their respective form this season.

Guehi's impressive performances in the Premier League for Palace in the 2025/26 campaign suggest that he would improve Thomas Frank's backline as a direct replacement for van de Ven in the left-sided centre-back role next to Kevin Danso or Cristian Romero.

As you can see in the table above, the England international has outperformed the Dutchman in a host of defensive metrics in the top-flight this season, particularly in aerial duels.

Van de Ven's 38% win percentage in aerial duels is a dismal statistic to have as a centre-back, tasked with being dominant in the air against attackers and defending set-pieces, whilst Guehi excels in that department, winning 71% of his aerial contests.

These statistics may go a way to explaining why Palace have conceded six goals fewer than Spurs in the Premier League, per Sofascore, and are six places above them in the league.

Reporter Bobby Manzi once described Guehi as a "monster in defence" and his statistics this season back that claim up, as he has been a dominant and impressive Premier League centre-back.

Therefore, Spurs should be pushing hard to win the race for Guehi's signature, either next month or in the summer, because he could come in as a significant upgrade on Van de Ven, who would then not have the starter status that he joined for in the first place.

Newcastle United have now made contact over a potential deal to welcome a former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder back to the Premier League, according to reports.

Eddie Howe: Newcastle "weren't a mess" vs Sunderland

Newcastle just can't find any consistency at the moment. From last-gasp Champions League draws and impressive victories over the likes of Manchester City to a 1-0 defeat in the Tyne-Wear derby at the hands of Sunderland, the Magpies are quickly becoming one of the toughest sides to predict in the league.

Defeat at the Stadium of Light sparked more questions about Eddie Howe's tenure than ever before in Tyneside. Club captain Bruno Guimaraes even slammed the performance at full-time in a brutally honest review, but Howe has chosen to remain optimistic about his side's display.

He told reporters earlier this week: "I think Bruno's comments, he was 90 per cent right initially.

"I don't think we were a mess. I don't think the other parts of his original comments were wrong. But we weren't a mess. We were very well organised. We just didn't deliver the performance that we wanted to. I think Bruno's very emotional and that's part of his success.

"That's why he's such an outstanding player for us and leader for us but it's making sure our messaging is right to the outside world. The second statement he put across is 100 per cent right and that's what we need. The mindset now is we can't affect the past. We can only affect the future and we need to do that together."

Whether Guimaraes was right or wrong last weekend, there's no doubt that Newcastle need reinforcements in January if they are to set their sights on European qualification once again.

Welcoming a player with experience on Europe's biggest stage certainly wouldn't be a bad idea on that front either, making Giovani Lo Celso a standout target.

According to reports in Spain, Newcastle have now made contact over a deal to sign Lo Celso in the January transfer window. The former Tottenham midfielder has struggled to make his mark in La Liga this season, scoring once in 13 games, and could now be on his way back to the Premier League.

At his best, the Argentine is capable of unlocking the most stubborn defences and at just €25m (£22m), he'd be a bargain deal for Newcastle if they managed to finally get him back to his best, free-flowing form in Tyneside.

Dubbed "great" by former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou the last time that he was in the Premier League, Lo Celso may come back to haunt those in North London and end some unfinished business in England when the January transfer window arrives.

It all comes down to consistency for the Argentine, who only showed glimpses of his best at Spurs. Newcastle can't afford to splash more money on midfielders who fail to live up to expectations and there's no denying that Lo Celso would be a risk.

Tottenham Hotspur’s 17th-place finish in the Premier League last season will no doubt have rung the alarm bells of the hierarchy during the off-season.

As a result, Ange Postecoglou was handed his marching orders, which led to the responsibility falling into the hands of Thomas Frank after his appointment from Brentford.

The Dane was even-handed funds of over £100m in the summer window to make the changes he desired to the squad, but it appears as though the cracks are starting to show once again.

The Lilywhites are currently sitting in 11th place in England’s top-flight, after enduring a slump in form which has resulted in four losses over the last seven matches.

During such a run, one player has no doubt played a huge part in their struggles, with his mistakes undoubtedly costing Frank’s men during numerous key moments.

Why Guglielmo Vicario has struggled in 2025/26

Over the last couple of months, boss Frank has still decided to stick with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario despite the shot-stopper making numerous mistakes in the Premier League.

His failed clearance against Fulham led to Harry Wilson firing into an empty net, with such an effort proving to be the winner and contributing to the recent poor form in North London.

Sunday’s outing against Nottingham Forest also showcased the 29-year-old’s struggles, with his short pass to Archie Gray being picked off by Ibrahim Sangare - leading to the opening goal.

He also massively misjudged Callum Hudson-Odoi’s second-half cross at the City Ground, leading to a two-goal cushion for Sean Dyche’s side and confining Frank’s men to another loss.

This campaign alone, Vicario has registered the most errors leading to goals of any ‘keeper in the division - further highlighting his lack of quality in recent months.

Ultimately, the club need to sort out the situation between the sticks, with the lack of quality in such a department no doubt preventing the side in key matches.

Spurs star is becoming Frank's biggest weakness

With the club sitting in the bottom half of England’s top-flight, it’s evident that Frank is yet to find the winning formula on a consistent basis after taking the reins at Spurs.

Richarlison has often been the man to start in the centre-forward position, but often to little effect, as seen by his performance against Forest on Sunday afternoon.

The Brazilian featured for the entirety of the defeat, but could only register a total of 16 touches - the lowest of any player on the pitch, showcasing his lack of impact.

He also failed to register a single shot on target, whilst also losing 75% of the aerial battles he entered, often being dominated by the Reds’ backline.

However, despite his struggles, his teammate Rodrigo Bentancur has once again come under fire, with the Uruguayan international another player who’s struggled to match expectations.

He’s featured in all but one league game of the 2025/26 campaign, but that doesn’t mean he’s been below the standard many expected after his new contract.

Frank evidently has a lot of faith in the 28-year-old, but it should no doubt be wearing thin, especially when taking his recent showing against the Reds into consideration.

Bentancur started the game and featured for 59 minutes before being withdrawn, with his numbers from the game showing his lack of positive impact at the City Ground.

He failed to win any of the three tackles he entered, whilst being beaten in 80% of the aerials he contested, often being dominated just like Richarlison.

The midfielder also only registered 46 touches of the ball, whilst also giving possession away on five occasions - highlighting his wasteful nature in possession.

After the showing in the East Midlands, Mitch Fretton, a journalist and content creator, labelled him and Vicario as “clear weaknesses” in the current squad.

Both have massively struggled to match the faith shown in them by the manager, which could lead to both of them being offloaded in the months ahead.

The Dane was brought into the club to bring added success after the Europa League triumph, but if he is to do just that, he desperately needs to offload Vicario and Bentancur.

After wins against Burnley and Manchester City within the first two games of the season, it appeared as though Thomas Frank was the perfect man to lead Tottenham Hotspur forward.

His side scored five times and kept two clean sheets in the process, with the Dane making an immediate impact within his side at both ends of the pitch in the Premier League.

However, a run of four defeats in their last seven league outings has seen the Lilywhites slide down to 11th in the league table, subsequently mounting the pressure on the 52-year-old.

The 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Sunday is the latest example of the struggles the manager has faced in recent weeks, which could lead to the fans turning on the Dane.

As a result, numerous options have been drawn up, which could lead to a change in manager in North London ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

Spurs’ hunt for a manager to replace Frank

Over the last couple of days, former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been touted with a sensational return to North London if Frank is dismissed from the role.

The Argentine, who is currently managing the US men’s national team, has previously spoken about his desire to return to the Lilywhites after leaving in November 2019.

However, it’s unclear if a deal would be agreed at present, especially with the 53-year-old set to lead the host nation into the World Cup in the summer next year.

He’s not the only manager in their sights at present, with Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, another manager currently being considered by the Lilywhites hierarchy.

According to CaughtOffside, the Austrian is just one manager that’s currently under consideration by the hierarchy, which could lead to an approach with his deal with the Eagles set to expire in June.

The report also states that the board have been hugely impressed with his work at Selhurst Park, which could make Spurs the next stepping stone in his career.

Described as "a better manager" than Arteta by the outspoken Jamie O'Hara, Tottenham could be onto a winner with this one.

How Oliver Glasner compares to Thomas Frank

After leading Brentford up the English pyramid and making them an established Premier League club, the decision to appoint Frank looked like the right one, subsequently allowing him to make the next step in his career.

His tactics have shown glimpses of being successful, but ultimately, the results and performances have been far too inconsistent in recent months.

The board will no doubt give the Dane time to lead them back up England’s top-flight, especially after paying a reported £10m compensation package for his services.

Despite the recent slump in form, the Lilywhites still sit just six points off a place within the top four of the division, which could easily see the side secure another season of European football.

However, any move for Glasner would allow the club to gain a serious upgrade in the managerial department, especially considering the work he’s already conducted across the capital.

The 51-year-old is coming up to two years in the role at Selhurst Park and has already claimed the FA Cup title - the first major trophy in the Eagles’ 120-year history.

Away from the trophies won, the Austrian has also achieved a better record in the Premier League, with the underlying figures highlighting why he would be the perfect man to replace Frank.

Glasner, who’s “destined for greatness” according to Anil Kandola, has achieved a better win rate in the Premier League, as seen by his success rate of 41%.

Such a record, combined with his tally of trophies won, highlights the success the Palace boss has already endured in his career - arguably making him a serial winner.

He’s lost fewer of the games that he’s taken charge of in England’s top-flight, often finding a way to grinding out results, something which the Lilywhites have lacked this season.

However, quality at both ends of the pitch is also needed for success, with Glasner’s sides currently scoring more and conceding less than any of Frank’s sides in the Premier League.

It’s unclear how soon the Spurs hierarchy would consider parting ways with Frank after his summer arrival, but the Dane desperately needs to transform the situation or his job will certainly be at risk.

As for the Palace boss, he would be the perfect man to take over in North London, with Glasner having all of the tools to make the club serial winners in the near future.

After Thomas Frank’s appointment as Tottenham Hotspur manager in the summer handed fans a new sense of optimism, but it appears such an emotion is already running thin.

The Dane has now lost four of his last seven Premier League outings in charge of the Lilywhites, which has no doubt cranked up the pressure on his shoulders.

Rumours have been swirling over the manager’s long-term future in North London, especially with the side once again sliding down the table, as seen by their 11th-place standing at present.

It remains to be seen if the hierarchy will be willing to hand the 52-year-old the benefit of the doubt over his recent form, or whether an immediate change will be made.

However, numerous managers have since been touted with taking the reins should the club decide to make a swift dismissal of the manager despite his arrival this summer.

Spurs' number one manager target revealed

Over the last couple of days, numerous outlets have been reporting about a potential change in manager, which has led to Fulham boss Marco Silva being named as a candidate to take over.

It’s been claimed that he’s just one of the options being considered by the Lilywhites, with the 48-year-old already securing a win over Frank’s side in 2025/26.

Silva is also out of contract at the Cottagers come the end of June, which could make any potential deal for his services a cheaper one - with a compensation fee still needing to be paid.

However, it appears as though other targets are ahead of him in the pecking order at present, with former boss Mauricio Pochettino another option being considered by the board.

According to CaughtOffside, the Argentine is the hierarchy’s first choice to take over from Frank should the Dane be dismissed from the role in the coming months.

The report also states ENIC see the former boss as the strongest replacement available, but it’s unclear if the 53-year-old would be open to a return to North London.

Why Pochettino would be perfect for Simons

During the recent summer transfer window, the Spurs board spent a fee in the region of £52m on the signature of attacking midfielder Xavi Simons - but such a move hasn’t been plain sailing.

The Dutchman has already racked up 21 appearances for the Lilywhites, but has only racked up a measly total of five goals and assists across all competitions.

There’s no doubt the 22-year-old has shown glimpses of his quality, as seen against Brentford, but he’s been unable to demonstrate his talents on a consistent basis.

However, Frank has often utilised the youngster in a somewhat unnatural left-wing role in numerous matches, which he no doubt had an effect on his lack of success to date.

Pochettino’s potential return to North London could allow Simons to become the next version of Dele, with the Englishman reaching some incredible heights in North London under his guidance.

The Argentine, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by Todd Boehly, gave the attacking midfielder the best years of his career during his time in charge of the Lilywhites, as seen by some of the remarkable feats achieved in the Premier League.

Dele originally joined from MK Dons for a reported £5m back in the summer of 2015, subsequently having an immediate impact in the first-team despite arriving as a teenager.

His first three years at the club saw him register 146 appearances, which led to the Englishman scoring on 46 occasions whilst also laying on 35 assists for his teammates.

During such a period, he managed to win the PFA Premier League Young Player of the Year award on two separate occasions, even becoming a consistent performer at international level.

After Pochettino’s departure from Spurs in November 2019, Dele’s career has never been the same, with the midfielder now currently without a club after leaving Como in September.

His form under the former Lilywhites boss is evidence that he’s able to get the best out of the players at his disposal, something which could happen with Simons should he be reappointed.

There’s no denying the Dutchman has shown glimpses but Pochettino could well work his magic and help the youngster reach the same heights achieved by Dele at the club.

As for Frank, there’s little denying he’s struggled to live up to expectations in the role, which could result in an early departure from his position in the coming months.

Tottenham Hotspur are now accelerating a move for a "special" Champions League player, who is viewed as ideal for Thomas Frank.

Spurs eyeing new midfielder after Gray mistake

Just when Tottenham appeared to be building some momentum, winning two games on the spin, they were brought back down to earth with a 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and Frank believes Archie Gray was at fault for the opening goal.

Gray lost possession after deciding against playing a first-time pass, with the Spurs manager saying: "I think it was a classic thing, you see, week in, week out. It’s ball-playing to one of the two sitters. Bounce it up, first touch, not take a touch. He will learn from that. I’m pretty sure he’ll use one touch next time."

When asked whether Guglielmo Vicario was at fault, Frank added: "No. I think you see that every week in the Premier League, from every team, all over the world. So there’s no problem with that."

Considering the youngster is just 19-years-old, mistakes are bound to happen, but the Lilywhites are now keen to bring in a new midfielder with a little more experience.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states Tottenham are now accelerating a move to sign Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi, with N17 one of the most attractive destinations for the Italian.

Frattesi is said to be a perfect fit for Frank's style of play, given that he is a box-to-box midfielder, who makes 'constant attacking runs', and Spurs are willing to give him a leading role right from the off.

Having struggled for game time at Inter this season, receiving a guarantee of regular minutes will be key for the 26-year-old when it comes to deciding which club to join next, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool also named as potential suitors.

"Special" Frattesi needs to leave Inter

A lack of creativity has been a major problem for Tottenham this season, with Frank's side recording two of the lowest three xG performances in the Premier League, and they clearly need some inspiration from somewhere.

There are signs the £88k-a-week Inter maestro could be a solution to their attacking woes, given that he has averaged 0.28 non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, ranking in the 96th percentile, when compared to other midfielders.

Perhaps most famously, the central midfielder scored a dramatic late winner against Barcelona in the second leg of the 2024-25 Champions League semi-final.

Journalist Wayne Girard has also praised the Italy international in the past, claiming he has "something really special" about him while former Inter Milan coach Andrea Stramaccioni once hailed him as "one of the best midfielders in Europe".

Frattesi is experienced at Champions League level, having made 24 appearances in Europe's elite competition, and he could be a solid signing for Tottenham, who could clearly do with bringing in players who pose an attacking threat, given their creativity issues.

A "top" manager is now Tottenham Hotspur's number one target to replace Thomas Frank, following the 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Spurs players called into question after City Ground defeat

Tottenham fell to 11th in the Premier League table following the heavy defeat at the City Ground, and The Athletic's Elias Burke gave a scathing review of the performance, saying: "Utterly devoid of any inspiration or fight, even after going behind. There have been a few bad ones under Frank, and that’s right up there among the worst."

It was a controversial decision to replace Europa League winner Ange Postecoglou, and Frank has thus far failed to make any major improvements, with the Dane's record since taking over leaving a lot to be desired.

As a result, ENIC have now held talks about sacking the 52-year-old, and former Barcelona manager Xavi has emerged as one of the main contenders to replace him in the dugout.

However, the Spaniard is not the only option under consideration, according to a report from Caught Offside, which states USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino is the top target, having been identified as the 'strongest potential replacement.'

At the moment, ENIC are willing to give Frank more time, but results need to improve soon, and Pochettino's knowledge of the club and style of play means he is an ideal replacement.

Crystal Palace's Oliver Glanser and Fulham boss Marco Silva have also been shortlisted, so there is certainly no shortage of targets, but there are signs the former Spurs manager could be the best option...

Pochettino has experience at the top level

While Silva and Glasner have now built up plenty of Premier League experience, and the latter won the FA Cup last season, the ex-Tottenham boss has more experience at the highest level, having led the north Londoners to the 2019 Champions League final.

Pep Guardiola has also waxed lyrical about the Argentinian in the past, describing him as "one of the top managers in England", and there have been suggestions Daniel Levy made an error getting rid of him in the first place.

However, it would arguably be a backwards step to appoint a manager who has already been sacked in recent memory, and the 53-year-old may have burned some of his bridges with fans by moving to Chelsea back in 2023.

With Pochettino, who prefers a 4-2-3-1 system, also gearing up to lead the USMNT into the World Cup, it is unclear whether he would be willing to jump ship, and Spurs may be better off targeting Glasner, with the 51-year-old winning Palace the first major trophy in their history last season.

Tottenham Hotspur have been put through the wringer once again this season, with Thomas Frank struggling to get a tune out of the north London squad.

Sunday's dour defeat against Nottingham Forest underlined the many issues that had already been written down, with errors rife and players bereft of confidence and coherence.

The indelibility of Spurs' European triumph does not overrule the many problems that have stifled progress in recent months. Frank remains steadfast that he is the man for the job, but many of a Lilywhite persuasion are harbouring doubts, and that's only going to intensify if an upswing is not found soon.

Why Frank's job is at risk

Following the defeat at Nottingham Forest, Frank was adamant that it would take time to get his Tottenham project up and running, with reporter Matt Law saying "Spurs have no identifiable culture", thus making managerial merry-go-rounds ineffective, as we have seen over the past ten years down N17.

But Frank's job is nonetheless at risk. Spurs are mired in 12th place in the Premier League, and with just one win from seven games, the gap between those in Champions League contention is beginning to widen.

The old boss, Ange Postecoglou, didn't leave the most stable foundations, but Frank has taken the reins of control in north London and his pragmatism and reworked tactical style have depleted Tottenham of their attacking sparkle without establishing real green shoots.

This is painfully evidenced by the club's dismal playmaking numbers in the top flight this season. Neither James Maddison nor Dejan Kulusevski has kicked a ball due to injury, but the blame still lies with the manager. He has talented options at his disposal.

Take Xavi Simons, for example. The young Dutchman hasn't had it all his way since signing, but he has the trappings of an elite attacking midfielder, and a new manager could help bring him up to his potential.

Spurs lining up Frank upgrade

According to Spanish reports, ENIC Group are growing wary of Frank's progress since being appointed during the summer, and are believed to 'want' former Barcelona boss Xavi as their replacement.

This is not believed to be a short-term fix, but rather, a willingness to appoint a tactician for the long haul, bringing a proactive and intelligent system to the team.

The 45-year-old, who speaks fluent English, has even said in the past that he "would love to work in the Premier League". It might just be a match made in heaven for a Spurs side craving an attractive footballing identity.

Much has been made of Hansi Flick's success at La Blaugrana since arriving in 2024, but pundit Thierry Henry is of the opinion that it was Xavi's work beforehand that has created the pillars of this thrilling Spanish squad, suggesting he is "up there with Pep" in terms of how he sees the game.

Hailed as a "world-class" manager by journalist Maynard Manyowa, Xavi didn't have it all his way in the Catalan capital, but he did win La Liga, infusing his team with trademark passing dominance. It was a barnstorming season of success in 2022/23, so much so that club president Joan Laporta said, "We have the best manager in the world".

Barcelona have always been interlinked to their ball-playing culture, and Xavi - who prefers a 4-3-3 system - embodied that from the dugout after so many years of orchestration from the centre of the park.

His desire to see his players get on the ball and be enterprising in possession could bring the best out of Simons, who has endured a tough start in Tottenham but, frankly, walked into a system that struggled to establish creative patterns as a collective.

Still, he ranks among the top 9% of positional peers in the English top flight for passes attempted, the top 2% for progressive passes and the top 8% for ball recoveries per 90, data via FBref.

A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the opponent's goal or any completed pass into the penalty area.

The nifty Dutchman has proved already his quality on the major stages, and the flashes seen in the Premier League thus far suggest that he could lead the attack from number ten in Xavi's system.

Hailed as a "difference-maker in big games" by analyst Ben Mattinson, the technical skill and completeness this rising star has projected are elements that Xavi would harden and shape into something world-class.

Tottenham's new playmaker did ply his youthful trade in Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, and in this, he could thrive as Xavi's new protege.

Tottenham Hotspur are not in crisis mode, but there's a sense that Thomas Frank is a man who needs to create an upswing in results and performances quickly.

Sunday's 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest was, by the Danish coach's own admission, a "disjointed" performance, doing little to ease the encroaching flames from fans who are getting fed up of the side's lack of positive, fluent play.

The usual culprits this season, the likes of Pedro Porro and Guglielmo Vicario, were at fault once again, and the goalkeeper in particular is beginning to look like a man on borrowed time.

Vicario is playing himself out of a job

When Tottenham signed Italian goalkeeper Vicario from Empoli for £17m in 2023, it was felt that Ange Postecoglou had landed a shrewd deal at the start of his reign.

But Vicario has ebbed and flowed, alright, and he's been culpable for more than a few frustrating moments this season.

The 29-year-old has been error-prone and unconvincing, albeit having lifted his Premier League save percentage from 64% last season to 70.4% this term, as per FBref.

But having made eight errors since his debut in England's top flight, Vicario is not the long-term solution for a team crying out for stability. Football Insider understand the Lilywhites are getting ready to sign a replacement at the end of the campaign.

However, Vicario is surmounted by a leaky backline, lacking synergy and strength against the tide of the division's attacking lines.

There are one or two larger problems under Frank's management, one of whom simply isn't cut out to lead the line consistently and over the next few years.

Spurs' bigger problem than Vicario

If ever there was a player prone to blowing hot and cold, Richarlison would be that player. The Brazilian forward has scored a few goals recently, but his overall play leaves much to be desired, and his display against Forest brought any positivity crashing back to earth.

This season, the Brazil forward has scored seven goals and supplied two assists across 25 matches in all competitions.

He has enjoyed some standout moments, scoring a brilliant strike against Arsenal and a highly-charged late goal against Manchester United, but even these peaks were clouded over by circumstance: Spurs were thrashed by their rivals, and the Red Devils levelled out Richarlison's goal with a last-gasp equaliser.

Frank needs a more refined and commanding centre-forward. With Dominic Solanke's injury record torrid down N17, recruitment might be the route to go down, especially since Richarlison, 28, is into the penultimate year of his £90k-per-week contract.

Criticised for an "inexcusable" miss in the Champions League last week by writer Simon Yemane, Richarlison needed to put in a big performance at the City Ground, but he

To say he toiled would make a deceitful comment on his work-rate and focus against Sean Dyche's well-drilled side. Football.london criticised his hold-up play and movement, branding him with a 3/10 match rating and writing that it was 'like playing with a wall up front'.

There simply isn't enough on show, and there hasn't been from the first time he donned a Lilywhite shirt.

The difference between Richarlison and his former teammate Harry Kane is stark. No one ever expected him to emulate the club's greatest-ever striker when he completed his £60m move from Everton, but the clue is in that sentence: Richarlison cost £60m, more than a sizeable outlay, and he hasn't been good or consistent enough. In the words of Gabriel Agbonlahor, he is "one of the worst signings in Premier League history."

Tottenham need to sort it out. Poor strategising over the past several years has guided the club down a slope, and while a Europa League title has been claimed along the way, it is clear that the silverware will gather cobwebs without upgrades on such players being enforced in 2026.

Thomas Frank is finding out the hard way just how challenging managing Tottenham Hotspur can be.

He could have been told that for free by the likes of Ange Postecoglou, Nuno Santo, or even some of the greatest managers of the 21st century, in the form of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.

The early days of Frank's reign promised calmer waters. After finishing 17th in the Premier League under dear old Ange, they needed a bit of stability and they got that.

During Frank's first seven games in charge, excluding the Super Cup, they conceded just three goals. The negative turn things have taken, therefore, is quite staggering.

The Lilywhites ended a run of five straight games in all competitions without winning by defeating Brentford, but they were up to their old tricks again when they visited Nottingham Forest on Sunday, losing 3-0.

So, a change in the dugout could be on the cards.

The latest on Spurs' managerial situation

After Spurs suffered a disastrous loss on the road last time out, Frank's future in north London was thrown further into the spotlight. If the Dane wasn't already feeling the pressure, then he certainly will be now.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that a number of top names are in the club's crosshairs should they decide to get rid of Frank, including the likes of Barcelona legend Xavi and Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner.

However, according to CaughtOffside, a leading contender for the job has now emerged in the form of Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine is currently gearing up to lead the United States at the home World Cup next year and therefore, an exit feels unlikely.

Yet, Pochettino is one of very few managers to get the most out of Spurs in the last couple of decades, guiding them to a Champions League final.

Perhaps more realistic options are the aforementioned Glasner and Marco Silva. The same report suggests that the two Premier League bosses are on ENIC's managerial shortlist.

Why Silva could be Spurs' new Pochettino

Cast your mind back to the year 2014. Poch has just left Southampton behind and taken on the Spurs job.

With the Saints, he made them an established top-flight side, finishing eighth in 2013/14, the South Coast's side's highest ever finish in the football pyramid.

He did so by playing a progressive and attractive style of football. At his disposal, he had the likes of Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw, two players he helped become England regulars. At Spurs, it was a similar story. Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Co all owe Pochettino a great deal of gratitude for how he developed their careers.

Well, it feels as though Silva is cut from a similar cloth. Now, we all know that Spurs have tried and failed with the proven Premier League manager strategy before. Nuno Santo didn't last long in the capital and now Frank is enduring a difficult time.

However, prominent names in the form of Mourinho and Conte hardly drove Spurs to newfound success either. In Silva, they could find their new Pochettino. Like the Argentine, he has been recognised as one of the most underrated the English top-flight has to offer.

Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has even heralded the Cottagers' boss as "one of the best managers in the Premier League."

As Pochettino did with Saints, Silva has firmly established Fulham in the Premier League. Having guided the Londoners out of the Championship back in 2021/22, they have never finished below 13th place. They even finished in tenth during their maiden campaign back in the big time.

So, other than doing well with mid-table sides, how else are they alike? Well, both prefer proactive, attacking football rather than sitting back and soaking up pressure. There is a lot to like about the way Spurs played under their former boss.

Silva isn't quite as full-throttle as Pochettino was and still is. That said, Fulham tend to defend in a midblock, rather than a low one, enabling them to turn the ball over higher up the pitch like a Poch side would do. So far this season, Fulham rank sixth in the Premier League for percentage of high turnovers (18.84%) that lead to a shot.

They also rank seventh in the division for PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action), which measures how many passes a team allows in the opposition’s defensive and middle thirds before making a defensive action like a tackle, interception, foul or pressure.

Pivotally, however, is the comparison in developing players. The likes of Christian Eriksen, Kane and Dele all became genuine superstars under Pochettino.

While Fulham don't have any truly elite global stars in their team, Antonee Robinson has become "one of the best left-backs in the world" in the words of Sky Sports' Dougie Critchley and Harry Wilson is now in the form of his life under Silva's guidance, scoring four goals and registering three assists in his last seven matches for Fulham.

"I believe this is going to be the best season for him in terms of numbers," the Spurs-linked boss said about Wilson at the weekend.

So, while there are some differences between the two managers, the similarities could well mean he's perfectly suited to this Spurs team. After all, they are a young side and they need a manager capable of extracting their potential.