Football FanCast

It's still early on in Thomas Frank's tenure, but there are a lot of problems at Tottenham Hotspur at the moment.

Now, they are certainly harder to break down under the Dane and sit much higher in the Premier League than they did under Ange Postecoglou.

However, the North Londoners are one of the worst teams to watch in the league and were utterly hopeless in the derby against Chelsea, a game in which they amassed an expected goals figure of just 0.05.

One of Frank's most significant issues at the moment is that summer signing Xavi Simons isn't firing, so it's fans should be excited about reports linking them to an attacker who could help get the Dutchman back to his mercurial best.

Spurs target attacking reinforcements

In stark contrast to last season, Spurs are simply not scoring enough goals this year, with their return of 17 being the same as Manchester United, who not long ago were in yet another crisis.

Moreover, across all competitions, their top goalscorer is Micky Van de Ven, with five.

However, while scoring has been a problem for the North Londoners, there is a massive caveat: the number of players out injured, including Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, and Dejan Kulusevski.

Fortunately, it appears as if the club are looking to address this lack of available firepower in the January window.

At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Spurs are interested in Porto striker Samu Omorodion.

The report has revealed that, alongside Chelsea, the North Londoners are leading the race for the Spanish striker and could make a move for him as soon as January.

However, with a release clause of €100m, which is approximately £88m, it could be a complicated deal to get over the line.

With that said, given his record, it would be a deal worth working on, especially as he could help Simons rediscover his form.

Why Samu would be a dream for Simons

While it sounds simplistic, the most significant reason Samu would not only be an excellent signing for Simons but also for Spurs is his goalscoring ability.

For example, despite being his first year with a new club, the Spanish marksman managed to rack up a brilliant haul of 27 goals and three assists in 45 appearances, which translates to an average of a goal or assist every 1.50 games.

This season has seen the 21-year-old score nine goals and provide one assist in just 12 appearances, two of which have come in the Europa League.

In other words, he is averaging a goal involvement every 1.20 games, which would be impressive for a seasoned professional, let alone someone so young.

Now, were Simons to play alongside, or just behind someone, talent scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed "one of Europe's most prolific players," then there it would be reasonable to expect his assist tally to soar.

However, it's not just the output that would make Samu a perfect teammate for the Dutchman, but also his physicality.

Standing at 6 feet 4, the Melilla-born poacher is also incredibly strong and could help compensate for the lack of physicality that the former RB Leipzig ace has.

Moreover, this strength could help him hold up the ball for the North Londoners, in turn allowing the likes of Simons and Kudus to run beyond and cause chaos.

Ultimately, while it wouldn't be cheap, Spurs should do all they can to sign Samu, as not only could he get Simons firing, but he could also rejuvenate the entire front line.

Tottenham Hotspur have now received a response from West Ham United after approaching their London rivals over a January deal to sign Jarrod Bowen.

Tottenham have already raided West Ham for one forward in recent memory, signing Mohammed Kudus during the summer, with the 25-year-old joking he was always Spurs at heart during his medical.

The Ghanaian has gone on to make an impressive start to the Premier League season, amassing six goal contributions in ten outings, finding the back of the net for the first time in the 2-1 victory against Leeds United last month.

However, some of Thomas Frank's other forwards haven't been quite as potent in front of goal, with his side failing to score in three out of their last four matches in all competitions, most recently looking devoid of ideas in the 1-0 home defeat against Chelsea.

Frank said: "I've never been in charge of a team that created that little in one game, never. So that, of course, I will look into what we can do to make it better."

One way in which the Dane could help turn things around is by signing a new forward in the January transfer window, and the Lilywhites have now made contact to sign a Premier League star...

Tottenham receive response after making approach to sign Jarrod Bowen

According to a report from The Boot Room, Tottenham are looking to sign a new wide forward in the January transfer window, and they have informed intermediaries they want to sign Bowen from West Ham.

Spurs have asked about signing the England international a number of times, but their London rivals have made it clear they will not consider sanctioning a departure this winter.

Journalist Graeme Bailey adds: "Tottenham love Bowen, but they are not alone and whilst I don’t see him going in the New Year, come the summer – it’s going to be hard to see West Ham keeping hold of him."

West Ham have found it very difficult to get going this season, currently sitting in the Premier League relegation zone, but the English forward has continued to be a shining light, chipping in with three goals and an assist.

Josh Bunting was also left enamoured by the 28-year-old's performance in a 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers last season.

Having proven himself over a number of years in the Premier League, picking up 59 goals and 44 assists in 210 games, it is no surprise that Tottenham want to sign Bowen, and it is disappointing he won't be available this winter, given their current options' struggles in front of goal.

It would be fair to say that the atmosphere around Tottenham Hotspur is not a positive one at the moment.

Thomas Frank's side might be sixth in the Premier League, but the performances so far this season have been hard to stomach, none more so than the one against Chelsea on Saturday.

Despite being at home, the North Londoners were utterly toothless, bereft of ideas, and the player who best encapsulated their dire display was summer signing Xavi Simons.

It's still early in his Spurs career, but so far, the Dutch international has been a massive disappointment and should therefore be dropped for another young talent who could perhaps offer a little more urgency.

Simons' start to life at Spurs

Perhaps in part due to missing out on Eberechi Eze, there was a tremendous amount of excitement in the Spurs fan base when Simons was announced.

After all, he's long been considered one of the most exciting young attackers in European football and, at one point, looked destined to join Chelsea.

Unfortunately, it would be fair to say that the 22-year-old has come nowhere close to justifying the hype so far this season.

In 12 appearances for the club, he has failed to score a single goal and has provided just one assist, which came in his first appearance, away to West Ham in gameweek four.

With that said, while that is a poor return, could it be that the former PSV Eindhoven gem is simply someone who starts seasons a little slower than most?

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case.

For example, in his first 11 games for RB Leipzig last year, before he got injured, the Amsterdam-born gem managed to score three goals and provide two assists.

Likewise, the campaign preceding that saw the youngster rack up an even better tally of four goals and five assists in his first 12 matches, excluding the curtain-raising DFL-Super Cup.

Therefore, while it would be nice to say that Simons is doing what he does every season and will therefore eventually come good, that is not the case.

Therefore, Frank should keep him on the bench for now and look towards the academy for a temporary solution.

Spurs' Simons solution

With Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison still out, Frank could and probably should look to the likes of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar-Sarr to start ahead of Simons.

However, there is another, far bolder option, one he could go with for the 'easier' games, or as a first option from the bench ahead of the Dutchman.

That option is Hotspur Way's most exciting prospect since Mikey Moore: Luca Williams-Barnett.

Now, the first argument one might put forward here is that the Englishman is too young.

However, that would carry a lot more weight if the suggestion was to start the youngster in game after game, but that is not the case.

Instead, it might be worthwhile for Frank and the club to use the youngster as a substitute more often, and then potentially against the weaker teams, hand him a start.

After all, at 17 years old, he is two years older than Arsenal's Max Dowman, and according to respected analyst Ben Mattinson, is "one of England's best talents".

Moreover, when you take a look at his form for the youth sides, it's clear that he's way beyond that level now and more than deserving of more senior football.

For example, in 11 games for the junior side this season, he has scored eight goals and provided seven assists, which is an average of 1.36 goal involvements every game.

Last season, he was even more effective, scoring 20 goals and providing 12 assists in just 23 appearances, which works out to an average of 1.39 goal involvements per game.

Ultimately, even if it is not from the start, Williams-Barnett has earned the right to play some meaningful minutes for Spurs this season.

Moreover, picking him over Simons could be the wake-up call the Dutchman needs to start playing to people's expectations.

Tottenham Hotspur have now been approached over a January move for Rodrygo, with a new update emerging on the forward's future at Real Madrid.

Tottenham were in contact to sign the Brazilian during the summer transfer window, but ultimately missed out, with Thomas Frank bringing in the likes of Xavi Simons, Randal Kolo Muani and Mohammed Kudus to bolster his attacking options instead.

As the only new attacker with any Premier League experience, Kudus has adapted well to life in north London, chipping in with one goal and five assists in ten top-flight outings, but it would be fair to say the other two additions have failed to hit the ground running.

Jamie Carragher has suggested Simons in particular is finding it tough to adapt to life in England, saying: "It has been really interesting with him and Florian Wirtz too, they’re just finding it tough to get up to the speed of the Premier League."

With Kolo Muani yet to score his first goal for Spurs, Frank may now have one eye on the January transfer window, at which point he could be offered the opportunity to sign a new forward with plenty of top-level experience...

Tottenham approached over January move for Rodrygo

According to a report from The Boot Room, Tottenham have now been approached over a January move for Rodrygo, with it emerging that the forward is considering his future at the Santiago Bernabeu once again.

The Brazil international has fallen down the pecking order at Real Madrid this season, and intermediaries have now informed the Lilywhites that he could be available this winter.

Journalist Graeme Bailey provides a further update on the situation, saying: "I am told that Rodrygo is again considering his options, and one possibility is a switch to the Premier League, which could become a real option in January. He is certainly one to watch as we approach the New Year.”

Despite being lauded as a "world-class superstar" by former teammate Luka Modric, the 24-year-old has found game time hard to come by so far this season, featuring for just 244 minutes across nine appearances in La Liga.

However, the former Santos man certainly caught the eye at times in the 2024-25 campaign, chipping in with 25 goal contributions in all competitions, displaying his ability to compete at the top level by scoring five goals in 12 Champions League outings.

While the Osasco-born forward hasn't done enough to force his way into Xabi Alonso's plans as of late, he remains an important player for Brazil, scoring a brace in an emphatic 5-0 victory against South Korea last month.

At this stage of his career, Rodrygo needs to be a regular starter, and he certainly has the talent to be a difference-maker for Tottenham, amid Simons' and Kolo Muani's struggles.

Tottenham Hotspur are now willing to pay £70m to sign AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, as they believe he would be perfect for Thomas Frank.

It is little wonder Tottenham are looking to bring in a new forward, given that some of their current attacking options have been far from impressive so far this season, with Jamie O'Hara left fuming by Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani after the Chelsea defeat.

Mathys Tel has also found it difficult to adapt to life in the Premier League, with the 20-year-old being dropped to the bench in recent weeks, having now scored just one goal in his opening 10 matches in all competitions.

Spurs' attacking woes were particularly apparent in the 1-0 defeat against their London rivals on Saturday, failing to craft a single big chance, while also having just three shots in the entire match.

Tottenham willing to make offer for Antoine Semenyo

Having struggled in front of goal, Tottenham are now willing to make their club-record signing in one of the stars of the Premier League this season, with a report from Spain revealing they are prepared to make a bid of around €80m (£70m) for Semenyo.

There is a belief the Bournemouth forward would be ideal for Frank, given that he is fast, powerful and clinical, but there could be competition for the Ghanaian's signature, as several unnamed European clubs are also keen.

The Cherries value the 25-year-old highly, but they may be willing to cash-in for the right price this winter, with a £80m fee being touted.

The Bournemouth star has shown signs of year-on-year development since first emerging as a regular starter in the Premier League during the 2023/24 season, and he is already over half-way to matching his goal and assist tally from the previous campaign.

Scout Ben Mattinson has also been left impressed by the Ghana international in the past, urging Arsenal to sign him back in February.

Semenyo has earned a move to a top club, with his performances this season indicating he is ready to make the step-up, and it would be a real statement of intent from ENIC if they were able to get a deal done.

Tottenham Hotspur's defeat against Chelsea, their fifth in a row against the Blues, was undoubtedly the bleakest and most concerning result of Thomas Frank's reign so far.

The one-goal affair felt wholly different to Spurs' recent losses against their nemesis when led by Ange Postecoglou, but gone was any form of entertainment value this time, and the post-match reaction from fans and players underscored the issues that Frank contends with just a few months into his tenure.

Still, things aren't all that bad. Tottenham are fifth in the Premier League, just two points away from second-place Manchester City. Furthermore, they are unbeaten across three Champions League fixtures.

We were always going to see a bedding-in period, and Tottenham have put last season's lowly league form behind them, but there's much more to be desired all the same.

And in the case of Xavi Simons, it's probably fair to say that more would have been expected from the diminutive playmaker by this stage.

Xavi Simons' slow start at Spurs

When Tottenham signed Simons from RB Leipzig for £52m in August, they knew they had sealed a coup. After all, the Netherlands international had been courted by Chelsea all summer, with analyst Ben Mattinson claiming he is "destined for greatness".

But it's been a tough start to life in England, alright, and the 22-year-old has been one of the most saliently poor Spurs stars this season, with his performance against Enzo Maresca's side drawing plenty of backlash.

It's a collectively shared opinion within the Lilywhites fanbase that Simons has lacked composure and presence in his creative midfield berth this season. The Chelsea match was a defeat in isolation, but Sofascore record that Simons is averaging only 0.9 key passes per Premier League game this term, having featured seven times and started five of those games.

Having replaced the concussed Lucas Bergvall after only seven minutes at the weekend, Frank saw it fit to hook his summer recruit just over an hour later.

With Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison both sidelined with injuries and still not expected back for the foreseeable future, Simons has been tasked with serving as Spurs' chief creator, but he's fallen by the wayside in this regard.

He's young enough and talented enough to kick on after this early blip, but there's little question that more is needed - and quickly.

Tottenham have further players who have struggled to impress this season, though, and there's another midfielder with a wealth more experience in the English game who may well be playing himself into a corner in Frank's system.

Frank must axe Spurs' "lucky boy"

Frank is far more pragmatic in his tactical set-up than his predecessor at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but the general disgruntlement around the club at the moment emphasises the need for greater balance between the thirds.

The midfielders are the connective tissue, though, and while Joao Palhinha has been lauded as a shrewd summer signing, on loan from Bayern Munich, there's not enough impetus and dynamism in midfield, and Rodrigo Bentancur is becoming a problem in that regard.

Bentancur, 28, has racked up 128 appearances since joining Tottenham from Juventus in January 2022 (initially on loan), but injuries have kept him at an ebb and flow in north London, never quite reaching the full fluency that his talent and athleticism could lead him toward.

His consistent unavailability might have been stretched this season but for a fortuitous VAR call that kept him on the field after a studs-up challenge on Chelsea's Reece James at the weekend. Tottenham presenter Hollie Agombar called him "a lucky boy" after the game.

The £120k-per-week ace signed a new long-term contract only last month, which does stand as a marker of his standing under Frank's wing, but his connection with Palhinha in the middle of the park has not made him undroppable by any stretch, and there are bound to be concerns relating to the stodginess of Spurs' general play in the centre.

Of course, he's not without his uses. The South American ranks among the top 6% of Premier League midfielders this season for ball recoveries, the top 13% for clearances and the top 11% for blocks per 90, data via FBref, but this isn't enough to secure his long-term place in Frank's engine room, especially since he is not progressive enough on the ball and thus part of the wider creative problem.

A ball recovery is defined by the number of loose balls recovered by a player.

Whereas Simons has time on his side, Bentancur is a seasoned Tottenham star who is supposedly in the prime of his career. This was clearly the view of the powers that be down N17, having rebuffed summer interest from Atletico Madrid and indeed rewarded the midfielder with improved terms.

But he is not proving his worth at this moment in time, and Frank will expect that to improve swiftly, especially with the likes of Pape Matar Sarr and Bergvall gunning for more prominent roles.

Against Chelsea, Bentancur did himself few favours, even if he did manage to avoid a red card for that stamp on James. Writing of his performance in the derby, the Evening Standard criticised the hosts' midfield controller for being unable to provide protection from Chelsea counters, with his caution on the ball directly hindering Spurs' fight for quality in attack. He was hit with a lowly 4/10 match rating.

Much for Frank to chew on. However, it might be that Bentancur is beginning to demonstrate that he does not get into Tottenham's brightest 11, and that's a topic that will only intensify when the injured playmakers return. With that in mind, maybe he should be axed down the line.

Tottenham Hotspur have some painful attacking teething problems under Thomas Frank. Everything is relative, and there are variables at play, but the struggle to impress on the playmaking front is becoming an unwelcome narrative for the club this season.

But that aside, there is also the sense that purses may need to be pulled out for a new centre-forward in 2026. It feels like Richarlison's days are numbered at number nine, and Dominic Solanke hasn't fared all that well since his £55m move from Bournemouth last year, too often injured and too often unconvincing.

Both strikers are 28 years old, and while service has proved thin in recent months, Tottenham will need to consider their options in January.

There is another solution, of course. Randal Kolo Muani appears to have replaced Richarlison as Frank's first-choice frontman, having started two games in a row in the Premier League.

But, unless a formula is discovered to support him, the Frenchman's season-long loan spell is going to be a forgettable one.

Randal Kolo Muani's opportunity to shine

Tottenham have more than their share of issues at the moment. It's an interesting one. They are more stable with Frank at the helm, competitive at the upper end of the Premier League and unbeaten on their return to the Champions League, three games in.

But we cannot ignore the depletion of creativity that has left things feeling rather pedestrian, and even with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski sidelined since the start of the campaign and a distance away from returning, there is much to improve upon down N17.

Kolo Muani has not scored or assisted across his six outings in a Spurs shirt so far, and the 26-year-old may well feel somewhat aggrieved by the lack of service that came his way against Chelsea, taking only 16 touches across 76 minutes of action, creating a chance and getting stuck in but failing to unleash a single shot (as per Sofascore).

One content creator acknowledged the Les Bleus star for his exciting, progressive efforts when on the ball. However, such efforts were, as stated, few and far between, and he said it "must be absolutely horrible playing up front for this team".

Tottenham don't create enough chances, and this is impeding Kolo Muani in his desire to get going in white. However, given that he's only here for the season, it's unlikely a permanent deal would be explored if things continue as they are.

Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability of a shot resulting in a goal.

Especially when the Lilywhites have an exciting up-and-comer making his way toward the surface.

The Spurs talent who could end Kolo Muani's stay

Tottenham have long boasted one of the most efficient production lines in Europe, and Mason Melia is set to make his way as the latest in this long line of hopefuls.

However, while the pathway from youth to professional football is long and treacherous, Melia is regarded as a rising star with the potential to nail down a place under Frank's wing, with The Athletic's Connor O'Neill saying he's "easily the best young talent I have seen in the League of Ireland".

The 18-year-old striker has already played 98 senior matches for St. Patrick's Athletic, scoring 25 goals and registering eight assists. Across the 2024/25 campaign, he posted 14 goals and four assists. As a Republic of Ireland U21 international, he has bagged three goals from just four caps so far.

Both confident in front of goal and athletic enough to drive into the danger area himself, not reliant on his creative teammates, Melia could provide a tonic to Spurs' current tactical pecadillos, lacking as they are in attack.

He is very young, of course, and could hardly be expected to waltz in and prove an instant upgrade on an established European star like Kolo Muani, but Harry Kane proved in the past that a young striker stands a chance of succeeding where senior peers fail.

Tottenham signed the teenager earlier in 2025 for a record-breaking £3m fee, making him the most expensive footballer to leave Ireland's top flight. However, he has yet to wear the Spurs shirt in a professional capacity, having agreed to leave his homeland in January 2026.

St. Pat's' Young Player of the Year last season, he is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents in Irish football, with his touch and speed and awareness in the final third all suggesting he has the bearing of a Premier League-level striker.

Given the paucity of reliable options in the final third at Tottenham right now, and with Richarlison among those slated to leave next year, Melia could find himself fast-tracked under Frank's wing, earning regular opportunities in the first team and potentially even outperforming someone like Kolo Muani, who must continue adapting to the English game himself.

Tottenham might need to play the waiting game for now, but with Melia set to arrive in just a few months, he may find himself earning a string of opportunities before the end of the campaign.

And should he impress as if talent suggests is within his capacity, then it's hardly out of the question to imagine that Melia could be leading the line in the not-too-distant future.

Jamie O'Hara has slammed Xavi Simons and another Tottenham Hotspur star in the wake of the disappointing 1-0 home defeat against Chelsea on Saturday.

Tottenham suffered their third home defeat in the Premier League this season at the weekend, with Joao Pedro's first-half goal proving to be the difference between the two sides, and the lacklustre performance meant Thomas Frank's side were booed off at full-time.

When asked whether he understood the supporters' frustrations, Frank said: "Yes, 100 per cent,"

"We all sense the frustration and the emotions. That is part of football. It is extremely painful and of course that is part of the job to face you guys now and answer the very good questions when you just are burning inside."

Not only did Frank face the wrath of the Spurs fans, but he may also have some internal problems to deal with, given that Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence were seen snubbing the manager at the final whistle.

The north Londoners remain in fifth place after an inconsistent start to the campaign, with two of their summer signings not exactly hitting the ground running, according to O'Hara.

Jamie O'Hara takes aim at Simons and Kolo Muani

Speaking on X after the Chelsea defeat, the former Tottenham midfielder described the performance against Chelsea as "terrible", branding Simons "shocking" and "like a youth team player", while also questioning whether Randal Kolo Muani was even playing.

Frank is perhaps losing faith in the Dutch attacking midfielder, given that he was benched on Saturday, although the 22-year-old was brought on after just seven minutes due to Lucas Bergvall suffering an injury.

The former RB Leipzig's impact was minimal, however, failing to create a single big chance or make any key passes, while Kolo Muani, who is still yet to get off the mark in front of goal, also struggled, recording just 16 touches prior to being replaced by Brennan Johnson.

Simons was brought in off the back of two impressive Bundesliga campaigns, during which he registered a combined 20 assists, but Spurs looked bereft of ideas against Chelsea, as showcased by their xG.

It is still early days for both the Netherlands international and Kolo Muani, but they must start showing signs of improvement soon, with Tottenham already weighing up new attackers ahead of the January transfer window...

Tottenham Hotspur are now closely monitoring Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, viewing him as an ideal fit in Thomas Frank's system.

Frank has set out to improve Tottenham's defence since succeeding Ange Postecoglou as manager in the summer, with Gary Neville claiming they have made improvements at the back after the recent 3-0 victory against Everton.

Neville said: "They did things certainly last season they weren’t capable of doing, and that’s being reliable when they’re not playing well.

"Can they withstand pressure? Can they soak up teams putting balls into their box? They did that today. I think they defended really well."

Spurs are faring much better than last season in the Premier League, despite the 1-0 loss against Chelsea on Saturday, having taken 17 points from their opening 10 games, and Micky van de Ven has caught the eye, scoring a brace against Everton.

However, Van de Ven is now attracting attention from elsewhere, which could pose a problem for the north Londoners, who have set a minimum asking price of £88m amid interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Tottenham closely monitoring Jarrad Branthwaite

With their captain being linked to other clubs, Tottenham are now looking to sign a new centre-back, and a report from Caught Offside has revealed they are closely monitoring Branthwaite, viewing the defender as an ideal fit in Frank's system.

The Toffees are extremely reluctant to sanction a departure, but they have set an asking price of £70m, which means a deal could be possible if Spurs are willing to break their existing transfer record.

The 23-year-old, who remains under contract until 2030, is happy at Everton for the time being and not pushing for an exit, but interest is growing, with Manchester United also in the race for his signature.

Injuries have hampered the Englishman as of late, meaning he is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League this season, but he has certainly caught the eye in the past, notably putting in a top performance against Spurs in 2024.

The Carlisle-born defender is now very experienced in the Premier League, having made 75 top-flight performances, and he averaged a 7.02 SofaScore match rating last term, the fifth-highest of any Everton player to feature in at least 50% of their matches.

Branthwaite is at a good age to be a long-term success at the Tottenham Hotpsur Stadium, but £70m would be a lot to spend on a player who hasn't proven himself at the highest level, with the centre-back yet to play for England or in the Champions League.

Over recent years, Tottenham Hotspur’s work in the transfer window has often left a lot to be desired, with numerous additions often failing to meet expectations.

The hierarchy has started to splash some serious cash on new talent over the past few seasons, but not all of them have managed to win over the supporters in North London.

Tanguy Ndombele is arguably the biggest example of their failures in the transfer market, with the board paying £63m for his signature back in the summer of 2019.

The French international arrived with huge expectations given the fee, but ultimately struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League - racking up just over 90 appearances before being released in 2024.

In the present day, Thomas Frank could have his own version of the midfielder, especially if one first-team member is unable to match his own expectations with the Lilywhites.

Xavi Simons’ dismal start to life at Tottenham

During the summer window, new boss Frank made it clear he wanted a new attacking midfielder to help bolster his Spurs first-team squad for the 2025/26 campaign.

Morgan Gibbs-White was just one name constantly touted with a switch to North London, with Eberechi yet another player who was firmly on their radar during the off-season.

The former of the duo stayed at Nottingham Forest, while the latter rejected the Lilywhites in favour of a fairytale return to join boyhood club outfit Arsenal - a move that no doubt stung the Spurs faithful.

As a result, a £52m fee was forked out for the signature of Xavi Simons from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, with the 22-year-old the man chosen to provide the goods for Frank’s men.

Two months on from his big-money switch to England, the Dutchman has so far failed to live up to expectations - as seen by his tally of just one goal or assist in his first 12 outings.

His lack of form saw Frank even bench him against Chelsea, but he was quickly introduced into the game after Lucas Bergvall was forced off with a head injury.

However, his start to life in North London was summed up in the 73rd minute, after the substitute was substituted - further highlighting his lack of talent at present.

No doubt he will need time to flourish in the Premier League, but rapid impact is what has been needed from Simons, but ultimately, he’s struggled to match the expectations placed on his shoulders.

The Spurs player who’s becoming one of their worst signings

Given the European triumph at the back end of 2024/25, there was a real sense of urgency for Spurs to build on their success and rise up the table under Frank’s guidance.

However, after three home league defeats in just five matches this season, there are numerous cracks starting to appear during the early months of the Dane’s tenure.

Djed Spence and Micky Van de Ven were both pictured ignoring the manager after the final whistle, even storming off the pitch without applauding the supporters in North London.

Their frustration will no doubt have been caused by the defeat against their city rivals, with the Lilywhites looking toothless in their attempts to secure bragging rights.

Frank’s men achieved a measly total of just 0.05 expected goals during the contest, with striker Randal Kolo Muani unable to have the desired impact in the final third.

The Frenchman joined the club on a season-long loan from PSG on deadline day last summer, even paying a reported £5m to take him on a temporary basis in 2025/26.

After he netted 10 goals in just 22 appearances at Juventus last season, such a move generated huge excitement - like Simons - but like the midfielder, he’s massively struggled in England to date.

His start against Enzo Maresca’s side was just his second for the club, but his performance showcased why the manager has chosen other options over him at the top of the pitch.

The 26-year-old featured for 73 minutes before being withdrawn from the contest, only achieving a total of 16 touches in that time frame - showcasing his lack of impact on proceedings.

Kolo Muani also only registered a total of five passes completed, even failing to register a single shot on goal and losing possession seven times - a tally over 50% of his total touches in the defeat.

Other figures, such as 100% dribbles incomplete and 50% aerial duels lost, further showcase his lack of positive impact, with his substitution certainly justified on Saturday.

It’s evident that the player is yet to get to grips with the demands of the Premier League, with frustration already being shown by the supporters towards him, alongside Simons.

The pair have so far failed to deliver, potentially bringing the club’s spending spree into question once again, given their recent failures under Frank’s guidance.

They still have time to turn things around in North London, but if they continue in the same vein, there’s little doubt that they will go down as some of the worst additions in the club’s history.