Football FanCast

Igor Tudor's first interview as Tottenham Hotspur's interim manager confirmed two things: the Croatian coach is not fazed by the enormity of the task in front of him, and he is determined to implement a more front-footed style than his predecessor Thomas Frank.

Supporters have been starved of attacking intent this season, and more cynical observers would point toward a sustained period of decline that has stemmed from the repeated sales of top forwards.

Finding the new Harry Kane is easier said than done, but it's something that Tudor and Spurs will need to attempt over the coming months, should they hope to stave off the threat of relegation and return to form in the Premier League.

Why Spurs need to find their new Harry Kane

Dominic Solanke has scored four goals in 11 matches since returning from injury in January. The England striker is a strong focal outlet, and he makes such a difference at the front of the ship.

However, he's not Kane, and it's clear that the Lilywhites need a goalscorer of the next level, of Kane or Heung-min Son's quality, to finally return to the top end of the table.

While fresh hopes rest on Randal Kolo Muani bouncing back now Tudor's at the helm - the struggling loanee bagged five goals across 11 games for Juventus last season under the 47-year-old's wing - it's not a lot to cling onto, and neither would it be wise to expect Mathys Tel to magically strike the ceiling of his potential now that Frank has been dismissed.

Neither of those players could be in north London next season, and while Spurs need instant relief to lift them away from the foot of the Premier League table, they also need to revive their identity and bring the fanbase back on their side.

To do that, they need to find another Kane-esque academy star to thrive alongside the more senior members of the team.

It might feel like this option can't be explored until next season, after the summer transfer window, but Tudor may actually find he has a prospect in his mix who has the potential to become an elite centre-forward by following a similar pathway that Kane once took before him.

Spurs youngster could be Kane 2.0

In January, Tottenham beat north London rivals Arsenal to the signing of James Wilson from Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. However, it's not the first time they have stolen a march on their noisy neighbours in recent memory.

Back at the start of January, Mason Melia touched down in London. The Ireland U21 international had established himself in the Republic of Ireland with St. Patrick's Thistle, scoring 21 goals and providing six assists across 76 Premier Division matches.

Tottenham signed the youth for a potential £3m fee, an Irish record, one year ago, but he stayed at home until his 18th birthday, linking up with the Premier League side last month.

However, Melia has not played competitively in any capacity as he nurses an injury, but Tudor is bound to have been made quickly aware of the player's potential, with ENIC Group making the decision to keep the 18-year-old at N17 for the remainder of the season, rather than loan him out.

The reason? Spurs want to help him integrate with the first team, and if he makes a swift recovery from the back injury that's keeping him out, he might just find himself superceding a struggler like Kolo Muani, whose loan spell hasn't worked out.

Crucially, Melia is like Kane in that he will earn his first shot at the Spurs first team having already built up a wealth of experience on the senior stage for one so young. He has even played in 12 Conference League qualifiers, scoring one goal.

Kane is one of the greatest goalscorers in English football history, and his tally in the Premier League is surpassed only by Alan Shearer, who actually has an inferior goal-per-game rate.

There are a few interesting parallels. In 2013/14, Andres Villas-Boas was sacked in December, and Tim Sherwood took the reins thereafter.

It was under Sherwood's wing that Kane was given a chance. Roberto Soldado was proving a flop, and he started only four of the club's final 17 Premier League matches of the season. It was then that Kane stepped up and scored his first three goals in England's top flight. He would go on to score many more.

Could Melia be the Londoners' new version? It's premature to say anything of the sort with conviction, but Melia is touted for big things and has even been hailed as "the Irish Alexander Isak" by GOAL's Sean Walsh for his technical and athletic qualities, a willing and able runner with deadly finishing.

He might look up to Kane, but perhaps it's a good thing that Melia is developing into a different brand of striker. He's best-placed by implementing his own style under Tudor's wing at Tottenham, stepping up and becoming the striker Spurs need after several years of frustration at number nine.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are now eyeing a move for a Champions League club's "leading star", who has been in red-hot form recently.

Wolves keen on another new striker after Adam Armstrong

Wolves handed Arsenal a fresh blow in the Premier League title race on Wednesday night, fighting back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at Molineux, with Tom Edozie bagging a stoppage-time equaliser on his top flight debut.

Although the Old Gold are still almost certain to be relegated, it bodes well that they are showing some fight under the helm of Rob Edwards, ahead of a 2026-27 campaign in which their main aim is most likely to be achieving promotion.

With next season in mind, Edwards brought in Adam Armstrong during the January transfer window, and the 29-year-old evidently has what it takes to lead the line for a promotion-winning side, having picked up 21 goals and 13 assists for Southampton in the 2023-24 Championship campaign.

According to a report from Sports Boom, however, Wolves remain keen on bringing in another striker, and they are now eyeing a move for Bodo/Glimt star Kasper Hogh, who is valued at €15m - €18m (£13m - £16m) by the Norwegian side.

Hogh is attracting widespread interest, having caught the eye in the Champions League this season, with Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton also named as potential suitors, alongside clubs from the Bundesliga, Serie A and MLS.

With the 25-year-old target man under contract until 2029, Bodo/Glimt are in a strong negotiating position, but he could be a fantastic signing if Edwards' side are able to tempt his current employers into a sale...

"Leading star" Hogh tearing it up in Europe

Described as a "leading star" for Bodo/Glimt by former midfielder Frode Thomassen, the Dane has been tearing it up in the Champions League this season, chipping in with four goals and three assists in nine appearances.

On Wednesday night, the Eliteserien side put themselves in a strong position to reach the last 16 of Europe's elite competition, defeating giants Inter Milan 3-1 at home, and the Randers-born centre-forward scored the third goal.

The striker has also been prolific in front of goal in the Eliteserien, amassing 17 goals and six assists during the 2025 campaign, with his side falling just short in the title race, finishing one point behind winners Viking FK.

Having proven himself in the Champions League, Hogh could be more than ready to test himself in England, but a move to a Premier League club would perhaps make more sense, and Wolves would find it hard to compete for his signature with Tottenham.

Tottenham boss Igor Tudor arrives at Spurs nursing a critical absentee crisis, with the Croatian expected to be without an injured star until early April.

Tudor did not need long to grasp the size of the job.

From the moment the Croatian walked through the doors at Hotspur Way on Monday morning, the picture in front of him was stark. A squad depleted by double-digit absentees.

A club sitting 16th in the Premier League, just five points above the drop zone, and a North London derby against Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday — his first game in charge.

Thomas Frank's eight-month reign ended in acrimony and mounting frustration, with the Dane unable to arrest a slide that has left Tottenham contemplating the unthinkable — relegation from the Premier League for the first time in their history.

Tudor, the man called in to prevent it, arrives with a reputation for short-term impact and an 'exciting' brand of football.

He has steadied ships at Juventus, Lazio and Marseille before. This, though, might be his toughest ask yet.

The injury list alone would make any manager wince.

Captain Cristian Romero will not return until mid-March, and is also serving a four-match suspension.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Richarlison and Rodrigo Bentancur are all sidelined. Wilson Odobert has just suffered an ACL injury that looks likely to end his season entirely.

Destiny Udogie faces another month on the treatment table. Ten players missed the last outing. Ten.

Tudor has spoken of finding the right system for those available. That is not tactical tinkering — it is triage.

Among the names on that treatment room list is one that causes particular concern looking further ahead. A player who, when fully fit, represents one of the brightest young talents in European football.

A midfielder who was supposed to be central to Tottenham's future, not an afterthought in a survival battle.

That man is Lucas Bergvall, who has been sidelined since picking up an ankle sprain against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

According to journalist Dean Jones of TEAMtalk, the expectation is that Bergvall will be sidelined for another six weeks — a timeline that takes his return into April and removes him entirely from the most critical phase of Tottenham's season.

Six weeks. For a club fighting relegation, that is an eternity.

Bergvall's absence is not just a problem for today.

It speaks to a wider malaise at Spurs — a club that has spent hundreds of millions of pounds assembling what looks, on paper, like a strong squad, yet consistently finds itself unable to put those players on the pitch together.

The injury culture at Hotspur Way is a conversation that has been building for some time, and Tudor will have no choice but to address it.

For now, though, he simply needs results. Sunday cannot come quickly enough for the neutral - and yet, for Spurs, it already feels too soon.

Tottenham Hotspur’s failures in the Premier League have been there for all to see in recent years, with the club desperately lingering in the bottom half of the table.

The Lilywhites ended the 2024/25 campaign in 17th place, which resulted in Ange Postecoglou being handed his marching orders despite winning the Europa League.

His replacement, Thomas Frank, ultimately suffered the same fate in North London, subsequently being sacked in recent weeks with the club only one place higher than their finish last campaign.

The club sit just six points clear of the relegation zone at present, which presents a precarious situation that could see the side suffer a sick relegation to the second tier.

As a result, the responsibility of keeping the Lilywhites in the top division has now fallen into the hands of Igor Tudor after he was appointed until the end of the campaign.

What Igor Tudor will bring to Spurs this season

The Croatian’s temporary appointment until the end of the season certainly raised eyebrows, especially after never managing in England prior to joining Spurs.

However, his arrival could bring the needed change the Lilywhites are looking for, especially if he can implement the three-back system he’s favoured throughout his career.

The 47-year-old utilised such a formation during recent stints at Juventus and Lazio, also joining the aforementioned sides halfway through a season to try and transform their fortunes.

His back three is usually utilised along with two wing-backs, two central midfielders and two number tens in behind a lone striker at the top end of the pitch.

It will certainly bring about a fresh start for the current playing group, whilst also presenting them with a challenge to adapt to the demands after playing in a 4-2-3-1 under Frank.

Despite the injuries, Tudor will certainly have enough quality at his disposal to get the desired result, with the manager desperately needing to improve results as soon as possible.

The Spurs star who should never start under Tudor

Strikers are undoubtedly crucial to a side in a relegation battle, with Spurs previously having a whole array of big-money attacking talents on their hands.

Roberto Soldado is just one player whom the hierarchy have spent a pretty penny on in recent years, as seen with his £30m move to join the Lilywhites in the summer of 2013.

The move generated huge excitement amongst the fanbase at the time, but it’s safe to say, the move was a disaster, with the Spaniard failing to deliver in North London.

He only scored 16 times in his 76 appearances for the club across all competitions, before leaving two years later, resulting in a loss of £16m and moving back to his homeland to join Villarreal.

However, current first team member Richarlison is rapidly falling down the same line in North London, with the Brazilian falling below the standards many anticipated.

Like Soldado, he cost a small fortune, joining from fellow Premier League side Everton in a £60m deal - a move that equalled the Lilywhites’ club-record at the time.

He’s since managed to rack up 121 appearances for the club across all competitions, but he’s only managed to find the back of the net on 28 occasions at present.

Whilst he’s registered seven league goals this season - the most of any player in the squad - he’s nowhere near the level needed for a starting striker in the current predicament.

The Brazilian has also missed 12 big chances in the league this season, which is also the highest in the senior ranks, which demonstrates his lack of cutting edge in front of goal.

The manager’s arrival in North London will hand him the chance to evaluate the options at his disposal and make the changes he craves to drag the side away from the drop zone.

However, his previous period as a manager at Juventus saw him allow Randal Kolo Muani, a player currently at Spurs, to recapture his best goalscoring form in the final third.

The Frenchman netted eight goals under the Croatian’s guidance, something which he’s been unable to do, which could allow him to once again deliver under the manager.

Whilst he’s failed to net a single league goal this campaign, his previous period under Tudor could make him a regular starter - which could push Richarlison down the pecking order.

The Brazilian has also been linked with a move away from the Lilywhites of late, amid recent reports in Brazil that Spurs had set an asking price of €25m (£22m) in the recent January window.

If the club are to secure their top-flight survival, an immediate impact is desperately needed, which could see Kolo Muani strike up a superb partnership with Tudor at Richarlison’s expense.

Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer business has often been brought into question over recent years, especially during Daniel Levy’s tenure at the helm in North London.

The former chairman was often blasted by supporters for his lack of spending in the transfer market, but it’s safe to say the Lilywhites have splashed the cash in recent seasons.

Back in the summer of 2024, the hierarchy forked out a reported £65m for the signature of striker Dominic Solanke - with such a move breaking the club’s record transfer.

Since the summer of 2022, the Lilywhites have spent just shy of £700m on new additions alone, which highlights the backing the board have shown to various managers.

One player has recently made the move to North London, but the early signs don’t appear to be as positive as many of the club’s supporters were hoping for.

The stats behind Conor Gallagher’s start to life at Spurs

During the winter transfer window, Spurs forked out a fee in the region of £34m for the signature of midfielder Conor Gallagher in an attempt to bolster the quality at the heart of the side.

The Englishman’s move certainly divided opinion amongst the fanbase, with the people who were against such a move starting to look as though their scepticism was correct.

He’s so far featured in five matches since his transfer from the LaLiga giants, but he’s been unable to catch the eye - with his stats showcasing his struggles in North London.

The 26-year-old has only managed to complete 81% of the passes he’s attempted to date, which ranks him in the bottom 20% of all midfielders in the division this season.

He’s also won just 1.5 tackles per 90 since his switch back to the Premier League, which is no doubt a tally much lower than the fans expected, given his tally out of possession.

There’s little denying that Gallagher has so far failed to hit the heights expected of him, which could certainly increase the pressure on him to succeed after such a transfer.

The Spurs star who’s now worth more than Gallagher

As previously mentioned, Spurs have spent a pretty penny on new additions in recent years, but not all of their investments have been on big-money reinforcements.

Pape Matar Sarr is just one player who has made the move to join the Lilywhites in recent years, with the Senegalese international arriving for a reported £16m in the summer of 2022.

He’s since racked up over 100 appearances in North London, even scoring on 11 occasions and often popping up in key moments within the final third of the pitch.

However, he’s not the only teenager to have moved to Spurs to further their career, with Swedish star Lucas Bergvall doing the same thing back in the summer of 2024.

The hierarchy forked out a reported £8m for the 20-year-old from homeland club Djurgarden, even beating the likes of Barcelona to secure a move for his signature.

Many anticipated the teenager would originally link up with the club’s academy setup, but the extensive injury list last season handed him the perfect chance to stake his claim for a first-team spot.

Bergvall managed to feature in 45 matches across all competitions under Ange Postecoglou, subsequently playing a vital role in the success in the Europa League.

As a result of his tremendous performances in North London, the youngster received huge praise - including from The Athletic’s JJ Bull, who compared him to Luka Modrić.

"[Bergvall] has a first touch like Modric, you can fire it at him and he’s got it controlled. Think you can tell a lot about a player by first touch. Anyway, Bergvall is properly ace." JJ Bull on Bergvall.

Such praise is huge for such a young talent, especially considering the player he was being compared to was a fan-favourite with the Lilywhites - before winning six Champions League titles with Real Madrid.

The 2025/26 campaign has been an injury-hit season for Bergvall, as seen by his tally of just 26 appearances across all competitions under Frank’s guidance.

He's set to return to full fitness in the months ahead, which could allow him to be a key member of the squad under the guidance of temporary boss Igor Tudor.

However, his lack of action hasn’t stopped his market value from soaring in recent months, with the youngster now valued at £35m by Transfermarkt - an increase of £27m.

Such a valuation is now higher than that of new addition Gallagher, with the Englishman now worth just £30m despite his recent winter transfer from Atlético Madrid.

Bergvall is just one example of the excellent business that can be conducted in North London, with the 20-year-old still having a huge future ahead of him at the club.

However, given the huge fee spent on his signature and his lack of impact, the pressure is undoubtedly mounting on the new addition to stamp his authority at the heart of the side.

Aston Villa have now set their sights on signing a Tottenham Hotspur star after already launching an enquiry in the January transfer window.

Aston Villa plotting move to sign Tottenham star

It wouldn't be absurd to suggest that Aston Villa have replaced Tottenham in the Premier League's top six. The Villans are aiming for their second top four finish in three seasons and even had their eye on the title race at one stage, before injuries caught up to Unai Emery's side.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are on a crash course towards back-to-back bottom half finishes and must hope that interim boss Igor Tudor hits the ground running amid relegation concerns.

Villa's rise has been a sensational watch under Emery and they could get even better if they navigate their way past PSR issues this summer.

To that end, several potential targets are already emerging in the Midlands. Reports have name-dropped the likes of James Trafford and there's no doubt that he'd be an excellent addition.

The Manchester City shot-stopper recently cut a frustrated figure after admitting that he wasn't expecting to play a backup role when rejoining the Citizens in the summer.

With Gianluigi Donnarumma likely to keep hold of City's No.1 spot for years to come, Trafford could yet be on the move again this summer - allowing Villa to swoop in.

Signing Premier League stars could be the trend of their summer, too. According to TeamTalk, Aston Villa are also plotting a move to sign Lucas Bergvall from Tottenham this summer in a deal which would see them get one over on the Lilywhites after taking their top six place.

Bergvall would thrive under Unai Emery

Whilst some may be quick to warn young midfielders about joining Aston Villa, Bergvall is not Harvey Elliott. The Tottenham midfielder is a mainstay in North London and he wouldn't be completing an exit in pursuit of game time. He'd be joining Villa as an established star looking to make his mark on a bigger stage.

Dubbed "excellent" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 23-year-old has been one of few bright sparks at Tottenham in the last 18 months and the praise of Glenn Hoddle echoed that last year.

The former Tottenham and England player was left blown away by Bergvall, saying: "He’s just going to grow and grow. He’s learnt so quickly. Some people take two seasons to grow and progress.

"He’s improved in such a quick space of time. What he’s going to be like when he’s 23, 24 is going to be frightening."

Arsenal have been gifted a double injury boost ahead of their looming North London derby clash with Tottenham this weekend, with Igor Tudor made to sweat ahead of his Spurs debut in the dugout.

Top of the Premier League, still alive in the FA Cup, a title race that is very much theirs to lose. Life is good at Arsenal right now, and Mikel Arteta knows it.

Wednesday night's trip to Wolves is a fixture the Gunners simply cannot slip up in.

Wolves are a side fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the table, and that alone makes Molineux a dangerous place — the kind of ground where a complacent performance can cost you dearly, even if Rob Edwards' side are practically doomed.

Arteta will have drilled that message home to his players. There is no room for looking past anyone in a title race this tight.

Viktor Gyokeres, who has found the net in three of his last four Premier League outings, will likely again lead the line in the absence of those unavailable.

Bukayo Saka is expected to return to the starting XI after being managed carefully against Wigan at the weekend, with Leandro Trossard and Noni Madueke competing for the third spot in what could be a lively attacking front three.

Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi look set to anchor the midfield, with Eberechi Eze given the creative responsibility in behind.

It is in that attacking midfield role that Arsenal have felt a nagging absence.

The man who makes this team tick — who pulls the strings, drives the tempo and lifts those around him — has not been fit. And his deputy has been missing too.

Both will sit out Wolves, but here is where the news gets significantly brighter.

Arsenal given Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz injury boost ahead of Tottenham

Speaking to the media today, Arteta confirmed that Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard are both in line to return against Spurs this weekend.

The high-earning duo's possible comebacks against Tudor's men gift the Gunners a very welcome boost, with Arteta saying that he is 'hopeful' both can play a part this weekend.

"For Wolves he’s [Odegaard] not going to be fit. But for Sunday, we’re very hopeful that he can be with us," said the Spaniard.

"Kai is the other one that again, for the weekend is a possibility, so looking forward to having him in the squad."

Odegaard has been nursing a knee issue that flared during the 1-1 draw with Brentford — an injury he admitted left him "very sore" the morning after.

Havertz, meanwhile, has been sidelined with a muscle problem picked up earlier this month, with the initial prognosis suggesting a longer lay-off.

The fact both could be available at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is massive.

Sunday is not just another Premier League fixture, it is a North London derby at a ground where Spurs are now operating under new interim manager Tudor following the sacking of Thomas Frank.

Spurs are wobbling, Arsenal are flying, and a win would send an emphatic statement to every title rival still breathing down their necks.

Getting Odegaard and Havertz back for that occasion would feel like pulling two aces out of the pack at exactly the right moment.

Arteta rarely gets his timing wrong. He may be about to do it again.

Tottenham Hotspur have now set their sights on hiring a manager who has never lost a Premier League game following Igor Tudor's interim spell.

Tudor: No "time for excuses" at Tottenham

Tottenham surprised everyone by turning towards Tudor last week. The Lilywhites were on the hunt for an interim boss until the end of the season after sacking Thomas Frank and landed on the Croatian, who Juventus sacked back in October.

He's a manager who has thrived in mid-season revival roles in Italy and someone that must now do the same in North London, where Tottenham sit just five points above the dropzone.

Tudor enters with an extensive injury list and a disastrous run of form to handle, but "there is no time to find excuses" as far as he is concerned.

He told reporters: "First priority is to give everything the team needs in these moments. The team need, I believe, first of all, to get some confidence, to get some courage, but also, in same way, the concrete things in the pitch.

"Of course, I’m coming here knowing that situation is not easy. There is no time to find excuses. What I said from the first day here, each of us, need to give something something more, something extra."

The new Tottenham coach then continued, saying: "The position of the club in this moment is one that nobody can accept. Every Tottenham fan cannot accept the situation. We are aware of that. But it’s not enough to just be aware of that."

The former Juventus boss certainly spoke with intent and Tottenham will be hoping that he makes an instant impact, whilst they continue to assess long-term options such as Edin Terzic and others.

Tottenham "keeping tabs" on Michael Carrick

One of those long-term names could be a familiar face. According to former Spurs scout Mick Brown, Tottenham are now "keeping tabs" on Michael Carrick and could hire the interim Manchester United manager if he doesn't take the permanent job at Old Trafford this summer.

"Tottenham are keeping tabs on Michael Carrick.

"He’s obviously got connections at the club after his time there as a player, the same as he does at Man United, so he’ll be on their radar if he is available.

"They’ve been impressed by the job he’s done at United in the short time he’s had."

Carrick is yet to lose a Premier League game as a manager, having taken charge of seven Premier League games, won five and drawn twice.

That record becomes even more impressive when taking a deeper look at the managers that he's faced. Carrick has defeated Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta twice, held Thomas Tuchel to a draw and eased past Frank's Tottenham side.

It's no surprise that Jason Wilcox dubbed the former midfielder an "excellent coach" when handing him the interim role a few weeks ago, but it remains to be seen whether the United chief hands him the permanent job.

Instead, it could be Tottenham who welcome their former player back to the club following Tudor's interim spell this summer.

Igor Tudor has 12 games to save Tottenham Hotspur's season.

Of course, supporters will hope to see their club wade deep into the knockout stages of the Champions League and work their way to the final for the first time since 2019, when they agonisingly lost to Liverpool in Madrid.

But securing Premier League survival. It's madness that the Spurs project has devolved to this, and Tudor needs to quickly put it to rights, with the Londoners only five points ahead of West Ham United in the relegation zone.

Tudor is regarded as an adaptable tactician, and while Spurs have an overload of injuries, we think he might be able to implement his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, enforcing a number of noticeable changes.

While Antonin Kinsky will be hoping for a few chances between the sticks now that Frank's gone, it's unlikely that Guglielmo Vicario will be replaced.

The Italian has been well out of sorts this season, making mistakes and struggling for consistency. Even so, Tudor is bound to persist with the number one.

Dragusin has arguably entered the last-chance saloon at Tottenham. The 24-year-old missed most of 2025 with an ACL injury but has returned now and is not performing to the desired standard.

Interest from Italy emerged during the winter transfer window, so he'll need to produce a sharp upswing over the coming months.

Cristian Romero will miss three more Premier League fixtures before he completes the suspension he picked up against Manchester United, but there's no question that the skipper will shape Tudor's tenure across the business months.

However, the word on the street is that the 27-year-old wants to leave and Spanish suitors are making their interest known, so perhaps we're entering the final stretch of his time in Tottenham.

All eyes will be on Micky van de Ven at the business end of the campaign. The Dutchman is arguably Spurs' most popular player now that Heung-min Son's gone, and understandably so.

He's powerful and commanding and blisteringly quick. Van de Ven is the real deal and could prove the difference in Tudor restoring the backline to its maximum level.

The first truly contentious call. Pedro Porro would expect to slot onto the right flank in a revamped Spurs system, but the Spaniard has been woeful this season, unreliable and unconvincing.

Archie Gray, however, is stepping up where his senior teammates have plummeted, and with Harry Redknapp recently describing him as "future Tottenham captain" who "delivers wherever you play him".

In January, Tottenham signed Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for £35m. A long-term target at N17, the industrious Englishman has proved a much-needed signing as Rodrigo Bentancur fell, like so many others, into the infirmary.

Gallagher might not be the most expansive playmaker, but he works hard and offers a multi-faceted skillset to charge Tudor's midfield.

Not much needs saying about Joao Palhinha. He's limited on the ball, but monstrous when looking to win it back. The tough-tackling machine will need Gallagher to maintain a strong level of form if he is to continue his steady role in the Lilywhites centre.

Porro may be cut aside, but Destiny Udogie has had that decision made for him, out injured once again.

With that in mind, it's likely that Djed Spence will reprise his moonlit role at left-back, having proved such an invaluable utility option for the north Londoners over the past few seasons.

Simons had started to play his way into form across the final weeks of Frank's stewardship, so the board will anticipate further gains across the remainder of the campaign as Tudor steadies the ship.

Hailed as a playmaker capable of making "magic" things happen on the ball by statistician Statman Dave, Tudor will need him to go from strength to strength now, especially as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are still sidelined with long-term injuries.

Randal Kolo Muani has been reacquainted with Tudor, who he scored five times for at Juventus last season across only 11 matches. However, now is Mathys Tel's time to shine.

The mere fact that Thomas Frank has been relieved of his duties has already lifted the mood at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Danish coach had drawn a lot of praise for his efforts at Brentford, leading them into the big time and seeing them thrive, but there's no question that his tenure at Tottenham was a total disaster, sacked with the lowest win rate of any of the club's permanent managers in the Premier League.

Tudor has his work cut out, for sure, but the 47-year-old has the managerial style and authoritative managerial voice to whip this beleaguered bunch into shape.

How Tudor will improve Spurs

If Tottenham are going to bounce back, Tudor will need his biggest players to rise to the occasion. Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro are among the senior stars who have flattered to deceive, and that needs to change going forward.

The former Juventus boss is a cool head in a crisis. He will instil the right focus and mentality into a group of players who looked lost out at sea for much of Frank's tenure.

The new boss does need his players to be receptive, though. Indeed, what Tudor needs is for his senior Spurs stars to step up, taking responsibility and exuding control and composure on the pitch. He needs someone like Mousa Dembele.

Of course, that's easier said than done, with the retired Belgian considered to be "the best in the world" during his heyday, as was once said by Kevin De Bruyne.

Tudor might just find he has his own version of the iconic midfielder in his mix, but he's not actually found in the middle of the park.

Tudor could strike gold with the new Mousa Dembele

To say that Micky van de Ven is not found in midfield is actually a lie, for the Netherlands defender can be sighted dashing through the centre circle with speed that Usain Bolt would tip his hat to.

Ange's Spurs system was inherently difficult for a centre-back. However, Van de Ven has still settled into his role in the Premier League and convinced the likes of Liverpool that he is worth forking out £100m to sign.

Indeed, there is no player of a Spurs persuasion who boasts a bigger market value than the Netherlands star, who has actually been hailed as a physical "monster" by reporter Elliott Jackson.

This is corroborated by Transfermarkt, who have revealed him to be the club's most valuable player at €65m (£57m), even ahead of Romero and new recruit Xavi Simons, the latter of whom is projected to become one of the finest playmakers in the world.

This is true, but it's also true that Van de Ven boasts more technical quality than most. In this, he shares something with Dembele, who was also a left-footed carrier with an ability to glide past players, stepping up and making things happen.

Dembele, now 38, is remembered fondly to this day for his ability to stand out and shine among his peers, and it's safe to say that Van de Ven has done that.

After all, he's gone from strength to strength throughout a deeply difficult time for the Londoners. Take his precision in the duel, for example. Last season, Van de Ven won only 48% of his ground duels, whereas this year he has won 62%.

For a Tottenham side who have been so poor in the duel, this is most impressive, showing that like Dembele he has the focus to develop his natural talent even when the going gets tough.

Tudor will love him. Van de Ven is not flawless, but he's a unique and coveted centre-back who might just prove the difference over the next few months, especially if the new manager opts to field a three-man backline, thus unleashing the 24-year-old's athletic, fleet-footed qualities.