Football FanCast

Over the last couple of years, Tottenham Hotspur haven’t been afraid to splash the cash in attacking areas, as seen by their deal to land Roberto Soldado back in 2013.

The Spaniard cost the hierarchy a whopping £26m from LaLiga side Valencia, a deal that was a then club record during the tenure of former chairman Daniel Levy.

However, such a move was a disaster for all parties involved with the deal, with the forward only scoring 16 times in his 76 appearances for the Lilywhites across all competitions.

As a result of his dismal stint in North London, he would depart after just two years, subsequently leaving at a loss of £16m and moving back to his homeland to join Villarreal.

Despite the failure of the deal to land Soldado, it hasn’t stopped the hierarchy from making numerous other big-money moves to help improve their Premier League standing.

The failures of Richarlison at Tottenham

Back in the summer of 2022, Spurs once again spent big on a new centre forward, with Brazilian international Richarlison joining in a deal worth £50m from Everton.

Given the amount spent on his signature, the move generates huge excitement amongst the fanbase, but it’s safe to say the transfer hasn’t lived up to expectations.

The 28-year-old has racked up 101 appearances for the Lilywhites since his move, but he’s only scored on 23 occasions - averaging a goal every five games at present.

He’s also been given the nod by new boss Thomas Frank in recent months, but has failed to repay the faith shown in him by Dane with his recent performances.

Throughout his last two outings against Bodo Glimt and Wolves, he only managed 30 combined touches, subsequently registering the fewest amount of touches of any player on the pitch in both contests.

He was strongly linked with a summer transfer to join Galatasaray during the recent window, but stayed put in North London, but such a decision could be one they regret.

However, despite his lack of impact in recent times, one other player has also struggled to live up to the huge expectations that he arrived in North London with.

The Spurs star who was compared to Kane

Harry Kane is a player who massively captured the hearts of the fanbase at Spurs, and understandably s,o given his tremendous goalscoring exploits in North London.

The Englishman netted a staggering 280 goals during his decade in the Lilywhites first-team, with such a record making him the highest goalscorer in the club’s history.

However, his goalscoring exploits were unable to catapult the club to any tangible success, with the hierarchy subsequently allowing him to depart and join Bayern Munich to further his career.

The club would recoup a fee in the region of £82m for his signature, but wouldn’t spend such funds in the same window, with Richarlison often leading the line in 2023/24.

Money would be invested in a new talisman the year after, as Dominic Solanke joined Spurs in a club-record £65m deal from fellow top-flight outfit Bournemouth in the summer of 2024.

Like Richarlison, such a move generated huge buzz around the club, especially after he netted 16 times across all competitions during his first season in North London.

Such form led to John Wenham comparing his skillset and assets to those of Kane, but it’s safe to say his career at the club has massively stagnated over the last few months.

Wenham stated during the infancy of Solanke's Spurs career: "He was holding up the ball, pressing from the front and winning free kicks in a way we haven’t seen a Tottenham striker do since Kane."

Solanke has been restricted to just 31 minutes of Premier League action this campaign, with injuries plaguing his progress at the club over the first few weeks of Frank’s tenure.

It’s led to him arguably suffering the same fate as previous big-money addition Soldado, with the Spaniard also scoring frequently in his first year before he struggled to replicate such form the year after.

There is still bags of time for him to get his career with the Lilywhites back on track, but it’s safe to say his time at the club is yet to live up to the expectations many had upon his arrival.

Replacing Kane in the final third was always going to be a near-impossible task, but the gap between the pair is rapidly becoming apparent given their respective spells in recent times.

He will need to rapidly get back to fitness to prove his worth; otherwise, he could certainly suffer the same fate and go down as another big-money flop in North London.

Tottenham have announced that transfer chief Fabio Paratici has returned to N17 on an official basis after months of reports, and he will work alongside Johan Lange as a co-sporting director.

Spurs confirm Fabio Paratici return as new leadership structure revealed

Paratici, who was forced to resign from his previous Spurs post as managing director in 2023 after a worldwide ban from football, has now made a stunning return to North London.

The Italian played a key role in the club's signings of Cristian Romero, Dejan Kulusevski, Pedro Porro, Rodrigo Bentancur, Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and other first-team stars, and has advised the Lilywhites on a consultancy basis for months.

Paratici lent a helping hand to CEO Vinai Venkatesham, Lange and manager Thomas Frank over the summer window, but ex-chairman Daniel Levy's departure threatened to cast doubt on his rumoured return to Spurs as a full-time employee.

Now, those doubts have been quashed, with Paratici officially taking up a sporting director role with Lange as the pair lead Tottenham's recruitment drive in unison.

“I’m delighted to be returning to a Club that I love," Paratici said, via the club's official website.

“I have been working with Johan, Vinai and Thomas as a consultant for a number of months and I now look forward to returning to London and joining the team full-time. I’m convinced that working in partnership with Johan we can build a special future for the Club and our supporters."

Venkatesham added that the increased demands on sporting directors in today's climate prompted the club to move forward with two experienced chiefs in Lange and Paratici.

“This is an important evolution in how we operate. The remit of a Sporting Director today is vast, and by uniting two exceptional leaders in Johan and Fabio, we’re setting the foundations for sustained success," Venkatesham explained.

“They are both outstanding football minds, with complementary expertise and strong track records. This structure reflects our ambition and our determination to compete at the very highest level to deliver for our supporters.

“Together, Fabio and Johan will lead with purpose."

After Tottenham were also bankrolled with a £100 million cash injection via the Lewis family last week, the January transfer window now looks even more interesting.

Tottenham identify new target in Rangers star Nicolas Raskin

According to TEAMtalk, Lange and Paratici may have already got to work on identifying a new target for midfield — Rangers star Nicolas Raskin.

The Belgium international is cut above the Gers' star man at Ibrox, with the Glasgow giants placing a £20-25 million price tag on his head. A sale at that price would make Raskin their club-record departure, and it is believed Spurs have emerged as the latest contender for his signature.

Tottenham are expressing an interest in Raskin ahead of the January window, and considering he has just under two years remaining on his current contract, the Teddy Bears may well have a decision to make if Paratici and Lange come forward with a suitable bid.

The 24-year-old, who was a handful for James Maddison for Spurs when they met Rangers in the Europa League last season, bagged five goals and 11 assists in nearly 50 appearances across 24/25, despite mostly playing as a defensive anchor.

With Yves Bissouma likely departing in 2026, whether that be in the winter or at the end of the season when his deal expires, Raskin could be a very astute replacement for the Mali international.

Crystal Palace are now rivalling Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of a former Real Madrid player, who "never puts a foot wrong."

Palace keen on new centre-back with Guehi set for exit

Marc Guehi was hardly short of suitors before the international break, with the centre-back's move to Liverpool falling through on deadline day, but the Englishman has once again put himself in the shop window courtesy of his performance against Wales.

The Three Lions haven't conceded a single goal in World Cup qualifying, with Guehi helping his side continue their fantastic defensive record against Wales last week, while also assisting England's opening two goals.

The 25-year-old has remained a consummate professional, having not downed tools in order to force through a move, but it appears as though an exit is inevitable, given that the Palace captain was left very unhappy with his move to Anfield breaking down.

Consequently, Crystal Palace have now started looking at potential replacements for the defender, and they have now joined the race for Lazio defender Mario Gila, who is also being targeted by Tottenham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states all the aforementioned Premier League clubs are keeping close tabs on Gila, who could command a huge transfer fee.

The Italian club are only willing to listen to offers in the region of €45m - €50m (£39m - £43m), which is regarded as an affordable fee for Spurs, but would be a club-record signing for Palace, eclipsing the £32m spent on Christian Benteke back in 2016.

Gila could be exciting replacement for Guehi

Of course, no Crystal Palace fan will want their FA Cup-winning captain to leave, but given that he has shown no interest in signing a new contract, it is wise to start thinking about potential replacements.

Moreover, the Lazio defender could be an exciting option, given that he is experienced in Europe, having featured in the Conference League, Europa League and Champions League with Lazio.

The ex-Real Madrid man has also received plaudits from Lazio sporting director Igli Tare, who seemed to suggest he is destined for the top level, saying: "He is fast, intelligent and never puts a foot wrong. He can become one of the top 3-4 defenders in the world and it wouldn't surprise me if Real wanted him back."

As such, it would be a real coup if Palace were able to sign Gila, but the capture of Yeremy Pino in the summer showed that Selhurst Park is now becoming an attractive destination for top players.

Many years later, English football will look back fondly at Ange Postecoglou. The Australian tactician ended Tottenham Hotspur's agonising search for silverware, after all.

But Postecoglou's tenure was anything but smooth sailing, and though Thomas Frank's style of play has withdrawn some of the electric attacking play that 'Ange-ball' injected in north London, with the 7.4 xG (expected goals) total thus far showing plenty to be desired on that front.

Still, it's hard to argue that the moves made in the transfer market weren't positive. Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United for £55m is a fantastic piece of business, and he is proving his worth on the pitch.

Xavi Simons is probably the summer showpiece, even if he hasn't quite clicked into gear yet. The Dutch playmaker is capable both centrally and out wide, with his right-footed preference lending itself to a place on the left flank when needed.

That left-hand side is an area Frank will hope to work on, having sold legendary skipper Heung-min Son to LAFC for £20m in August.

In spite of this, Spurs didn't see fit to purchase Timo Werner on a permanent basis, with the German's two-year loan at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ending rather meekly.

Timo Werner's time at Spurs

Tottenham signed former Chelsea striker Werner on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2024, with Postecoglou in need of an extra dimension in attack. It was a divisive move, but one which proved shrewd enough, Werner scoring twice and laying on four assists across ten Premier League starts in 2023/24.

Fleet-footed and slippery down the left channel, Werner did his job, creating 1.2 chances per game and earning praise from Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson for his "lightning-quick" pace.

The first phase of this Tottenham duology was a decent enough effort, but as with so many unnecessary sequels, Werner's second season down N17 saw him flatter to deceive, anonymous throughout the second phase of the season after offering very little initially.

Savvy operators, Spurs initially had an option to buy Werner for £15m at the end of the 2023/24 season, but instead engineered an extension of that loan stay. Under the new agreement, an £8.5m purchase option was inserted.

Was this a good move? In hindsight, Tottenham fans would say that it was not. Last December, the 29-year-old was hauled off at half-time against Rangers in the Europa League, and Ange said post-match that the forward's performance "wasn't acceptable", with his body language and application leaving much to be desired.

Wrapping up his time in north London with a return of three goals and seven assists across 41 matches in all competitions, it's hard to brand Werner as anything other than a failure, having contributed little during the early stage of the European campaign, when he did actually earn some minutes.

Even with three assists from only four Premier League starts in 2024/25 (18 league appearances all told), Werner's underlying performances did little to suggest he was up to scratch, with Sofascore recording he won just 1.2 ground duels per game, missing two big chances and taking a paucity of shots.

There are fears, even with all the good that is being done under Frank's guidance this season, that Tottenham have repeated an unwanted trick and signed their next version of the German flop.

Spurs' new version of Werner

On transfer deadline day, when Tottenham beat off competition across the continent to sign Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain, it was regarded as a coup for a dynamic and dangerous forward.

The 26-year-old is contracted to the English outfit on a season-long loan deal with no option or obligation to buy.

Hailed as a "superstar" by German legend Lothar Matthaus, the £150k-per-week forward has hit highs and lows in recent years, but he impressed with Juventus last season and was the subject of interest from Spurs only in January, holding talks to sign him but ultimately missing out.

However, injuries have not been kind to the Les Bleus star across the opening months of the season, with the Champions League win over Villarreal the extent of his time on the field so far. Only 13 minutes of action is what he played.

His career has been somewhat up and down, but Kolo Muani undoubtedly has the talent and potential to succeed in the Premier League, though, aged 26, it's important that he makes a convincing start to life at Tottenham when he does return from his current setback.

If not, the high-salary, injury-prone ace might find himself entering some conversations that liken him to Werner, whose Champions League triumph with Chelsea and prolific returns during his first spell with Leipzig led him to be regarded as an elite talent.

Kolo Muani, too, has enjoyed his most fruitful returns in Germany, hitting 23 goals and 17 assists across the 2022/23 campaign for Eintracht Frankfurt before earning a £73m transfer to the French capital, where the wheels stopped spinning.

Looking across the past 12 months, though, there's little question that Kolo Muani has the talent to bring it all together. However, much more is needed. And the need at Tottenham for him to do just that is becoming quite significant as Richarlison and Dominic Solanke toil.

Final judgement will, of course, be reserved until the Frenchman has ample Premier League experience under his belt, but there's little question that he has started off on the wrong footing.

His only saving grace is that Frank's frontline have struggled for quality so far this season, and if he can rekindle the fitness and form that saw him hit such heights on loan with Juventus last term, Kolo Muani may be able to avoid falling toward a reputation as Tottenham's next version of Werner.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank could be backed with further signings in January, coming after the Lewis family bankrolled the Lilywhites with a £100 million capital injection last week.

Lewis family make Tottenham statement with £100m windfall

This extra funding will be used for the 'day-to-day' running of Spurs, according to reports, with CEO Vinai Venkatesham and non-executive chairman Peter Charrington now poised to decide how this cash will be spent.

Frank and technical director Johan Lange will also have a say, according to reliable journalist Alasdair Gold, with the two Danes and Tottenham's new-look boardroom finalising their financial requirements for on-pitch success.

This follows an intriguing claim from Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol last month, who reported all the way back then that ENIC were intending to pump money into the club, and these funds could be used on new transfers or to heighten their wage budget.

With January around the corner, there is every reason to believe that a portion of his new capital could be used to attack the transfer market, and there are a few key areas of the squad that need addressing.

It is believed that Tottenham still want a centre-back and another winger, after failing to sign Savinho and another defender in the summer window. Meanwhile, there are multiple reports now surfacing that Spurs are keen to sign a new number nine as well.

Dominic Solanke hasn't featured since Tottenham's 2-0 win away to Man City in August, and hasn't played more than 20 minutes in any of his three appearances so far this term as the England international continues his comeback from minor ankle surgery.

Richarlison, meanwhile, is a cause for concern amid some criticism surrounding his lack of consistency, with Mathys Tel given the starting nod against Leeds United and opening the scoring in place of the Brazilian.

Frank has made a solid start to life in the Spurs dugout, after ex-chair Daniel Levy handed him a lucrative three-year contract which made him the Premier League's joint-third highest paid manager, but the Dane arguably needs a reliable goalscorer up top.

Randal Kolo Muani can play as a centre-forward, but he's only on a straight loan, which is highly uncharacteristic for Spurs, as Lange and co may well be forced to return to the market for a more long-term target.

The France international, once he's back fully fit, could eventually prove that he's worth negotiating for a permanent deal, but for now, Tottenham are considering their options.

Journalist responds to "whispers" about Ivan Toney joining Tottenham

Al-Ahli star Ivan Toney, who worked with Frank at Brentford and scored 20 Premier League goals in 2022/2023, has been linked with a January move to N17 recently.

Some reports claim that Frank has even contacted Toney about joining Tottenham on loan in the winter, and reporter Dean Jones has responded to "whispers" he's heard about the £40 million forward's potential return to England.

"It is interesting that noises are starting to be made around him," Jones told TEAMtalk.

“There have been some whispers about him going to Spurs. Obviously, there is the Thomas Frank link from Brentford, but I do not get the impression there is too much in it.

“It’s not one that I have heard Spurs seriously looking at for now, but we will know for sure soon once they outline the initial target list for the new year.

“I personally think there are players they will look to before Toney."

Since his move to Saudi in the summer of 2024, Toney has played just two minutes of action for England and was omitted from the Three Lions squad for nearly a year, before appearing on the bench against Andorra in June and featuring in a shock loss to Senegal.

"He deserves to be with us, and I am convinced because he scored over 20 goals for his team this season," said Thomas Tuchel after Toney's last selection for the squad.

"He won a major title with the Asian Champions League, he had a big contribution with goals and assists.

"I said last time [in March] that I would try to put a visit in my schedule [to Saudi Arabia] which I didn't make, so I thought bring him [Toney] over and let him travel with us."

The 29-year-old might have one eye on a place in Tuchel's 2026 World Cup side, but despite scoring for fun in the Middle East, he isn't getting much of a look-in bar that one summer call.

There's something indescribable about the connection a football club forges with a youngster who successfully works their way from the academy scene to superstardom.

Here goes anyway. Tottenham Hotspur are among the chief purveyors of youth prospects finding a route up to the top level. The Spurs academy is a cornerstone of the club's philosophy, and Harry Kane stands as a testament to that.

Plying their trade away from N17 are Noni Madueke and Troy Parrott, both rising stars who once earned their stripes under the senior stage in north London.

But the emphasis in recent years has been clear, and Tottenham have a number of rising talents cutting their teeth elsewhere on loan deals.

Luka Vuskovic is evidence of that, the 18-year-old having signed for the Premier League side in 2023 for a reported £13m fee, spending the last two years continuing his development in his Croatian homeland before arriving and heading straight back out to Hamburg in Germany for the current campaign.

Vuskovic may well be the most exciting prospect the Lilywhites have, but he's not the only one playing elsewhere. Tottenham's loan strategy is clear.

Spurs loan round-up

In September, Vuskovic earned his maiden cap for Croatia's men's team. Four games into his Bundesliga career with Hamburger SV, the teenager has shattered expectations, winning nine duels and recovering five balls on average per game (Sofascore).

A menace in the air and showing age-belying strength, Vuskovic is Tottenham's future in defence, and the strong partnership of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero will help him to no end down the line, easing his integration into the Premier League arena.

At the other end of the field, Mikey Moore is a talent of a similar standing, hailed by Fabrizio Romano as being a "superstar" in the making. However, he has struggled out with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership since the summer, but the sinking ship at Ibrox makes for hostile conditions indeed.

These two are considered Tottenham's brightest youth prospects.

It's not just the youngsters. 26-year-old winger Manor Solomon has a goal and assist across three La Liga appearances with Villarreal, on loan in Spain until the end of the term.

But it's the younger generation who primarily fill the out-on-loan spots in Spurs' squad, with midfielder Alfie Devine having made a promising start in England's second tier with Preston North End, two goals and an assist under the belt.

His versatility and technical ability suggest he could yet work his way into Tottenham's plans, having, of course, scored aged 16 in the FA Cup when entering against non-league Marine as a substitute.

Not all are enjoying the same fortunes. Jamie Donley, 20, is considered a fine playmaking talent, but he has been on the fringes at Stoke City this season, yet to start in the Championship. Last year, he notched 19 goal contributions on loan with Leyton Orient.

Also at Stoke is Ashley Phillips, a young and talented centre-half who might be something of a forgotten man at Tottenham, but has the potential, just like Vuskovic, to seal a place before Frank's vision in the coming years.

The Spurs star who could rival Vuskovic

In 2023, Tottenham signed Phillips from Blackburn Rovers for about £3m. A large payment for an 18-year-old, but he was a long-time target and had featured 15 times for the seniors before his big move.

Phillips, still only 20, started 35 matches in the Championship for Stoke last season, winning 60% of his ground duels and making 5.9 clearances per game, data courtesy of Sofascore. He has only started twice so far this season, albeit with both outings coming in Stoke's recent league matches, two draws.

Vuskovic might be the talk of the town, but Phillips has what it takes to succeed under Frank's wing, having garnered a wealth of experience in the Championship and playing for a Potters side whose seasonal objective is to achieve promotion, fifth after nine matches.

His is a profile which practically begs to be placed at the highest level, and his skillset is, in theory, perfect for Frank's tactical system. Tony Mowbray, who managed Phillips at Blackburn, recognised the defender's potential from the start.

Mowbray said: "He’s an amazing footballer and he is going to be a mega footballer I’m pretty sure, but he’s a very young boy. He’s a 6’3, 6’4 magnificent cut of a guy, fast as lightning, composed with the ball, aggressive."

These are all the attributes required in a modern defender looking to succeed at the highest level. If Phillips can continue to make headway over the coming months, he may well be linking back up in Tottenham at the same time as Vuskovic, rivalling his junior for a starting berth.

For all his strengths, Vuskovic is hardly in fallible, having won only 47% of his ground battles in Germany so far this season. A strength of Phillips', this is something which could sway the odds when both jockey for a starring role.

It was three years ago that Spurs insider Jon Wenham hailed Phillips as a "monster" of a young player, drawing attention to his physique and mental fortitude, clear from the get-go.

The road to superstardom in the Premier League is long and winding. Phillips and those close to him clearly have their wits about them and recognise the advantage in playing the long game.

Kane played out a series of short-term stints away before finding his footing in north London, after his teenage years. Vuskovic is sharpening his own defensive skills.

Phillips walks the same path. Keep an eye on this 'monstrous' centre-back; he might just play a significant role in the Frank project down the line.

Tottenham are making plans to sign a new striker in 2026 amid concerns surrounding Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, with the Lewis family's recent £100 million cash injection potentially about to be reinvested into the transfer market.

Tottenham dealt Solanke and Richarlison worries as new striker targeted

Solanke is expected back soon after undergoing minor surgery on an ankle problem, but the England international's goalscoring proficiency has been marred by fitness issues since his club-record £65 million move from Bournemouth last year.

The striker missed over 12 games last season with a combination of thigh, knee and ankle issues, with Solanke already sitting out eight matches this term and hasn't managed to play more than 20 minutes in a single one of his appearances under Thomas Frank.

Understandably, some supporters have grown slightly frustrated by Solanke's lack of availability, even if he finished 24/25 as their second-top scorer in all competitions behind Brennan Johnson with 16 goals.

Richarlison, meanwhile, got off to a flying start this season with a brace against Burnley on the opening Premier League weekend, including a sensational bicycle kick and early goal of the season contender, but the Brazilian has largely failed to convince on-lookers since then.

“Richarlison for me, big money, £60 million he cost. He started the season on fire, two goals against Burnley, then scored a tap-in against Brighton,” pundit Gabrile Agbonlahor told talkSPORT recently.

“Then you’re like, this could be the season Richarlison kicks on and becomes the main man, but the same thing happens season after season with Richarlison.

“He will have a couple of good games, he’ll have three or four games where he will give absolutely zero, and if he’s leading your line, with Solanke’s injury problems, that’s a scare for me for Spurs.”

Taking this into account, Spurs CEO Vinai Venkatesham and the new-look Lilywhites board have already been linked with a few intriguing centre-forward targets.

Frank has reportedly reached out to Ivan Toney over a potential loan move to Tottenham in January, coming after the Englishman dazzled under him at Brentford with 20 Premier League goals in 2022/2023.

As Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic's contract ticks down towards expiry next summer, Spurs have also been touted with a swoop for the Serbian.

Vlahovic could replace Kolo Muani after Tottenham approach made

Reports suggest that Vlahovic's camp have spoken to Tottenham as they reach out to various suitors, and Italian news outlet Sport Quotidiano now have an update on the 25-year-old's situation.

They claim that Tottenham have "tested the waters" for Vlahovic, suggesting an approach has been made, and the ex-Fiorentina star could even replace summer signing Randal Kolo Muani, who's only on a dry loan from PSG and yet to establish himself due to injury.

Quotidiano adds that Vlahovic, who they claim earns around £202,000-per-week, is "increasingly likely" to depart Turin with no fresh terms in sight.

The international hitman is poised to become one of next year's most in-demand free agents at the very least, if Juve don't opt to sell him for a cheap fee in the winter.

The number nine boasts a fairly impressive track record, consistently finding the back of the net in Serie A with Fiorentina and Juventus — scoring at least 14 goals in every season since his breakthrough campaign at La Viola in 2020/2021.

Tottenham have struggled at times to convert chances, lacking a reliable, clinical finisher to lead the line amid Solanke and Richarlison's problems.

Vlahovic’s attacking record in one of Europe’s toughest leagues speaks volumes, and his physical presence adds another dimension too.

It's generally felt across the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase that Thomas Frank has made a solid start to life at the helm.

Contextualising the Danish tactician's early months in the hot seat: Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League last season, malfunctioned under Ange Postecoglou. Still, they won the Europa League and salvaged a pathway into the Champions League, but all was not well, and Ange probably did need to leave.

Tottenham are more stable under Frank's wing. Gone is the fevered energy that the previous system was defined by, with a smoother and calmer approach in its place.

This, however, has had offensive ramifications. The Londoners are third in the Premier League after seven matches, 13 points on the board. They have scored 13 goals, but boast an xG (expected goals) total that leaves plenty to be desired.

Still, context. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, two key sources of creativity, have not touched a blade of grass this season as they recover from injuries.

Using this statistical thread, we can observe the biggest winners and losers from the early months of the Lilywhites' campaign.

Biggest winners & losers of Frank's tenure so far

Maddison and Kulusevski aside, who are losers in that they are incapacitated, there have been plenty of differing fortunes down N17 this season.

To a lesser degree, Dominic Solanke has also been beset with injury issues this term. Arriving from Bournemouth for an initial £55m fee in 2024, the striker has struggled for consistency ever since his arrival, regarding both form and fitness.

After joining Tottenham on a permanent basis this summer, having spent the second half of last term on loan, Mathys Tel is struggling to find his footing, although the versatile French forward scored before the international break and has bundles of ability. He has started only two top-flight fixtures and was excluded from the club's Champions League squad.

However, Mohammed Kudus has been flying since making a cross-London switch from West Ham United. The snappy winger, 25, has one goal and four assists across seven Premier League outings thus far. Squawka confirm he has attempted (57) and completed (30) more dribbles than any other player in the division.

Plenty of promise across the frontline. Defensively, Tottenham look stronger too. In midfield, loanee Joao Palhinha has made a strong start, and Sky Germany suggest a permanent deal with Bayern Munich could be struck before long.

However, the fact remains that Spurs need more impetus up top, and there's one forward who might have scored a few since the summer, but could be on borrowed time all the same.

Spurs forward is already on borrowed time

With Solanke's fitness levels failing him and Tel yet to earn Frank's trust on the big occasions, Richarlison has been the focal frontman at Tottenham this season.

The opening weeks of the season promised much, but Richarlison has struggled to impress over the past month; the goals have dried up and, as per Sofascore, he has averaged only six passes per match in the Premier League.

TalkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor even acknowledged the Brazilian was "on fire" in front of goal at the start of the campaign, with a brace on the opening day against Brighton & Hove Albion, but that one goal from nine appearances since underlines the issues with the 28-year-old leading the line.

While Agbonlahor's comments might be somewhat incendiary, there's a truth underlying the argument. Richarlison is a fierce striker on his day, and is more than capable of stringing together a purple patch, but consistency across the span of a season has long been his enemy, and is something he has yet to demonstrate at Tottenham.

"The same thing happens season after season with Richarlison. He will have a couple of good games, he’ll have three or four games where he will give absolutely zero, and if he’s leading your line, with Solanke’s injury problems, that’s a scare for me for Spurs."

Given that he cost such a hefty sum when moving from Everton in 2022 for £60m, there's a sense Richarlison may indeed be on 'borrowed time', especially since the board were open to cashing in this summer, with a return to Everton mooted before David Moyes' side explored other options.

At the start of the season, the fearsome forward had his manager's trust; however, having been benched during the win at Leeds United before the break, it's fair to suggest that mindset might have shifted.

Richarlison has entered the penultimate year of his £90k-per-week contract at Tottenham, and given the obvious need for something more in attack, it's not out of the question that he will be sold before his deal in north London expires.

Whether this enacts sustainable and positive growth in the final third for Tottenham remains to be seen, but Frank is a manager worth his salt, and while he has publically named Richarlison among his most trusted lieutenants at number nine, it's likely he harbours tacit uncertainties around his ability and how this will affect Tottenham as they look to build on last year's success and challenge both domestically and out on the continent.

Across 101 matches for Tottenham, Richarlison has posted 23 goals and 11 assists. This isn't good enough to warrant a prominent position at the front, and Frank and co are likely to move for a new centre-forward with a more impressive track record in front of goal to keep the momentum moving forward and take this team to an even higher sphere.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has led the Lilywhites to a pretty promising start so far this season, but one internal decision has sparked some debate.

Thomas Frank averaging close to 2 points per game at Spurs

Following their gritty 2-1 win over Leeds United just prior to the international break, Frank has averaged close to 2 points per game over his first 11 games at Spurs so far.

Ex-chairman Daniel Levy's controversial decision to axe former boss Ange Postecoglou, who guided them to their first major trophy in 17 years last season, looks vindicated as the Australian endures a torrid time at new side Nottingham Forest.

As Postecoglou struggles to chalk up his first Forest win after replacing Nuno Espírito Santo, with reports suggesting that Tricky Trees owner Evangelos Marinakis is considering his unceremonious sacking already, Frank's tenure in North London has been very positive by contrast.

While some concerns surrounded their performances against Wolves and Bodo/Glimt, with Tottenham rescuing dramatic draws against the two teams they were expected to beat comfortably, Frank has certainly solidified what was a fragile-looking Spurs side.

Only Premier League leaders Arsenal have conceded fewer goals than Tottenham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace over the first top flight games of 25/26, and Spurs' performance at Leeds was built upon their newly-found resilience as a unit.

Tottenham ended the Yorkshire side's year-long unbeaten run at home in the league by overcoming Daniel Farke and co at Elland Road, whilst also ending their torrid record of seven consecutive defeats in games just before an international break.

Frank is undoubtedly making his mark at N17, with the Dane also deciding his leadership group to spearhead Spurs through a long campaign where they'll be competing on multiple fronts.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, who have been called one of the best centre-back partnerships in world football, are among the chosen leaders, with long-serving defender Ben Davies, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and playmaker James Maddison making up rest of the five.

However, pundit John Wenham has been left shocked by a key omission from the group.

Pundit "surprised" by key Thomas Frank decision at Tottenham

Speaking to Tottenham News, Wenham believes that right-back Pedro Porro should be in there.

The Spaniard, who's played the fifth most league minutes out of any Tottenham player under Frank, has also made more clearances per 90 on average than all of his teammates in the top flight this season (WhoScored).

The 26-year-old has attracted criticism at times, but he was a solid candidate for the leadership group, with Wenham left "surprised" by Frank's decision not to include Porro given the defender was captained for the very first time against Doncaster Rovers.

“I was slightly surprised that Porro was omitted from the leadership team,” Wenham said.

“He had captained Tottenham, I think it was against Doncaster, and then the announcement was literally a week later, when he wasn’t in a group of five.

“Joao Palhinha naturally is a leader, and he’s only on loan, so it’d be a bit of a disappointment, maybe to the other players that are permanently here, if he came in and was instantly part of that. But I think he knows that he’s a leader already.

“The other one is probably quite disappointed, is Rodrigo Bentancur. Looking at his age and where he is in his career, but he can’t have otherwise, we’d just say we’ve got a leadership team and it consists of nine players or something. It’s madness.”

The former Sporting CP star, who was originally signed to slot into former boss Antonio Conte's wing-back system, has gone on to make 116 appearances in all competitions.

His flair as an attack-minded full-back has seen Porro rack up 22 total assists for the club, including a sumptuous cross for van de Ven to head home against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League most recently — which eventually helped to prevent a humbling defeat in Norway.

Tottenham Hotspur have now joined the race for a "fantastic" midfielder, as they believe he would be a perfect fit for the Premier League.

Spurs looking to sign new midfielder amid Bissouma uncertainty

Yves Bissouma was widely expected to leave Tottenham during the summer transfer window, given the central midfielder's well-documented fall-out with Thomas Frank, but the Malian ultimately remained at N17 following an injury blow.

Since then, Bissouma has managed to return to action, but he was recently stretchered off after being on the receiving end of a heavy challenge during Mali's 4-1 victory over Madagascar in World Cup qualifying.

It remains to be seen whether the north Londoners are able to get the midfielder off the books in the January transfer window, but it doesn't seem like he stands much chance of getting back in the side, given the fantastic start Joao Palhinha has made.

With an average SofaScore match rating of 7.21 in the Premier League, Palhinha is ranked as Spurs' joint-second best-performing player so far this season, which suggests bringing in a new defensive midfielder will not be necessary anytime soon.

However, Tottenham have now joined the race for a central midfielder, according to a report from Caught Offside, which states they have taken an interest in FC Porto's Victor Froholdt, who is also being targeted by Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion and Atletico Madrid.

The Lilywhites believe Froholdt's energy and physical attributes mean he is perfect for the Premier League, and with Porto open to offers, a move could be possible in 2026, although any deal is likely to be on the expensive side.

The Portuguese club are looking to receive a fee of around €50m - €60m (£43m - £52m), with the race for the midfielder's signature heating up following several scouting missions.

"Fantastic" Froholdt impressing for club and country

The Danish maestro, who is represented by the same agent as Frank, only arrived at FC Porto in the summer, joining from FC Copenhagen, but scout Jacek Kulig has been left very impressed by the way he has adjusted to life in the Liga Portugal.

Not only has the 19-year-old caught the eye for Porto, but he has also impressed for Denmark in the current international break, chipping in with one goal and two assists across games against Belarus and Greece.

It is still very early days for Froholdt, with the youngster yet to prove himself in a major European league, but if he continues to develop at his current rate, Tottenham should undoubtedly consider a move in 2026.