Football FanCast

Tottenham Hotspur have long held a reputation for being a Premier League club that gets the maximum out of the up-and-coming talents at their disposal.

Indeed, Gareth Bale was transformed into a Real Madrid superstar thanks to the magic of the North Londoners, with the likes of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, and Wilson Odobert all keen to follow in the Welshman's footsteps in Thomas Frank's first team picture right now, with the trio in question all 20 years of age and younger.

They have all been afforded for luxury of trying to win first team minutes while Luka Vuskovic attempts to make a name for himself out on loan with Hamburg, with the promising Croat another that could soon bear fruit off the impressive Spurs' production line.

Why Luka Vuskovic is rated so highly

It's been a long time in the making for Vuskovic to be the Premier League side's property, having originally agreed a £12m deal with Hajduk Split for the teenage sensation back in 2023, with the defender then staying put in his native country to develop.

His ex-employers even loaned him out to Belgium for a season-long stint at Westerlo, but despite scoring seven times and picking up three assists on the books of the Pro League side, and already being capped by the senior Croatia national team, Frank and Co opted to send Vuskovic on another European adventure with the Bundesliga outfit this summer.

The Dane will be watching on from the Spurs' dug-out, very pleased with Vuskovic's start to life in the Bundesliga, with the Split-born teenager already the recipient of the league's Rookie of the Month accolade for his assured showings across September.

His league numbers make for some wild reading, with the determined 18-year-old winning a crazy nine duels per Bundesliga game so far this season, having won a whopping 18 aerial duels against Union Berlin at the end of last month.

To apply context to just how remarkable that statistic is, no player has won more aerial duels in a single Bundesliga game across the last ten seasons. Furthermore, he is the first player to win 18 aerial duels in a single match in Europe's big five leagues over the last five seasons.

It now appears that analyst Ben Mattinson wasn't being that over-the-top when he claimed Vuskovic was a "freak talent" with a "high ceiling", with his parent club already looking forward to bedding him into the first team picture when the time is right.

However, despite the brand-new Hamburg number 44 becoming the flavour of the month suddenly, other youngsters back at Spurs are equally as promising as Vuskovic.

Spurs gem is rivalling Vuskovic as their top youngster

While Vuskovic has had to wait for his moment in the senior spotlight, other youngsters of a similar ilk to the raw Croat have been bumped up to the Spurs' senior fold without much hesitation in recent years.

Last season, in particular, saw Ange Postecoglou use the Europa League as a stage for some of Spurs' homegrown prodigies to impress, with Dane Scarlett even scoring against Elfsborg in the European competition, despite only being 20.

That same match, Mikey Moore would got in on the goalscoring act, with this first-ever senior goal for the Lilywhites a long time in the making, despite the London-born starlet only being 17 at the time.

Amazingly, long before Vuskovic's name would start to be uttered, Moore was scoring goals by the bucket load for the Spurs' U18s, with 19 goals and 13 assists in total in the youth picture, seeing scout Jacek Kulig hail him as "one of the most talented players of his generation in Europe."

A further 20 appearances in the Spurs' first team fold have come the forward's way which has resulted in a further two assists being collected. It really is unsurprising that analyst Ben Mattinson claimed he has "superstar potential."

Still, much like Vuksovic's fate, Moore was sent out on loan to Rangers this summer, with the new number 47 at Ibrox failing to settle amidst turbulent times at the Glasgow-based club.

Yet, he does at least have one assist next to his name to hang onto from ten appearances, and with a hat-trick just picked up for the England U19s, he will hopefully be able to kick on and get back to his best in the Russell-Martin-less reality awaiting him.

Therefore, while the former Split youngster is certainly raising eyebrows, Moore has shown with that hat-trick that he still has lots about him, too, with the 18-year-old no doubt still prepared to go to the very top, whether that's with Vuskovic next to him or not in a future Spurs' starting XI.

After becoming synonymous with Brentford, Thomas Frank would have been forgiven somewhat if he had teething problems adjusting to the Tottenham Hotspur hot-seat.

Indeed, the much-loved Dane was a mainstay for the Bees for seven years. Yet, he has instantly hit the ground running as Ange Postecoglou's replacement in North London.

So far, only one defeat has come his way from 11 games at the Spurs helm, leading to Frank guiding his new team all the way up to third spot in the early league standings, before the international break came into play.

One of Frank's men so far has, of course, been Mohammed Kudus, who has spearheaded plenty of points so far, including the victory over Leeds prior to the break.

Why Kudus looks like one of Spurs' best players

Amazingly, Frank wasn't the only coup Spurs managed to pull off this summer when directly stealing from some of their London neighbours.

Much to the anger of West Ham supporters, the tricky forward excited the London Stadium at West Ham for Tottenham, moving across the capital in a deal worth £55m, a price tag that made him the club's fourth-highest transfer of all time.

While West Ham loiter towards the bottom of the division, Kudus has become an instant hit donning Spurs white near the top of the competitive league, with one goal and five assists already falling into his lap from ten contests.

Already, that £55m looks to be money well spent, with Wayne Rooney even hailing the purchase as a "real top signing" after the Ghanaian's match-winning effort at Elland Road.

There could be bold comparisons forming, too, between Kudus and one of Frank's favourites at Brentford in Bryan Mbeumo.

Indeed, the Scandinavian boss has now potentially unearthed another blistering output machine he can rely on as his main marksman, with the 25-year-old also capable of playing all across the forward positions, like his Manchester United counterpart.

Yet, there is be a different member of Frank's camp slipping under the radar as his next Mbeumo-style figure.

An Mbeumo-like figure for Frank to rely on

Mbeumo and Frank would be seen as two key elements to Brentford's unbelievable Premier League success story when the pair were still together at the GTech Community Stadium.

Staggeringly, 242 of Mbeumo's 297 career appearances to date fell under the Dane's long reign at the Bees, with 70 goals and 51 assists picked up along the way, winning him the label of being Frank's "main man" as the now Spurs manager stated in April of this year.

While Kudus has gained a lot of plaudits at Spurs to date to now be seen as Frank's main spark, there is another glue holding the North Londoners together that could be viewed as the 52-year-old's most reliable asset: Joao Palhinha.

Kudus does offer up a similar exciting, hard-to-contain attacking presence as Mbeumo, but in Palhinha, Frank might well have uncovered another talent that allows his side to tick, with the loan-to-buy deal of £27m that's on the table continuing to stand out as a masterstroke in this regard.

Football London's Alasdair Gold has even hailed the deal to bring him in as "one of the bargains of the summer", and it's not the wildest shout when you assess the ex-Fulham man's standout numbers to date back in the Premier League.

Away from hammering home two goals for his new employers already, Palhinha has also more than lived up to this previous billing as a "defensive monster" which was once handed to him by analyst Marcus Bring, winning a mighty 6.7 duels per game across his seven top-flight outings.

Already, it appears that Frank has stumbled across another vital commander he can rely on in a similar vein to Mbeumo, with Palhinha hopeful of many more happy seasons under his new boss, if his excellent start to life at Spurs is anything to go by.

After all, his former manager in Marco Silva, would go as far as to herald him as a "leader" at Craven Cottage and despite not donning the armband at Brentford under Frank, that's exactly what Mbeumo was too.

Not every star man needs to bundle in the goals like the new Man Utd signing to make themselves a hero under Frank and Palhinha has certainly found that out already. Forget Kudus, the Portuguese has been their most important player to date this term.

As those at Tottenham Hotspur are aware more than most, not every prospect bursts onto the scene like a Lamine Yamal or a Jude Bellingham - sometimes a little patience or perseverance is required.

The golden example for those of a Lilywhites persuasion is that man Harry Kane, the now England skipper and record scorer having been forced to travail the EFL, before eventually securing his place in the club’s first-team plans.

Something of a late bloomer in modern terms - having made his first Premier League start in April 2014, three months shy of his 21st birthday - the free-scoring sensation has gone on to have a career that few could have envisaged amid his early struggles at the likes of Leicester City and Norwich City.

From his days at Leyton Orient, Kane is now a record-breaker for both club and country, recently reaching 100 Bayern Munich goals from just 104 games - the fastest player this century to achieve that feat in Europe’s top five leagues.

Schooled by Spurs, but arguably made and nurtured during his string of temporary moves away from the club, Kane is a glowing success story of the loan system.

Excitingly for Thomas Frank and co, the north Londoners could look to profit from their loan set-up again in the near future.

How Spurs’ loan stars are getting on this season

Among the hottest prospects to have departed N17 this summer was Croatian teenager, Luka Vuskovic, with the towering centre-back earning rave reviews already at Bundesliga side, Hamburg.

Still just 18, the 6 foot 4 defender is a mountain of a man, remarkably winning 73% of his total duels in the league so far this term, as well as a staggering 85% of his aerial duels.

For context, Micky van de Ven has averaged 53% and 47% for Spurs, respectively, in 2025/26, as per Sofascore.

The former Hajduk Split star - who scored seven league goals on loan at Belgian side Westerlo last term - is the main attraction as far as Spurs’ loanees go, although academy graduate Alfie Devine is currently flourishing for Preston North End, with three goals and assists from eight Championship outings.

Mikey Moore looks to have been swept up in the chaos of Russell Martin and Rangers, having failed to score in ten games at Ibrox, although fellow teenager winger Min-hyeok Yang has already netted twice in just four league games for Portsmouth in the second tier.

The Championship has also proven a fruitful destination for the next Kane, Will Lankshear, with the promising striker scoring three goals in nine league appearances for Oxford United, albeit while failing to convert in any of his last four.

High hopes remain for Jamie Donley, who registered 19 goals and assists for Orient last term, although his time at Stoke City is yet to truly take off, having been restricted to just three substitute appearances for the promotion-chasing side in the league.

Donley isn’t quite hitting the heights of last term, although one man who certainly is 20-year-old sensation, George Abbott.

The Spurs starlet who’s been “compared to Grealish”

Many may view those operating outside of the Championship as having little chance of making the leap to Premier League level, although that’s not necessarily the case.

Take Dele Alli example, with the then-youngster rising from EFL star at MK Dons to top-flight sensation at White Hart Lane in double-quick time, having ended his first campaign in the capital - 2015/16 - with 18 goals and assists to his name in the league, as per Transfermarkt.

Kane, too, stepped down into League One with Orient, before later exploding back at Spurs, with that the level where homegrown starlet, Abbott, is currently flourishing for Wycombe Wanderers.

The versatile midfielder - who has operated all across the park in the Tottenham youth ranks - joined the Chairboys this summer after starring at Notts County in the fourth tier last term, registering 13 goals and assists in all competitions for the League Two side.

That included what proved to be the division’s Goal of the Season away at Accrington Stanley, with the Englishman thumping home in emphatic style after meeting an inswinging corner flush on the volley.

At a club with a rich history for welcoming in potential stars of the future, including now Celtic skipper Callum McGregor, the Magpies allowed Abbott to sparkle, with ITV’s Dan Salisbury-Jones noting that the youngster had even been “compared to Jack Grealish”.

The new Everton talisman - another former loan hero at the Nottinghamshire club - previously came agonisingly close to joining Spurs back in 2018, although could the Lilywhites now have his heir apparent in the shape of Abbott?

His Grealish-like ability to glide forward with the ball at his feet has also led to comparisons to ex-Wycombe loanee, Eberechi Eze, with Abbott having scored his first goal for the Buckinghamshire side in true Eze fashion against Northampton.

That was followed by an assist as Michael Duff’s side saw off Wigan Athletic in the Carabao Cup third round, before he also starred off the bench away at AFC Wimbledon, as the visitors narrowly slipped to a 2-1 defeat.

Introduced at half-time, Abbott was a central figure as Wycombe, albeit unsuccessfully, fought their way back into the game, notably winning 100% of his ground duels, while providing one key pass from his 36 touches, as per Sofascore.

Fleet of foot but with the steel to match, the dynamic midfielder - who also played the full 90 in Saturday's narrow win over Wigan - looks to have all the tools at his disposal, with the hope being that he can force his way into Frank’s first-team plans later down the line.

At 20, the modern game might suggest his time has already come and gone to break into an elite team like Spurs, yet if he can look to the case of Kane for inspiration, Abbott could prove to be the north Londoners’ next shining loan success story.

With a new long-term contract signed back in north London ahead of the new campaign, he is certainly one for the future.

Tottenham have made contact with a "complete" young player over a move to the club, with plenty of other clubs providing stiff competition including Scottish giants Rangers.

Tottenham given £100m cash injection

It has been a positive start to life in north London for Thomas Frank, with Spurs performing well overall in the Premier League and sitting third in the table.

Tottenham have now been given a fresh boost, with their owners, Enic, who are run by the Lewis Family Trust, injecting £100m into the club to "further strengthen the club's financial position and equip the club's leadership team with additional resources to continue the focus on driving long-term sporting success".

A source close to Spurs also added: "This is initial additional funding. As the club's management decides what's needed to deliver success, more money will be available. The Lewis family is committed to backing the club to be successful."

This will be music to the ears of the fanbase, who will feel that life after Daniel Levy is going well, and it's now a case of using the money wisely, potentially on new signings moving forward. One player has now been mentioned as a potential option for the north Londoners.

Writing on X, journalist Rudy Galetti claimed that Tottenham have made contact with AS Trencin winger Sani Suleiman, looking to beat the likes of Rangers and Bayer Leverkusen to his signature.

Not a lot is known about Suleiman, given his age and where he is currently playing, but he could be an exciting long-term acquisition for Spurs, being capable of shining on both wings. The report does say that he has impressed with his speed, creativity, and ability to impact games.

At just 19, he has already scored 15 goals at senior level, as well as winning three caps for Nigeria's Under-20s, and Galetti himself has described him as "complete" recently.

It is always important for Spurs to plan for the future, rather than simply focusing on the present, and signing players of Suleiman's calibre and potential is vital.

Granted, it is hard to predict the trajectory of a young player, with so many hurdles to clear in their career, from injuries to consistency, but if Frank and the recruitment team at the club see him as a good option, they need to be trusted.

Tottenham Hotspur boast a strong connection with the English national team. Harry Kane, one of the Lilywhites' greatest players of all time, is the captain and record scorer for the men's team, after all.

But it's a bond which runs far deeper than through just one person. In fact, no side in history has supplied more ammunition for the Three Lions than Spurs, with 81 first-team players having worn the white shirt on the international stage across the years.

Corinthian FC dissolved in 1939, following the outbreak of World War Two

And Thomas Frank's current crop of Tottenham talents continue to shine for the home nation, with Djed Spence the latest to earn his flowers for the side.

Djed Spence's Three Lions performance

Spence has earned rave reviews for his recent England performance, starring from left-back as Thomas Tuchel's team defeated Wales 3-0 in a friendly.

Storming up and down the left flank, the 25-year-old continued to strengthen what has been a significant revival over the past year or so, having beforehand looked apt to drift away from Tottenham contention and shelved in a dusty file.

But this couldn't be further from Spence's truth, having started five Premier League matches already this term after proving invaluable for Ange Postecoglou's struggling side in 2024/25.

As per FBref, the versatile defender ranks among the top 4% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons and the top 15% for progressive passes per 90, emphasising his technical and athletic qualities.

Spence is a testament to hard work and a never-say-die attitude, but he's not the biggest English talent at Frank's disposal.

Indeed, there's a rising star down N17 who has the skills to become a mainstay for his country.

Spurs have an even bigger English talent

The man in question is Archie Gray, who Tottenham fought tooth and nail to prise away from Brentford and sign for about £30m in July 2024. He left his boyhood club Leeds United in the Championship, having won the second tier's Young Player of the Year award. He was 18 years old.

It certainly wasn't all sunshines and rainbows for Tottenham last term, but the young Gray played admirably across the campaign, especially since he, a natural midfielder, was required to fill in at centre-half on more than a few occasions, featuring 46 times for the seniors across the year.

And, of course, he and his teammates were rewarded for their commitment and ability to weather harsh storms by triumphing in the Europa League, beating Manchester United in the final.

Though, since Frank's arrival, Gray has taken a step back, which is a positive thing. He is still a teenager and has much to learn. His potential was recognised last year, for sure.

However, having last started in the Premier League on the opening day of the season, playing just over 70 minutes, the ball-playing, tough-tackling talent will hope for further opportunities under Frank's wing. When he gets them, in a more stable system, he might just skyrocket to the upper level of the Spurs squad.

Hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson as being "one of the best talents England have", Gray might not have hit his prime yet, but he's only 19, and he has already showcased remarkable potential on the biggest stage.

In six years, he will reach Spence's current age of 25, and it's frightening to consider how good he might be at that point.

Tottenham Hotspur are keen to build a squad capable of competing under Thomas Frank, and could now be primed to add a prolific goalscorer to their ranks in January.

Tottenham prepare for Premier League return

The international break is in full swing and Spurs fans will be itching for their side to return to Premier League action against Aston Villa next weekend as they look to continue their excellent start to the season.

Intriguingly, they already appear to be making recruitment plans, and Brentford striker Kevin Schade is on Tottenham's radar as a target, according to Florian Plettenberg.

He said on X: "EXCL | Tottenham are among the teams closely monitoring the development of Kevin #Schade. The 23 y/o left-winger is under contract with Brentford until 2028, and Tottenham have shown interest in a potential transfer in the summer of 2026. One to watch this season — he is currently part of the German national team."

Breeding a sense of potential familiarity, Frank could also move to sign Vasco da Gama star Rayan, showing that his side are serious about taking their aspirations of achieving success to the next level.

Of course, it would be hard for either to immediately slot into his forward line, but competition will be imperative as they look to juggle domestic endeavors with European football this season.

Right now, it is hard to pin down exactly where Spurs' aspirations should sit.

Finishing in the Champions League slots would be an adequate return, though with their current form, it would be hard to rule out a challenge for the title if they can maintain momentum.

With that in mind, Spurs could now turn to a proven goalscorer to sharpen up their frontline if reports are to develop into something more.

Tottenham weighing up Samu Aghehowa move

According to Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Tottenham are eyeing a move for Porto striker Samu Aghehowa in light of his £86 million release clause at the Portuguese giants.

The 21-year-old has been in electric form for Porto recently, and he even once rejected a move to London rivals Chelsea in favour of remaining in Portugal.

O'Rourke stated:

“Chelsea [came] very close to signing him a couple of transfer windows ago before the player decided to stay.

“Then Newcastle had him on their list in the summer window as they looked at potential replacements for Alexander Isak before signing Nick Woltemade.

“So I think he’s a top young player, 21 years old, Spain international. It’s no surprise that Tottenham and all these other big clubs in the Premier League are looking at him.

"He’s a player with huge potential and could really develop into one of the best strikers in Europe, if he continues his rise. I think that’s why these Premier League clubs are looking at him.

"He has got a release clause in his contract at Porto of around £86million, which is a big price tag on his head. But, I think if he continues what he’s doing right now and develops as a player and fulfils his potential, that could be a decent fee for somebody who wants to take him.

"Tottenham, again, the number nine is coming a bit of an issue for them in some respects. Solanke’s had his injury problems so far this season. Then Richarlison has obviously slotted in and done quite well there, but there’s been ongoing speculation in regards to his future."

£86 million would be a hefty price to pay, though Aghehowa's potential and goalscoring return of 32 strikes in 53 matches for Porto may well be worth it, especially if Dominic Solanke continues to struggle with injury.

Richarlison is an able deputy, as is Mathys Tel, albeit the Spain international would add another layer of explosiveness to Frank's frontline if a deal were to come to fruition in N17.

Tottenham Hotspur have made a promising start to the campaign under Thomas Frank and could now be about to pursue a very familiar face to fans of the Premier League.

Tottenham look to build on solid start to Premier League campaign

The international break is always a frustrating time for supporters itching for their club to return. However, the Lilywhites will be positively reflecting on a fine start that has seen them climb to third in the top-flight standings.

Tactical tweaks and a renewed threat from set pieces have made Tottenham a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League, albeit they will need to be switched on to handle the challenge of facing Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Everton and Chelsea in the coming weeks.

While Tottenham have been at the centre of takeover interest from tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick, among other parties, it doesn't appear they are for sale, and a £100 million cash injection from the Lewis family will offer greater financial flexibility moving forward.

Whether this investment could be put towards the January window remains to be seen. Reports suggest Spurs are preparing a £26 million bid for Vasco da Gama star Rayan, indicating they are scouring the world for talent to enhance their bid for Champions League qualification.

Chelsea, Barcelona and Aston Villa are among his lengthy list of admirers, though Tottenham's project is as enticing as ever for potential new recruits.

Truthfully, the sky is the limit for Frank if his side continue this excellent run of form, with Spurs averaging close to 2 points per game since the Dane took over from Ange Postecoglou.

Nevertheless, there is a long way to go, and help may be required to ensure the North Londoners are in pole position to capitalise, hence their interest in a favourite of the Danish coach.

Tottenham want to sign Kevin Schade

According to Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Tottenham are monitoring Brentford attacker Kevin Schade and could look to make a play for his arrival, albeit the transfer may be more likely to occur in the summer of 2026.

Plettenberg says he is "one to watch" this season, with the winger's contract expiring in under three years.

The Germany international has scored once in eight appearances this term, contributing to his overall total of 15 goals and five assists in 82 outings for the Bees

.

Labelled "top class" by Frank, he brought Schade to the Gtech Community Stadium from Freiburg in 2023 and his faith has been repaid, with the 23-year-old establishing himself as a force predominantly on the left flank.

This term, the Potsdam-born man has created five chances and completed three successful crosses in the Premier League, per Fotmob, shining in a Brentford side that have struggled for momentum under Keith Andrews.

Either way, he could now be set for a move across the capital, though Tottenham will need to fend off competition from the likes of Borussia Dortmund for his signature.

Harry Kane might not be plying his trade for Tottenham Hotspur anymore, but he’s a player who will forever remain in their history for his efforts in North London.

The England international was a product of the Lilywhites’ academy setup, subsequently bursting through the ranks before securing his place in the first-team back in 2014.

He would make 435 appearances for the club during his decade in the first-team, even breaking the record for the most goals scored by a player in their history.

His tally of 280 goals surpassed the record set by the late Jimmy Greaves, but his talents within the final third have also been reflected in his international career.

Kane has scored 74 goals for his country, which has also allowed him to break the record set by former Manchester United talisman Wayne Rooney.

However, in 2025, the Lilywhites have a crop of fellow English talents, with many hoping to follow in the striker’s footsteps in being a mainstay on the international stage.

Spurs’ star performers for England in recent years

Alongside Kane, Spurs have had numerous players who have represented England at international level, many of whom have starred and made themselves key members of the squad.

Dominic Solanke and James Maddison have both previously been named in the Three Lions’ squad, but have been unable to make any appearances in recent months due to their respective injury issues.

However, Djed Spence is the latest player to break into Thomas Tuchel’s squad, even starting the friendly against Wales at Wembley on Thursday night.

The full-back featured for 90 minutes in the triumph over Craig Bellamy’s side, subsequently pocketing teammate Brennan Johnson and firing shade at the winger on social media.

His underlying stats were just as impressive, with the defender completing 98% of the passes he attempted, whilst also winning 100% of the tackles he entered.

With the 25-year-old the latest player to make his mark for England, there will be hope that another youngster in the Lilywhites ranks can follow in his footsteps in the years ahead.

The Spurs star who could be England’s next superstar

After making 19 appearances for Spurs last season, 18-year-old winger Mikey Moore is a player with a huge future ahead of him in North London.

He’s spent the majority of his life on the books of the Lilywhites, but was catapulted into the limelight last season as a result of the injury crisis under Ange Postecoglou.

Such a situation even led to the teenager scoring his first professional goal in the meeting with Elfsborg in the Europa League - a moment that will undoubtedly stick with him forever.

However, he was loaned out by Thomas Frank this summer, subsequently joining Rangers until the end of the 2025/26 campaign to gain valuable minutes to continue his progression.

He’s not the only talented Englishman within their ranks, with 16-year-old star Luca Williams-Barnett another player who is set for a bright future in North London.

The attacking midfielder has been starring way above his age group over the last few seasons, with the youngster featuring in the U18s for the majority of 2024/25.

He ended the year with a staggering 23 goals and nine assists in his 24 outings for the Lilywhites, resulting in a jump up once again - now becoming a key member of the U21 side.

Such form has led to the teenager being handed his first senior appearance against Doncaster Rovers last month - with analyst Ben Mattinson labelling him “one of England’s best talents”.

Williams-Barnett’s first-team outing is one thing, but he’s also managed to thrive in the youth ranks once again, now registering eight goals and five assists in his nine outings in all competitions.

His numbers for the U21s are nothing short of sensational, with the teenager now boasting the best record of any player in the squad - an unthinkable feat for someone playing five years above their age category.

Williams-Barnett has also cemented his place in the England U18 setup, making three appearances already this campaign and scoring on two occasions - further showcasing his incredible talents.

Given his tender age, there’s no denying that the attacker needs more time in the academy system to develop before being able to make the jump into the first-team squad.

However, if he continues on his current trajectory, there’s no reason why he can’t emulate Kane’s success, whether that be in North London for Spurs or even on the international stage for England.

Tottenham Hotspur have been lucky enough to have numerous top-level attacking talents on their hands over the last couple of years - often handing the supporters moments to cherish forever.

Heung-min Son is just one player who falls into such a category, with the South Korean forward a talent who often managed to produce the goods within the final third.

The winger scored a total of 173 goals for the Lilywhites, a tally which puts him fourth in the club’s record books, with an impressive chunk coming against local rivals, Arsenal.

He scored nine times in his 22 appearances against the Gunners, the third most of any side he’s faced in his career - further highlighting his impact in the North London Derby.

However, despite his impact for Spurs, he was unable to better one player who has often proved to be a thorn in the side of the club in the meetings against them.

Bukayo Saka’s form against Spurs

After his breakthrough in 2020, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka has featured against Spurs on ten separate occasions, subsequently being on the winning side in 60% of the outings.

The Englishman has scored five times against the Lilywhites, averaging a goal every other game and often popping up and finding the net in key moments of derby encounters.

He may not have scored in any of the clashes last season, but he did register the assist for Gabriel’s second-half winner, with Mikel Arteta’s side once again claiming bragging rights.

Saka has now registered 25 or more combined goals and assists in each of his last three seasons, further highlighting the top-level talent he possesses, all despite being just 24 years of age.

Given the levels he’s produced, there’s no denying the Lilywhites faithful must wish they had a player of his calibre, but it’s safe to say stars such as the winger would now cost a pretty penny.

However, boss Thomas Frank shouldn’t worry, with the Dane already having his very own version of the Englishman within his ranks at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Spurs star who’s Frank’s own Saka

Spurs’ 2024/25 campaign was a topsy-turvy one to say the least, with huge highs being achieved all whilst failing to deliver in other competitions under Ange Postecoglou.

The Aussie ended their 17-year wait for a trophy with their Europa League triumph, but ultimately, it glossed over the cracks that appeared in the Premier League.

He could only achieve a 17th-placed finish in England’s top-flight, subsequently suffering 22 defeats in the process - something which would cost him his job in North London.

Frank was appointed as the manager to pick up the pieces, a task he’s seamlessly taken to immediately, as seen by his tally of just one loss in his opening nine competitive outings.

While he’s added the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons to his ranks this summer, he already had his answer to Saka within his ranks in North London.

Dejan Kulusevski is a player who’s yet to feature under the Dane due to injury, but there’s no denying that the attacker will have a huge role to play upon his return in the months ahead.

The Swede, who has been dubbed "phenomenal" by one creator, is currently sidelined with a knee injury, but did manage to star on a consistent basis in 2024/25 before he went under the knife to fix the recurring issue.

He registered 10 goals and 11 assists across all competitions last campaign, ending the year as one of the Lilywhites’ most creative outlets within attacking areas.

Such is the level of his performances last year, he was dubbed as a similar player to Saka by FBref, further highlighting how impressive he was under Postecoglou.

When comparing their respective figures, Kulusevski managed to outperform the Arsenal star in various key areas, showcasing the huge amount of quality he possesses.

The table highlights the depth of areas he managed to outclass Saka, with his return to fitness undoubtedly a huge boost to Frank and the Spurs fanbase.

It’s unclear what level of fitness he will possess after such a long injury layoff, but when he gets fully firing, the Swede will add another dimension to the club’s potent frontline.

If he can replicate or better his numbers from last year, there’s no reason as to why the forward can’t help Frank make his first season in North London one to remember.

Tottenham have emerged as favourites to sign a "game-changing" forward as the Lewis family make their sporting intentions for Spurs clear this week, having pumped £100 million worth of capital into the club.

Tottenham given £100m cash boost after Lewis family injection

On Thursday, the Lilywhites made an official announcement of their owners' call to back the club with fresh funding, with Thomas Frank's side receiving nine figures which will be spent on the day-to-day running of Spurs.

CEO Vinai Venkatesham, alongside new non-executive chairman Peter Charrington, will now decide where specifically this new money will be invested — and some of this cash may well go into their transfer planning.

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol shared news last month that the Lewis family were planning to inject funds into Tottenham, and suggested that these finances could be reinvested into their recruitment drive.

With January on the horizon, Frank may well be backed with key reinforcements, amid reports that the North Londoners want to sign a new centre-back and winger (TEAMtalk).

Tottenham missed out on a deal for Man City winger Savinho in the summer after having two bids rejected, and he's since put pen to paper on a contract extension at Eastlands running until 2031.

Spurs are also admirers of Brentford captain Nathan Collins, Franks' former star at the Gtech Community Stadium, amid their pursuit of new defensive options.

Given the Lilywhites club-record signing Dominic Solanke has proved unreliable when it comes to fitness since his £65 million move from Bournemouth last year, not to mention doubts surrounding Richarlison, it is reported elsewhere that Tottenham could even bring in another number nine.

Frank has reportedly contacted former Brentford star Ivan Toney about the possibility of a loan move to Tottenham in January, but while this is yet to be backed up by reliable media sources, it is clear that Vasco de Gama sensation, Rayan, is on their radar.

Tottenham in pole position to sign Vasco de Gama star Rayan

Multiple reports from South America in the last month have claimed that Tottenham could open talks for Rayan, who's just become the youngest Vasco player to reach 10 Brazilian top flight goals since Dinamite in 1973.

The highly-rated teenager is one of Brazil's rising stars right now, scoring 14 goals in all competitions this season, and his contract is rumoured to contain a tantalising £35 million release clause.

Rayan's deal also expires in December 2026, meaning he can agree a pre-contract in July, and Vasco chiefs are working to protect themselves by agreeing a new contract to raise his exit clause, potentially to as high as £52 million.

That is according to journalist Jorge Nicola, who reports that Tottenham are currently in pole position to sign Rayan and are prepared to bid around £26 million as things stand, which would apparently meet Vasco's expected price.

Aston Villa, Barcelona, Chelsea, Brighton, Porto, Fiorentina, Zenit and even Nottingham Forest have also been linked with the 19-year-old, so he's currently a man in demand, with the possibility of an auction also there.

Vasco boss Fernando Diniz has lavished the right-winger's incredible potential already, calling him a "very rare" breed of player.