The Boy Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for the Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.

The 25-year-old central defender has done quite well since the move to the Premier League and he has been a key player for Palace. Other European clubs are keeping tabs on his situation as well, and it will be interesting to see if Tottenham can get the deal done.

Tottenham have been keeping tabs on Lacroix for years.

Tottenham keen on Maxence Lacroix

According to a report via Hard Tackle, Tottenham are looking to add more quality and depth to the defensive unit, and the Frenchman is on their radar. He has been described as a “Rolls-Royce” defender.

Palace will not want to lose a key player like him anytime soon, and it will be difficult to convince the Eagles to sell him. There is no doubt that Lacroix has the quality to play for Tottenham. It would be a step up in his career, and the French defender could be attracted to the idea of joining Spurs.

They have an ambitious project and an exciting team. They have recently won a European trophy, and they are likely to be an attractive destination for players.

Palace will not sell Lacroix

However, Palace are likely to lose Marc Guehi in the coming months and they will not want to lose two key defenders. It is highly unlikely that they will let the Frenchman leave the club anytime soon. Any move for Lacroix might have to wait for the foreseeable future.

The defender is at the top of his game right now and he is enjoying his football with Palace. They have managed to win the FA Cup and the Community Shield recently. They have been outstanding in the Premier League. He has no reason to force an exit from the club. Palace are in a strong position to keep him, and Tottenham are likely to fail with their pursuit.

Tottenham Hotspur are one of the clubs interested in signing the Netherlands sensation Kees Smit.

The 19-year-old is regarded as one of the finest young midfielders in the game right now, and he has attracted the attention of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United as well.

Spurs eyeing Kees Smit

According to a report via Hard Tackle, Tottenham are hoping to secure his signature in the future. It will be interesting to see if they follow up on their interest with an official proposal to get the deal done. The 19-year-old has the technical attributes to thrive in England and he could establish himself as a player for Tottenham in the long run.

Then North London has shown a willingness to invest in talented young players. They have brought in players like Pape Matar Sarr, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall to improve their midfield unit. It is clear that they are looking to build a formidable team for the future. Adding Smit would be a wise decision.

Smit would be an asset

If they can sign him for a reasonable amount of money in the coming months, the deal could prove to be a solid investment for the future. The 19-year-old is quite young, and he will only improve with coaching and experience. He has all the attributes to develop into a top class performer in the Premier League. Smit has been described as a player who is a “joy to watch”.

Regular football in England could help him improve further and fulfil his potential as well. Tottenham have the resources to tempt AZ Alkmaar into selling the player. However, it remains to be seen whether they can beat the other Premier League clubs in the race.

Spurs feel as if they are bouncing back after the confusion of Ange Postecoglou’s reign, and Thomas Frank is getting to grips with the strengths and weaknesses in his squad. What is pleasing to see is that another Spurs player on the making is coming on nicely, over at Portsmouth.

Yang Min-Hyeok‘s 23rd-minute strike was another deft example of precision and class, moving one fan to write on YouTube:

“That Korean player from Tottenham is going to be one heck of a player, what a loan we have got. he is definitely our best player at present”

Yang joined EFL Championship side Portsmouth FC on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, lasting until May 31, 2026. This move marks the end of Tottenham’s era with Korean players following Son Heung-min’s departure.

Portsmouth, newly promoted to the Championship after winning League One in 2024/25, sees Yang as a key addition to their attacking options under manager John Mousinho. With two goals on the bounce, Yang is looking the business.

Undoubtedly a tough pre-season at Tottenham affected his early form, and physical demands in the Championship (e.g., against teams like Preston North End) led to early substitutions. However, as of mid-September 2025, Portsmouth staff believe he is “ready to take off,” with plans to integrate him more as he builds fitness and competes for a starting spot.

Yang’s loan is viewed as a crucial step for his footballing maturation in English football’s second tier, potentially paving the way for a Premier League breakthrough upon his return to Tottenham in 2026.

Fans and analysts have lauded his technical skills, dribbling, and goal threat as assets that could help Portsmouth push for playoffs or promotion.

We brought you his debut goal for Portsmouth in a 2-2 draw against Watford here.

The two key takeaways are that today was Leeds United’s first home defeat since September of last year, and that Spurs also broke their streak of failing to win (seven consecutive matches) before an international break.

VICARIO 5: A mix of very good and appalling. The fact that he’s in the leadership group stinks of yet another political appointment.

PORRO 4: Desperately inconsistent. Lost possession 26 times, and his passing accuracy was nothing shy of woeful, down at 62%. What is his role?

ROMERO 6: A daft yellow card, but this was an otherwise authoritative performance.

MICKY 7: Mr Reliable handled Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin well enough and had an acceptable 89% passing accuracy.

UDOGIE 7: Much more like it against a tough opponent.

PAULINHA 5: An off day, with not great passing, wild shooting, and just lacked that creative spark.

BENTANCUR: 5 Lucky not to cost a goal after a poor giveaway. His performance in midfield was questioned for lacking creativity.

XAVI 7: A class act with imaginative passing and a sense of purpose.

KUDUS 9: Exceptional, with strength and intelligence in equal measure. What a bargain.

TEL 8: Fringe player scores a great goal.

This was a solid win, but far too may holes in Thomas Frank’s boat.

A tough afternoon where Leeds United had fought their way into the match as the heavens opened up again in North Yorkshire.

Tough men are required to undertake hard tasks, and they don’t come much tougher than Mohammed Kudus.

The Spurs man burst forward, stealing the ball from a Leeds defender and slotting it home.

Nathan Collins continues to be linked with a move away from Brentford, and Tottenham remain interested in him.

They wanted to sign the 24-year-old defender during the summer transfer window as well. It will be interesting to see if they decide to return for him next summer. A move in January is highly unlikely. He is the captain of the club, and Brentford will not want to lose him midway through the season.

Tottenham could use another quality defender, especially during rotation and injury problems. Collins would be an excellent addition. He has played for Thomas Frank, and he knows the Danish manager’s system. The Tottenham manager knows the player well, and he will be able to get the best out of him.

Frank has previously labelled him as a “very good” defender.

Tottenham keeping tabs on Nathan Collins

Pete O”Rourke said on Football Insider: “They [Brentford] don’t want to lose Nathan Collins. As you said, there was a bit of interest in the summer from Tottenham. Liverpool were mentioned as well as they were looking at a centre-back.

“If he continues to impress for Brentford and as he’s shown already at such a young age, he’s got those leadership qualities as well, being captain at the club, I’m sure there’ll be clubs monitoring the situation and maybe in the summertime there could be further interest in him.”

Liverpool interested in Collins

Meanwhile, Liverpool are interested in the player as well. They will need to replace Ibrahima Konate when his contract expires in 2026. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can beat them to his signature. They could have an advantage in the race, especially with Thomas Frank in charge. The player could be keen on a reunion with his former manager.

Collins will be attracted to the idea of joining a big club in future as well. The move to Tottenham or Liverpool could be exciting for him.

Tottenham Hotspur have now joined the race for Etta Eyong, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to make a move for him in January.

The 21-year-old attacker has done quite well in La Liga with Levante, and he has seven goal contributions in seven league matches. He is young enough to improve further, and he could develop into a top-class attacker with the right guidance. Chelsea and Manchester United are keeping tabs on the player as well.

Tottenham could use more depth in the attacking unit, but getting the deal done in January will be difficult. Levante will be hoping to survive in the top flight, and they cannot afford to lose one of their brightest young prospects. Furthermore, Villarreal have an option to bring him back to the club, and that could complicate any potential move.

Etta Eyong on the radar of top clubs

Pete O’Rourke said on Football Insider: “It would be hard to do a deal in January. Four goals and three assists in seven La Liga appearances, that’s what’s brought him onto the radar of the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United and now Barcelona as well.

“Villarreal have an option in there to buy him back as well. That complicates things as well. I don’t think Levante will be looking to lose him mid-way through the season, because they probably will need Eyong’s goals if they are to avoid relegation from La Liga”

Can Spurs sign Eyong in January?

It will be interesting to see if Tottenham decide to try their luck in January. Signing a versatile attacker like him would be a wise decision. The 21-year-old is capable of operating anywhere across the front three. He is more than just a goal scorer, and he will open up opportunities for his teammates as well.

The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be exciting for the young attacker, and Tottenham could be an attractive destination.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and the opportunity to join them could be tempting for the player as well. Joining them would allow him to continue in La Liga. They have recently won the league title as well. Robert Lewandowski is in the twilight stages of his career, and Barcelona need more attacking depth. The young attacker could prove to be ideal for them.

Rodrigo Bentancur divides opinion.

Have a look at these two reactions to the club announcement of his new deal on X.

This pilgrim subsequently received some well-earned Anglo-Saxon, whereas this chap, Dave, perhaps more accurately reflected the mood…

Five seasons we’ve had of the boy, and yet his Premier League appearances have only run from 17 to 26 games a season.

Five seasons we’ve had of the boy, and yet he’s only produced 8 Premier League goals.

Five seasons we’ve had of the boy, and yet he’s only produced 7 Premier League assists.

Bentancur excels in ball-winning, progressive passing, and linking play, making him a complete defensive midfielder. His stats from the 2024-2025 season (as of early October 2025) underscore this:

Defensive Prowess: Averages 2.8 progressive adjusted tackles and 1.71 interceptions per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top percentiles for DMs in the Premier League. He’s elite in tackling opposition dribbles (41.8% success rate) and contributes significantly to recoveries (e.g., 16 in a single Europa League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt).

Passing and Build-Up: 93% pass accuracy in high-stakes games, with strong long-ball completion (5/5 in the same Frankfurt match) and progressive carries that help transition defence to attack. Analysts note his “unbelievable influence in possession,” often underappreciated.

Versatility: Comfortable in a double pivot or as a lone DM, with recent form showing him reaching “pre-ACL injury levels” after a 2023 knee ligament tear sidelined him for nine months.

Rodrigo has hardly been a linchpin simply because he’s not always available, yet he’s survived under multiple managers on the strength of being a semi-reliable starter, especially when compared to characters such as Yves Bissouma.

When Spurs fans lament the quality of our midfield, it is partly Bentancur who is to blame, because he’s neither a prospect at 28 nor is he an elite-level player. We are back again to that line about Purgatory, from In Bruges.

Yes, injuries have disrupted consistency, and in a stacked Spurs midfield (with Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr, and Yves Bissouma), he’s more of a reliable starter than an undisputed star.

The notion that the Uruguayan was to be rewarded with yet another deal smacks of rewarding mediocrity. He falls just short of the absolute pinnacle due to lacking that extra offensive edge or trophy-defining impact.

It simply isn’t good enough.

Class in a glass from this, a highly promising South Korean professional footballer known for his pace, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability as a right-winger or forward.

At just 19 years old, Yang Min-hyeok has already made significant waves in both the K League 1 and European football, earning accolades as one of Asia’s top young talents.

Tottenham may not be able to simply replace Son Heung-min, but this young man looks to be a fascinating addition to the Spurs squad.

Richarlison apologists sum up much of what is wrong with this club. ‘Oh, he’s been injured’, ‘Oh, it’s his mental health’, ‘Oh, it’s that he’s having to come back from injury’, ‘Oh, he’s a Brazilian international, you know…’

The excuses are endless. The frankly abysmal performances have eventually managed to total 100.

Richarlison’s performances at Tottenham have been a mix of flashes of brilliance and challenges, largely due to injuries and inconsistent form. Since joining Spurs from Everton in 2022 for £60m, he has struggled to justify the price tag fully

Despite his alleged talent, injuries (he has missed 36 Premier League games since 2022) and occasional petulant outbursts have held him back.

This season, there have been flashes, including scoring 3 Premier League goals and providing 1 assist in 5 appearances. His brace against Burnley, including a stunning scissor kick, earned him the Premier League’s inaugural ‘Player of the Match week’ award. He also assisted in a 2-0 win over Manchester City.

Have we seen anything approaching the value of his transfer fee and his wages?

Absolutely not.

What we’re watching is yet another gimmick, courtesy of Daniel Levy.

Against Bodø/Glimt, he only touched the ball 10 times.