The Boy Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur stumbled their way into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 extra-time win over National League side Tamworth on Sunday.

The Lilywhites were overwhelming favourites heading into the match, especially off the back of a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final in midweek.

Tottenham submit offer to sign ‘versatile’ 24-year-old who can ‘fit into several roles’!

However, it took until the 101st minute for Spurs to take the lead, with Nathan Tshikuna bundling into his own goal as he attempted to block a Dominic Solanke effort.

The goal was a huge source of relief to Ange Postecoglou, who saw his side survive some serious Tamworth pressure throughout the match.

Dejan Kulusevski finished the job in the second half of extra-time, finishing brilliantly after some good play from Djed Spence and Son Heung-min.

There was also time for Brennan Johnson to sweep home a third to give Spurs a comfortable scoreline they did not deserve.

Here are the player ratings from a difficult afternoon in the Midlands for Tottenham:

Tamworth 0-3 Tottenham player ratings: Antonin Kinsky impresses again as Spurs stumble through

Antonin Kinsky – 8/10 – Definitely among Tottenham’s best players, doing brilliantly with the aerial onslaught from Tonks’ throw-ins and Tamworth’s corners. Looks like a superbly composed goalkeeper and came up with a huge save in the final minute of second-half stoppage time.

Pedro Porro – 6/10 – Came up against Tamworth’s biggest open-play threat in the speedy Enoru and did well enough, but displayed some terrible decision-making in the final third. Made up for it with a clever pass from a free-kick in the build-up to the first goal.

Radu Dragusin – 4/10 – Terribly wasteful with the ball and was booked for some silly pushing and pulling on a corner.

Archie Gray – 6/10 – A couple of stray passes but did okay in a unique atmosphere.

Sergio Reguilon – 6/10 – Looked quite sharp considering how little football he’s played. Delivered a few dangerous crosses into the box, including one that nearly yielded an assist in the second half, only to see Johnson hit the side-netting.

Pape Sarr – 5/10 – Clean and tidy enough and battled well against a physical Tamworth side, but far too safe with the ball. Needed more inventiveness.

Yves Bissouma – 8/10 – Barely put a foot wrong on the ball and kept trying to inject some pace into Tottenham’s play. Broke up Tamworth breaks well with a match-high five tackles, as well as 13 recoveries, three blocks and a 100% aerial duel success rate (5/5).

James Maddison – 7/10 – Easily Tottenham’s biggest threat, forcing a few good saves from Singh, although he’ll feel he could have been more clinical.

Brennan Johnson – 8/10 – Hit the side-netting with a decent chance at the far post after delivering a beautiful pass to play Werner behind the Tamworth defence. Was otherwise largely anonymous extra-time, when he came back to life by helping to set up the opening goal and scoring the third.

Timo Werner – 4/10 – Wasted a few great chances, which negated a lot of the good work he did in the build-up play and without the ball for Spurs.

Mikey Moore – 6/10 – A good burst of speed in the second half helped set up a header for Werner but otherwise, Moore looked off the pace. Not a surprise given how long he’s been out ill.

Substitutes:

Dominic Solanke (68′, for Moore) – 5/10 – Barely got into the game until he helped bundle in the opening goal. It was untidy and befitting of a terrible Spurs performance, but it was enough.

Lucas Bergvall (68′, for Sarr) – 6/10 – Added a little more forward-thinking to Tottenham’s play.

Dejan Kulusevski (91′, for Maddison) – 8/10 – Added some much-needed dynamism for Spurs and took his goal superbly.

Djed Spence (91′, for Dragusin) -7/10 – Displayed some excellent passing, including a big switch of play in the build-up to Kulusevski’s goal.

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing the Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios before the January transfer window closes.

According to Fichajes, they have already submitted an offer to sign the Colombian international, but the Brazilian outfit have turned down the offer. Tottenham will have to come back with an improved offer to get the deal done.

Rios has been exceptional for club and country in recent months, and he could prove to be a quality long-term acquisition for Tottenham. The 24-year-old is highly rated across South America, and he has the quality to improve Tottenham in the middle of the park.

The player was outstanding for his country during the last edition of Cope America and his performances have caught the attention of multiple top clubs.

Rios is capable of operating as a defensive midfielder as well as a box-to-box midfielder. He has the technical ability, vision, and passing ability to create opportunities for his teammates and control the game from the deep. In addition to that, he is equally adept at breaking up opposition attacks and winning the ball back for his side.

He could be the complete midfielder Tottenham are looking for. They have been linked with midfielders like Davide Frattesi as well.

Meanwhile, Rios has been described by Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira as versatile and someone who can fit into several roles.

He said: “Richard is a versatile player who can fit into several roles in midfield. His ability to both defend and attack makes him a valuable asset for any team.”

The 24-year-old is only going to improve with coaching and experience, and he could develop into a future star. If Tottenham can sign for a reasonable amount of money this month, the move could look like a bargain.

Rios has a contract with Palmeiras until 2028, and they are under no pressure to sell him this month. They could look to demand a premium for his signature.

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on improving their attacking unit with the signing of West Bromwich Albion striker Josh Maja.

As per Fichajes, the 26-year-old has caught the attention of the North London club with his performances in the Championship this season. Along with Tottenham, Chelsea are keen on securing his signature as well.

Maja has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season and he will cost around £15 million. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham step up their pursuit and submit an offer for the player in the coming weeks.

They need to add more quality and depth to their squad if they are serious about securing European qualification for the next season. Dominic Solanke has done reasonably well for Tottenham since joining the club at the start of the season, but he needs more support in the attack. Signing another striker would be ideal.

The 26-year-old Championship forward is well-settled in English football and he has the physicality and technicality to adapt to the Premier League. He could make an instant impact at Tottenham if he joins the club. Meanwhile, the opportunity to play for the North London club will be quite exciting for him. It would be a major step up in his career and he would get to test himself in the first division.

It remains to be seen whether Tottenham can beat Chelsea to his signature. The Blues need attacking reinforcements as well, and Maja could compete with Nicolas Jackson for the starting spot. The reported £15 million asking price is quite affordable for both clubs and it will be interesting to see where the 26-year-old striker ends up.

Both clubs have exciting projects and they will be attractive destinations for the player.

Tottenham Hotspur have not given up on the race to sign Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint Germain.

The 26-year-old French international continues to be linked with a move away from the French outfit, and Juventus are also keen on securing his services. According to TBR Football, the player has agreed terms with the Italian club, but the move is far from complete.

Tottenham are still fighting to get a deal done, and they are quite advanced in discussions with PSG. It will be interesting to see if they can beat Juventus to his signature.

The £146,000 a week French international has not been able to live up to the expectations at PSG, and they are willing to let him leave this month. Tottenham are hoping to sign the player loan with an option to buy.

He will add goals and creativity to their attacking unit and he could help them improve during the second half of the season. Spurs need quality additions in order to bounce back in the coming months and finish high up the table. They will be desperate for European qualification.

Kolo Muani will be determined to prove himself in the Premier League, and he will look to get back to his best. His hunger for success will be a bonus for Tottenham.

The 26-year-old has proven his quality in the Bundesliga in the past and he has excelled at the international level as well. There is no doubt that he has physical and technical attributes to do well in England and he could be a key player for Tottenham.

Tottenham must plug the gaps in their squad before the January window closes and signing a quality attacker would be a wise decision. They will need to invest in a quality central defender as well.

Tottenham are reportedly open to selling Brazilian striker Richarlison during the upcoming transfer windows if they receive a suitable offer.

According to journalist Darren Lewis, the North London club is growing increasingly frustrated with Richarlison’s recurring fitness issues and inconsistent performances since his high-profile move from Everton.

Speaking on Last Word on Spurs, Lewis highlighted Tottenham’s concerns:

“I am deeply concerned about Richarlison because you can’t guarantee he’s going to stay fit. He hasn’t been fit for a prolonged period since moving from Everton.”

“You know, that is the reason why if you guys got a good offer for him my understanding is that the club would sell because he just can’t stay fit.”

“Yes, when he is fit, there is a player there, but you need someone who you can rely on.”

Richarlison joined Tottenham in a £60 million move from Everton in the summer of 2022 but has struggled to deliver on his potential. His tenure at the club has been marred by frequent injuries, limiting him to sporadic appearances and making it difficult for him to establish a consistent role in the squad.

The 27-year-old forward has made just seven appearances across all competitions this season, managing one goal and one assist in only 173 minutes of action. His latest setback—a hamstring injury sustained in November—has kept him sidelined for 17 matches, further fueling doubts about his long-term reliability.

Despite being under contract with Spurs until 2027, Richarlison’s future at the club appears uncertain. Tottenham’s recent signing of Dominic Solanke, combined with their active pursuit of additional attacking options, suggests the club is planning for life without the Brazilian forward.

While Richarlison’s talent and ability to impact games are undeniable, his lack of availability has become a pressing issue for manager Ange Postecoglou. As Tottenham aim to strengthen their squad for a top-four push, selling Richarlison could free up funds and create space for more reliable attacking options.

With Spurs signing Dominic Solanke and showing keen interest in securing a couple of more attackers makes it more likely for the club to sell the Brazilian and recoup what they can for him.

Tottenham are strongly interested in signing Randal Kolo Muani with speculations intensifying over the last week.

It was reported that the Daniel Levy personally flew to France to negotiate a deal with PSG. However, they face strong competition from Juventus and Manchester United, with the Italian giants currently believed to be leading the race.

Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli has hinted at significant progress in negotiations, stating that there could be “positive news over the next week” regarding both Randal Kolo Muani and Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo.

This announcement has fuelled speculation that the Serie A side may be close to sealing a deal for the French international.

Despite this, Tottenham are reportedly unwilling to back down and plan to fight for the player until the end.

Injury expert Dr. Rajpal Brar has urged Tottenham to carefully manage Kolo Muani’s fitness if they succeed in securing his signature.

Speaking to Tottenham News, Dr. Brar highlighted the forward’s lack of playing time at PSG this season as a potential issue.

He said:

“If the idea is to have him come in immediately and play big minutes, then his lack of minutes this season could be a concern.”

“If there is a plan to bed him in gradually and allow him to adapt, it’s not all that concerning.

“My advice would be to gradually ramp up his minutes in the first few weeks rather than expect him to start every game right away.“

Kolo Muani joined PSG last summer in a blockbuster €90 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt. However, the forward has struggled to establish himself under manager Luis Enrique, registering just two goals and one assist in 14 appearances across all competitions.

Despite his underwhelming start to life in Paris, Kolo Muani’s performances during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt have showcased his immense potential. During the 2022–23 Bundesliga season, he netted 15 goals and provided 11 assists, solidifying his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking talents. His overall record at the German club includes 26 goals and 17 assists, making him a highly sought-after player in the current transfer market.

For Tottenham, Kolo Muani could represent a significant addition to their attacking options, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Richarlison’s fitness and a lack of depth in the forward line. Manager Ange Postecoglou is believed to be keen on bringing in a versatile attacker who can operate across the front three, and Kolo Muani fits the profile perfectly.

It remains to be seen whether Tottenham can pull of this marquee signing or not but if they do, it will be a huge statement of intent from Spurs.

Tottenham Hotspur were keen on signing Abdukodir Khusanov from French outfit RC Lens.

According to reports, Newcastle United were keen on the 20-year-old central defender as well. Both clubs have been tracking his progress in recent months and they were hoping to secure his signature this month.

However, it seems that Manchester City are now set to beat the two clubs in the race to sign the Uzbekistan international. According to L’Equipe, Tottenham and Newcastle have now conceded defeat in the race to sign the defender.

Khusanov is valued at £34 million and he should prove to be a quality long-term investment for Manchester City. The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the finest young defensive talents in European football right now and he could develop into a future with the right guidance.

Tottenham are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, and the 20-year-old would have been a quality acquisition. Players like Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are currently sidelined with injuries and Tottenham have just one fit central defender at their disposal. It will be interesting to see if they decide to move on to other targets and sign a central defender before the window closes.

They need to plug the gaps in their squad if they want to do well during the second half of the season. They have been quite inconsistent during the first half of the campaign, and they need to improve if they want to secure Champions League qualification for the next season.

Meanwhile, Khusanov will certainly be excited to play in the Premier League and Manchester City are one of the biggest clubs in the world. They could provide him with the platform to push for major trophies regularly, and he will look to fulfil his tremendous potential under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.

Marcus Rashford has recently been linked with a transfer away from Manchester United.

The 27-year-old has struggled for regular gametime under Ruben Amorim and he needs to leave the club to get his career back on track.

Multiple European clubs are keen on securing his signature, and Chris Wheeler from Daily Mail claims that Tottenham have now joined the race for the unsettled Manchester United player. It will be interesting to see if they can get the deal done.

Rashford could be an excellent acquisition for Spurs. The 27-year-old can operate anywhere across the front three and will add goals and creativity to the side. Spurs are looking to improve their attacking unit before the transfer window closes. They are keeping tabs on French international striker Randal Kolo Muani. It remains to be seen who they end up with.

Rashford has proven himself in the Premier League over the years and he could hit the ground running at the North London club. He will be desperate to prove his quality in English football once again, and his determination to succeed will be a bonus for Tottenham. It will be interesting to see if they can get the deal across the line. He has 10 goal contributions this season.

Rashford could form a quality partnership with Dominic Solanke in the attack and he could transform Tottenham in the final third. The 17-goal England international will want to sort out his future soon and focus on his football again. It remains to be seen where he ends up.

It will be interesting to see if Tottenham try to sign the player on loan this month. Manchester United could look to get rid of him permanently, but it would be ideal for Tottenham to sign the player on loan with an option to buy him in the summer.

Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a scary looking injury during the 1-0 win against Liverpool on Wednesday night.

The Reds were handed only their 2nd defeat of the season by Ange Postecoglou’s side. It was a much more balanced display from Ange Postecoglou’s side who has often been slammed for not showing adaptability to his otherwise intense attacking minded approach to games.

The Reds took full advantage of Spurs’ attacking setup during their 6-3 win, however, this time, they struggled to break Tottenham.

In fact, they limited Liverpool to few chances, with the likes of Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, and specially new signing Antonin Kinsky putting in massive performances.

Lucas Bergvall’s rather controversial goal in the dying minutes of the game ended up being the only goal of the match, giving Spurs a goal advantage in the tie.

Rodrigo Bentancur was involved in a scary incident early in the game as he collapsed to the ground during a corner. He was put on oxygen and later taken to the hospital.

Many speculated that he suffered a stroke but Ange Postecoglou has now confirmed that the Uruguayan suffered a concussion.

Rodrigo Bentancur injury not as bad but will miss next few games

Speaking about Bentancur’s injury, club insider and owner of Lilywhite Rose John Wenham has now claimed that he will miss the next couple of fixtures for Tottenham.

He told Tottenham News:

“Everybody was obviously fearing the worst. However, it sounds like it was just a concussion, which means he will only miss the next couple of fixtures.

“It was disappointing to see Bentancur forced off because Spurs started that game really well, and Bentancur was quite a key part of that. After he went off, Liverpool got a bit of control.

“However, great news that he is better, and we obviously look forward to welcoming him back.”

Bentancur’s time at Tottenham has been marred with injuries with the player missing a whopping 42 games through injuries since February 2023.

This season, he has missed 8 games so far, but all due to suspensions. He was handed a 7 game ban by the FA for racism joke about teammate Heung-min Son while he was handed a one game ban for accumulating the 5 yellow cards.

With him set to miss out the next few games, one can expect him to return for the game against Leicester City if he is given the clearance.

Tottenham have been encouraged to act decisively and sign Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher.

Club insider John Wenham expressed his frustration towards the club’s lack of intent to spend money on signing a player they need when the opportunity is there to do so.

Referring to goalkeeper situation, Wenham has urged the club to spend money to sign Kelleher, a player they have been interested in. With the Reds signing Giorgi Mamardashvili last summer, Kelleher is not likely to be the successor to Alisson Becker in the long-run.

Speaking to Tottenham News, he said:

“If there was a plan to get a genuine alternative to Vicario in the summer, then those plans should be brought forward.

“The club have got the money to do it now. Therefore, I don’t understand why they wouldn’t. Those in control need to realise the significance of the situation we are in and spend some money.

“For example, it looks as though Kelleher might be available this summer, with Giorgi Mamardashvili due to arrive at the club and Alisson likely to stick around. Therefore, go and sign him now, pay the money.”

Since joining Liverpool’s academy in 2015, Kelleher has built a reputation as a composed and reliable goalkeeper, particularly in high-pressure situations. The 26-year-old played a key role in Liverpool’s 2022 League Cup victory, scoring the decisive penalty in a dramatic shootout victory over Chelsea. He was an important part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool who won everything there was to win including the Premier League title.

This season, Kelleher has made 13 appearances in all competitions, recording six clean sheets. One of his standout performances included a crucial penalty save against Kylian Mbappé in Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid. Despite these moments of brilliance, Kelleher’s opportunities at Liverpool remain limited due to Alisson Becker’s continued dominance in goal.

Kelleher may not want to sign for Tottenham

While Wenham is pushing for Tottenham to secure Kelleher’s services, convincing the player may be a challenge. The Irish international is reportedly seeking a move away from Liverpool to secure regular first-team football, a prospect that Spurs may struggle to guarantee with Vicario firmly established as the club’s No. 1 goalkeeper.