The Boy Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou has admitted he doesn’t expect any players to return to fitness for their clash against Newcastle, despite a week of rest for his squad.

Spurshttps://theboyhotspur.com/category/tottenham-hotspur/ haven’t played since their 2-2 draw with Wolves on Sunday, with this the only time in a three-month period where they won’t have a midweek game.

“They can’t” – 25-goal striker tells Spurs to follow Arsenal’s lead with key decision!

Up next for the Lilywhites is a home clash against an in-form Newcastle United side and Postecoglou has admitted he’s used this rare quiet week to try and aid the recovery of his injury-ravaged squad.

“The main driver in that was recovery rather than anything else, we’ve obviously been on a fairly lengthy cycle of games every two or three days. It gave the guys a couple of days off then get back into it,” Postecoglou told reporters in his pre-match press conference (via Football.London).

Ange Postecoglou provides Spurs fitness update

So, has the downtime helped any Spurs players peel themselves off the treatment table?

Unfortunately, the outlook is rather bleak.

“No, unfortunately, no,” Postecoglou responded when asked if any Spurs players have been able to recover in time for Saturday.

He continued: “So there’s Destiny [Udogie] obviously with the hamstring you know, it looks around the sort of six-week mark for him missing. Obviously, we lose Bentancur suspended, none of the injured ones are kind of back yet. We had a bit of an illness bug running through the squad as well, so a few missing training, but that’s alright, we’ll be ok.”

Tottenham’s task is unenviable, with Newcastle arriving in North London after winning their last four Premier League matches without conceding a goal — also beating Brentford 3-1 in the EFL Cup during that run.

Tottenham are reportedly considering bolstering their defensive options in the January transfer window, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Milan Skriniar identified as a potential addition.

The Slovakian centre-back, who joined PSG in the summer of 2023 after a highly successful stint at Inter Milan, has found regular playing time hard to come by this season.

Having made only five Ligue 1 appearances so far, Skriniar’s reduced role has sparked speculation about his future, with Spurs among the clubs showing interest in the 29-year-old defender.

John Wenham urges Tottenham to sign Milan Skriniar on loan

Prominent Tottenham insider John Wenham has advocated for the club to explore a loan move for the defender. He believes a deal that includes an option or obligation to buy would be a sensible approach, citing the club’s past success with similar agreements for players like Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro.

Such a deal would provide immediate reinforcement while allowing the club to evaluate Skriniar’s long-term fit.

Speaking to Tottenham News, Wenham said:

“It would be a bit risky to sign him [Skriniar] permanently straightaway.

“However, I think Tottenham would be wise to sign the player on loan with an option or obligation to buy, just as Galatasaray are looking at doing. That seems like a sensible deal.

“We’ve done that with other players over the years such as Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero and Dejan Kulusevski. Therefore, the club should look to do it again with Skriniar.”

Spurs’ defensive struggles this season have highlighted the need for reinforcements. Injuries to key players, including Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies, and Destiny Udogie, have left manager Ange Postecoglou with limited options at the back. Adding an experienced and reliable defender like Skriniar could help stabilise the team navigating a challenging campaign.

Skriniar, who has been previously been described as “absolutely top-class” by Inter Milan CEO Beppe Marotta (h/t F365), brings a wealth of experience, having won Serie A, two Coppa Italia titles, and two Supercoppa Italiana titles during his time with the Italian club, where he also captained the team. His performances at the highest level of European football, including the UEFA Champions League, further underscore his value as a top-tier defender.

While PSG may be open to letting him leave, Tottenham face competition for his signature, with Arsenal, Newcastle and Galatasaray among clubs reportedly keen on signing him. Spurs will need to act swiftly to beat competition and bring the defender to North London.

Securing him would address Tottenham’s current defensive issues and provide the leadership and stability needed to push for a stronger finish to the season.

Darren Bent has urged Tottenham Hotspur to follow Arsenal’s lead when it comes to the future of Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian coach has divided opinion since arriving from Celtic in June 2023.

Tottenham have made moves to sign 26-year-old Man United and Newcastle target!

Spurs climbed from eighth to fifth in Postecoglou’s first season in charge, returning to the Europa League after a year away from continental action.

However, the Lilywhites blew numerous opportunities to finish in the top four.

This season, despite playing some exciting attacking football, Spurs have failed to find any consistency and suffer defensive collapses with alarming regularity.

Tottenham currently sit 11th in the Premier League and are already 11 points adrift of the top four, with fans split on whether Postecoglou deserves to keep his job or not.

In Postecoglou’s defence, Spurs have suffered from chronic injury problems over the past 18 months, often dealing with 10 or more players on the treatment table.

Spurs urged to follow Arsenal example with Ange Postecoglou

Former Spurs striker Bent — who scored 25 goals in 79 appearances for the Lilywhites — believes the club should look to the example set by arch-rivals Arsenal when they backed Mikel Arteta despite initial struggles in the league.

“Do you start again? Remember, they’d had Jose [Mourinho], who’s been one of the best, they’ve had [Antonio] Conte, who’s been one of the best, they’d have Nuno [Espirito Santo], [Mauricio] Pochettino obviously, people still talk about those years,” Bent told Ben Foster’s The Cycling Goalkeeper YouTube channel (via Spurs Web).

He added: “They’ve now got Ange [Postecoglou], they can’t now start again. I liken it to Arsenal, I know, obviously, the rivalry. Arteta comes in, I know he obviously got the success with the FA Cup, if you look at their league form, he went eighth to eighth and they still stuck with him even though the fans turned a little bit.”

Randal Kolo Muani has been linked with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain and multiple Premier League clubs are keen on securing his signature.

According to Sport Italia, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are keen on signing the 26-year-old French international attacker. The report states that Tottenham have made moves to sign the striker and it will be interesting to see if they can get the deal across the line.

They could certainly use more quality and depth in the attack and the PSG striker could be a useful acquisition for them. He was outstanding for Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Bundesliga before his move to the French league, and he has shown his quality for his country as well.

Kolo Muani has all the attributes to develop into a complete centre forward and he could transform Spurs in the attack. The 26-year-old could share the goalscoring burden with summer signing Solanke and help Tottenham improve going forward. He is capable of operating in multiple attacking roles and he will chip in with goals and assists.

Similarly, Manchester United need an alternative to Joshua Zirkzee, who has not been able to adapt to English football. The French international could be the ideal acquisition for them. It will be interesting to see if PSG are willing to sell the player in January.

As far as Newcastle are concerned, they have been overly dependent on Alexander Isak and they need more depth in the attacking unit.

The opportunity to move to the Premier League could be an exciting option for the player and it would be the fresh start he needs right now. He will look to get his career back on track with regular football in England if the move goes through.

Tottenham are looking to improve their defensive unit in the coming weeks and they have been linked with a move for Thomas Kristensen.

The 22-year-old Udinese defender has attracted the attention of multiple European clubs and he could be on the move this month. The defender is reportedly valued at £16.5 million and Tottenham certainly have the financial muscle to get the deal done.

According to football insider, Tottenham scouted the player in action just before Christmas and it remains to be seen whether they follow up on their interest with an official proposal to sign the player.

The 22-year-old is likely to improve with coaching and experience and he could develop into a key player for the North London club with the right guidance. The reported asking price could look like a major bargain in the long term.

Tottenham need to tighten up at the back if they want to finish the season strongly and push for European qualification. They have looked quite vulnerable at the back in recent weeks.

Key players like Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are sidelined with injury problems and they need central defenders at their disposal. Tottenham should look to get their act together and make a move for the Denmark defender quickly.

Leicester City and Bayer Leverkusen are keen on the player as well and Tottenham cannot afford to miss out on him. The 22-year-old has a contract with the Italian club until 2028 and Tottenham will have to pay the asking price if they want to get the deal done.

Tottenham are currently 11th in the league table and they will be desperate to get their season back on track during the second half of the campaign. If they can sort out their defensive problems, there is no reason why they cannot finish high up the table.

Tottenham Hotspur have enquired about the English defender Ben Godfrey.

The 26-year-old has struggled for regular game time at the Italian club Atalanta and he has played a total of 66 minutes across all competitions and he is yet to start a game. He needs to move on in search of regular playing time and a move to Tottenham could be ideal for him.

As per Alessandro Giovanni Pagliarini and Rudy Galetti, Spurs have ‘asked for information’, but Wolves and Nottingham Forest are keen on the player as well.

It will be interesting to see if Tottenham follow up on their enquiry with an official offer to sign the player in January. Atalanta could be tempted to cash in on him if a lucrative proposal is presented.

Godfrey is not a key player for them and they should replace him with someone who will help improve their squad.

It will be interesting to see how the situation develops. The 26-year-old defender will be desperate to get his career back on track and the opportunity to play for Tottenham will be quite exciting for him. They are a big club with an ambitious project. They need defensive depth and they might be able to offer Godfrey more first-team football compared to the Italian club.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are currently sidelined with injuries. Tottenham have Radu Dragusin as the only fit central defender available right now. They need more depth in that position and the 26-year-old Englishman could prove to be a useful acquisition for them if he manages to regain his form and confidence.

Given his situation at the Italian club, it is fair to assume that he could be available for a reasonable amount of money in January. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can secure his signature and help him get back to his best.

Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha has been linked with a move away from the English club in the coming months.

According to a report from CaughtOffside, multiple Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on his situation and are impressed with his performances this season.

Tottenham Hotspur have shown interest in the 25-year-old and they will face competition from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. However, Wolves are not keen on letting a key player like him leave the club and they are ready to offer him a bumper new contract.

It will be interesting to see if the 25-year-old is prepared to sign a new deal with Wolves. The player has 10 goals and four assists in 19 league games this season. He is likely to play a key role in their fight for survival.

The Brazilian is entering his peak years and he could be tempted to join a big club in the near future. He will want to compete for major trophies and play in the Champions League regularly. Clubs like Tottenham might be able to provide him with that opportunity.

The London club needs more quality and depth in their attacking unit, and the 25-year-old is versatile enough to operate anywhere across the front three. He will chip in with goals and assist. The Brazilian could be the ideal long-term replacement for Son Heung-min.

The South Korean is in the twilight stages of his career and Spurs need to start planning for a future without him. It remains to be seen whether they can beat the competition for the South American’s signature.

Popular pundit Micah Richards described him as someone who can influence the game with goals as well as creativity.

He said to BBC: “His football IQ is absolutely sensational. He’s the one who can unlock the doors. He finds the little pockets of space and makes the right decisions at the right times.

“He’s always scanning where he needs to be and always plays the right pass. He is so key in what Wolves are trying to do. He is the best at everything.”

If the player ends up signing a new contract with Wolves, he is likely to cost a substantial amount of money. Tottenham could be priced out of a move for him. They will certainly hope that the player does not commit his long-term future to the club.

Tottenham’s season may be faltering, with the team languishing in 11th place after securing just 24 points from 19 Premier League games, but Dejan Kulusevski’s performances have been a consistent source of optimism.

Former goalkeeper Ben Foster recently lauded the Swedish international, describing him as Spurs’ standout player by a wide margin this season.

Foster emphasised Kulusevski’s consistency and game-changing abilities, pointing out that injuries in the past had limited his potential but that he now appears to be hitting his stride.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the pundit said:

“[Dejan] Kulusevski is the man, he’s incredible. I think you’re kind of seeing the real Kulusevski now.

“When he first signed, he was phenomenal, a lot of injuries, it’s held him back but now you’re seeing Kulusevski, he’s been without a doubt their best player of the season so far.”

Dejan Kulusevski: Growing influence at Tottenham

Kulusevski joined Tottenham on loan from Juventus in January 2022 and made an immediate impact. In just 18 league appearances during his first few months, he contributed 13 goal involvements, with five goals and eight assists. After a challenging second season marred by injuries and dips in form, the 24-year-old made his move permanent in June 2023.

One of his most memorable moments came last season when he scored a dramatic 100th-minute winner against Sheffield United, securing the latest-ever comeback victory in Premier League history. Such clutch performances have highlighted his importance to Spurs and manager Ange Postecoglou.

This season, Kulusevski has further cemented his value, featuring in 28 matches across all competitions and registering seven goals and eight assists. His creativity and work rate have been critical in a team struggling for consistency.

As Tottenham seek to overcome their mid-season slump, Kulusevski’s form will be pivotal. His creativity and determination provide a glimmer of hope that Spurs can climb the table and end the campaign on a more positive note.

Tottenham are reportedly escalating their interest in Lecce defender Patrick Dorgu during the January transfer window, targeting the versatile youngster as a solution to their left-back concerns following Destiny Udogie’s injury.

The 20-year-old Danish defender has been on Spurs’ radar for a while, but recent circumstances have pushed the North London club to accelerate their efforts to secure his signature.

Tottenham could make move for Patrick Dorgu in coming weeks

According to GiveMeSport, Tottenham are ready to intensify their pursuit of Dorgu and could make a move for him in the coming weeks. However, competition from Premier League heavyweights such as Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea could make the race highly competitive.

Dorgu’s performances for Lecce this season have been impressive, showcasing his adaptability and skill across multiple positions. After moving to Italy in 2022, the young defender progressed through Lecce’s youth system before making his senior debut in August 2023 during a Coppa Italia match against Como.

This season, Dorgu has demonstrated versatility by playing on both sides of Lecce’s backline and occasionally as a right winger. His contributions include three goals in 19 appearances across all competitions, taking his overall tally for the club to 5 goals and 1 assist in 53 games. (Transfermarkt)

Tottenham’s ongoing injury challenges, particularly in defensive areas, have increased the urgency for reinforcements. With Udogie out of action, manager Ange Postecoglou is eager to add depth and quality to the squad, and Dorgu’s ability to operate effectively in multiple roles makes him a strong candidate.

Although Dorgu is valued at €20 million, his long-term contract with Lecce, extending until 2029, could present obstacles during negotiations. However, Spurs’ determination to strengthen their squad and stay ahead in the race for Dorgu underscores their commitment to building for both the present and the future.

Securing Dorgu would not only provide immediate support but also align with Tottenham’s strategy of investing in young, versatile talents capable of making an impact for years to come.

Tottenham Hotspur winger Dejan Kulusevski is reportedly on the radar of Italian club AC Milan.

Zlatan Ibrahimović is looking to play a key role in bringing his compatriot back to Italian football. According to Milan Live, Ibrahimović has been in contact with Kulusevski regarding a potential move. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham are willing to sanction his departure in the coming months.

He has been a key player for the North London club, and he is undoubtedly one of the first names on the team sheet. Tottenham need to hold onto their best players if they want to fight for major trophies and losing the Swedish international would be a major blow for them.

The 24-year-old has re-discovered himself after a change of role this season. Kulusevski has been used centrally and he has exceeded with his playmaking abilities. Apart from his ability to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates with his passing and vision, the Swedish international has helped the side defensively with his work as well.

The midfielder has 2.3 key passes and 4.3 ball recoveries per game this season and Tottenham will not want to lose an asset like him any time soon. Milan might have to come forward with a lucrative proposal to change their mind. It remains to be seen how the situation develops over the next few months.

Tottenham are currently focused on bouncing back during the second half of the season and securing qualification to the Champions League. They have been quite mediocre during the first half of the campaign, and they will need to get their season back on track with impressive performances now.

The 24-year-old will be expected to play a key role in their turnaround over the next few months.