The Boy Hotspur

One area within the Spurs side that has been put forward by many fans, notably on match days, is that our number one choice, Guglielmo Vicario, is not quite up to the job.

Training issues have caused concern

The BBC’s senior football correspondent, Sami Mokbel, has been answering questions on Tottenham during the International break.

The undoubted fan favourite is Antonín Kinsky, but there is gossip emerging that all may not be well in his world, either.

But I’ve been told that his performances dropped off, even in training, once Vicario moved closer to fitness. That certainly raised an alarm for the previous coaching team.

Kinsky, the 22-year-old Czech goalkeeper, is widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in his position, often hailed as the greatest Czech goalkeeping prospect of his generation, and this soundbite for the former Daily Mail columnist won’t aid his cause.

This regression has persisted into the 2025-26 season, where he’s seen limited action (just one Carabao Cup appearance so far), leading to questions about his consistency under pressure and adaptability to the Premier League’s intensity. Under new manager Thomas Frank, Tottenham isn’t prioritising a goalkeeper signing in January, partly due to these ongoing doubts about Kinský’s trajectory.

Our view

Portsmouth FC drew 1-1 away at Leicester City, and it was Portsmouth’s new signing John Swift (30, attacking midfielder, formerly of West Bromwich Albion) scored the equalizing goal in the 58th minute—his first for the club since joining in the summer.

The assist came from Yang Min-hyeok, the 18-year-old South Korean winger on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. Yang led the breakaway, beat his marker, and teed up Swift perfectly, earning him Player of the Match honours.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the Villarreal striker Georges Mikautadze.

The 24-year-old has joined the Spanish club this summer after an impressive spell with Lyon. He scored 17 goals and picked up 11 assists in all competitions last season. He has done reasonably well since joining the Spanish club as well.

According to a report from Fichajes, Tottenham would be willing to offer €60 million. Nottingham Forest are keen on the player as well.

Spurs could use Georges Mikautadze

Spurs need more depth in the attacking unit, and signing a reliable Striker would be ideal for them. The Georgian International could compete with Dominic Solanke and Richarlison for the starting spot. More competition for places would help Tottenham improve as a team.

They have started the season well, and they are third in the league table. They will look for a place in the top four and do well in the cup competitions. They need to keep improving the squad, and a striker should be their priority.

The opportunity to join the Premier League club could be exciting for the 24-year-old. Tottenham are a big club, and they could provide him with the platform to fight for trophies. They have recently won the UEFA Europa League. They will be an attractive destination for most players.

Can Spurs convince Villarreal to sell?

It will be interesting to see if they can convince Villarreal to sell the player after signing him in the summer. The Spanish club paid around €30 million for him. They will be able to double their investment if they agree to sell him. It remains to be seen how the situation develops over the next few weeks.

Tottenham have put together a quality team, but they are still lacking a reliable finisher. The Georgian International could fill that void.

Tottenham Hotspur are one of the clubs interested in signing Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus.

The 25-year-old Serbian is likely to be on the move in the coming months, and he is leaning towards a move to the north London club. Despite interest from other English clubs, it seems that the Serbian prefers a move to Tottenham. It will be interesting to see if the North London outfit can get the deal done.

Chelsea and Manchester United are keen on the striker as well.

Dusan Vlahovic preference revealed

Keith Wyness said on Football Insider: “Spurs are the team that I’m hearing he’s leaning towards, and I think that could be something that makes sense.

“If you look at what Spurs have got right now, there’s still that sort of striker position where they are lacking real experience. I think he might be the right sort of fit for them.

“There’s a long time to go yet, but I think in terms of January, it could possibly get done. Vlahovic is edging towards Spurs, and that’s where I’m thinking he may just fit.”

Spurs could use Vlahovic

It is no secret that they need another striker. Dominic Solanke has struggled to score goals consistently, and he is currently sidelined due to an injury. Richarlison has also struggled to find the back of the net consistently. Another reliable striker could make a big difference for Tottenham.

The Serbian scored 17 goals in all competitions last season, and he has proven himself in Italy over the years.

He has the physical and technical attributes for the Premier League, and he could prove to be a useful acquisition for Tottenham. The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be exciting for him as well. It would be a step up in his career, and he would get to test himself at the highest level.

A fresh start could be ideal for him at this stage of his career. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can negotiate a deal with Juventus.

Good evening, all, and welcome to another instalment in this series of daily shorts from The Boy Hotspur himself, sharing opinions on and insights from behind the scenes at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

This afternoon, Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest lost again, which made it 6 in 8 and no wins since the Aussie began destroying the good that Nuno had done.

Marinakis apparently sacked the flop just minutes after the full-time whistle blew in the stadium. With any luck, he will crawl back to wherever he came from.

It’s early in the season, but tomorrow’s clash between Tottenham and Aston Villa sees the third in the division take on those in 13th. This fixture has historically been high-scoring and competitive, with Tottenham holding a slight edge in recent home encounters. Tottenham’s consistency could give them the upper hand against a Villa team that’s finally found some rhythm. The bookmakers think so, and they are currently favouring Spurs at 2.15, while Villa are out at 3.6, and the draw is also 3.6 in most places.

Form guide for both teams

Tottenham sit comfortably in third with 14 points from seven matches, having conceded just five goals in the league—the joint-best defensive record. They’ve gone unbeaten in their last seven games across all competitions, including a gritty 2-1 win at Leeds United before the break.

Our Premier League form reads: W L W D D W.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, are tied for 11th with nine points, having endured a dismal start (winless in their first six, scoreless in four). However, they’ve turned it around with four straight wins across the Premier League and Europa League, including 3-1 over Fulham and 2-0 against Burnley.

Villa’s recent PL form: L L D D W W.

How to stream the game

The game is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025. Kick-off is at 9:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. BST at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

In the UK, it’s Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League. For fans who haven’t started following Nottingham Forest, you can watch us on Optus.

Radio options include BBC Radio 5 Live (UK) or SiriusXM FC (US).

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in the highly rated Brazilian attacker Rayan.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, they have already made contact with the agents of the 19-year-old attacker, and they will face competition from Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Tottenham could use Rayan

Rayan is highly rated in South America, and he has been described as an “extremely unique player”. There is no doubt that he is an elite young talent for the bright future, and he could develop into a future star for Tottenham. They could use more quality in the final third, and Rayan would be a long-term investment for them.

The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be an exciting one for the young attacker. It will be a step up for him, and he will get to test himself in English football. He has the technical attributes to do well at the highest level, and Tottenham could groom him into a future star.

Rayan asking price revealed

The player has nine goals in 2025, and he is valued at £35 million. However, the asking price could rise if he continues to impress. Real Madrid and Barcelona are keeping tabs on his progress as well.

Vasco da Gama will certainly hope to recoup as much as possible for him. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham are willing to pay £35 million for him. They will probably look to sign him for a more reasonable amount of money.

Meanwhile, his performances have not gone unnoticed by Carlo Ancelotti. It remains to be seen whether he is a part of the Brazilian squad for the upcoming World Cup.

Arsenal and Chelsea could use more depth in the final third as well. Both clubs have done well to bring quality strikers this summer, but they need a versatile attacker like Rayan, who is capable of slotting anywhere across the front three. It remains to be seen where he ends up.

Tottenham head into the match with a lengthy injury list, but there are some positive returns. Long-term absentees Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Radu Dragusin remain sidelined, while Yves Bissouma and Dominic Solanke are expected to rejoin training soon but are unlikely to feature. Randal Kolo Muani is back in contention after recovering from a dead leg that kept him out for five matches.

We also witnessed strong international form from young attackers Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel, who are pushing for starts after impressive showings for France U21s (Odobert with two braces and an assist; Tel with two goals), but might that be undone, in the Premier League which is an entirely different level to playing frankly embarrassing, third-rate International sides?

Richarlison is likely to feel fresh after limited minutes for Brazil, and he will expect to compete for a spot in the attack.

In defence, Djed Spence could replace Destiny Udogie at left-back following clean sheets with England U21s, partnering Pedro Porro on the right. Who might have predicted that Spence would be an England go-to player, when he joined Tottenham?

Cuti Romero is rested and ready to lead alongside Micky van de Ven. Midfield duo Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur provide solidity, with Pape Sarr or Xavi Simons vying for the No. 10 role. Personally, I’d like to see Sarr and Simons operate a double pivot and, with any luck, set up Richy with balls that even he couldn’t miss.

Villa’s starting XI is likely to take on a fresher vibe, as Unai Emery could well welcome back Ollie Watkins, who withdrew from the England squad as a precaution after a collision but has returned to training and is in contention to lead the line. But that’s not it.

Jadon Sancho, Emiliano Buendia, and Tyrone Mings should be available for the bench after recent recoveries. Donyell Malen has earned a start following a superb brace in Villa’s last win against Burnley, while Morgan Rogers is hitting form in attack.

How you can watch the game is all here.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Nicolas Raskin from Rangers in the coming months.

The 24-year-old has impressed with the Scottish club and the Belgian national team in recent months. He has shown that he is capable of playing in the Premier League, and the move to Tottenham could be quite exciting for him.

Nicolas Raskin would be useful for Spurs

They could use more defensive cover, work rate and physicality in the middle of the park. The Belgian could be the ideal acquisition. The hard-working midfielder has the quality to adapt to Thomas Frank’s style of football, and he could be an asset for the north London club.

He is still relatively young, and he could improve with coaching and experience. He could develop into a key player for the club.

Raskin fancies Premier League move

According to Football Insider, the player could be tempted to move to the Premier League this summer, and that will come as a huge boost for Tottenham. They will hope to secure an agreement with the Scottish club in the coming months. They have the resources to get the deal across the line.

Pete O’Rourke explained: “I’m sure he’d be tempted by a move to the Premier League. There’s no doubt about that. I think for Raskin right now, it’s a clean slate for him again under a new manager. He’s impressing for Belgium on the international stage as well. So it’s no surprise he’s attracting interest.”

The opportunity to move to England will be hard to turn down for the player, and Rangers are unlikely to stand in his way if a suitable offer is presented. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds.

Rangers will look to recoup as much as possible for their key star, and it remains to be seen whether Tottenham are ready to pay up.

Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in the coming months.

The 25-year-old reportedly held talks with Tottenham before signing a new deal with the Cherries, and the north London club remains keen on securing his signature in the future, as per talkSPORT.

Antoine Semenyo is in red-hot form

The 25-year-old has been in spectacular form this season, scoring six goals and picking up three assists in seven league matches. He’s one of the best attacking players in the Premier League right now, and Tottenham would do well to secure his signature. They could use more quality on the flanks, and the African could prove to be an upgrade on players like Wilson Odobert.

Semenyo has been described as a “box-office player” recently.

It will be interesting to see if they can get the deal done in the near future. He is likely to cost a substantial amount of money, and the Cherries will not want to lose him easily.

Semenyo could fancy a move

Meanwhile, the player will be attracted to the idea of joining an elite club. He has shown his quality in the Premier League consistently, and he will look to test himself in the UEFA Champions League and fight for trophies. Tottenham could provide him with that platform.

They are not the only club interested in the 25-year-old attacker. They will face competition from Premier League champions, Liverpool as well. It will be interesting to see where the African ends up. He has the quality to improve most teams in the country.

Tottenham have started the season, but they need to improve the squad if they want to fight for major trophies. Someone like Semenyo could be a game-changer for them in future. The Ghanaian is entering the peak years of his career, and he could improve further.