The Boy Hotspur

Tottenham are set to welcome back midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur after he completes his seven-match ban. His return comes at a critical time for Spurs, who were outclassed by Liverpool in a 6-3 defeat yesterday, leaving them to regroup for their upcoming match against Nottingham Forest on Thursday.

Spurs’ defensive frailties were brutally exposed in their home defeat to Liverpool, where the Reds scored six goals with clinical precision.

Tottenham struggled to contain Liverpool’s high press, and by half-time, the visitors had taken a commanding 3-1 lead with goals from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai. James Maddison’s brilliant strike was the only bright spot for Tottenham in the first half.

The second half saw Liverpool assert their dominance further, with Diaz scoring a brace and Mohamed Salah adding two more goals to his tally. Although Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke pulled one back each for Spurs, it was little more than a consolation for a team that was thoroughly outclassed.

Ange Postecoglou has been forced to field a depleted squad with several key players unavailable due to injuries or suspensions. Both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven were missing for the Liverpool clash, leaving Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray to step in at the back. However, the defensive pairing struggled to cope, particularly as Liverpool targeted Spurs’ right side, which was perceived as a weak link.

Rodrigo Bentancur returns after 7-match ban

Bentancur’s return comes as a timely boost for Spurs, as his presence in midfield will provide much-needed stability and support to a team currently reeling from the heavy loss. His absence has been felt, and with key defenders still sidelined, the Uruguayan’s experience and composure will be vital in the upcoming matches.

Bentancur’s suspension stemmed from comments made during an interview, where he made a culturally insensitive joke about South Korean people while discussing obtaining a jersey from Tottenham teammate Heung-min Son.

Although the remark was intended as a light-hearted joke, it was widely condemned for being inappropriate. Despite Bentancur’s public apology and Son accepting the apology, showing support for his teammate, the FA launched an investigation, which led to the seven-match suspension.

Tottenham appealed the length of the ban, but the FA upheld the full seven-match suspension, which will officially end after the Liverpool match.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to improve their defensive unit and they have made an approach to sign Ben Godfrey from Atalanta.

The 26-year-old central defender has previously played in the Premier League with Norwich City and Everton. The opportunity to return to England could be quite exciting for him. He was on the radar of Tottenham a few months ago.

According to Football Insider, Tottenham have been in contact with the Italian club regarding a potential move and it remains to be seen whether they will submit an offer for the player quickly. They are hoping to sign the 26-year-old on a short-term loan deal during the second half of the season.

Godfrey has struggled for regular game time in Italy and a loan move could be ideal for him, especially if Tottenham are prepared to provide him with ample opportunities. Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven have had persistent injury problems, and Radu Dragusin is currently the only fit central defender at the club.

Spurs need more depth in that area and Godfrey could prove to be a useful acquisition. He is capable of operating as a central defender as well as a full-back. His versatility will be a bonus for Tottenham if they can get the deal done. Signing him on a loan would be a no-risk addition, and it will help them improve without spending too much money.

Ben Godfrey needs a fresh start

Meanwhile, the defender needs more game time at this stage of his career, and Atalanta might not be able to provide him with that opportunity. The defender has made just five appearances for the Italian club since joining them in the summer in a deal worth £10 million. The Italian outfit should look to let him go out on loan so that he can regain his sharpness and form.

Tottenham Hotspur captain Heung-min Son has come under fire from Gary Neville following Spurs’ humbling 6-3 defeat to Liverpool at home yesterday.

While many Tottenham players faced scrutiny for their performances, Neville singled out Son for failing to effectively press Trent Alexander-Arnold, which he believes allowed Liverpool’s right-back to dominate the game and exploit Spurs’ defensive vulnerabilities.

The Reds opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Luis Diaz headed in Alexander-Arnold’s pinpoint cross. Alexis Mac Allister doubled Liverpool’s lead 13 minutes later with a close-range header following poor Spurs defending.

Tottenham briefly rallied when James Maddison scored a stunning curling effort in the 41st minute after Dejan Kulusevski dispossessed Mac Allister. However, Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s two-goal advantage before halftime with a clinical finish on the counter.

In the second half, Mohamed Salah scored twice in quick succession, making it 5-1 for Liverpool. Spurs showed some resilience as Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke pulled two goals back, but Diaz’s late strike sealed the emphatic victory for the visitors.

Gary Neville singles out Heung-min Son

On The Gary Neville Podcast, the Manchester United legend highlighted Son’s tactical errors, particularly his decision-making when pressing Alexander-Arnold.

He said:

“They had some experienced players up top, I think Son was one of the worst actually and I love him to bits, world-class player.”

“But some of his actual decisions to actually leave Trent Alexander-Arnold, go and press Joe Gomez or go somewhere else and then leave that space for Trent Alexander-Arnold to go into was just nonsensical, it was just mind-boggling really.”

It was not just the players who came into criticism. Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara also voiced his frustrations, directing his rant at club chairman Daniel Levy for the state of the squad. Posting on social media, O’Hara called for urgent reinforcements, highlighting Spurs’ lack of depth and the defensive struggles of Ange Postecoglou’s injury-hit side.

Ange Postecoglou has praised Dejan Kulusevski for reaching ‘another level’ this season, despite Tottenham Hotspur’s struggles.

The Sweden international has arguably been Tottenham’s best player this season, sitting first among his teammates for chances created (37), successful take-ons (24), carries into the final third (42) and passes into the opposition penalty area (36).

Tottenham identify Englishman as top target for January, £20m move lined up!

Kulusevski has always been an effective ball player but even more impressive this season is his eye for goal.

The former Juventus man netted in Sunday’s 6-3 defeat to Liverpool, meaning he’s now scored in each of his last five games across all competitions.

Kulusevski has seven goals and seven assists to his name across all competitions this season, looking on course to make this his most prolific campaign yet.

Dejan Kulusevski reaches the next level despite Spurs struggles

Thanks in no small part to an injury crisis, Spurs have endured a difficult campaign so far, sitting 11th in the Premier League table.

However, Kulusevski’s form has been a source of relief and Postecoglou has credited the forward for adding more goals to his game and reaching the next level.

“I think Deki’s been outstanding all year,” the Australian boss told reporters (via Football.London). “That’s probably the next part of his game (goals), not that he’s never had it but he’s adding it now.

“He’s been really clean with his finishing and it’s a credit to him. He’s taken his game to another level. I think a few of the boys have to be fair. It’s probably not as evident at the moment because we’re in a difficult situation.”

Tottenham will hope Kulusevski can continue his excellent form as they face Nottingham Forest away and Wolves at home during the Christmas period.

Tottenham Hotspur attacker Alejo Veliz has been asked to move to Leicester City by Argentine attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte.

The player is currently on loan at Leicester and he has urged his compatriot to join the club as well. Meanwhile, Veliz is out on loan at Espanyol so that he can continue his development with regular football.

There have been rumours that Tottenham could bring him back to the club in January.

Buonanotte believes that he could learn a lot from Jamie Vardy if he joins the Foxes. Vardy is undoubtedly one of the best Premier League strikers of the modern era and Veliz could certainly benefit from playing alongside him.

“I would tell Tanque [Alejo] Véliz to come here to learn from Jamie Vardy. He is on loan but now he is at Tottenham, so I think he knows about this. During the time we were at Central we made a nice duo,” he said via Ole.

The 21-year-old striker is highly rated at Tottenham and he is expected to develop into an important first-team player in future. He has done reasonably well on loan at Espanyol and he is gaining valuable first-team experience with them.

Spanish football expert Graham Hunter once described Veliz as: “Raw, raw as a farm boy – partially because he is a country boy, but they have an exciting footballer.”

Meanwhile, Buonanotte played alongside Veliz during their time together at Rosario Central, and he is keen on a reunion with his former teammate and compatriot. Just like Veliz, Buonanotte is highly rated in Europe and South America. He is expected to develop a top-class player for Brighton in the near future. He is already competing at a high level for Leicester City and he is an important first-team player for them. It will be interesting to see if he can help them survive the relegation battle this season.

As for Veliz, he will look to continue his development at Espanyol and return to Tottenham as a better player next summer. He will certainly hope to force his way into Ange Postecoglou’s first-team plans.

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford next month.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper has done quite well for Burnley and his performances have attracted the attention of the North London club. Tottenham are looking to bring him in as a replacement for Fraser Forster.

The Tottenham goalkeeper will be a free agent in the summer of 2025, and he needs to be replaced. Trafford could prove to be the ideal long-term option. The 22-year-old could also compete with Guglielmo Vicario for the starting spot.

A move to the Premier League will be quite exciting for Trafford, and he will look to test himself against top-quality players.

According to a report from the Mirror, Tottenham have identified him as a top target for January and they are lining up a £20 million move for the player. £20 million seems reasonable for a player of his potential in today’s market. It will be interesting to see if the two clubs can secure an agreement quickly.

Spurs will be hoping to fight for major trophies, and they need to improve their squad in the coming months. Signing the right players in January could help them improve and finish the season strongly. Apart from a quality backup goalkeeper, they should bring a quality central defender and a central midfielder as well.

James Trafford could fancy Tottenham move

Tottenham have an exciting project and the Championship player will certainly be excited to join them. It would be a major step up in his career. Regular exposure to top-flight football could accelerate his development in the coming seasons and help him fulfil his potential.

The 22-year-old is already playing at a high level, and he is only going to improve with coaching and experience. He could develop into a top-quality performer for Tottenham in the long term. The £20 million investment could look like a bargain in future if he manages to fulfil his potential at the North London club.

Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has criticised Spurs’ squad and chairman Daniel Levy following their crushing 6-3 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield today.

The Reds dominated the game, with goals from Luis Díaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and a Mohamed Salah brace leaving Tottenham’s defence exposed.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke scored for Spurs, but it wasn’t enough to salvage anything from the game as Díaz added a late sixth to seal the win for Liverpool.

O’Hara calls out Levy on social media

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), O’Hara did not hold back, voicing his frustration at the current state of the Spurs squad.

He posted:

“Men against boys, Levy needs to sort it out, got a 38-year-old keeper, an 18-year-old midfielder playing CB, a right wing-back playing left back. We are miles off. Read between the lines – this is a poor Spurs squad with a massive lack of quality, built-up players who are average.”

O’Hara’s comments reflect growing concerns and frustration about Tottenham’s defensive fragility and lack of depth, especially with injuries to key players Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven forcing manager Ange Postecoglou to deploy Archie Gray, an 18-year-old midfielder, as a centre-back.

Postecoglou’s side has been hampered by injuries to key players, particularly in defense. The absence of Romero and van de Ven has forced makeshift solutions, including playing Gray out of position and relying on Radu Dragusin, who has yet to settle into the side.

Despite the defensive woes, Spurs’ attacking quality was evident against a Liverpool side that has been defensively solid this season.

With the January transfer window approaching, the pressure is on Levy to back Postecoglou with defensive reinforcements. The club’s injury crisis and lack of squad depth are becoming increasingly apparent, and any hopes of finishing in the top four hinge on addressing these issues.

Postecoglou will be hoping for the swift return of Romero and van de Ven, but as O’Hara’s comments underline, Spurs may need more than just injured players coming back to turn their season around.

Tottenham have set their sights on Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt as a potential summer signing, according to Football Transfers.

The German international, with a market value of €35 million, has captured Spurs’ attention for his versatility and his ability to make an impact both in the midfield and the attacking third.

His adaptability and creative presence are seen as key assets that could bolster the club’s squad.

Tottenham target Julian Brandt to address creativity in midfield

Earlier this season, Tottenham struggled with the absence of James Maddison due to injury, exposing a lack of creativity in the midfield.

Brandt is viewed as a player capable of addressing this gap, while also offering Ange Postecoglou greater tactical flexibility.

Currently in the penultimate year of his contract with Dortmund, Brandt has been a consistent and reliable performer in the Bundesliga.

His ability to play in multiple roles makes him a highly valuable option, and Spurs are reportedly considering him as a long-term addition to strengthen their offensive and creative capabilities.

Brandt’s career trajectory highlights his quality and experience. He began his professional journey at Bayer Leverkusen, where he quickly established himself as a dependable contributor in both domestic and European competitions.

Since joining Dortmund in 2019, Brandt has cemented his reputation as a key playmaker, contributing with crucial goals and assists for the team.

Last season, the 28-year-old played a pivotal role in Dortmund’s impressive campaign, which included reaching the Champions League final. Across all competitions, Brandt contributed 10 goals and 16 assists in 47 appearances.

This season, he has continued to shine, registering two goals and five assists in 18 matches, taking his overall tally for the club to 42 goals & 55 assists in 234 games. (Transfermarkt)

The report adds that Tottenham may have limited resources for January reinforcements, which makes a move for Brandt in the summer a well-calculated decision. His experience, proven track record, and affordability compared to other high-profile targets make him an appealing option.

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for the Ajax youngster Rayane Bounida.

According to a report from Het Parool, Tottenham technical director Johan Lange was in attendance to watch the player in action this week. Tottenham will be able to open talks for the youngster in January, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to make a move for Bounida.

He could prove to be a quality long-term acquisition for the North London club. They have shown a willingness to invest in talented young players in recent years, and Bounida would be a long-term investment for them. If they can secure his signature for a reasonable amount of money, the move could look like a bargain in the long term.

Meanwhile, the Ajax youngster will be tempted to join the Premier League club as well. It will be a major step up in his career, and he would get to test himself in English football. Regular exposure to the Premier League could accelerate his development and help him fulfil his potential.

Tottenham need to improve their squad in the coming months if they want to push for major trophies. Although Bounida might not be able to make an immediate impact at Tottenham, he will be a future prospect for them. They could nurture him into a first-team star in the near future.

The highly rated attacking midfielder has nine goals and an assist in 15 appearances for the Ajax youth team this season and he is versatile enough to operate in the wide areas as well.

It will be interesting to see if Tottenham come forward with an official proposal to sign the player in January. His contract expires in the summer of 2025, and the North London club will hope to land him for a bargain.

Tottenham Hotspur are expected to sign a goalkeeper in the coming months and Liverpool star Caoimhin Kelleher has been linked with a move to the North London club.

Tottenham currently have Guglielmo Vicario and Fraser Forster as their goalkeeping options. Forster will leave the club at the end of the season and he needs to be replaced adequately. They need to bring in someone who can compete with Vicario for the starting spot.

The 26-year-old Liverpool goalkeeper could prove to be a quality acquisition. He has proven himself to be a reliable performer in the Premier League with Liverpool, but he might need to leave the club in the coming months.

The player has been linked with a move to Tottenham in the past as well.

Kelleher will want to play regularly and Liverpool will not be able to provide him with that platform. Alisson Becker is still the first-choice goalkeeper at the club and they have already signed Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will join the club next season.

It makes sense for Kelleher to leave the club permanently in the summer. A move to Tottenham could be an exciting opportunity for the player, especially if they are prepared to provide him with gametime assurances. Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes that he would be a brilliant option for his former club.

Robinson said to Football Insider: “Kelleher’s time at Liverpool with Marmadashvili coming in, that would be a brilliant option if we were talking in the summer.”

It will be interesting to see if Tottenham can secure an agreement with Liverpool.

Kelleher is well-settled in English football and he could make an instant impact at Tottenham. He could push the Italian goalkeeper for the starting spot. Competition for places will help Tottenham improve as a squad.

Tottenham will be hoping to win major trophies in the coming seasons, and they need a deeper squad to do well across multiple competitions.