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Xavi Simons has made a steady start at Tottenham following his move from RB Leipzig.

The Netherlands international joined the Lilywhites for a fee of £52million in the final days of the summer transfer window, and he has already shown flashes of his ability.

Simons impressed for Tottenham in his debut against West Ham, as he notched an assist as part of an emphatic victory over his side’s East London rivals.

The 22-year-old is yet to really explode in North London, but he will still be an invaluable player for Thomas Frank moving forward.

This story includes exclusive comment from ex-Premier League midfielder Martin Allen.

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Thomas Frank warned about squad rotation amid slow Xavi Simons start

Simons started on the bench for Tottenham in Saturday’s draw at Brighton, and missed a huge opportunity in the final stages of the game.

He is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for his new team, and while there have been plenty of encouraging signs from him so far, he hasn’t had the immediate impact that many expected.

Simons is being eased into life as a Spurs player, but former Brentford and Leicester City manager Martin Allen believes that the Champions League will provide ample opportunity for him and the rest of the squad moving forward.

“Simons is a good player and he’s a good asset,” Allen exclusively told Tottenham News.

“When you’re playing in the Champions League, you need every player.”

“You can’t just go through back-to-back games playing the same players. You’ve got to change them. They need resting, and they need freshening up.

“But I think things are really looking up for Tottenham in all honesty.”

Xavi Simons will come into his own at Tottenham

Simons needs time to get up to speed at Tottenham, given that he has never played in the Premier League before.

Frank is a resourceful manager, and that will likely see Simons continue to dip in and out of the side as he acclimatises himself to English football.

However, in the long term, his ability to play either on the left wing or in an attacking midfield role should see him gain plenty of starts as the season wears on.

It’s easy to forget that he is still a very young footballer, so it will undoubtedly take time for him to hit top gear in North London.

Tottenham would love to win more silverware this season after breaking their 15-year trophy curse.

Thomas Frank will look to build on a positive start to his Spurs career, as his side takes on Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

Tottenham fought back to draw 2-2 with Brighton on Saturday, and it was the first time Frank’s team has dropped points away from home this season.

Frank is expected to make changes to the Spurs’ line-up, as Randal Kolo-Muani is expected to make his full Tottenham debut.

Frank will make calculated decisions on his team selection for the game, but one decision the club itself has made ahead of the game could come back to bite them.

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Damola Ajayi is eligible to face his parent club Tottenham in the Carabao Cup

Damola Ajayi first and only Spurs came last season in the Europa League, where he scored in a 3-0 win against Elfsborg.

Tottenham’s plan for Ajayi was revealed earlier this summer, as the club back him to be an important player for the future – nobody would’ve envisaged him playing against his parent club this season.

According to Football London journalist Alasdair Gold, that now appears to be the case.

Frank also confidently said: “It is what it is. I think it’s a great opportunity for him.”

Spurs fans have only seen him in action for the club on one occasion – and he left fans impressed. So can he really cause his own club problems on Wednesday night?

Can Damola Ajayi hurt Tottenham?

Spurs are understandably favourites against Doncaster, but we have seen cup upsets before.

Doncaster have already shown this season that they can punch above their weight, beating Championship league leaders Middlesbrough 4-0 in their own backyard.

Ajayi has had limited opportunity in league one, only making seven appearances, all of which came from the bench.

A direct winger, fast and skilled with the ball at his feet, Ajayi can be a game-changer.

However, as Frank says, it is a good opportunity for him to show Spurs fans what he’s all about. Despite the unusual situation, Ajayi will certainly be licking his lips at the chance in front of him.

Lucas Bergvall is continuing to establish himself as a star for the future at Tottenham.

The young midfielder joined the Lilywhites from Djurgarden for a fee of just £8.5million back in February 2024, and has since made a seamless adaptation to the Premier League.

Bergvall has gone from strength to strength at Tottenham lately and recently became their second-youngest player to ever score and assist a goal in the same Premier League game, in the win over West Ham.

Thomas Frank has a star on his hands in the 19-year-old, and he could be set to give him an even bigger role within the squad in the future.

This story includes exclusive comment from ex-Premier League midfielder Martin Allen.

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Lucas Bergvall can be a ‘catalyst’ for Tottenham this season

Bergvall’s performances for Spurs have already drawn eye-catching comparisons from Jude Bellingham, and praise has continued to be heaped upon him as the season progresses.

The Sweden international has now started in three successive games for the Lilywhites and is enjoying an ever-increasing impact on the team.

Bergvall surprised everyone with his ability last season, and now looks ready to take his game to the next level this term.

With that in mind, former Premier League midfielder Martin Allen – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that he will assume the captaincy in N17 at some point in the future.

“Bergvall is a good player,” Allen said.

“He’s aggressive, he gets his foot in, and he gets around the pitch. Bergvall will score goals, he will make goals, and I think he’s grown up as a man from when he first came into the squad about six months ago.

“He looks like a proper player who’s going to be a real catalyst for Tottenham‘s season. I’m sure one day he’ll end up as captain of Tottenham. He does look like a full-on top-quality player.”

Lucas Bergvall will become one of Spurs’ best ever signings

Tottenham almost missed out on Bergvall to Barcelona, and his signing is getting even more valuable for them with every passing game at the moment.

The Lilywhites have had their fair share of transfer success stories over the years, but securing Bergvall’s signature for just £8.5m could end up sitting firmly amongst their best.

He looks like a player who could become a genuine world-class talent, and as a result, Spurs could stand to make an eye-watering amount of money from him later down the line.

They will obviously hope that the day to sell him never comes, but even if he did move on at some stage of his career, it will still have been an absolute masterstroke from Tottenham to bring him in.

Radu Dragusin was among a wealth of Tottenham players to suffer an injury last season.

The Romania international certainly fell into the more serious category after sustaining an ACL ligament tear against Elfsborg in January.

There has been talk that Dragusin could soon be available for Spurs, given that it has been almost eight months since his injury.

Now, Frank must be careful about planning how best to integrate Dragusin back into his squad.

This article includes exclusive opinion from injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar, a doctor in physical therapy and a sports scientist.

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Thomas Frank won’t rush Radu Dragusin back after injury

Dragusin may wonder when his Tottenham chance will come under Frank, given that he is competing with some quality players.

However, as the Lilywhites discovered last season, injuries can pave the way for unlikely opportunities in North London.

First, though, the 23-year-old will be focused on returning to full fitness after a significant injury layoff.

Now, Dr Rajpal Brar – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that the North London club’s staff won’t risk rushing him back into action.

“Typically, in elite football, the timeframe is around 7-9 months for return to sport after ACL rupture, so Dragusin’s timeframe would be within that typical timeframe,” he said.

“Frank, along with the coaching and physio staff, will be very mindful of his minutes and match intensity as this is a major injury that requires a methodical and gradual minutes allocation, particularly on the mental side of things.“

What must happen for Radu Dragusin to get Tottenham chance?

Amid all the transfer activity during the summer window, Dragusin may have worried about his Tottenham place.

However, the 23-year-old has shown enough during his short Spurs career to suggest he has a future in North London.

Dragusin built on his early performances for the Lilywhites and was a consistent fixture under Ange Postecoglou in the absence of Micky Van de Ven.

With Van de Ven and Cristian Romero fully fit, they are Frank’s undisputed centre-back pairing, meaning that he will find opportunities limited.

The Romanian should not worry, though, as with Tottenham fighting on all fronts this season, there will be occasions when his manager rotates.

Furthermore, Dragusin has demonstrated that he is adaptable and could play as a full-back if necessary.

Having Van de Ven and Romero fit should only be a positive for the centre-back now, so that he can fully recover from his injury.

Then, when the time comes, the defender must show Frank why he is worthy of a chance.

Thomas Frank has overseen an excellent start to the season at Tottenham.

The Dane was handed the reins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the start of the summer, and the Lilywhites have already begun to turn a corner under his guidance.

Spurs have been praised for their bright Premier League start this term, and there will be hope that they could achieve something special in 2025/26.

Frank is already getting positive results from his squad, but he will perhaps be hoping for a little more from one star in particular.

This story includes exclusive comment from ex-Premier League midfielder Martin Allen.

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Pape Sarr praised amid ‘under the radar’ Tottenham claim

Pape Sarr has started well for Tottenham this season, and he looks likely to become a key player under Frank.

The Senegal international is part of a midfield quartet that has been used heavily by the Dane so far this term, and it is clear that he has plenty of faith in the youngster.

The 23-year-old has improved with every season in the Premier League, but there are still areas of his game that need to be strengthened further.

Ex-Brentford and Leicester City manager Martin Allen – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that Frank will be keen to see the midfielder add more goals to his game in future.

“I like Sarr, he goes under the radar,” Allen said.

“He doesn’t get much credit, but he perhaps might not score as many goals as the manager might like.

“He’s an important cog in that engine to allow all those players up front, who have got real quality, to have someone that can close down, get their foot in, help them with the defence and the attack, and get around the pitch.

“With those types of players, you’ve got to let him get out there and smother the game.”

Pape Sarr will have a long future at Spurs

Lucas Bergvall has hit the headlines at Tottenham in the last few weeks, as the youngster continues to build a big reputation for himself in English football.

The Sweden international has an extremely bright future, but it’s easy to forget that the same can also be said for Sarr.

Both of that duo are still in the early stages of their careers, and the Lilywhites will surely be lining both up to play key roles for several years as a result.

A strong spine is a vital part of a successful team, and Spurs may have already got their long-term midfield locked down.

Tottenham now know exactly what it will take for them to sign Conor Gallagher in the January transfer window.

The England international is being heavily linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid, with a return to the Premier League potentially on the cards in the coming months.

Tottenham are keen to sign Gallagher once again, having also shown an interest in the former Chelsea star during the recent summer window.

Thomas Frank and Co. have already turned their attention towards the upcoming winter window, and they have now been left with no doubts as to what it will take for them to land the midfielder.

Tottenham will need to pay £52m+ for Conor Gallagher

Gallagher could be a good long-term option for Spurs, with the Atleti star still having plenty of football ahead of him at the age of just 25.

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He has been away from the English game since he moved to the Spanish capital in the summer of 2024, but it is looking increasingly likely that his return could materialise either in January or next summer.

The Englishman has been limited to largely substitute appearances so far this term, and will need to play regular football if he is to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the World Cup next summer.

Tottenham want to bring Gallagher back to London in January, but they will have to pay a fee in excess of £52million in order to do so, according to the print edition of Mundo Deportivo (23 September, pg. 23).

Diego Simeone and Co. still view him as an important player in Madrid, and as a result, would only be willing to let him leave for a “huge amount.”

It is understood that Spurs are likely to launch a fresh attempt to sign him in January, but they will have to make it a worthwhile deal for the selling club.

Conor Gallagher to form part of Spurs midfield revamp

Rodrigo Bentancur’s contract situation at Tottenham is providing cause for concern, as he could sign a pre-contract agreement as early as January to move elsewhere in Europe.

Yves Bissouma has also been cast adrift in N17, and another option would surely be welcome for Frank, given that he is currently rotating through the same quartet to form his trio in the middle of the park.

Gallagher’s energy and ball-winning would be invaluable within the Dane’s system, and the extra bodies will certainly be needed as the season wears on.

The Lilywhites look set to have money to spend once again this winter, but it remains to be seen whether they will still be keen to take Gallagher at that price.

Ousmane Dembele’s Ballon D’Or win on Monday night has brought up yet more bitter memories for Tottenham.

The PSG winger was crowned as the world’s best footballer at the 2025 ceremony in Paris, after an electric season that saw him named as both the Ligue 1 and Champions League Player of the Year.

Ex-Tottenham hero Harry Kane was also a nominee for the award, but ultimately finished in a lowly 13th place.

The Lilywhites will have been watching on with envy on Monday, as yet more frustration is likely to mount towards Daniel Levy.

Tottenham almost signed Ousmane Dembele twice

Tottenham had the opportunity to sign Dembele back in 2016, when they held discussions about him during his early rise through the ranks at Stade Rennes.

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Borussia Dortmund won the race to secure his signature on that occasion, and later secured an incredible deal that potentially rose as high as £135.5million, as they sold him to Barcelona after just one season.

However, it wasn’t plain sailing for the Frenchman at the Camp Nou, as injuries heavily disrupted his career.

The N17 outfit held a “serious” interest in Dembele, according to journalist Fernando Polo via his X account, but were ultimately unable to get a deal done.

That was a recurring theme of Levy’s reign as executive chairman, and this was just one of many instances where the Spurs chief was found wanting when it came to securing high-profile transfers.

The 63-year-old made a major blunder by not making a move for the wideman, and everyone at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will now be wondering what could have been.

Spurs have to change after Daniel Levy exit

Levy did many positive things at Tottenham on the business side of the club, but his work in a footballing sense often left a lot to be desired.

It became a common theme over the years for the North Londoners to miss out on key transfer targets, and that is something that simply must change if they are to improve as a club following his exit.

The early signs suggest that Levy’s exit will be used as a force for good in N17, but only time will tell whether it proves to be a positive event or not for the club.

Brennan Johnson is not already ‘hero to villain’ amid ongoing Tottenham concerns

Brennan Johnson has seemingly fallen out of favour at Tottenham in recent weeks.

The Wales international netted the winner for the Lilywhites in their famous Europa League triumph back in May, but has found himself largely on the periphery in recent weeks.

Johnson had his best season for Tottenham since his move from Nottingham Forest last time out, as his 11 Premier League goals made him his team’s top scorer in league action.

However, he has been used sparingly by Thomas Frank in recent weeks, and that could create concerns if it continues moving forward.

This article includes exclusive comment from former Tottenham scout Bryan King.

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Brennan Johnson still a key part of Thomas Frank’s plans

Johnson was poor for Tottenham in their defeat to Bournemouth before the international break, and he is potentially still paying the price for that display.

The winger has played a total of just 41 minutes across his team’s last three games in all competitions, with late substitute appearances becoming the norm for him of late.

That is a stark contrast from last season, when only Pedro Porro, Guglielmo Vicario and Dejan Kulusevski started more league games for the North Londoners.

However, ex-Spurs scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that Johnson’s recent lack of football is nothing to be concerned about, and feels that he is still a key part of the manager’s plans.

“There’s going to be enough games coming up and I’m sure he (Johnson) is going to be used,” King said.

“You don’t go from being hero to villain in the space of one summer.

“I think Johnson will certainly be used more without any shadow of a doubt.

“He’s built his career up at Tottenham. He’s done well and he’s taken his chances. It’s just a question of finding out when Frank can slot each player in.”

Dejan Kulusevski return to increase Tottenham competition

Dejan Kulusevski is nearing a return for Tottenham, and when he finally comes back into the fold, the competition for places will only grow even more fierce.

Johnson has been a victim of Spurs’ vastly improved depth in the wide areas in recent weeks, with the likes of Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert also struggling to earn regular starting berths.

Frank has plenty of top-quality options at his disposal in the final third, and that can only be a good thing for him when it comes to selecting his team each week.

However, only time will tell whether he will be able to keep all of his stars happy as the season progresses.

‘I can’t believe Thomas Frank will do this to Tottenham stars after rumours I’ve heard from Hotspur Way’

Thomas Frank will want to do everything possible to succeed at Tottenham.

Tottenham faced criticism over the decision to dismiss Ange Postecoglou after a disappointing Premier League campaign.

Frank succeeded Postecoglou at Spurs, but there were several concerns surrounding his ability to coach a ‘Big Six’ team.

While the Dane is off to a solid start, he’ll want to maintain and improve his performances at all costs. However, Frank will not want to force things to work.

This article includes exclusive comment from ex-Premier League midfielder Martin Allen.

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Tottenham’s intense pre-season suggested as 2024/25 injury reason

Tottenham are still feeling the effects of last season’s injury crisis, with Dejan Kulusevski still sidelined for Spurs for at least two months.

Meanwhile, James Maddison sustained an ACL injury just days after returning to the fold during Spurs’ pre-season win over Newcastle United.

However, former Brentford manager Allen – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – has suggested that intense pre-season training could be the cause of Spurs’ injury woes last season.

“There are rumours and they are only rumours that last year, Tottenham had the hardest pre-season training they’ve ever had,” Martin said.

“There are rumours that sports scientists and technicians behind the scenes said to the manager, ‘this is too much, it’s too intense, and the intensity for the players is going to cause us problems later on in the season’.

“And apparently, they carried on with the same program. The players complained, they weren’t happy, and then the injuries started to come.

“I can’t believe that Frank has made that mistake. I’m sure that he would take guidance and knowledge from his staff and listen to them.

“And if it gets too tough, you have to rest them. You can’t always get what you want as the manager. If their capabilities as athletes are not there, you’ve got to be patient and you’ve got to wait. Frank will not want an injury list like that, that’s for sure.”

How many injuries did Tottenham have during the 2024/25 season?

Tottenham’s injury crisis last season saw several players sidelined for Spurs’ win during the UEFA Europa League final.

The Lilywhites recorded 41 separate injuries, which meant they lost 1,553 days throughout the 2024/25 season.

The fact that Tottenham delivered the Europa League during a season riddled with injuries is a testament to Postecoglou’s brilliance. However, with a new manager and a new season upon the North London club, Frank will be hoping for a smoother ride.

Micky Van de Ven has gone from strength to strength at Tottenham, leading to significant praise.

Alongside Cristian Romero, the Netherlands international has forged one of the best centre-back partnerships in the Premier League.

Despite almost giving away a penalty, Van de Ven was lauded for his exploits against Villarreal, making several crucial interventions.

Given his consistent level of performance in North London, it is understandable that European giants may come sniffing.

This article includes exclusive comments from Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham.

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Micky Van de Ven must prove fitness to convince Real Madrid and Barcelona

After proving himself as one of the leading centre-backs in the Premier League, Real Madrid have been linked with Van de Ven.

However, Lilywhites Rose podcaster John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that Van de Ven has something to prove before securing such a move.

“He would have to have a season this season where he plays 40 or 50 games,” Wenham said.

“Thus far in his Tottenham career, there’s no basis for a Real Madrid or Barcelona to pay the fee we would ask, which would be £90million, because we bought him in for £40m+, improved him, and he’s established himself in the Netherlands team, in the Premier League, etc.

“But his injury record is not one a club at the moment would drop £90m on, but it’s what we would ask and rightly so. So, it’s a difficult situation because until he does a full season, it’s impossible for anyone to go for him because they’ll always be worried about the hamstring injuries that he picks up.”

Tottenham in strong selling position despite Real Madrid links

Son Heung-min was the headline departure from Spurs this summer, but the North London club managed to retain their best players.

Indeed, Romero seemed the most likely to leave, given his reaction to Ange Postecoglou’s sacking and the serious interest from Atletico Madrid.

Over the years, the Lilywhites have held firm when interest has mounted in their players, with Harry Kane a prime example of this.

If the likes of Real or Barca do come in for Van de Ven, then they will have to pay a premium, given his quality and potential.

At 24, the Ducthman has the prime of his career ahead of him, and there is every reason he will go to the very top.

If Tottenham were to sell, then it seems fair that interested parties would have to pay close to £100m to secure his services.

However, with things moving in a positive direction at Hotspur Way, there is hope that Van de Ven can lead Spurs to more glory.