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What Tottenham fans can expect from West Ham in Thomas Frank showdown vs Graham Potter

Tottenham and West Ham have had polarising starts to the new season ahead of their meeting at the London Stadium on Saturday evening.

Tottenham had begun their campaign playing excellent football, with no goals conceded up until their most recent game against Bournemouth, where they looked like a completely different team.

While early on in his time at the club, there have been drastic changes in Tottenham’s set-up under Thomas Frank.

How Frank gets the team to respond will say a lot about the character of this Tottenham team and their mentality.

West Ham, on the other hand, had started horribly, being comfortably beaten twice, but picked up an impressive win away against Nottingham Forest.

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For Spurs, Frank will want to right the wrongs of his side’s defeat versus Bournemouth.

What version of West Ham will we see vs Tottenham?

West Ham made many changes ahead of their win over Forest.

Graham Potter went from using a back three to a back four, which gave them solidity and a defined shape. They continued with a double pivot in front to shield their defence.

The personnel changes we saw from players such as Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka being dropped.

Jarrod Bowen was playing at his best at the City Ground, and he has the quality to win a game on his own.

The Hammers will play it safe and need to be organised, as that was the downfall for Tottenham against Bournemouth.

West Ham’s Premier League clash with Tottenham will have an extra bite to it, with it being the return of Mohammed Kudus to the London Stadium, where he will be in for a hostile welcome.

Tottenham cannot afford not to win

Spurs fans were left with great hope following their first two games.

This match against a big rival will prove a point to both fans and the players alike on their ability to bounce back after defeat.

Tottenham have not won at the London Stadium since the 2019/20 season, that being Jose Mourinho‘s first game in charge.

West Ham have been a bit of a bogey team for Spurs as of late. This can be a chance to win a big game for bragging rights in London.

Thomas Frank will be looking forward to his first London derbies in charge of Tottenham.

It is difficult not to feel as though Tottenham are the heartbeat of the Premier League’s London derbies.

The Lilywhites’ greatest rivals are, without doubt, Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham – even if Simon Jordan doesn’t agree with the latter.

However, while the animosity between Tottenham and those three clubs is so great, it does not feel as though the separate rivalries between the Gunners, the Hammers and the Blues are as fierce.

The thought of players moving between Tottenham and Arsenal or Tottenham and Chelsea seems ludicrous, whereas Arsenal and Chelsea continuously trade players with each other.

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Meanwhile, Mohammed Kudus became the first player to move between Tottenham and West Ham for 14 years this summer, while players have moved between West Ham and Chelsea and Arsenal far more recently.

It is clear that Spurs, for whatever reason, have the fiercest rivalries within the M25, and Tottenham News takes a closer look at their feuds with West Ham, Chelsea and Arsenal.

West Ham

Ultimately, just as with all the rivalries on this list, the feud between fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the London Stadium is due to the fact that both clubs are based in London.

However, each rivalry has its own particular nuances and has been heightened by certain events and incidents, both on and off the pitch.

In 2011, Spurs signed key players such as Jermaine Defoe and Scott Parker from West Ham, which caused unrest among the Hammers fanbase and might explain why it took 14 years for the next bit of business between the two clubs.

Five years prior, West Ham beat Tottenham on the final day of the 2005/06 Premier League season in a match which is often referred to as ‘Lasagne-gate’.

Tottenham needed to match Arsenal’s result to qualify for the UEFA Champions League ahead of the Gunners. However, they were beaten 2-1 after a large number of their players fell ill before the crunch clash after eating lasagne at the team hotel.

While there is certainly no love lost between the two sets of fans, Tottenham often mockingly refer to West Ham’s clashes with the Lilywhites as the Hammers’ ‘Cup final’, while they insist that they are more focused on their other two rivals on this list.

Chelsea

Younger fans will perhaps view the rivalry between Tottenham and Chelsea as particularly one-sided, considering the Blues went on a 16-year unbeaten run in league competition against Spurs in the 1990s and 2000s.

Chelsea often get the better of Spurs, who have only won once at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League. However, the London rivalry between the Lilywhites and the Blues dates back many years, to a time when Spurs were more successful in the battles between the two clubs.

In 1967, Chelsea and Tottenham competed in their first-ever all-London FA Cup final. Spurs won 2-1, with former Chelsea players Jimmy Greaves and Terry Venables in the side, creating a feeling of lasting resentment.

This rivalry was intensified in the 1974/75 season, when both teams were at risk of being relegated from the First Division. Tottenham claimed a 2-0 win over Chelsea that year, which eventually led to the Blues’ relegation.

Fast forward to the 2015/16 season, and perhaps the most famous game between Tottenham and Chelsea in a match which is now known as ‘the Battle of the Bridge’.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were chasing down Leicester City in an attempt to win their first Premier League title. They needed to win in West London, and after leading through goals from Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, the visitors blew a 2-0 lead in a highly aggressive game, with Eden Hazard scoring an equaliser late on to confirm the Foxes as Premier League champions.

Nine Tottenham players were booked that evening, a Premier League record for one team. Meanwhile, Moussa Dembele was handed a six-match ban for violent conduct, and a post-match brawl broke out as Spurs’ title hopes went up in smoke, much to the delight of their rivals.

Arsenal

The North London derby.

If you were to ask Spurs fans who the club’s greatest rival is, the large majority of them would respond, ‘Arsenal’.

It is clear why these two clubs are rivals – the Emirates Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are located less than five miles away from each other, in neighbouring boroughs. However, many Tottenham fans will gladly point out that Arsenal aren’t originally from North London.

In 1913, the Gunners relocated from South-East London to North London, in what Tottenham saw as an encroachment of their territory.

The North London derby is perhaps the most anticipated Premier League fixture for neutral football fans, and while Arsenal have often been the dominant force in this rivalry, securing league titles at White Hart Lane, Tottenham have enjoyed some famous days against their noisy neighbours.

In 2001, the rivalry reached a fever pitch when Sol Campbell left Tottenham to join Arsenal on a free transfer in one of the most famous and controversial transfer sagas in football history.

Both sets of fans love to poke fun at each other, with Arsenal often celebrating ‘St. Totteringham’s Day,’ the day when Tottenham can no longer mathematically finish above their rivals in the league.

Daniel Levy’s departure from Tottenham has sparked a huge amount of change and speculation in recent days.

The Lilywhites’ executive chairman announced that he was to step down from his role at the end of last week, and the fallout has continued ever since then, with speculation of a potential takeover rife.

Tottenham have appointed Peter Charrington as their new chairman, and there have been several more changes to the hierarchy of the club as it moves into a new era.

Thomas Frank has only been in his role in charge of the team for a matter of months, and the situation above him is already about to change drastically.

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

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Vinai Venkatesham will be an ‘outstanding’ appointment for Tottenham

Levy’s departure from Tottenham is a decision that is likely to have been in the pipeline for several months, given the timing and nature of it.

The N17 outfit have been adding to their ranks at boardroom level for several months now, with Vinai Venkatesham one of several new faces to have come through the door.

The former Arsenal chief executive stepped across the North London divide to take up the same role at Spurs back in April, after leaving the Gunners in 2024.

Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that his appointment was an excellent call from the Lewis family, who he feels now have full faith in the management that is in place.

“I think he (Venkatesham) is going to be an outstanding appointment long term,” Wenham said.

“There’s a lot of change.

“But from the briefings of the Lewis family, there seems to be a feeling that the mixture of Venkatesham, Charrington and Frank is a triangle that they want to back, and they can see progress being made there.”

Return to Premier League action will be welcome for Spurs

Events off the pitch have dominated Tottenham in the last few days, but with the international break now over and Premier League action set to return on Saturday, it will be back to some semblance of normality.

Frank and Co. will surely be delighted to get back into competitive action, as that should take some of the spotlight away from the events that are taking place behind the scenes.

Spurs have faced a week where every single minor decision has been heavily scrutinised, so to get back to the rigours of the Premier League will be massive for them.

Daniel Levy will live long in the memory of those involved with Tottenham over the last 24 years.

The media, pundits, and former players have all been reacting to the news of his departure over the international break.

Former Spurs manager David Pleat revealed Levy’s ruthless side when opening up about working with the 63-year-old.

Now, two strikers who were involved in a swap deal with the North London club have shared their experiences.

Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora share Daniel Levy memory

Former Tottenham players have praised Levy for the way he conducted business at Hotspur Way.

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Indeed, while some have described Levy’s time at Spurs as a dictatorship, more and more have spoken positively of the 63-year-old.

Furthermore, many have been sharing anecdotes of the former chairman now that he has departed the Lilywhites.

Now, former Tottenham pair Defoe and Zamora have discussed the transfer that took them in opposite directions in January 2004.

The duo were involved in a swap deal, with Defoe joining Spurs for £7million, while Zamora went in the opposite direction to West Ham.

“It was a nightmare,” Zamora told The i Paper on 12 September.

“One of Daniel’s deals,” Defoe added with a smirk.

“I remember when I signed that day, I was in one of those [Mercedes-Benz] Viano’s and it was so last-minute that I had to get changed and put a suit on in the car and then quickly go to White Hart Lane!”

How did Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora fare after Tottenham swap deal?

After sealing a move to White Hart Lane, Defoe went on to be a success for the Lilywhites.

The striker scored seven goals in 15 appearances for Tottenham in his first six months and even guided them to a trophy in 2008.

While he left for Portsmouth that summer, he returned a year later to make it 143 goals in 363 appearances.

As for Zamora, he bagged a goal in the Championship play-off final to secure their promotion to the Premier League in 2005.

Moreover, he helped them reach the FA Cup final a year later, netting 40 goals in 149 appearances for the Hammers.

Looking back, it is fair to say that Levy’s deal worked well for both clubs involved.

Tottenham are continuing to show an interest in signing Conor Gallagher.

The former Chelsea star has spent the last year in La Liga with Atletico Madrid, where he has become a key part of Diego Simeone’s plans.

Gallagher was linked with a move to Tottenham over the summer, and those suggestions have continued beyond the recent transfer deadline, with the interest seemingly mounting as we head towards January.

Thomas Frank added eight new signings to his squad in the summer, but there could yet be another string of incomings in N17 this winter.

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

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Conor Gallagher could get a five-year deal at Tottenham

Gallagher would be a significant investment for Tottenham if they can prize him away from the Spanish capital.

The England international made the switch to Spain for a fee of around £34million back in 2024, and Simeone and Co. would certainly be looking for at least a return on their initial investment.

The Lilywhites don’t seem to be deterred by the likely outlay for the 25-year-old, and it seems that they won’t view that as a barrier to a potential deal.

Ex-Spurs scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – believes that Gallagher could also have the offer of a bumper contract from the North Londoners if a deal does take place.

“I don’t understand why Tottenham never signed him from Chelsea in the first place,” King said.

“The management at Chelsea didn’t fancy him, and he’d only have had to go across London.

“He’s a good age, and he would be a great asset for Spurs.

“I think there would be a five-year contract waiting to happen for him at Tottenham.”

Conor Gallagher deal would offset Rodrigo Bentancur exit

Rodrigo Betancur is facing an uncertain future at Spurs as his contract continues to tick down towards its expiry date at the end of the season.

Atletico have been heavily linked with a move for the Uruguayan, and would be able to sign him on a pre-contract agreement in January.

If Spurs are unable to get the 28-year-old to pen renewed terms to prolong his stay, then a move for Gallagher would be a good way of offsetting his departure.

He is a more energetic and rangy midfielder than Bentancur, and that would suit Frank’s style of football particularly well.

Gallagher received criticism at times for his performances with Chelsea and England, but there is no doubt that he would be a good option for Spurs.

Thomas Frank has a secret weapon at Tottenham who is Jermain Defoe-approved.

Frank will be hoping for a win when Tottenham take on West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday, 13 September.

After back-to-back wins in the Premier League, Spurs tasted defeat at home to Bournemouth. But with the international break over, the Dane will be looking to get back on track.

Despite the strong cavalry in the Lilywhites’ armoury, Defoe believes one player stands out.

Mohammed Kudus to take Tottenham to the ‘next-level’

Kudus will be hoping to impress for Tottenham when he returns to the London Stadium.

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When welcoming Tottenham, West Ham will be taking extra security measures, with Hammers fans still disappointed about how the right winger left.

But beyond the game on Saturday, former Spurs star Defoe believes that he can take the club to the ‘next level’.

Speaking to the iPaper on Friday, 12 September, he said: “He’s gone from West Ham to Tottenham and the West Ham fans aren’t happy because he’s a top player.

“He’s a match-winner and I still think he can go to the next level as well. I feel like he can do more.”

As a result, all eyes will be on Kudus to deliver the goods at Tottenham.

Tottenham may have signed Mohammed Kudus’ partner

Tottenham signed Randal Kolo Muani on loan from PSG on deadline day.

With the international break following the end of the window, Spurs supporters have been patiently awaiting his debut.

It has been suggested that Kolo Muani could start for Tottenham against West Ham, and there is a chance he could form a strong partnership with Kudus.

While Kudus excels on the right wing, he is also comfortable playing as a centre-forward or midfielder. On the other hand, the Frenchman is a mobile striker who often drifts across the frontline.

This presents the opportunity for both players to interchange throughout the game, which could add another level of dynamism to Frank’s tactical set-up. Opposition defenders will be confused about who to mark, while Spurs’ attacks will be more fluid.

As such, the Lilywhites could end up playing some beautiful football with Kolo Muani and Kudus both on the pitch.

Alfie Dorrington is one of the most highly rated young prospects at Tottenham.

The centre-back is tipped for a big future in N17, and he caught the eye during a loan stint in the Scottish Premiership last season with Aberdeen.

Tottenham loaned Dorrington back to the Dons this summer after his impressive spell last season, with Jimmy Thelin’s side having European football to contend with this term.

The Liylwhites opted to send the 20-year-old to Aberdeen despite receiving plenty of interest from elsewhere, and Thomas Frank and co. will now be concerned by the latest development.

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

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Aberdeen omit Alfie Dorrington from UEFA Conference League squad

Tottenham have watched Dorrington be omitted from Aberdeen’s squad for the upcoming league phase of the UEFA Conference League in recent days.

The youngster has been in and out of the team in Premiership action so far in 2025/26, but played in both legs of their Europa League qualifying tie with FCSB.

However, Dorrington has since been left out of the squad for the main phase of UEFA’s third-tier European competition, in is a surprise turn of events from Spurs’ perspective.

Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – sees little sense in that decision, and expects the Dons to regret it later down the line.

“I just think, considering how well he did there last season, he was outstanding for Aberdeen last year,” Wenham said.

“So for him to have gone out on loan there again, a massive part of that must have been that European exposure. So for him to have been left out, I just find it very, very strange from Aberdeen’s part.

“I’m sure they’ll come to regret that decision when they see how well Dorrington plays in the Scottish Premiership.”

Tottenham should recall Alfie Dorrington in January

Tottenham could also have loaned Dorrington out to a Championship team this summer, and they will surely be wishing they had after Aberdeen’s snub.

With that in mind, the Lilywhites must be tempted to recall the defender in January, if that option is available to them.

There is little point in the starlet remaining in Scotland without that continental exposure, when he could be adapting to the physicality of men’s football in the English second tier.

Tottenham appear to have a huge talent on their hands in Luka Vuskovic.

The young centre-back arrived in North London this summer after turning 18 back in February, and with his move to the Lilywhites finally a reality, he has wasted no time in making a name for himself.

Vuskovic featured heavily in Spurs’ pre-season campaign, and turned in some excellent displays that had supporters raving about the possibility of seeing him in competitive first-team action this term.

His recent loan move to Hamburg means that they will have to wait a little while longer for that to happen, but the latest update regarding his progress in the Bundesliga will be music to the ears of Thomas Frank and Co.

Luka Vuskovic Hamburg praise will delight Tottenham

It has already become clear that Vuskovic has a huge future at Tottenham, but Spurs once again find themselves relying on a loan club to handle the starlet effectively this season.

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Hamburg are newly-promoted back to the top flight in Germany, but they are a massive club with a long and storied history, and that pressure of wearing their shirt should stand Vuskovic in good stead for his future at Spurs.

The Croatian is yet to make his debut for the Bundesliga side, but he has already received the sort of praise that will delight the management and supporters in N17.

Hamburg boss Merlin Polzin has delivered a glowing verdict on Vuskovic after he captained Croatia’s U21s side in the recent international break.

“Luka is an absolute leader in terms of his personality and his self-image,” he said, in quotes reported by Bild.

“He takes the lead. He defends with a naturalness and robustness that is good for us.”

The youngster’s physique is seeing him develop into a commanding and dominant defender, but the fact that he is showing such maturity in his mentality is a huge positive for Tottenham.

A poor attitude or outlook on the game can often hold back impressive young talents, but there is no sign of that whatsoever with Vuskovic.

Luka Vuskovic to take Radu Dragusin’s place next season

Radu Dragusin’s future at Tottenham is coming under scrutiny as he continues to work towards a return to full fitness, and it would be no surprise to see him lose his place in the pecking order to Vuskovic next term.

The Romanian was little more than a back-up option prior to his injury, and that is easily a role that Vuskovic will be capable of fulfilling next term.

He was already a relatively close statistical match for Dragusin last season as a 17-year-old, albeit at a weaker level of football.

If Vuskovic continues to develop well across his time in the Bundesliga, then it would be no surprise to see him return to North London and become the first replacement for the starting centre-back duo, which would surely put Dragusin in a difficult spot.

Why Tottenham will be ‘pleased’ Ange Postecoglou landed Nottingham Forest job

Ange Postecoglou is still adored by Tottenham supporters after delivering the Europa League trophy.

Postecoglou was recently announced as Nottingham Forest manager, taking over from former Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

The Australian’s first match will come at the Emirates Stadium as Forest take on Arsenal in the Premier League.

While it will be tough to watch the 60-year-old in a rival dugout, the Lilywhites may well be chuffed with his appointment.

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

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Ange Postecoglou’s appointment benefits Tottenham financially

Some Forest supporters have voiced their discontent at Postecoglou’s arrival, referencing what unfolded last term.

However, if he starts with a win against the Gunners, then that will all be forgotten rather quickly.

Many will have been wondering if Spurs are still paying Postecoglou now that he has landed a new job.

However, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – does not believe so.

“I imagine Tottenham are no longer paying him any salary because he’s taken on another job in the same league,” Wenham said.

“People hear these headlines that when you get sacked, you get paid a certain amount of money, and it doesn’t really work like that. You normally get paid your normal salary until your contract runs out.

“So Tottenham as a club are probably quite pleased that he’s got another job straight away so soon after leaving Tottenham.”

What did Ange Postecoglou earn when he was sacked by Spurs?

When he was sacked in June, Postecoglou had two years remaining on his contract in North London.

Furthermore, it was reported that the former Celtic boss received compensation between £4-7million.

Postecoglou was also due £2m for winning the Europa League, which he achieved in his final game for the Lilywhites.

Now that he is managing Forest, Spurs should no longer be paying him, with the two teams set to meet in December.

Chelsea suffered back-to-back blows from Tottenham over the summer.

When fans think about Chelsea’s interactions with Spurs over the summer, Xavi Simons first comes to mind.

Tottenham signed Simons in the final days of the window, after Spurs missed out on Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-While. But before the Lilywhites, there was the Blues, who had agreed terms with the midfielder.

But Simons ended up transferring to Hotspur Way. However, before the Dutchman, Spurs swooped in to secure Kudus.

Mohammed Kudus favoured game time at Tottenham ahead of Chelsea

Tottenham signed Kudus from West Ham mid-way through the summer transfer window.

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The right winger was eager to join, proclaiming his love for the North London club upon his arrival. However, there was a moment where he could have joined Chelsea.

As reported by The Athletic on Friday, 12 September, Chelsea were interested in a move and even saw a £40million plus Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall swap deal rejected.

The Lilywhites were also keen on his signature and wanted assurances from Kudus, who was convinced he’d have more playing time at Spurs.

Ultimately, Chelsea did not show enough commitment to sign Kudus, who appreciated Tottenham’s determination to sign him. Kudus has since become one of Spurs’ best players, already assisting twice in the Premier League.

How much did Tottenham and Chelsea spend over the summer?

Tottenham and Chelsea both had eventful summers, with the Blues coming out on top between the two.

According to Sky Sports via X on 2 September, Chelsea spent £296.5m in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, the Lilywhites spent £171.2m during the same period.

However, the two differ greatly in player sales. Spurs sold around £17m, while Chelsea received a massive £314.4m. This saw the Blues become one of the few clubs with a positive net spend of £17.9m. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s net spend was -£154.2m.

As a result, as has been the case these past couple of years, the Lilywhites need to bolster their player sales. But with Daniel Levy no longer chairman at Spurs, it seems the North London club has turned over a new leaf.