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A strong start under Thomas Frank has unravelled into a nightmare, and when Tottenham visit Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, they find themselves in 14th position.

Tottenham have posted a worrying run of five defeats in their last seven Premier League matches, with Frank facing the sack by the Lilywhites if results don’t improve.

Last time out, Spurs were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool after Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike struck in the second half before Richarlison grabbed a late consolation.

As a result, the north London side are seven points behind fifth-place Chelsea, with their visit to Selhurst Park becoming a must-win to spark optimism of a Champions League finish.

Thomas Frank has promised Tottenham will end losing habit

Tottenham have won just one Premier League game since beating Everton 3-0 on October 26, and that is a worrying slump in form.

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Fans haven’t been pleased by Frank’s style of football and have felt the Dane has gone too safe in matches, which explains why they are the division’s 10th-lowest scorers.

However, to keep his job heading into the New Year, the former Brentford boss must change their habit of losing, and that is something he’s promised ahead of their showdown with the Eagles.

“I definitely think there are habits that can go both ways,” Frank said via the Mail on Sunday. “There are good habits and bad habits and, of course, winning is a good habit and losing is a bad habit.

“But underneath that are the habits of every staff member, every player. How do you react when there are setbacks in games?

“That is something we are really working very, very hard on. There are bits that are going the right way [in this area], but we are not consistent enough to do that every third or fourth day.”

Tottenham’s attacking data is worrying

Everyone knows that Spurs have found it difficult to score goals in Dominic Solanke’s absence, and even he would struggle to transform their fortunes.

Tottenham are on the hunt for a striker in January in a bid to rectify this problem and hopefully improve their worrying attacking data.

So, whilst Frank has promised to turn losses into wins, there is no proof of talk being put into action, and their woes could continue when they face Palace, arguably one of the league’s best defences.

Richarlison could leave Tottenham when the transfer market reopens.

Richarlison is one of the most polarising players in the Tottenham squad, due to the inconsistency in his game.

Tottenham would not have gotten back into the game against Liverpool without Richarlison, but he often disappears and is not involved in matches.

There was constant exit speculation in the summer, and Thomas Frank may be willing to sanction an exit for the Brazilian forward just a few months later.

Richarlison exit on cards at Tottenham

John Wenham believes that a Richarlison exit could be on the cards in January, as there has been no chatter about a potential contract extension.

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Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, he said: “The thing is against Forest last week, he offered nothing, we don’t see that Richarlison enough [the one against Liverpool], if we did he would be at Real Madrid or something.

“The way he can wind up players of the quality of Van Dijk, Alisson and others, who have seen it all in their career, he causes massive problems.

“If he could do it every week, he would be at Madrid, but he was basically unplayable for that sort of 15 minutes.

“The start of the season, he had a purple patch, outstanding against PSG in the Super Cup, we then play Burnley in the league and he scores two, including that fantastic acrobatic scissor kick, then he can go nine games without a goal, or have a mysterious injury.

“I still think there is a very decent chance he leaves Tottenham in January, I know he has 18 months left on his contract, there was serious interest in the summer, I expect MLS clubs to come back in for him.

“There is no sort of talk of an extension at Tottenham, so, I could still see Richarlison moving in the near future.”

Why is Richarlison potentially for sale at Tottenham?

The 28-year-old has scored eight goals this season in 26 matches, which is not a bad return by any means.

However, his temperament and injury issues have robbed Spurs of a potential superstar, and that is probably his best spell in years.

Richarlison has missed a total of 74 games for club and country since his move to North London in 2022, which is a huge part of the reason why they may be willing to move on.

He can produce moments of magic, but it is not often enough, due to inconsistency and the fitness problems.

Sky Sports News pundit Paul Merson has backed Tottenham to sign Antoine Semenyo this winter.

Tottenham are heading into a vitally important January transfer window.

Thomas Frank is under major pressure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with his side in imminent danger of falling out of the race for European football next season.

Tottenham make the short trip to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Sunday, with defeat against their London rivals potentially fatal for Frank.

Paul Merson backs Tottenham to strike January Antoine Semenyo deal

Tottenham will surely be looking to sharpen their cutting edge in the winter window, with currently only Richarlison (seven) the only Spurs player to have scored more than three league goals this season.

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Bournemouth’s Semenyo has been linked with a move to Tottenham in January, with the versatile 25-year-old forward one of the standout performers in the Premier League so far this term.

Speaking on Sky Sports News on Saturday, Merson has tipped Tottenham to seal Semenyo’s signature, in what would be massive statement of intent from Spurs.

“The one that you just said he wouldn’t go to, Tottenham,” Merson said when asked on where he thinks Semenyo will land if he moves in January.

“I look at Man United, I think he’d have to play at wing-back because they’ve got the two behind already and the way they play, unless he’s (Amorim) sort of trying that now to change it up to see if that’s going to be the way they’re going to play if they get Semenyo, like they did yesterday. That might be one of the reasons.

“Man City? We don’t know if Pep is going to be there next season…So for me, I think Tottenham.

“It’s really open, need a left-sided midfielder, there’s plenty of space and he’ll play every week. He plays every week at Bournemouth. Will he get used to being able to play two games, coming out for one or two, playing another two.

“He might be one of them players that needs to play week-in, week-out. It’s hard. The foreign players can do it, they’ve been used to it. But for English players, and especially for someone like him who has been playing consistently all the time, he might not like that.

“So, it’s one for him to think about. He’s got the world at his feet, and all he’s got to do is make sure, thank God, he doesn’t get injured in the next 12 days or so.”

Semenyo would be major upgrade on what Tottenham currently have

In Mohammed Kudus, Tottenham have an excellent right-winger who looks capable of starring down that side in a Spurs shirt for many years to come.

However on the left, it’s a different story, with numerous players all getting chances to claim that spot as their own, but none have really taken it.

Lucas Bergvall, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert, Randal Kolo Muani, Mathys Tel: all of these players can and have operated on the left-wing for Tottenham at various points in their Spurs careers, but none have really done enough there to present themselves as long-term solutions.

Therefore, signing a proven star in the Premier League in that position, who is only just entering the prime years of his career, would surely be a no-brainer for Tottenham.

Paul Merson is under no illusion that Thomas Frank is in trouble at Tottenham, but he could be saved by one signing in January.

Pressure has been building on Frank at Tottenham for weeks due to poor results and performances that have drawn heavy criticism from fans.

Tottenham now play Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, in a game which could leave the Lewis family with an important decision to make heading into January.

Spurs are ready to spend in the winter market, and the board will have to either stick with Frank or replace the Dane with a suggested £150million being prepped for signings.

But Merson feels like one man who has been linked with the Lilywhites could be the individual to turn the tide for Frank at N17.

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Paul Merson believes Antoine Semenyo would make Spurs fans dream again

Tottenham have been linked with Antoine Semenyo, with it now reported that the forward is expected to leave Bournemouth in January.

The 25-year-old is one of the most in-form players in England, as a £65m release clause can be triggered before expiry on 10 January.

Writing on Sportskeeda while predicting Tottenham‘s clash with Palace at the weekend, Merson explained how Semenyo could be the difference maker for Frank.

Merson wrote: “If Spurs can sign Semenyo, that will give them a huge boost. It will inspire the fans because Tottenham have always missed out on big signings to their rivals in the past.

“I believe that the signing of Semenyo could buy Frank some much-needed time.”

The Lilywhites have a hard battle to land arguably the most in-demand forward in the Premier League, but Semenyo could change the whole picture.

Semenyo could spearhead new-look Spurs attack in 2026

Many Spurs fans are forgetting that Frank is without Dominic Solanke, and so the Dane has had to use Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison more than he expected to.

Tottenham have suffered going forward, but there have been signs of progression in isolated games, and Semenyo could be the man to make everything click.

The Bournemouth man would slot straight in at left-wing, while Solanke’s return would add another huge boost to Frank’s forward line.

Dejan Kulusevski is nearing a return from his long-term injury, as Frank may be able to show off his true coaching abilities with these three attackers available.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank will look to reshape his squad when the transfer window reopens.

Tottenham suffered another defeat against Liverpool last time out, leaving them 14th in the Premier League table.

Tottenham will surely be active in the market, as they have not been good enough in the first half of the season.

However, there may well be significant exits too, with Radu Dragusin a potential casualty of another spending spree.

Radu Dragusin’s chances of Tottenham exit revealed

Tottenham star Dragusin has nearly recovered from the anterior cruciate ligament injury that he suffered last season.

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A report from Italian journalist Alessio Lento claimed that the 23-year-old could depart Spurs on loan, with two unnamed Italian clubs interested in his services.

He states that Dragusin will have talks with Spurs first, which suggests that Frank will make the final decision on whether the Romanian defender departs North London.

Tottenham exit makes no sense for Dragusin

Unless Frank has a replacement lined up, it makes no sense to allow Dragusin to depart when the window reopens.

With Cristian Romero’s injury record and poor discipline, which was on show in the defeat to Liverpool, it would leave Spurs too short in the department, heading into a pivotal period of the season.

Micky van de Ven is the first-choice partner for the Argentine, but back-ups Kevin Danso and Ben Davies do not exactly inspire confidence if they have to come into the team.

Dragusin has shown glimpses of his potential in the chances that he has had under Ange Postecoglou, and he has not had an opportunity to show Frank what he can do.

Spurs learnt their lesson when it comes to poor squad planning last season as they finished 17th in the league, so surely they would not risk the same thing happening again, and allowing the defender to leave.

It would be an extremely risky move, and Frank must make the right decision, otherwise he will leave himself even more vulnerable.

Alfie Dorrington’s short-term future at Aberdeen is uncertain as Tottenham could consider recalling the youngster.

Dorrington’s loan spell with Aberdeen has not gone to plan so far as the 20-year-old has started just three Scottish Premiership matches.

He has made 14 appearances in total but is not considered a starter for the first team when everyone’s available, with Spurs seemingly questioning if the right choice was made in the summer.

Dorrington was initially omitted from Aberdeen’s European squad, but he earned a reprieve and featured in some dead-rubbers.

But it may well be that the defender is back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before too long.

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Tottenham could recall Alfie Dorrington from Aberdeen loan

Dorrington did not feature for Spurs this term prior to heading out on loan, meaning he can still represent a second club in the second half of the season.

As per the Daily Record’s print edition on Saturday, “there is concern Tottenham could recall 20-year-old Alfie Dorrington”.

Kris­ters Tobers has been ruled out for the season and Gavin Mol­loy is also currently missing, with manager Jimmy Thelin prioritising the signing of a new centre-back in Janaury.

“Maybe they still have a jour­ney to do but also in the academy, to cre­ate space and path­ways for our play­ers we have inves­ted in,” Thelin said.

“In Janu­ary, for sure there are going to be move­ments in and out. We will see when Janu­ary is over what has happened. Let’s see how we bal­ance the squad.”

Thelin did not directly mention Dorrington, but reading between the lines, it sounds as though he is prioritising using Aberdeen’s own youngsters over someone just at the club temporarily.

These injuries may free up Dorrington to play more, but Spurs will monitor the situation and do what is best for the club in January.

How is Mikey Moore getting on in Scotland?

Fellow Spurs youngster Mikey Moore is another currently out on loan in Scotland with Rangers.

Moore’s Rangers career has finally started to take off of late after a slow start to the campaign for the SPFL heavyweights.

He recently scored in back-to-back games for the Gers, although the young attacking midfielder is now three games without a goal.

Moore is rated extremely highly at Spurs and, while he has not exactly taken Scotland by storm, he is playing regularly and is being exposed to some intense situations.

Ultimately that will benefit him far more in the long term than playing just the odd game for Spurs here and there.

Hopefully Dorrington also plays more regularly as the season goes on, whether that be at Aberdeen or elsewhere.

Tottenham are reportedly eyeing a move to sign Juventus star Kenan Yildiz amid a stand-off in Turin.

Despite investing heavily in attacking talents in the summer the season has not gone according to plan so far under Thomas Frank, and the club are likely to have to back the Dane again heavily in January.

Mohammed Kudus’ arrival from West Ham has proven to be a qualified success but the headline deal that saw Tottenham hijack Chelsea’s move to bring in Xavi Simons has been a major disappointment so far.

And now Spurs are in position to go up against the Blues again, as well as North London rivals Arsenal, for Turkish star Yildiz.

Tottenham to battle Arsenal and Chelsea for Yildiz deal

According to a report from Tutto Juve in Italy the Premier League trio are positioned to step in as delicate contract talks in Turin stall.

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The “tug of war” between the 20-year-old and the Old Lady is based around wage demands from Yildiz reportedly amounting to around £5million per season.

But no agreement has yet been reached due to financial constraints for the Serie A giants, despite Juventus having no desire to see their star man leave.

Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal don’t have the same issues are said to be ready to offer Yildiz the big deal he wants.

At Tottenham they are believed to see the versatile attacker, who can play on either flank or through the middle, as the heir to the club’s tradition for fielding dynamic creative players, whereas the youngster fits Chelsea’s transfer policy as well, and Arsenal see him as an ideal partner for Martin Odegaard.

What is Kenan Yildiz’s current contract situation?

If Yildiz is to move it is still going to be a hugely-expensive proposition since Gazzetta dello Sport report that his current deal doesn’t expire until 2029.

Despite being the main man at the Allianz Stadium he doesn’t feel he is paid accordingly, having agreed what is considered a “bridging contract” 18 months ago that secured his dream of following Alessandro Del Piero in wearing the number 10 shirt.

However, it only makes him the 19th-highest paid in the Juve squad at €1.7m [£1.48m] a year, when he wants something more in line with what Jonathan David is on at €6m [£5.23m].

Juventus have apparently already offered him a deal worth somewhere between €4m-5m [£3.49m-£4.36m] which is thought to be close to acceptable, but Yildiz reportedly wants to be sure Juventus are heading in the right direction so he can be the Del Piero figure in a new era of success.

However, Juve haven’t won the title in any of the past five campaigns, having won nine-straight prior, and are on their third permanent manager of 2025, after Luciano Spalletti replaced Igor Tudor, and are currently fifth in Serie A.

So doubts over the direction of travel look like giving Spurs a greater chance of sneaking in, although there have to be major doubts that Yildiz would see anything more successful at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium currently so it seems a huge long shot that he ends up at the club.

Tottenham will be watching Luka Vuskovic very closely during his loan at Hamburg.

After defeats to Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, Tottenham travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday in a vital London derby clash to end 2025.

Thomas Frank is under major pressure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Jurgen Klopp being touted as a potential candidate for the Spurs job if Frank is to be axed.

Regardless of who is in charge come January, Tottenham are in desperate need of a strong winter transfer window if they are to finish in the European spots.

That may not be Vuskovic, though.

Tottenham make Luka Vuskovic January recall decision

One department that Tottenham have struggled in this season is defence.

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Spurs have kept just five clean sheets all season, and as per FotMob, are conceding an average of 1.4 goals per game.

Therefore, it won’t be a surprise to see Tottenham target defensive reinforcements in January, but they do also have another alternative that wouldn’t see them need to splash out.

Spurs do have the option to recall highly-rated 18-year-old central defender Vuskovic from his season-long loan deal with German Bundesliga side Hamburg.

However, as per The Athletic, Tottenham currently have no intention of enacting that recall clause and will instead allow the Croatian to remain in Germany for the duration of the season.

Tottenham may be wiser for allowing Vuskovic Hamburg stay in the long run

That may well be music to Vuskovic’s ears, too, as the teenager is currently enjoying a highly fruitful time in Hamburg.

With the Bundesliga in the midst of its winter break until the second week of January, Vuskovic has started 13 of Hamburg’s 15 league games so far this season.

He’s also been able to score two goals for Merlin Polzin’s side, who currently sit 13th of 18 in their first season back in the German top flight since 2018.

Vuskovic is among the top percentile of Bundesliga centre-backs in some key categories, both offensively and defensively.

As per FotMob, he’s currently registering an 85.1 per cent passing accuracy, completed 100 per cent of his dribble successfully, won 70 per cent of his ground duels and 83.1 per cent in the air and made 53 recoveries.

In short, he’s absolutely loving life with Hamburg, and so keeping him there for the full season could do him the world of good, and possibly see him return in the summer as a player who is ready to compete for a starting role with Tottenham for next season.

Pundits leap to Micky van de Ven’s defence after ‘harsh’ Arne Slot claims over Alexander Isak

Micky van de Ven has been defended by multiple pundits against criticism from Arne Slot after Tottenham were beaten by Liverpool.

Alexander Isak suffered a broken leg while scoring as Van de Ven slid in to attempt a block at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend.

Liverpool won an incident-filled game 2-1 as Tottenham finished with nine men, having Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero sent off.

Since the extent of the injury became clear Anfield boss Slot has said publicly that it came as the result of a “reckless” challenge from Van de Ven which risks serious injury ten times out of ten.

Charlie Adam and Dean Saunder back Van de Ven

But discussing Slot’s comments live on talkSPORT former Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam and ex-Wales striker Dean Saunders both stood up for Tottenham‘s Van de Ven, claiming there was little else he could do in the circumstances.

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Adam said: “I think it was a harsh comment in terms of it was ‘reckless’. He’s put his body on the line to stop a goal for his team.

“I don’t think he’s intended to go and try to hurt Isak. Isak is obviously there and he shoots with this left foot and he catches him.

“But I don’t see it as like he’s gone to try and hurt him, he’s defending the goal for his team. Isak’s [got off] a wonderful strike and unfortunately for him it’s gone that way and he’s tangled his leg and yeah, it’s a huge blow for the player.”

Dean Saunders then added: “Charlie, I agree with you… If you look at it from the defender’s point of view, he’s trying to block the shot. It’s a last-ditch tackle and you’ve seen defenders get up off the floor and get everyone patting them on the back for what he’s done.

“Unfortunately, Isak’s not got his leg off the floor. He’s getting his shot, but as a striker that [happens] every week, you learn somehow how to get your feet off the floor and ride that tackle while you’re still looking at the ball. In training I might not even shoot if I knew the player who was coming across who might hurt me.

“So what would you say to Van de Ven there? His other option there was to just let him shoot, so he couldn’t do that, and by accident he’s broke his leg.”

Adam agreed. “Yeah if you’re the Tottenham manager you’d be disappointed in Van de Ven if he allowed the shot.”

Slot uses Tottenham indiscipline to shift heat off Liverpool

The result of Van de Ven’s challenge indicates it was clearly dangerous to an extent but was probably unfortunate as much as anything.

It is clearly a disaster for Slot and Liverpool, with the defending Premier League champions’ form so inconsistent, and Isak’s record transfer so far proving so disappointing.

In the circumstances it is probably not surprising that the Dutchman is trying to shift blame, to try to take some of the pressure off himself and his ailing striker.

Van de Ven revealed he has apologised direct to Isak via text and said he didn’t mean to hurt him, but the context of the game makes it easier for the Anfield hierarchy to point fingers at Spurs.

Simons saw red after a VAR review of a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk, and Romero was shown a second yellow for kicking out at Ibrahima Konate in added time.

The pressure may be on Slot and company, but not to the same extent as Thomas Frank, who can now add disciplinary concerns to the mounting list of problems he has to deal with at Spurs.

Thomas Frank days from sack as dreadful Tottenham stats emerge ahead of Crystal Palace clash

Thomas Frank can’t afford another slip-up when Tottenham face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Frank is under intense scrutiny as Spurs sit 14th in the Premier League table after 17 matches.

Defensive woes are at an all-time high, and the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium exposed Frank’s inability to get his side to play the ball out from the back.

Tottenham have been awful at home this season, and after showing signs of promise on their travels in the early parts of the season, it has completely unravelled in the last month.

Heavy defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have completely stunted their progression, and a visit to Selhurst Park could leave Frank creating history for all the wrong reasons.

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Tottenham have never lost consecutive away matches in the league to Crystal Palace

Tottenham lost this exact fixture 1-0 last season, and they’ve never lost consecutive away league games against Crystal Palace before.

Spurs have only lost their final league game in one of the last 16 calendar years, going down 3-1 at home to Wolves in 2018.

Should Frank’s side fall to a third consecutive league defeat, the Danish manager will have overseen another terrible record that he has broken since taking charge in the summer.

When facing opponents starting the day above them in the table, Tottenham have only won one of their last 19 London derbies away from home in the Premier League, with that lone victory coming against Brentford in February this year (2-0).

That in itself doesn’t make for good reading, and Frank is coming up against a side that has performed well above expectations under Oliver Glasner.

Despite the fact that Palace have lost their last two league games, they possess a huge threat in attack and have been difficult to break down throughout the season.

Mohammed Kudus and Pedro Porro have been impressive for Tottenham this season, and if anyone is going to break the Crystal Palace defence, it will likely be one of these two.

Tottenham’s right-hand side will be key vs Crystal Palace

Porro leads all Tottenham players for line-breaking passes (133) and passes breaking the opposition’s defensive line (13) in the Premier League this season.

Additionally, only Kudus (22) has created more chances for them than Porro (20).

Crystal Palace’s left centre-back Chris Richards was stretchered off in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal, and Spurs’ dangermen will relish playing against a weakened defence.

If Frank is to stop the rot, his two Tottenham stars will have to be on top form, and if they do turn up, then Tottenham should get back to winning ways on the road.

If not, it could be days away from another sacking.