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Tottenham make announcement as ‘impressive’ keeper signs new contract at Hotspur Way

Tottenham have announced that 18-year-old goalkeeper Dylan Thompson has signed his first professional contract with the club.

Spurs have several rising stars that Tottenham fans want to see succeed in North London.

Many have climbed through the ranks and are now out on loan, continuing their development plans.

Mikey Moore is among this group, signing for Rangers after lifting the UEFA Europa League with Tottenham.

After the success of their academy in recent years, the Lilywhites have been keen to keep the best of the best at Hotspur Way.

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Dylan Thompson commits to Tottenham

Tottenham announced on 20 November that keeper Thompson has signed his first professional contract at Hotspur Way.

The 18-year-old is said to have produced several “impressive” performances for the Under-18s this season, having been part of the Under-17 Premier League Cup-winning squad last term.

This follows Spurs’ ongoing process of promoting a number of Under-16s to the U18s from next season.

Harry Hughes is the latest star set to commit to Tottenham for the foreseeable future.

The central midfielder, who has captained Northern Ireland U16’s, is currently out with a long-term injury.

He joins Solomon Olajide, who is also set to extend his stay at Tottenham.

The left-sided centre-back has already made his U18’s debut versus Birmingham, keeping a clean sheet.

Thompson is considered one of Spurs’ best and brightest youngsters, so Tottenham fans will be delighted with the news.

Thomas Frank should give Tottenham’s youngsters more opportunities

Most youngsters who sign their first professional contract with Spurs do so with the intention of breaking into the senior team.

Thomas Frank has given a couple of rising stars the chance to impress this season.

Luca Williams-Barnett debuted for Tottenham in their 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers earlier this season.

Meanwhile, Dane Scarlett was given minutes and won a penalty in Spurs’ 4-0 victory over Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League back in October.

The Dane is a good rotational coach, but has been hesitant to dip into the academy further this season.

But given the Lilywhites’ mounting injuries and plenty of football left to play, Frank should look to integrate a couple more youngsters.

Tottenham fans to sweat as ‘longer-term’ Lucas Bergvall problem mooted amid ‘strange’ scenes

Tottenham fans should be concerned if Lucas Bergvall’s concussion injury continues.

Bergvall was substituted with a head injury during Spurs’ 1-0 defeat to Chelsea earlier this month.

As per concussion protocol, the midfielder was then sidelined during Tottenham’s 2-2 draw to Manchester United before the international break.

However, Bergvall returned to Tottenham from the Sweden national team camp due to the injury in a turn of events which have spun fans.

Tottenham in trouble if Lucas Bergvall sidelined longer

Bergvall has been an important player for Thomas Frank this season.

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While his season started slow, the Swedish international soon gained the Dane’s trust and began starting regularly for the North London club.

Bergvall has made nine appearances in the Premier League this season

However, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Tottenham expert and Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham believes his prolonged absence could be cause for concern for Spurs.

“You start thinking it might be a longer-term problem,” Wenham said.

“Obviously, with the concussion protocols, you have the seven days you miss. He missed the Man United game, and he missed the game for Sweden as well.

“So, it seems strange that if there was any issue whatsoever that he would have gone away with Sweden, but there’s probably some sort of protocol where your national team have to check on you before you can be sent back.

“And it seems like the issue was long-standing, but hopefully that’s worn off now, and fingers crossed he’s available to make the squad on Sunday.”

Lucas Bergvall will be a huge miss against Arsenal

Tottenham travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday.

Spurs are already second favourites to win against Arsenal, and Bergvall’s absence would decrease their odds further.

Other than the defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, Spurs have not lost a game Bergvall has started.

The 19-year-old brings a level of stability to Tottenham’s midfield that the others cannot replicate in his absence.

As a result, the Lilywhites could have a tough time against their rivals in his absence.

Micah Richards still has Tottenham star Djed Spence at the top of his list for England.

Spence is hoping to play for England at the 2026 World Cup and was recently away with his nation for international duties.

The versatile defender was caught ignoring Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank after the Lilywhites lost 1-0 to Chelsea earlier in November.

Thomas Tuchel has expressed his disappointment in Spence for the situation, with the Tottenham star possibly having to get back into the England good books once again.

However, Richards does not doubt Spence‘s involvement at the World Cup, and even swatted away suggestions for an Arsenal man instead.

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Micah Richards snubs Myles Lewis-Skelly in favour of Djed Spence for England spot

Spence has been a revelation under Frank at Spurs, and has seen most success at left-back due to Pedro Porro’s great form.

The 25-year-old defender has started nine times in the Premier League this season, helping Tottenham to fifth in the table.

Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast on Wednesday, Richards was in conversation with Gary Lineker and was adamant on Spence being England’s first-choice left-back over Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Richards said: “You know what? I’d play Djed Spence, that’s who I would play.”

Lineker then butted in: “Ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly?”

“But he [Spence] plays there consistently and is very good defensively and offensively from the left,” the former Man City star ended it with.

Spence now has a massive few months left in the Premier League season to further prove to Tuchel that he is worthy of an England spot.

Spence has time to prove his worth to Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel said that he “didn’t like” seeing Spence walking past Frank and pointed to how England players need to show more respect in the public eye, even when they aren’t representing their country.

Frank has accepted an apology from Spence and Spurs team-mate Micky van de Ven for the incident, with all seeming to be good at N17 once again.

Tottenham now play Arsenal on Sunday in what is tipped to be a fierce North London derby, with Spence needing to put on a good performance.

There isn’t another international break until March now, which leaves plenty of time for Spence to show Tuchel what he needs to bring to North America.

Destiny Udogie faces brutal Tottenham test, he will be path to victory vs Arsenal

Destiny Udogie is set to face up against Bukayo Saka on Sunday as Tottenham visit Arsenal for the North London derby.

Thomas Frank is expected to start Udogie amid several changes against Arsenal, after the Italy international made a great impression off the bench against Manchester United.

Tottenham drew 2-2 with Manchester United before the international break, with Matthijs de Ligt scoring late on to cancel out Richarlison‘s goal.

It was ultimately a disappointing day for Frank‘s side, who had looked to have finally overturned a dismal run of form at home in the Premier League.

Arsenal are the favourites to beat Tottenham at the Emirates on 23 November, despite the Lilywhites’ strong away form this season.

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Bukayo Saka is a constant threat vs Tottenham

The North London derby has always seemed to have one prominent player who rises to the occasion every single time.

It was Thierry Henry for many years, before Harry Kane took over the mantle and made Arsenal his favourite opposition.

Given Arsenal’s dominance in the North London derby in recent years, that title has now fallen to Saka.

The winger has made 10 appearances against Tottenham since breaking into the Arsenal team, scoring three goals and providing four assists in his last seven North London derbies.

Saka has started this season in strong form, too, and will be tasked with driving the Gunners forward on Sunday amid injuries to several attackers.

Destiny Udogie must stop Saka

In truth, it will not be just down to Udogie to stop Saka. The forward will likely be double, if not triple-marked at times, although it will be the one-versus-one situations which prove key.

The England international has won 51.9 per cent of his duels this season, and has completed 50 per cent of his dribbles for a total of 17.

He will run at Udogie, but the defender’s job will be made more difficult by the two-footedness of his opposition.

Saka can score on either foot, but certainly does favour his left. The Tottenham defender has spent much of his time this season on the bench, but he will now have to step up and stop Saka getting on that left.

Udogie has been dribbled past just three times in the Premier League this season and has won 52.6 per cent of his duels, which does provide some confidence.

And when the two met at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season, Saka was kept quiet for much of the game until he provided the corner for Gabriel’s goal.

Given Arsenal’s current injuries, it is likely that Mikel Arteta‘s team will be relying on the impact of their number seven. It will be a match-up that may well prove decisive, and Udogie must ensure he wins it.

Simon Jordan believes that Jose Mourinho’s infamous Tottenham sacking came after players went to Daniel Levy with their issues.

The Portuguese manager was suddenly removed in April 2021 less than a week before Spurs faced Man City in the League Cup final.

They would lose 1-0 under caretaker Ryan Mason, and Mourinho would subsequently claim that Tottenham is the only one of his former clubs he doesn’t have a deep feeling for as a result.

Levy left his role running Tottenham earlier this year, and personal acquaintance Jordan has now indicated his understanding that it was Spurs players expressing their displeasure with The Special One to the former chairman at the time that sparked the departure.

Tottenham players went to Daniel Levy over Jose Mourinho

Prior to Ange Postecoglou‘s triumph in the Europa League last term the League Cup loss had gone down as one of the best missed chances to end the trophy drought in recent years, and Mourinho’s record in finals made the sacking that much more of a shock.

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During a discussion live on talkSPORT about the progress of North London rivals Spurs and Arsenal over the past five years Jim White wanted to know if Jordan had managed to get to the bottom of the exit.

White asked: “Actually, along the way, Simon, did you ever get the truth as to why Daniel and Tottenham parted company with Mourinho days before Tottenham played in a League Cup final?”

“Well, I got an understanding of the fact that the players didn’t want to play for Mourinho,” Jordan answered. “There was a significant lobby of players that pretty much marched up to the owner’s door, or the chairman’s door, to tell [him] they didn’t want to play for Mourinho.

“Now, how much of that is misrepresentation or misclassification or slight exaggeration I don’t really know, but to take him out on the eve of a final was something you wouldn’t have expected. But Mourinho will evoke reactions in people.”

Thomas Frank has to break hiring and firing cycle

That Tottenham have cycled through so many managers in recent years is a measure of how they have continually been searching for the formula to get over the hump.

It won’t be lost on many Spurs fans that even in finally landing a major European trophy they hadn’t truly found the answer, as Tottenham still sacked Postecoglou after finishing 17th in the Premier League.

Some believe replacing the Australian with Thomas Frank as Tottenham boss was a mistake, and the Dane still has a long way to go to prove he is the man for the long term.

Levy’s exit has fundamentally changed how the club is set to be run moving forward, and all the facilities are in place to be the best, but question marks remain over the recruitment following last summer’s window as the team continues to perform inconsistently.

‘If I could pick one Arsenal player to be unavailable vs Tottenham, it’d be him’

Tottenham have been told that Gabriel Magalhaes’ injury will be a “phenomenal boost” against Arsenal.

Tottenham travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the North London derby on Sunday.

Arsenal are set to be without Gabriel, who suffered a thigh injury during Brazil’s 2-0 win over Senegal during the November international break.

While Tottenham are not the favourites to win against Arsenal, Gabriel’s injury may have just boosted their chances against Mikel Arteta’s side in the Premier League clash.

Arsenal will miss Gabriel Magalhaes against Tottenham

Gabriel has faced Tottenham 10 times as an Arsenal player and has won seven of those. The two rivals drew once, and the Gunners lost the other two games.

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While the length of his injury is unknown, there are fears he could be sidelined for several weeks.

The defender nearly always shows up for his team, and as a result, speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, Tottenham expert and Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham believes his absence could be a huge advantage for Spurs.

“If he is missing, it’s a phenomenal boost because he got the Man of the Match in the last three games against us,” Wenham said.

“He scores every time with the same headed goal, and does that annoying face. If I could pick one Arsenal player to be unavailable, it’d probably be him. I hate to say it, but he’s phenomenal against us every game, and he gets what the derby means.

“He just delivers when it matters for them. For me personally, if I could pick someone to be unavailable, it would probably be him for this particular game.”

Tottenham have their own Gabriel Magalhaes

Micky van de Ven became Spurs’ top scorer in all competitions during their 3-0 win over Everton in the Premier League last month.

The defender has been a secret weapon for the Lilywhites this season and could net again against their rivals.

Thus, if Van de Ven continues his stellar goalscoring form for Tottenham, Frank’s side could surprise several spectators on Sunday.

Tottenham’s plans for the January transfer window have been revealed, and they are all about the signing of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

It’s been reported that Tottenham hold a genuine interest in Semenyo, with the Lilywhites hopeful of improving their squad in January.

Spurs fans have pleaded for the signing of Semenyo, with the Cherries now “powerless” to keep a hold of their talisman.

The Bournemouth forward has a reported release clause of £65m, and Tottenham will hope Joe Lewis’ recent £100m cash boost can help finalise a deal.

A new update has further confirmed the Lilywhites’ plans of intent to sign the Ghanaian.

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David Ornstein suggests Tottenham will make a statement signing in January

Semenyo is currently only behind Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago in the Premier League goal-scoring charts.

The former Bristol City forward is said to be keen to move on from the Cherries, and Tottenham could make quick progress securing a deal for the versatile attacker.

On Thursday, David Ornstein was speaking on The Athletic FC podcast when he confirmed interest in Semenyo and Tottenham’s plan to make a statement in January.

Ornstein said: “The sounds coming from around Spurs is that they’re ready to do something in January to bolster their squad further.”

He also named Tottenham as one of three leading Premier League clubs who are reportedly in the frame for Semenyo’s signature, alongside Manchester City and Liverpool.

However, it’s not going to be an easy deal for Tottenham to conclude, even if the finances are there.

Tottenham are in an uphill battle for Antoine Semenyo’s signature

Lewis and his family want to make Tottenham competitors both domestically and internationally, which makes the potential signing of Semenyo seem pivotal for success.

Thomas Frank will be happy to add in forward areas with Mohammed Kudus, the only real standout for the head coach this campaign.

The problem for Spurs is that if Liverpool or Man City are to match them in paying his release clause, the winger may very well choose against joining Frank’s side.

Tottenham are currently fifth in the table, with Liverpool in need of a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, and City chasing another Premier League title.

As things stand, the other two clubs interested in Semenyo may come across as a more appealing offer, and Lewis may have his work cut out for him.

Randal Kolo Muani has trained in a specifically fitted mask before Tottenham face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

Kolo Muani was substituted with a jaw injury during Spurs’ 2-2 draw against Manchester United before the November international break.

It was initially believed that Tottenham would see Kolo Muani sidelined for an extended period of time.

However, the French international has now trained with a fitted mask as Spurs assess whether he’ll be fit to feature in the North London derby, according to The Telegraph on 20 November.

The medics did not give a specific timescale on the duration of his injury and it remains to be seen whether he’ll receive minutes against the Gunners.

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Randal Kolo Muani following in Harry Kane’s footsteps

Tottenham fans will remember that Harry Kane wore a mask after breaking his nose and netting a sensational winning goal against Arsenal in 2016.

The goal sparked an iconic moment where the England captain tore his mask off in celebration.

The former Spurs star departed North London in 2023 for Bayern Munich in search of winning silverware.

Tottenham have since lifted the Europa League, while the England international went on to win the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.

Kane has recently been linked with a return to Tottenham, but it remains to be seen whether a deal will be struck this summer.

In the meantime, Tottenham fans will both dream and hope of a Kane repeat if a masked Kolo Muani steps onto the pitch against Arsenal.

Tottenham handed welcome boost vs Arsenal

Tottenham’s odds of a win against Arsenal would increase dramatically if Kolo Muani is named in Thomas Frank‘s squad.

The forward has struggled to find his scoring boots this season:

However, Kolo Muani’s sheer presence has allowed his teammates to get into games.

His link-up and hold-up play is excellent, and his movement has created sufficient space in and around the penalty area.

Therefore, what he lacks in goals he makes up for in movement. And who knows? Perhaps he’ll net his first Spurs goal against their bitter rivals on Sunday. That would certainly be poetic.

Tottenham have offered central midfielder Harry Hughes a scholarship to join the Under-18s next season.

The Lilywhites have not only invested in their academy these past couple of years, but have developed top-notch talents in the process.

Lucas Williams-Barnett is the most well-known and became legacy number 900 in his debut during Spurs’ 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.

Meanwhile, Tottenham have also seen talents like Tyrese Hall thrive while on loan.

As a result, the North London club have been keen to keep the best of a solid bunch at Hotspur Way.

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Harry Hughes to pen new deal at Tottenham

Central midfielder Hughes has been offered a two-year scholarship to join Tottenham‘s Under-18s next season, according to Lilywhite Rose via X on 20 November.

The youngster captained Northern Ireland’s Under-16s but is currently sidelined with a long-term injury.

This follows Oscar Sandiford, who recently extended his stay at Tottenham.

The right-back has already made multiple appearances for the Under-18s this season and has impressed since joining from Crystal Palace in 2024.

Under-16s keeper Max Sievey has also signed a two-year scholarship at Tottenham, in what has been a progressive week for the Lilywhites.

Solomon Olajide to join Harry Hughes in signing Spurs deal

Left-sided centre-back Solomon Olajide has also been offered a two-year scholarship to join the Under-18s next season, according to Lilywhite Rose.

The defender has already made his U18s debut against Birmingham City and helped his side keep a clean sheet.

The Lilywhites are currently making their way down a long list of U16 stars, so fans should expect to see more players extend their stay in North London over the next couple of months.

Indeed, Hotspur Way is home to several rising stars, including Ashiah Haughton-Sinclair, who has received Kane comparisons.

The young striker has already debuted for the Under-15s and could make his U18s debut in the near future.

Therefore, Tottenham are set with bundles of talent for many years to come.

Tottenham travel to Arsenal on Sunday as Thomas Frank looks to end a woeful winless run against Mikel Arteta’s side.

Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Man United on 8 October has once again sparked fears that there is clearly something missing when it comes to playing fast-paced football in possession.

They face a completely different test against Arsenal, who have comfortably been the best team in the league as they sit four points clear at the top of the table.

After securing a massive win over Arsenal as Brentford manager in 2021, Frank’s record against the Gunners since then makes for painful reading.

Thomas Frank on long winless run vs Arsenal

Tottenham‘s last Premier League away win over arch-rivals Arsenal was in 2010, although current form on the road could suggest that they have the best chance of securing an away win this time around.

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Spurs have failed to beat Arsenal since May 2022, and there is a real fear that their enemies could finally lift the Premier League title this season.

Frank won his first ever Premier League game in charge against Arsenal in August 2021, but has since been winless in seven against the Gunners (D2 L5).

In Brentford’s first Premier League match, Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard gave Frank’s side a memorable win against Arteta’s Arsenal.

However, he has since been on a miserable run, and it’s imperative that Spurs’ first Premier League defeat on the road doesn’t come against the Gunners.

Frank has been under pressure for Tottenham’s woeful home form, and he’ll set up his side to frustrate the league leaders and hit them on the counter-attack.

Both Tottenham and Arsenal are hugely physical teams, and set-piece situations could be vital in the outcome of the match.

Set-pieces will play a huge part in Arsenal vs Tottenham

Tottenham have been brilliant at set-pieces, and they have only conceded from two in the league this season.

They are facing an Arsenal side who have been ruthless from corners, and they’ve scored 10 of their goals from set pieces.

Gabriel’s injury on international duty is a huge boost for Spurs, as they won’t have to deal with his monstrous presence in both boxes.

The North London derby rarely disappoints, and Frank will be hoping to end his winless run against the Gunners by capitalising on the Brazilian’s absence.