TBR Football

Tottenham Hotspur have had a very difficult season so far.

The North Londoners have lost more games than they have won and are currently 11th in the Premier League table ahead of their clash against Newcastle United.

Some of the performances have not been good enough, but the biggest problem for Spurs has been their injury issues. They have been without several key players for large parts of the campaign.

That has led to a few others playing more games than they should, and Ange Postecoglou has a lot of sympathy for them.

Ange Postecoglou says he wants to rest four Tottenham players, but he can’t

Tottenham’s list of players who are currently unavailable is a really long one.

Big stars like Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie and Guglielmo Vicario have all missed a lot of games already, and they still aren’t back yet.

Richarlison has barely played this season as well, and that has resulted in Dominic Solanke playing almost every game when he has been available.

Postecoglou is desperate to give Solanke and three other players a break – Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin and Dejan Kulusevski.

But, the Australian just cannot do that at the moment because of how few players he has available at his disposal right now.

“At the moment, the only ones we’re playing regularly are the ones we’ve got no real options for,” Postecoglou said, as per Football London. “We have to play them all the time.

“I’d love to give Dom Solanke a rest, I’d love to give Kulusevski a rest, I’d love to give Radu and Archie a rest, because I think that would help improve performance, but it’s just the cycle we’re in.”

Tottenham have a new problem ahead of Newcastle clash

Tottenham take on Newcastle at lunchtime on Saturday in what is a big game for them.

Spurs have been on the wrong end of results against the Magpies on a few occasions in recent years. The Toon have caused them a lot of pain.

The North Londoners will need to be at their best to get a win, but they have now been dealt a huge blow – talkSPORT claim that Fraser Forster is set to miss the game due to illness.

With Vicario out too, Spurs will have to hand Brandon Austin a start. The 25-year-old has been at the club for almost a decade, but he is yet to make his debut.

Tottenham Hotspur will look to claim their first Premier League win since mid-December when they host Newcastle United in Saturday’s early kick-off.

The injury-plagued Lilywhites have picked up just one point from their last three Premier League games, with Wolves equalising late on for a 2-2 draw last time out.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have won their last four league games, scoring 13 goals and not conceding once.

TBR Football looks at who Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou could pick in his starting XI for the 12:30pm kick-off in North London.

Tottenham team news v Newcastle

Postecoglou provided a team update at Friday’s pre-match presser.

He confirmed that Destiny Udogie’s hamstring injury will rule him out for around six weeks, while Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended for the game.

Postecoglou also said Richarlison and Mikey Moore look like “the next cabs off the rank” and should hopefully be back by next week.

In addition, the Tottenham boss said Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero should be back by the end of January.

Son Heung-min tipped for rest as Djed Spence, Pape Matar Sarr and Timo Werner come in

With Guglielmo Vicario, Udogie, Davies, Van de Ven and Romero sidelined, Tottenham’s goalkeeper and back four continue to pick themselves.

Fraser Forster is expected to start in goal, while Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin should start at centre-back and Djed Spence and Pedro Porro should line up at full-back.

The £20million defender will be eager to make amends after struggling and getting sent off against Nottingham Forest.

With Bentancur suspended, Pape Matar Sarr is likely to come into the midfield alongside Yves Bissouma.

Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson both shone for Tottenham against Wolves, so both are likely to keep their places.

Son Heung-min struggled against Wolves and looks like he needs a rest, so Timo Werner could replace him on the left-hand side.

Finally, Dominic Solanke is likely to lead the line for Tottenham as they search for their first league win since mid-December.

Tottenham Hotspur are back in action after almost a week’s break.

Spurs’ schedule, like many other clubs in the Premier League, has been relentless. They have played a lot of football since the start of December and that has taken a toll.

Ange Postecoglou has lost several of his players to injuries over the last few months. That has increased the burden on some of his players, which has not been ideal at all.

However, one Tottenham player has been brilliant despite having to play almost every game, and Postecoglou has heaped praise on him.

Ange Postecoglou is convinced that Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke has impressed Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel has officially started as England’s new manager.

The German had to wait until the new year before he could start working in his new role, but he is all settled in now and is set to visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tuchel will be in attendance to watch Spurs take on Newcastle United, and we’re sure he will have an eye on all the English players in action.

One of them is Dominic Solanke, who joined Tottenham in the summer and has mostly been brilliant for the North Londoners.

He has directly contributed to 15 goals for Spurs so far, and he will be integral to Postecoglou’s side against the Magpies.

Speaking about the striker, the Tottenham boss heaped praise on him and claimed that he’s convinced Tuchel would’ve been impressed with Solanke’s performances this season.

He said, as per Football London: “Dom has been outstanding for us. He has scored goals but it is just his all-round game and his capacity to help the team in all aspects of our football.

“Defensively, link-up play, still being a presence in the box. Really intelligent with his movement and really carrying that position on his back with no help, no rest. So I think it says an enormous amount about his character and the person he is. I can’t speak highly enough of him.

“The load he has had to carry for us over the last two months without a lot of help and from us being able to allow him to recover and still every week he puts in a massive performance.

“I have no doubt, I’m sure Thomas has been following him, that he will be impressed.”

Solanke’s record against Newcastle United

Solanke has been in the English game for a long, long time, and he has faced Newcastle United on nine occasions over the years.

Eight of those appearances have been in the Premier League, and his personal record against the Toon is not bad at all.

Solanke has directly contributed to five goals in nine games against Newcastle – three goals and two assists. That is a very decent record.

However, the sad part is that he has beaten them just once in his entire career – that came in a 2-0 win for Bournemouth in the 2023/24 campaign. Solanke scored both goals in that game.

Tottenham Hotspur will hope to climb into the top half of the Premier League table when they host Newcastle United in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Spurs have had a real rollercoaster of a season, recording some wonderful wins but also suffering some shock defeats.

The situation has been exacerbated by an injury crisis at Tottenham which has left Ange Postecoglou without most of his senior centre-backs, along with key players in other positions.

Postecoglou, speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, provided an update on Spurs’ injury situation and who should soon be back in action.

Tottenham duo Richarlison and Mikey Moore expected to return ‘by next week’

Postecoglou, speaking to football.london, revealed that Destiny Udogie’s hamstring injury will rule him out of action for around six weeks.

The Tottenham manager also confirmed that none of the currently injured Spurs players are back yet, and he also revealed that an illness bug left some of his squad unable to train.

However, Postecoglou also confirmed that Richarlison and Mikey Moore look like “the next cabs off the rank” and should hopefully be back by next week.

The Tottenham boss also said Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero should be back by the end of January.

“Destiny his hamstring,” said Postecoglou. “Looks around six weeks for him.

“We lose Bentancur suspended. None of the injured ones are back yet. We’ve had a bit of an illness bug with a few not training.

“At this stage Richy and Mikey Moore are the next cabs off the rank, we’re hoping next week. Ben, Micky and Romero all kind of around the same time, back end of January.”

Tottenham v Newcastle pundit predictions

Paul Merson reckons Tottenham will fall to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle.

“With the way both teams are playing, I have to go with a Newcastle win here,” said Merson.

“I know Manchester United aren’t great, but I thought Newcastle were brilliant in that 2-0 win. They are flying at the moment and I don’t expect this game to be any different.

Sutton has also backed Newcastle to win, claiming Spurs will fall to a 2-1 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“Newcastle’s form is incredible, with five wins on the spin in all competitions. They have scored 16 goals in those games, with only one conceded,” Sutton said.

“Tottenham, in contrast, are on a poor run of results – although they did not perform badly in their defeat by Nottingham Forest or in their draw with Wolves last time out.

“This is going to be a great game and, while I think Spurs will score, I just can’t go against Newcastle at the moment.”

Tottenham have a defensive injury crisis on their hands at the moment.

Spurs are without both Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero at the moment.

Romero injured himself against Chelsea, while Van de Ven has a hamstring issue again. On top of that, Ben Davies has had problems as of late.

Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin have been playing at centre-back recently, despite the fact Dragusin has been carrying an injury himself and Gray isn’t a natural centre-half.

Tottenham do have a natural centre-back waiting in the wings in the shape of Alfie Dorrington, but, as of yet, he’s not been given a chance by Ange Postecoglou.

Speaking on the Gold and Guest Talk Tottenham Podcast, Alasdair Gold has been discussing Dorrington’s situation at Spurs.

The reporter says that the young defender is still rated by those within the club, but he suggests that Postecoglou isn’t such a big fan of the defender.

People within Tottenham rate Alfie Dorrington

Gold shared what he knows about Dorrington and the view within Spurs.

The journalist says that the feeling within Tottenham is that Dorrington has plenty about him, but, for some reason, Postecoglou won’t give him a chance.

“Why hasn’t someone like Alfie Dorrington been given those minutes? I just wonder whether Postecoglou doesn’t rate him highly enough, which is interesting, because there is a feeling within Spurs that he has something about him.

“Again, maybe some people think he deserves a chance at Spurs, but yeah, it surprised me that.”

Alfie Dorrington stats for Tottenham

Dorrington has been rated for a while by people within Tottenham, but, for one reason or another, he’s not getting a chance for Spurs.

Indeed, Dorrington turns 20 in a few months’ time, and he’s only ever played one game for Spurs, and even then that was a fleeting appearance off the bench.

Heung-Min Son was very excited for Dorrington to make his debut, but he hasn’t been seen since.

Dorrington has played 13 minutes of senior football for Tottenham, and while people within the club rate him, they’re not doing right by him.

Unless Dorrington gets a loan this month, he will be turning 20 years old with very little senior experience under his belt.

It’s not as though Postecoglou is scared to turn to his youth players. Archie Gray is younger than Dorrington and he’s starting regularly at the moment, albeit out of position, while Mikey Moore has earned praise this season for his performances in the attack.

As Gold suggests, perhaps this is just a case of Postecoglou not rating Dorrington, and if that is the case, perhaps the player should be looking for a move at some point this month, whether that’s on loan, or permanently.

It’s fair to say that this season isn’t going to plan for Tottenham Hotspur.

The north London club are sitting in mid-table in the Premier League, and while Ange Postecoglou isn’t under serious pressure right now, questions are being asked of the Australian.

Postecoglou is under scrutiny right now, but perhaps the biggest scapegoat at Tottenham at the minute is Timo Werner.

Werner has been heavily criticised for his performances this season, and some have called for the German’s loan to be cancelled.

Speaking on the Gold and Guest Talk Tottenham Podcast, Alasdair Gold has been discussing the idea of sending Werner back to RB Leipzig, and the journalist says that this loan isn’t easy to cancel.

What Tottenham need to do to send Timo Werner back

Gold spoke about the terms of Werner’s loan.

The journalist says that it’s not just as simple as sending Werner back to Germany, they would need RB Leipzig to agree to bring him back.

Unfortunately, Gold says that Leipzig aren’t likely to be keen to want Werner back anytime soon.

“We have to kind of touch on Timo Werner as well. It’s one of those. Everyone is saying ‘send him back, send him back.’ We must reiterate that is not how these loans work,” Gold said.

“Tottenham would have to convince RB Leipzig to allow him to come back and he is one of their highest earners, there’s no justification for Leipzig to say ‘oh yeah send him back and we will pay him’. It’s not going to work like that. Yeah it’s not quite as easy as just sending him back.

“I get the frustration, he is definitely a player who can be frustrating but unfortunately contracts are a bit more difficult.”

Timo Werner stats this season

Gold says that Werner can be a frustrating player, and that is an understatement.

Werner is underperforming for Tottenham right now, and the stats show just how poor he has been.

Werner hasn’t scored a single league goal for Tottenham this year, and while three assists isn’t a terrible return, he’s not doing enough.

Tottenham are paying Werner £165,000-a-week, according to Capology, and he simply isn’t justifying that wage right now.

RB Leipzig wouldn’t be keen for Werner to come back on that salary, and it’s hard to blame the German side for not wanting Werner on their books right now.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Werner, but after a seriously underwhelming spell at Tottenham, it’s hard to imagine that the German’s long-term future will be in north London.

Werner won’t be headed back to RB Leipzig this month, but he’s surely going to be sent back to Germany at the end of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur were the biggest spenders in the Premier League this summer.

Indeed, Spurs racked up a bill of over £100m in the summer transfer window as they looked to kick on under Ange Postecoglou.

However, it hasn’t quite worked out like that for the north London club.

Spurs are sitting firmly in mid-table at the moment, and things aren’t going well for Ange Postecoglou’s team right now.

Luckily for Tottenham, the January transfer window is now upon us, and according to Alasdair Gold, speaking on the Gold and Guest Talk Tottenham Podcast, there are three signings Spurs are potentially looking to make this month.

The three signings Tottenham are looking at

Gold shared what he knows about Spurs’ transfer plans.

According to the journalist, Tottenham are looking at three potential signings in the winter window.

Gold says that a new left-back and a new centre-back could be on the agenda, while a new midfielder could also be on the cards for Spurs.

“From what I understand, Spurs are looking at potentially a new left-back, a new centre-back and in an ideal world I wonder if they could find someone to cover both of those positions like Micky van de Ven does. Also they’re potentially looking at midfielders, whether that’s attacking or not, I’m not entirely certain that Bentancur or Bissouma are the ideal Postecoglou number six,” Gold said.

How Tottenham could line-up after the January window

Tottenham could be busy in this January transfer window, and there are already a number of rumours doing the rounds.

Indeed, Spurs have already been linked with a number of players, and, with that in mind, this is how Tottenham could look once this transfer window has been and gone.

This is a new-look Tottenham side with some big-name additions.

The bulk of the team remains the same, but, as Gold says, there are three important additions in key areas.

Tyrick Mitchell has been linked to Spurs recently, so he slots in at left-back as he comes towards the end of his contract.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are keen on Milan Skriniar, so he comes in at the heart of the defence.

As for the midfield, Tottenham admire Angel Gomes from Lille, and he could be just the player Spurs need to help add more control at the base of that trio.

Spurs need to seriously change something if they’re going to kick on and qualify for the Champions League, and these sorts of signings could be just what the doctor ordered in north London.

It is a somewhat surreal trend in 21st-century football that many fans dream of their club becoming an enclave for Gulf state billionaires, but Amanda Staveley might just deliver that dream at Tottenham.

As the broker behind the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s takeover of Newcastle United and Abu Dhabi-backed buyout of Manchester City, Staveley appreciates the modern game’s passion for petrodollars.

The dealmaker, a former model and girlfriend of Prince Andrew, is one of the most respected operators in football finance and, unlike many in the sport, is a genuine fan.

She and her husband and business partner Mehrdad Ghodoussi therefore understand the emotions of supporters, how to craft a narrative centred around them and use them to their strategic advantage.

That was clear to see in her rhetoric ahead of the Newcastle takeover in October 2021, which sold a vision to fans of the club becoming a global powerhouse by drawing on a bottomless well of Saudi cash.

So when it emerged in June that Staveley had raised £500m and is interested in buying into Tottenham, it naturally went down well with Spurs fans.

The 51-year-old financier’s book of contacts in the Middle East is peerless as far as potential investors are concerned, inviting fans to envision Persian Gulf money flooding into North London.

Since then, it has emerged that – as reported by TBR Football – Staveley is speaking to potential deal partners in the Middle East and the United States.

Given the capricious form of Ange Postecoglou’s side and the growing agitations about Daniel Levy and ENIC’s suitability to take Spurs forward, that again inspired optimism in N17.

Tottenham are currently 11th in the Premier League table. Coincidentally, that is also exactly where the Levy-ENIC ownership regime rank in the table of the league’s richest owners.

Premier League owners ranked by net worth

The ENIC regime – and Levy especially – have transformed Spurs over the last two-and-a-half decades in terms of their prestige and commercial standing.

While it justifiably went down like a cup of cold sick with fans, the fact Spurs were one of 12 invited to join the European Super League in 2021 was a testament to how they have broken into the financial elite.

Significantly, however, they have done so without winning any silverware since 2008.

And while the move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019 has yielded the increase in spending on recruitment and retention that was promised, the gap between their revenue and squad cost is widening.

It isn’t hard to see why a Staveley-fronted consortium of investors is an evocative prospect for Spurs fans, especially with Middle Eastern money in the mix. Even if it is on a minority basis.

And in the latest developments, the identities of Staveley’s would-be deal partners may have just come into slightly sharper focus.

Amanda Staveley speaking to Qatari investors

Until recently, there have only been relatively vague allusions as to who Staveley could bring onboard as co-investors at Spurs.

Given her connections, the consortium was always likely to contain Gulf money. But Gulf money is not a monolith – there is a big difference between a sovereign wealth fund and a private investor, for example.

Now, CityAM have reported that Staveley is in talks with ‘Qatari investors about investing in another Premier League club’.

Those previously consulted by TBR, including Liverpool University football finance lecturer Kieran Maguire, suggest Spurs are the only English club in whom she has a serious interest at this point.

The language, ‘Qatari investors’, also appears to suggest that her and Ghodoussi’s deal partners are likely private individuals as opposed to a PIF-style fund.

Incidentally, the report also reinforces Staveley’s Middle East connections by suggesting that she has been offered an informal advisory role by Saudi Arabia ahead of the 2034 World Cup.

PCP Capital Partners may already have NDA in place with Spurs

There may have been a handful of well-place leaks, but there has been very little information to date about the composition and motives of Staveley and PCP Capital Partners with regards to Spurs.

It has previously been reported that Tottenham and Staveley could have a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in place that prevents either party relaying specifics to the media or fans.

“We can’t say too much at the moment because of you know, rules around it,” she said at a recent sports business conference. “But we will be able to talk about it, hopefully in the not too distant future.”

That would appear to suggest that Staveley has indeed already agreed some form of agreement – formal or informal, with Tottenham or perhaps another club – that prevents her from addressing matters directly.

Staveley has also privately expressed interest in AS Monaco, where Russian billionaire Dmytry roboblev is looking to sell his majority stake.

The market for minority investment in Premier League clubs is saturated at present meanwhile – Brentford, West Ham, Bournemouth, Wolves and Crystal Palace are all looking for new equity partners.

But Spurs are the easily the most glamorous club on the market and the whose business fundamentals make them the most attractive asset on paper.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City finally have the opportunity to bring in reinforcements now the January transfer window has opened.

Tottenham have experienced a prolonged injury crisis at the back which has seen them unable to call upon most of their key defenders for large parts of the season.

Likewise, Manchester City have suffered from injuries to key players, with the likes of Rodri, John Stones and Ruben Dias currently on the sidelines.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Man City have joined Tottenham and other big clubs in the race for “one of the best” young defenders around.

Manchester City join Tottenham and others in Abdukodir Khusanov race

Romano has taken to X to say Man City have added Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov to their January transfer wish-list.

The transfer insider also said there are several top clubs keen on the Uzbekistan international, deemed “one of the best talents in his position”.

TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey previously confirmed that Tottenham and Newcastle are in talks over a deal for Khusanov.

In addition, the likes of Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Brighton and West Ham have also watched Khusanov this season.

There is interest from the continent, too, with Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Napoli, Atalanta and Marseille also keeping tabs on the 20-year-old.

The exciting things that have been said about Khusanov

Any club who signs the £20million-rated Khusanov would be getting themselves one of the best centre-backs in the French top flight.

The Ligue 1 website wrote in January: ‘Almost never caught out by opposing attackers, the calm defender very often dominates his opponent physically, and has added another asset to his game: anticipation.

‘Often well placed, he is the player who has made the most interceptions since the start of the season in the championship (17), tied with the Parisian Willian Pacho and Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Hojberg.’

Meanwhile, Lens head coach Will Still is quoted by the website as saying: “He’s calm, powerful, he’s fast… He doesn’t talk but he’s good.

“When I arrived, with the departure of “Kev’” in sight, Jean-Louis Leca (sports coordinator) told me ‘don’t worry, there’s “Kodir” who is here, and he’s ready.’

“He wasn’t wrong. He has very, very impressive potential.”

Bryce Samba is quoted as saying about his teammate after a 0-0 draw with Nice in September: “He’s a monster, what he did again tonight… He scares me. No, really! For his age, what he does…”

With the January transfer window now open, Tottenham Hotspur finally have a chance to bolster their depleted defensive ranks.

Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie are all on the sidelines, and Spurs have suffered as a consequence of this injury crisis.

Tottenham are currently looking for new recruits at the back, with Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu among the full-backs in their sights.

Now, GiveMeSport have reported how much the Serie A club wants for Dorgu, and what it could mean for Tottenham.

Tottenham risk being priced out of move for £30m-rated Patrick Dorgu

According to GiveMeSport, Tottenham are in ‘serious danger of being priced out of a move’ for Dorgu, who is a top target for Ange Postecoglou.

Lecce have reportedly increased their demands beyond the £30million mark after being alerted to numerous clubs setting their sights on Dorgu this month.

The South Italian club is adamant that they can fight for a higher fee than they were initially seeking due to this increased interest in Dorgu.

And the report also says Tottenham’s budget this month is set to be around £25million, which would leave them unable to afford the Denmark international.

Dorgu considered ‘one of the best’ young left-backs in the world, per analyst Ben Mattinson.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are also said to be monitoring Dorgu’s situation, while Napoli and AC Milan are reportedly looking to prise him away from their Serie A rival.

Graeme Bailey on Tottenham interest in Dorgu

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has said: “Spurs are looking ahead to the full-back area, they need options to challenge and potentially replace others.

“Dorgu is someone that most of Europe are aware of, likened by many to Udogie – and it is an easy comparison to make, similar games and both building their careers in Serie A.

“Dorgu is one to keep an eye on, but there is nothing secret about him now – if Spurs want him, and they do like him, it is a long and tough fight.”