TBR Football

Micky van de Ven was left seething in the aftermath of Tottenham’s defeat to Chelsea, and the club’s hierarchy will be concerned by his reaction.

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Chelsea and produced what was a worrying display in the London derby.

Thomas Frank’s team created an xG of just 0.10 against the Blues, which resulted in a chorus of jeers from the home supporters in North London.

After the game, the Dutch defender went storming down the tunnel, which could be bad news for hopes of tying him down to a new contract.

Micky van de Ven may have doubts over signing new Tottenham contract

Micky van de Ven may have second thoughts about signing a new contract with Tottenham after his furious reaction to the Spurs fans’ boos.

Van de Ven blanked Frank and headed straight down the tunnel at the Spurs stadium in absolute disgust.

Currently, Vinai Venkatesham is in talks with Van de Ven over a new contract in a bid to fend off interest from elsewhere.

The 24-year-old’s current deal runs until 2028, so Spurs are well protected, but with Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich all interested, they will be keen to avoid possible transfer talks.

But Van de Ven may well look at the clubs that have him on their list of targets, look at the project on offer at Spurs and think twice about committing his future in North London.

Any club that did want to sign the Dutch international in the near future would find it tough, however, given that Tottenham would likely value him at an astronomical figure.

Right now, it won’t be a major concern for the North Londoners, but they will need to keep a check on how he feels about the direction of Spurs’ project under Frank.

Alan Shearer defends Micky van de Ven storming down the tunnel

Alan Shearer says he understands why Van de Ven decided to storm down the tunnel following the team’s embarrassing performance.

The former Premier League striker told BBC MOTD: “It’s an embarrassment today; they’ve been booed off the pitch. I get they just want to get off the pitch and say their sorrys later.

“I get it, as much as Thomas Frank likes to go round and thank the fans, I get the players’ point of view, and they want to get off the pitch as soon as possible.”

Either way, though, it’s poor form from the Tottenham defender, who needs to understand that the supporters feel so let down after a shambolic performance.

It was a horrible evening for Tottenham Hotspur against Chelsea and things got even worse for Thomas Frank after the full-time whistle.

Tottenham Hotspur slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Chelsea in a match where they struggled to put up any sort of fight against their London rivals.

Frank’s team created an xG of just 0.10 against the Blues, which is the lowest any Spurs side have ever recorded.

The full-time whistle was greeted with loud jeers from the home supporters, and things took a turn for the worse after Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence’s reaction to seeing the manager.

Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence fume at Thomas Frank

Van de Ven and Spence both blanked Thomas Frank and stormed straight down the tunnel at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Van de Ven looked rather disgusted by the result; meanwhile, Spence could be seen gesticulating towards Spurs’ head coach.

It was only last week when Frank was hailing Van de Ven after Tottenham won at Everton, but against Chelsea, it was a very different story.

The supporters certainly made their feelings clear about the performance with some of the loudest boos heard at the Spurs stadium since its opening.

Frank isn’t under any immediate pressure, but the reaction from the fans and some of the players will leave question marks over the job he is doing.

Xavi Simons’ struggles are a sign of how he is just not getting enough out of the North London club’s best attacking talents.

Thomas Frank addresses Micky van de Ven snub

Frank has dismissed that being snubbed by both Van de Ven and Spence was an issue and insists the pair have played well this season.

Speaking after the game, Frank told the media: “I understand why you ask the question, but that’s one of the small issues. Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence have performed well this season, and it’s just a small thing.”

Meanwhile, Guglielmo Vicario apologised to the fans and made it clear that the performance was unacceptable from the team.

In truth, it’s rather poor form from both Van de Ven and Spence, who should understand why fans would be so angry after the defeat.

Xavi Simons’ struggles at Tottenham Hotspur continued against Chelsea as the midfielder looked well off the pace in the London derby.

Simons, who Chelsea nearly signed, has now gone ten matches without a single goal involvement, and this will be a major concern for Thomas Frank.

Too often, the Dutch international found himself being caught in possession against the Blues, and eventually, he was taken off, despite being substituted on after five minutes.

Jamie Carragher has now been discussing the 22-year-old, and he thinks it’s clear why he is not producing at Tottenham Hotspur right now.

Jamie Carragher on Xavi Simons’ Premier League struggles

Carragher believes that Xavi Simons has been unable to cope with the speed and physicality of the Premier League.

There was a moment in the second half where the youngster showed his class to get away from a defender before taking too long on the ball and being dispossessed.

Speaking on Sky Sports commentary, Carragher said: “You know what, it was fantastic initially, but when you’re in the Premier League, the pace and physicality of players coming back at you. Fantastic skill from Xavi Simons, then he thinks he’s got all the time in the world to run away, but you just don’t have it.”

Tottenham fans still believe in Simons, but his display against the West Londoners won’t have built up their confidence anymore.

He managed to lose possession on 15 occasions during the match, so it was no wonder Frank opted to take him off.

Following his withdrawal, the former Premier League defender added: “I thought it would be Xavi Simons coming off, it won’t be nice for him, it doesn’t feel the same as he came on so early, but he’s found it tough.

“It was a perfect example that turn, he got away from someone, but before you know it, someone is back at him, and that is just the nature of the Premier League.

“It has been really interesting with him and Florian Wirtz too, they’re just finding it tough to get up to the speed of the Premier League.”

Tottenham set an unwanted record under Thomas Frank

Tottenham registered an xG of just 0.10 in the defeat to Chelsea, which is the lowest recorded by one of their teams.

The stat perhaps highlights how poor Spurs’ creative players have been, but might also suggest how Frank is not getting the most out of them.

The Lilywhites have plenty of exciting attacking talents in their squad, in the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Simons, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr, Pedro Porro, but right now they are not showing it.

Tottenham have made a decent start to the Premier League season, following plenty of changes on and off the pitch.

The summer saw Thomas Frank appointed as manager, bringing about a different style of play from his predecessor, Ange Postecoglou.

There was plenty of transfer business too, as Tottenham brought in a few new faces in their squad to help compete across all fronts.

While Mohammed Kudus has been a standout in the first few months of his time at Spurs, it’s another signing who has caught the attention of Jamie Carragher.

Joao Palhinha praised by Jamie Carragher after Tottenham move

Tottenham’s change in style has seen them move from a free-flowing, attacking outfit to one that is slightly more rigid.

That has seen some struggles for forward signings, such as Xavi Simons, but it has certainly helped Joao Palhinha, following his loan move from Bayern Munich.

That has led to some praise from Jamie Carragher, who said in the Telegraph: “In Xavi Simons he has signed a gifted footballer who fits the Spurs tradition. He is the type of player the fans will want to see flourish.

“The best signing under Frank so far is Joao Palhinha, a highly effective ball-winner more so than a playmaker.

“In the early stages of his Spurs career, Palhinha is exactly what Frank and his new club need, and it could bring instant success.

“Going forward, there will have to be an evolution, as the pairing of Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur is perceived by supporters to be over-cautious in home games.”

That perception has made it tough for fans to warm towards Frank’s style of play, even with results improving on last season.

Perhaps that will come with time and injuries easing in the team, but there is some convincing to be done.

Will Tottenham sign Joao Palhinha permanently after loan spell

Tottenham have an option to sign Palhinha permanently next season, with a fee worth £26 million included in his loan from Bayern Munich.

So far, all signs point towards a potential deal being struck in the summer, given how well he has performed for Spurs.

A few goals have sweetened the deal, with the Portuguese star impressing in his ability to break up opposition attacks.

Frank has praised his impact so far this season, when saying: “Very happy with Joao. He has done very well for us. Come in, helped the team, performing well, playing centre-back and still doing well. Really pleased with him.”

If his form continues as it is, then there is every chance a contract could be on the table for the star.

TBR Football understands Brentford have made it clear to suitors, including Tottenham Hotspur, that Kevin Schade is ‘not for sale’.

Schade has really started to show his true form for the Bees, and the German international is generating interest from rivals.

The 23-year-old netted a key goal in the West London club’s win over Liverpool last weekend as his stock continues to rise.

In terms of Premier League interest, TBR Football can confirm that Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have both looked closely at him.

Meanwhile, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have also been monitoring him, along with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, from his homeland.

Sources: Brentford opposed to Kevin Schade sale, despite Tottenham interest

Having seen the likes of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo depart last summer, Brentford have made it clear they will not sell Kevin Schade, sources have told TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey.

The Bees were torn apart over the summer, with Mbeumo joining Man United, Wissa finally leaving for Newcastle, and Thomas Frank being appointed by Tottenham.

Frank is a big fan of Schade, having signed the German youngster during his time at the Gtech Community Stadium, and he is now keen to do it again in North London.

Tottenham remain in the market for another winger, and Schade is one of the options they are assessing, but Brentford are planning to make it tough for him to leave.

Speaking about the situation, Bailey told TBR Football: “Schade is really looking the part now, and Brentford are aware of potential suitors taking an interest.

“However, I am told from Brentford sources that they will not entertain his exit come January, indeed the same goes for others in the squad too, including Igor Thiago and Nathan Collins.”

During his press conference on Friday, Keith Andrews said Thiago is not for sale after being asked about interest from Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Kevin Schade’s record playing under Thomas Frank

Schade has a solid record playing under Frank at Brentford, producing 14 goals and five assists in 74 appearances.

The Danish head coach signed the youngster back in the summer of 2023 for a previous club record fee of around £22 million.

Spurs will now need to pay well over double that to stand any chance of landing him, but convincing Brentford to sell will be tricky.

The North London club have other targets for the left wing, but will be keeping an eye on Schade’s situation across the capital.

Tottenham have had a mixed start to life under Thomas Frank, with one ‘very worrying’ situation for the Dane now highlighted.

Spurs were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle United this week, greatly diminishing their chances of securing a trophy this season.

Tottenham now host Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday, looking to end their poor record against the West London outfit and maintain a top-four place.

While the Lilywhites are firmly in the Champions League picture now, one Sky Sports pundit has highlighted a ‘worrying’ problem the North Londoners have.

Richarlison used to highlight worrying problem at Tottenham

Speaking live on Sky Sports News on Friday, Jay Bothroyd bemoaned the lack of goals from Spurs’ frontline this season.

He expressed how Richarlison should have stepped up, but centre-back Micky Van de Ven is instead their joint-top scorer.

Bothroyd said: “I thought Richarlison would be that guy this year, but to have Van de Ven as your top goalscorer at this point, that is very worrying.”

The Brazilian has three goals in the Premier League this season, but hasn’t found the back of the net since a 2-2 draw with Brighton in September.

Elsewhere, a number of Tottenham’s other forwards have struggled on the goal front in 2025/26.

Thomas Frank shares Randal Kolo Muani verdict

Frank has commented on Randal Kolo Muani this week, and his review of the attacker was positive.

“Pleased with what I saw from him against Everton. I think there’ve been glimpses in all four games he’s played or something like that, the last four games.”

So far, though, the centre-forward has been limited to just 131 minutes of action across all competitions this season.

A former Tottenham player has said the biggest risk of his career came when he left North London for another Premier League club.

Many big names have gone on to enjoy fruitful careers on the back of leaving Spurs.

Harry Kane is excelling at Bayern Munich, already netting a staggering 22 goals in 14 matches this season.

Gareth Bale dominated with Real Madrid, as did former Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric.

Now, another hugely successful ex-Spurs talent has opened up on leaving the club.

What Kyle Walker said about leaving Tottenham for Manchester City

Speaking to Stadium Astro, Kyle Walker was asked: “I’ve got one final one for you. It’s called the biggest risk. A decision that you took that could have gone very wrong, but it eventually paid off.”

He responded: “Probably moving from Tottenham to Manchester City, as daft as it sounds. We were above them in the league for two years running prior to me moving to Manchester City and whenever you’re moving from a club, it can go wrong.

“You know, I went for a big price tag and there was a lot of pressure on me and you’re kind of thinking or doubting yourself and thinking is this going to work or should you have stayed in your comfort zone and stayed where you was because something could have potentially happened at Tottenham at the time.

“But, fortunately for myself, it paid off and I won a number of trophies on the way.”

Walker joined Manchester City from the Lilywhites in July 2017.

A year later, the 96-time capped England international was part of a historic title-winning side that notched 100 points.

He went on to win a further five Premier League trophies before leaving permanently for Burnley this past summer.

How Kyle Walker is faring at Burnley

Walker initially departed the Etihad Stadium on loan, signing for AC Milan in January.

He made 16 appearances for the Serie A club before joining Burnley in the most recent window.

Despite now being 35, Walker remains a regular feature for the Clarets on the back of their promotion.

He has started all nine of their league games this term, providing one assist.

Randal Kolo Muani is having to patiently wait for his career at Tottenham Hotspur to take off, and Thomas Frank has been assessing the Frenchman’s form.

Tottenham signed Kolo Muani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day after Dominic Solanke picked up a new injury.

The Frenchman didn’t have much of a pre-season, given the speculation over his future, and he has instead had to build up slowly since his switch to North London.

Against Everton, Kolo Muani looked promising, and now Thomas Frank’s next move with the striker is clear ahead of the clash against Chelsea.

Thomas Frank has seen positive signs from Randal Kolo Muani

Frank has admitted he’s seen positive signs from Randal Kolo Muani during the early stages of his time at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 26-year-old has played just five games so far for the Lilywhites, but away at Everton, the signs were positive, as the striker linked up play well.

Frank told the media: “Pleased with what I saw from him against Everton. I think there’ve been glimpses in all four games he’s played or something like that, the last four games.

“I think we will see him hopefully get better and better because he will have more physical training and minutes in the bank. So he’ll be able to play with the intensity and the sharpness he needs.

“So that would take a little bit of time, but you know, some go quick, but I think it’s natural that to get the rhythm, you maybe need three games in a row or something like that.”

As Frank mentioned, there have been some ‘glimpses’ of what Kolo Muani can do, and now he must place his trust in the former Juventus star.

Randal Kolo Muani must start over Richarlison and Mathys Tel

Frank has given him time, but now is the moment for Kolo Muani to have a run of games in the team over both Richarlison and Mathys Tel.

Richarlison’s form has been very poor recently, and he certainly needs time on the bench, having failed to score in any of his last eight appearances.

The Brazilian spurned some big chances against Newcastle and has proved that he cannot be trusted to lead the line for Spurs.

Tel is another player whose confidence is low right now, making it the obvious choice for Frank to hand Kolo Muani just his second start at home to Chelsea.

James Maddison is working hard to ensure he can play a part in this season for Tottenham, and Thomas Frank has been discussing the likelihood of him getting minutes.

One of the most important seasons of the 28-year-old’s career was wrecked before it even started after the midfielder suffered an injury during pre-season.

Maddison suffered a brutal ACL injury during Tottenham’s clash with Newcastle in South Korea, which meant he required surgery.

On Friday, the Spurs head coach was asked about the midfielder’s recovery and whether he thought his vice captain would feature this campaign.

Thomas Frank is unsure of James Maddison’s injury timeframe

Thomas Frank has admitted he is unsure whether James Maddison will recover before the end of the season, but has not closed the door on his return.

The Tottenham Hotspur boss gave the short answer of ‘maybe’, but he will need to be assessed after the Christmas period to get a better understanding of a timeframe.

Speaking about whether Maddison could return during the 2025/26 campaign, Frank told the media: “This season? That I don’t know. The short answer would be maybe. I think he got the injury in July.

“I think we need to get past Christmas to see how quick he is. He’s doing normally, you say, around nine months as I understand it, without me being a doctor.”

Given Xavi Simons’ struggles at Tottenham, the North London club could really do with a player like Maddison, and also Dejan Kulusevski, who is also injured.

The 22-year-old will hope that Spurs’ derby clash against Chelsea will be the moment he can finally kick-start his career in North London.

Simons almost joined Chelsea last summer, but instead opted to join the Lilywhites after the West Londoners dithered over a move.

Tottenham’s plan for Dominic Solanke’s injury

Dominic Solanke is another player out injured right now, but he is expected to be back after the November international break.

Spurs need a new number nine, but that does not mean they will rush Solanke back into the line-up, and the plan is to take things gradually.

“You can never be 100 percent sure. I think it’s very unlikely that when he’s back for the first game that he will start. That would probably not be the right way to do it,” Frank added.

“I haven’t seen any player do that when they’ve been out for three or four months. So most likely when he’s back, he will come off the bench and then we’ll take from that.”

Tottenham Hotspur failed to land Desire Doue, who is now thriving at PSG, but they can make up for it by signing a player tipped to emulate Eden Hazard.

Hazard earned a Premier League Hall of Fame induction earlier this week after many prolific years at Chelsea.

The Belgian began his career in France with Lille, for whom he provided 103 goal contributions.

Hazard is among a plethora of quality talent to emerge from Ligue 1 over the years, as is former Tottenham transfer target Desire Doue.

How close Tottenham came to signing Desire Doue

The 20-year-old moved to the French capital in 2024 after breaking in at Stade Rennais.

Prior to that, Spurs had an interest in the attacker, and as revealed by Tom Allnutt on The Tottenham Way podcast, he visited North London and spoke with Ange Postecoglou.

He said: “One obvious standout name who actually does have a Tottenham link. Could well have been a Spurs player if he’d opted to join Tottenham last summer.

“Desire Doue, PSG, obviously Champions League winner, scorer in the Champions League final, brilliant player. But the summer last year, he actually came over to Tottenham’s training grounds to have a look around with his family and I think quite a few agents. He had a chat with Postecoglou.

“It seemed like there was a possibility of it happening. In the end, he chose PSG.”

Djed Spence has said that Doue reminds him of Neymar, and it’s easy to see why, given how well he has performed in Paris.

The winger has 19 goals and 19 assists in 69 matches for PSG, including three goal contributions in the Champions League final versus Inter Milan last season.

There’s no question he’s one of the brightest prospects in world football, and Spurs failing to land him was a major blow.

Tottenham can sign next Eden Hazard in Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi

However, Tottenham can make up for their mistake by signing another up-and-coming Ligue 1 talent ahead of their Premier League rivals.

TBR Football have revealed that Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi has plenty of transfer interest from a host of top English teams.

Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool are just some of the clubs showing an interest in the 18-year-old.

Despite his age, Bouaddi already has 67 senior appearances to his name and is a France U21 international.

Our chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, has revealed how those close to Lille feel about the teenager, and the verdict is positive.

He said: “Lille know they have a generational talent on their hands. When you speak to sources close to the club, they mention Eden Hazard’s name and believe Bouaddi is capable of reaching that level.”

The French outfit are preparing for his likely departure, and Tottenham securing his services would be a real statement of intent.