FootballFanCast

Igor Tudor has favoured a three-man defence in the past. In this, Tottenham Hotspur could be moving back to an Antonio Conte-esque playing style.

Conte didn't leave many fond memories down N17, but Tudor presents himself as a more adaptable and front-footed manager, someone who will adapt to the situation as it demands.

Frank oversaw innumerable poor performances at Tottenham, despite only managing 38 matches in all competitions, winning only seven of 26 Premier League matches.

There's no question that the Danish coach was culpable for many of the issues. As the manager, he carried that burden. However, several of his star players let him down, with Cristian Romero hardly leading by example and now likely to be sold this summer.

The latest on Cristian Romero's future

The truth is that Tottenham need a reset, and that may mean that a number of defenders need to move on. Poor recruitment has played a big part in the plummet that has not been curbed.

Tudor has a reputation as a fix-it manager, with only four of his 11 career appointments coming at the start of a campaign. He could be the solution to jump-start the team ahead of these crucial final months, and perhaps he'll bring Romero back to the fore too.

However, it may well be that the Argentina international will leave the club this summer, no matter Tottenham's late-season form. After the draw against Manchester City earlier this month, the 27-year-old appeared to label the board as "disgraceful" for their failure to address enough issues in the January transfer market.

As captain, he has displayed a rebellious streak that echoes fan concerns while running counter to the role he has been designated at the top of the squad tree.

Inevitably, rumours of his eventual exit have surfaced, with journalist Gaston Edul confirming several weeks ago that there have been "several enquiries from La Liga" as clubs start to circle. Sadly, it doesn't seem too likely that Romero would put up strong resistance to a bid from one of Spain's heavyweights.

Defence has been an issue for the Lilywhites for some time now. Long gone are the days of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, an unflinching Belgian bulwark in front of Hugo Lloris' goal.

There have been some stinkers in the intervening years, with Vlad Chiricheș and Davinson Sanchez at the bottom of that barrel, but Romero, for all his hot-headedness, is nowhere near that level.

Romero is one of the most talented centre-backs in Europe, and while Spurs would love him to stay, there is actually another defender in north London who's becoming the latest member of that undesirable group.

Tudor must ditch Spurs' new Davinson Sanchez

No, it's not Micky van de Ven. The Netherlands international has been one of the brighter sparks in recent years, arguably the most popular player down N17 right now.

But the same can't be said for Radu Dragusin, whose fortunes haven't been helped by a knee injury suffered against Elfsborg in the Europa League one year ago.

Dragusin's return to fitness has come at a good time for Tottenham, with Romero sidelined due to suspension after illness, but he's not exactly proving himself reliable in the backline, and if he doesn't enjoy a sharp upswing in the coming matches, Tudor will drop him for the greater good of the system.

Take the draw to Manchester City, for example. Dragusin was at the epicentre of the Londoners' struggle throughout the first half, skewing a clearance toward the enemy in the build-up to Antoine Semenyo's opener. That said, he relished the physical battle against Erling Haaland.

But against Newcastle United, the match that ended Frank's stay, he needlessly conceded a free-kick that led to Malick Thiaw's opener in first-half stoppage time, also lacking the robust mobility that Romero and Van de Ven showcase each week.

He's not been disastrous, but perhaps a large chunk of that is Dragusin's extended spell on the sidelines. In any case, he's very much fallen into the same category as Sanchez, should he fail to turn this around, with the one-time Spurs star having arrived from Ajax in a club-record £42m deal in 2017, making 207 appearances for the English outfit but finding himself pegged back by so many mistakes and stumbles throughout the years.

Presenter Jamie O'Hara even called the Colombian "one of the worst players" he had seen in Spurs' backline, particularly poor on a nightmarish 3-3 home draw against West Ham United in October 2020, lacking composure and consistency throughout his Spurs career.

In that, Dragusin is echoing the centre-back before him, especially when you consider that he arrived as the club from Serie A side Genoa in a £27m deal in January 2024, Bayern Munich beaten in the race for one of Europe's most talented young defenders.

Across five Premier League fixtures this season, Dragusin has made one direct defensive error and has only won 25% of his ground duels, a shocking statistic that illustrates the risks that come with starting the Romanian right now.

He's failed to scrape off the rust from many months of inactivity, and while a lack of options could see Dragusin play more football over the business months of the season, Tudor may need to identify a different way forward, perhaps steering away from his favoured 3-4-2-1 formation and fielding Romero and Van de Ven in a partnership, with Kevin Danso and Dragusin benched.

Given that a return to Serie A was on the cards in January, prevented by sporting director Johan Lange due to an injury overload at the club, there is every chance that Dragusin may leave for a fresh challenge at the end of the season.

Should that be the case, Tudor would be wise to cast him aside and promote the players who do have a future at Tottenham.

Tottenham are ready to battle it out with several English clubs and La Liga giants Barcelona for a Premier League star who is set to be out of contract this summer.

No time for Spurs excuses, says Tudor

Tottenham’s new interim head coach Igor Tudor says there is “no time to find excuses” as he bids to halt the club’s Premier League slide.

And the 47-year-old former Juventus boss, brought in last week as the sacked Thomas Frank’s replacement until the end of the season, believes instilling the players with confidence is his most important task.

Tudor told Spursplay: “First priority is to give everything the team needs in these moments. The team need, I believe, first of all, to get some confidence, to get some courage, but also, in same way, the concrete things in the pitch.

“Of course, I’m coming here knowing that situation is not easy. There is no time to find excuses. What I said from the first day here, each of us, need to give something something more, something extra.”

Tim Sherwood told the new Spurs manager they could "build a statue" of him if he "ruins Arsenal's season" with a win in the North London derby this weekend, but insisted the manager has taken a huge risk in signing a short-term deal.

Tottenham have already lined up a shock successor for Tudor, and they are now putting transfer plans in place for the summer as well.

Tottenham 'most' interested in hijacking Barcelona move for Marcos Senesi

According to reports in Spain, via Sport Witness, Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is attracting interest from a string of high-profile clubs, but Spurs are the 'most attentive' to his situation.

The Argentina international has been linked with a move to North London in the past, but they will now have to fend off competition from European giants Barcelona, where manager Hansi Flick is reportedly a big fan of the tough tackling defender.

And while those two clubs are out in front, Chelsea, Everton, Crystal Palace and Brighton in England could be joined by Juventus and Borussia Dortmund on the continent in the race for his signature.

Igor Tudor has kicked things off at Tottenham Hotspur, ready to take charge on Sunday as Arsenal pay their neighbours a visit in the Premier League.

There's no question that the Thomas Frank era (such as it was) left a lot to be desired, and the Croatian coach must prioritise an escape from this lowly position in the Premier League, 16th after 26 matches and only five points ahead of West Ham United in the relegation zone.

Whether the 47-year-old is in charge next season is anyone's guess, having taken over on an interim basis until the end of the season.

However, if he is going to shake off a reputation as a short-term fix of a manager, Tudor will need to strengthen Tottenham's porous backline and revive the likes of Cristian Romero.

Why Tudor needs to revive Cristian Romero

After Tottenham Hotspur salvaged a draw against Manchester City, Romero appeared to admonish the board, saying it was "disgraceful" that Spurs only had 11 fit senior players.

The 27-year-old, Spurs' club captain, didn't help his case when his hot-headed challenge on Casemiro saw him sent off for the second time this season. He is still serving his suspension.

This has laid Tottenham's defensive concerns bare. While Micky van de Ven continues to stand as a pillar of strength, Radu Dragusin has flattered to deceive beside him in recent weeks, given a 4/10 match rating last week as Spurs lost at home to Newcastle United, a defeat which led to Frank's sacking.

The hard truth is that Romero looks like he wants to leave. His recent comments and subsequent actions certainly suggest as much. As for Dragusin, he's simply not good enough and must be sold this summer.

If the Argentina international is truly headed for the exit at the end of the season, succession planning must start. Luckily, Spurs already have a young defender in their ranks who is starting to earn some chances to impress, and Tudor must continue to promote him oer the next few months.

Spurs already have their future Romero replacement

Tottenham already have a top defensive talent sharpening his skills out on loan in Hamburg. He is Luka Vuskovic, with content creator Fiago claiming that he's "the best 18-year-old center back I've ever seen in my life."

But Vuskovic isn't the only up-and-comer who could become a star down N17 in the future.

Indeed, Tottenham have integrated 17-year-old centre-back Jun'ai Byfield into first-team action over the past few months, the teenager making his professional debut during last month's Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund.

The Lilywhites have a lot of young talent on the up, and Byfield appears to be ahead of the curve, entrusted with a senior promotion even with Frank's tenure spinning out of control.

Indeed, Tottenham already have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League, and while ENIC Group will be looking to add more experience over the coming windows, promoting a talented, homegrown prospect in Byfield would hardly be a bad thing.

Described as a "very promising" young centre-back by Spurs insider John Wenham, Byfield is regarded as an elegant, ball-playing centre-half who's not afraid to get stuck in and put 110% into the defensive side of the defensive game.

Moreover, he's hardly lacking in confidence, already having asserted his desire to grow into his skin and become the club captain in the future.

In this, he could one day prove the perfect upgrade on Romero, and the time to bring him into the fold is now. With three senior appearances under his belt already in the past month, Byfield has to play even more.

Romero is the most talented defender at Tottenham, and as the captain, he is someone his peers look up to. But it's hard to argue that he's set a good example this season. With his future looking ever more likely to lie away from N17, Tudor must start planning for the future.

While Byfield is still young and maturing physically, he's already shown that he has the talent to become a key figure down N17. With Kevin Danso sidelined with injury and Dragusin looking wobbly since returning to the side from his long injury layoff, there's every reason for Tudor to hand the youngster some time on the pitch to prove that he is indeed worthy of the armband in the future.

This, of course, relies on the stand-in head coach's success in steering the club away from the relegation zone.

Football is all about peaks and troughs, but Tottenham Hotspur have struggled to build any sort of upward momentum under Thomas Frank's management.

The Danish coach has now been dismissed from his duties, leaving with the lowest win record of any permanent Spurs manager in the Premier League.

The truth is, Frank could have won a whole handful more games and still faced untenable levels of dissent from the fanbase, whose joy from last year's Europe League triumph has been drained away after months of poor performances.

Igor Tudor is at the helm for the remainder of the campaign, and while the first port of call is pulling the club away from the very real threat of relegation from the Premier League, ENIC Group will expect to see improvements in attack.

How Tudor can improve the Spurs attack

Of Tudor's 11 managerial appointments, just four have come at the outset of a campaign. He is well-accustomed to stepping into embattled territory and establishing a route to safety.

It's what Tottenham need, though fans would tell you that the true objective must be prioritising success on higher ground.

In order for this to come to pass, Spurs will need to rediscover their form in the final third. It's fair to say that it's been grim reading from an attacking perspective this season, with the Londoners among the least creative outfits in the Premier League.

Creativity is at a real low, but the forwards need to do more too, not just striking true but moving with purpose, working into space and creating symbiotic relationships that will power a dynamic frontline.

Dominic Solanke's return from injury last month has already seen the N17 side take a step in the right direction. The striker has scored four times across 11 appearances.

Solanke is fast and powerful and effective in the box. However, he's also unreliable on the fitness front, and with Randal Kolo Muani flattering to deceive in front of goal, it might be that another struggling forward has a chance to rekindle their career over the coming months.

Spurs prospect could replace Kolo Muani

Kolo Muani will be delighted that Tudor is inbound. After all, the struggling striker bagged five in 11 matches at Juventus when the 47-year-old was at the helm.

But podcast host Kyle Freegard criticised the Frenchman's "lazy" display against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last month, and he is still searching for his first goal involvement in the Premier League despite playing in 18 matches.

However, if the loanee continues to flatter to deceive, Mathys Tel could be in line to step up to the plate and finally get his Tottenham career

Last year's loanee became a permanent addition following the Europa League triumph, tying up his £30m move from Bayern Munich in June.

There's no question that the French prospect knows how to strike a ball. In this, he is one of the most talented young forwards in Europe, though the application of his skills, the utilisation of his talent, has left a lot to be desired.

Tel has even been praised for his "Defoe-esque" goalscoring ability by presenter Ben Bowman, capable of fashioning openings out of nothing, striking the ball so sweetly.

It's important to remember that he's only 20 years old and has arrived at a Tottenham side who have hardly been conducive to success for emerging talents.

Even so, his skills are tailor-made for the Premier League, and Tudor's intense, aggressive attacking style could help him realise his potential.

Perhaps Tel has just needed a manager to show him that he trusts him. Let's not forget, he has twice been excluded from Tottenham's European squad this season, and his frustration under Frank's wing was such that he was looking to leave in January, with Paris FC more than happy to oblige.

Now, the natural-born finisher has a golden chance to realise his potential in the Premier League, putting those Defoe-esque shooting boots to good use.

Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for life under Igor Tudor, whose time in the dugout begins this weekend with a Premier League clash against Arsenal.

Talk about getting thrown in at the deep end, though a win over Spurs' north London rivals would be some way to endear yourself to the fanbase from the get-go.

Tottenham supporters need an uplift, with Thomas Frank's tenure pulling them into a relegation battle. That's the plain truth of it, though there is more than enough quality

There are numerous issues for Tudor to put to rights over the coming months, but one of the most glaring is a wobbly backline that may lose its skipper, Cristian Romero, at the end of the season.

Spurs looking to sign Romero replacement

Tottenham have got issues, alright, and Romero has hardly been flawless in his performances this season, but there's no question that his departure would weaken the north Londoners.

Micky van de Van draws plenty of plaudits, but the 27-year-old Romero, at this point in time, is the superior centre-back, even with an overzealousness that gets him into trouble at times.

With the Argentine having recently criticised the board, though, and then getting himself sent off during the defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United, noise has increased around his future, with talkSPORT's Tony Cascarino bemoaning his "terrible attitude".

If Romero truly doesn't want to play his football at N17 beyond the current campaign, Spurs will need to ensure they land a top-notch replacement.

And according to Caught Offside, a controversial move for former Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger is being lined up, with the Real Madrid defender mooted for a return to the Premier League when his contract expires this summer.

The Lilywhites are joined by Crystal Palace and West Ham United in having opened talks with the 32-year-old's representatives, and while a move for one of Stamford Bridge's biggest modern stars might seem dubious, you need only look back to last month, when Conor Gallagher made the trip from Madrid back to London, to see that that is not the case.

What Rudiger would bring to Spurs

Rudiger might not be in the prime of his career anymore, but his aggression and sharpness in defensive phases could see him prove the perfect Romero replacement, certainly when considering how he could balance his qualities against those of Van de Ven.

The German international is one of the most decorated centre-halves of his generation, winning the biggest prizes with Chelsea in England and then again with Real Madrid after signing for Los Blancos in 2022. He has been described as "the best defender in the world" in the past by former international teammate Mesut Ozil.

In La Liga this term, for example, he has only started seven times but has still won 63% of his duels, averaging seven ball recoveries every two fixtures, which emphasises his natural athleticism.

A ball recovery is defined by the number of loose balls recovered by a player.

Like Romero, Rudiger is a defender who transcends the role. He has a wealth of technical skills and an instinctiveness in the box that makes him a useful tool across many different areas.

However, he has also seen seven career red cards, and was sent off in 2025 after launching an object at an official during Real Madrid's Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona.

Though Rudiger would add a lot of positivity to Spurs' backline, shoring up a stuttering defence and instilling leadership, there is a risk that he would just be another version of Romero, immensely talented but impeded by his own recklessness.

Like Rudiger, Romero is one of the most talented defenders in the world, and like Rudiger, Romero has something of a rash streak, a fire inside that potentially fuels the more lauded aspects of his game.

With it looking like the Argentina international could be off this summer, this might just be the move to propel the Londoners back into the ascendancy, partnering the accomplished Madrista with Van de Ven.

Thomas Frank's sterile tactics and failure to endear himself to the Tottenham Hotspur fanbase saw him come unstuck in February.

The tenure was untenable for a long time, a matter of when, not if, for a long time, and ENIC Group have now made the bold decision to appoint Igor Tudor on an interim basis until the end of the season.

Tudor doesn't typically stay in jobs for long, and while Spurs hope he will prove to be a get-out-of-jail-free card in their fight for Premier League survival, sporting director Johan Lange is already searching for a long-term choice.

The latest on Spurs' search for a permanent manager

The managerial merry-go-round is expected to be in full swing this summer, and so Tottenham's decision to keep their options open across the closing months of the 2025/26 campaign is understandable.

However, the plain truth is that Spurs are in danger of being sucked into a relegation dogfight, with Frank unable to build on his predecessor Ange Postecoglou's foundations.

While Tudor has the authority and wherewithal to steer the Londoners to safety over the coming months, fans want a project manager they can get behind in the long run.

And with that in mind, it might be worth keeping an eye on Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, with recent reports suggesting the Spanish coach is one of the foremost names on the shortlist, along with Roberto De Zerbi and former Lilywhites manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Given that the 43-year-old is at the fledgling side of his managerial career yet has already accomplished a lot in La Liga and the Premier League, this might just be a risk worth taking, especially since his contract at Bournemouth expires at the end of the current campaign.

Why Andoni Iraola could be perfect for Spurs

Iraola has drawn all the plaudits since assuming charge at Bournemouth and remoulding the relegation battlers into a front-footed outfit eager to break onto higher ground.

His work at the Vitality Stadium has led Sky Sports journalist Sam Tighe to call him the "best young coach in the world", and the fact that the Cherries are still impressing this term after so many summer sales (and Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in January) only reinforces the argument.

Tottenham could do a lot worse. Iraola has been at Bournemouth for two-and-a-half years, and at a club with superior resources like Spurs - and with a hunger to become one of Europe's elite - he too could emerge as one of the very best in the business.

Described by Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold as being a 'Pochettino clone', Iraola might just hold the key to a long-term project at N17 that the fans can get behind.

Poch, let's not forget, arrived at White Hart Lane having punched above his weight on the south coast with Southampton, and now Iraola could follow suit, also implementing an attractive and expansive attacking style.

Bournemouth, after all, are one of the most creative teams in the country, and former Premier League superstar Cesc Fabregas has previously hailed the Spanish tactician for implementing a clear structure and communicating with his players clearly and with clarity.

Tudor might have the disciplined, authoritative tactical mind to whip this beleaguered bunch into shape, but he offers no experience in the English game as a player or as a coach, so his appointment is undoubtedly a risk.

In Iraola, ENIC Group would get bang for their buck, and it might just prove the move they need to make to make the next chapter an illustrious one.

Igor Tudor's first taste of English football will come in the North London Derby as Tottenham Hotspur host Arsenal.

That's some way to make your first bow, not least because Tottenham have fallen by the wayside this season, stripped of any positivity and momentum that was mounted after last year's Europa League triumph, ending 17 years of scrambling for silverware.

Thomas Frank left N17 a beleaguered man, his tenure disastrous. Tottenham have been pulled into a relegation battle in the Premier League, and that's the truth.

The hope and anticipation is that Tudor has the acumen to lift them back onto higher ground.

What will change under Tudor

Fans will hope that Tottenham will immediately start winning more football matches in the Premier League. After all, Frank was sacked with the lowest win percentage of any Spurs boss in the top-flight era.

Tudor's managerial life expectancy is akin to that of a goldfish. His average term length is 0.68, so it's unlikely ENIC Group have appointed the Croatian coach with the long run in mind.

He will be in the frame, of course, if results and performances work in his favour. The 47-year-old typically employs a 3-4-2-1 system, and if this is his choice in the Premier League, it could serve to rework Spurs' attacking structure, creating a firm midfield base and an intense and aggressive attacking press.

A firm, authoritative managerial presence, Tudor could be the kick up the backside the Lilywhites players need, with one player in particular in good standing to hit another level under his tutelage.

Spurs signing could become a superstar

Tottenham broke the bank when they paid £51m to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig last summer. The Dutch playmaker had been coveted by Chelsea for months, but the north Londoners won the race.

Recognised for several years as one of Europe's most gifted up-and-comers, Simons has had a tough time this season. Signed for big money, there were fears that this was another Tanguy Ndombele situation. He was "swallowed in the Premier League" over his first few months, as noted by content creator Ronaldo Brown, who went on to criticise the Barcelona youth graduate for "taking one touch too many".

However, there's no question that he's made gains in recent months, and when you look at the underlying data, this nifty little creator is actually showing some promising signs.

With four assists from 20 Premier League matches, he ranks among the top 17% of players for goals made per 90. His energy and natural combativeness have also seen him skyrocket into top percentile rankings for recoveries, duels won and possession won.

With Tudor at the helm, the hope is that an intense new focus on playing entertaining football will allow Simons to become something of a linchpin. The promising signs already bode well for him.

Look at Kenan Yildiz at Juventus last season. A fleet-footed and dynamic attacking playmaker, the Turkish international notched eight goals and eight assists apiece under the stern-faced manager last year, and with scout Felix Johnston remarking that there is a "very small gap" between Yildiz and Simons, the Spurs man might just hit the jackpot in this new system.

Simons has already proved himself and then some across two seasons in Germany with RB Leipzig, and now is the time for him to grow into his skin in the Premier League.

If Tudor has ambitions of breaking the short-term narrative that hangs over his managerial career, he will need Simons to fire on all cylinders.

Luckily, the pair could be a match made in heaven.

Tottenham Hotspur are now battling to sign a defensive addition, who has already worked with Igor Tudor, in a deal worth around £43m.

Tottenham appoint Igor Tudor

Out of all the names mentioned, Tudor was one that came as a surprise. The former Juventus boss has been out of a job since being dismissed by the Italian giants in October, but now has the task of taking the Lilywhites to safety and towards a restoration of pride in the rest of the current campaign.

After putting pen to paper, the Croatian told the Tottenham website: "It is an honour to join this Club at an important moment.

"I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.

"There is strong quality in this playing squad, and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly."

Sporting director Johan Lange echoed that, saying: "Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact.

"Our objective is straightforward – to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League."

It's a crucial few months for Spurs, who are already reportedly looking towards the likes of Edin Terzic as a long-term candidate to arrive after Tudor's interim spell.

Whoever arrives must also receive the full backing of those in North London, and that could see a crucial defensive reinforcement arrive in a big-money deal.

Tottenham battling to sign Lloyd Kelly

According to reports in Italy, as relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham are now battling to sign Lloyd Kelly from Juventus. The former Newcastle United defender has taken his game to a new level in Italy and is now valued at as much as €50m (£43m) as a result.

His improvement has seemingly sparked interest from around the Premier League, with Tottenham joined by Chelsea and Liverpool in a shock race to welcome him back to the Premier League.

If Tudor impresses enough to earn the permanent job, which is always a possibility, then he'll be pleased to see Kelly's name on Tottenham's radar, having worked with the versatile centre-back at Juventus.

It wasn't the most successful spell for either player or manager, but that didn't stop Tudor from shielding Kelly against criticism in the early days of his Juventus career - telling reporters: "People only said he was playing well after he scored two goals. But he was already putting in great defensive performances despite the small mistakes that everyone makes.

"Labels aren’t needed. He’s a humble guy, eager to improve. I’m pleased with him; he has to keep going like this."

Tottenham are believed to be eyeing a summer move for ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino following the USA's World Cup campaign, but Real Madrid might now give them a headache.

Mauricio Pochettino frontrunner for Tottenham job after Igor Tudor

Even though Spurs have officially appointed Igor Tudor on an interim basis until the end of the season, it is strictly until June, with Fabrizio Romano revealing that Pochettino and De Zerbi are the two favourites to take charge after him.

The Argentine remains the overwhelming favourite amongst fans who chanted his name during Thomas Frank's final match against Newcastle on Tuesday.

His five-year spell delivered four consecutive top-four finishes plus a Champions League final, transforming Spurs into genuine contenders before his shocking dismissal.

Crucially, Tudor's contract includes zero option for a permanent appointment. The deal runs purely until June, allowing Tottenham to pursue bigger targets once the season concludes.

Pochettino's current United States commitments complicated immediate reunion plans, driving their move for Tudor as a stop-gap.

He'll guide the Americans through this summer's World Cup, making any move impossible until July at the earliest.

Reports from Spain claim Tottenham hierarchy are working around the clock to secure an agreement for Pochettino's post-World Cup arrival.

The 53-year-old has repeatedly expressed love for Spurs since leaving, recently criticising their declining ambitions whilst hinting at openness towards returning.

His presence in London this week sparked speculation after Instagram posts showed him dining at favourite restaurants with coaching staff member Toni Jiménez.

Sources insist this shouldn't be read as anything significant, yet supporters naturally connect dots hoping negotiations are progressing behind closed doors.

Tottenham dealt Mauricio Pochettino blow after Real Madrid development

However, given Poch has months to decide his long-term future, it gives plenty of time for other clubs to throw a spanner in the works.

One of the sides who are poised to rival Tottenham for the ex-Chelsea and PSG boss is Real, with a report by Defensa Central claiming Pochettino is ready to join Los Blancos over Spurs on one key condition.

The outlet states he would accept the Bernabeu job if Florentino Perez delivers three specific summer signings.

Pochettino has apparently outlined his conditions for replacing Alvaro Arbeloa should Madrid sack their interim boss. He wants two centre-backs, plus a central midfielder recruited before committing, believing those reinforcements are essential for maximising the squad's potential.

Pochettino remains a long-time Florentino favourite despite Tottenham's major interest, so the Whites appear likely to challenge them for his signature.

Arbeloa must deliver either the La Liga title or Champions League silverware to keep his job permanently, with Madrid unwilling to endure consecutive trophyless campaigns.

Tottenham Hotspur have a huge couple of months ahead of them in the Premier League, with Igor Tudor the man tasked with changing their fortunes until the end of the season.

The 47-year-old has been appointed as the Lilywhites manager until the end of the season, subsequently being tasked with keeping the club in England’s top-flight.

He arrives in North London with the club just six points clear of the relegation zone, with his first task being to navigate the small matter of the North London Derby.

With the transfer window now closed, the Croatian will only be able to call upon the players already on the books - with many senior options currently unavailable due to injury.

Tudor still has a plethora of attacking options at his disposal, but there’s no denying he wishes he could call upon one player who captured the hearts of the fanbase during his time with the Lilywhites.

The impact of Dele Alli at Tottenham Hotspur

Back in the summer of 2015, Spurs completed the £5m signing of midfielder Dele Alli from League Two side MK Dons, with the younger arriving as an unknown quantity to many supporters.

The baby-faced 19-year-old was expected to link up with the academy setup, but he was catapulted into the senior ranks and took the Premier League by storm despite his tender age.

He ended up racking up a total of 146 appearances in his first three years at White Hart Lane, scoring 67 times and registering 55 assists - even winning the PFA’s Young Player of the Year award back to back.

Such form made him one of England’s brightest young talents, but unfortunately, his impressive form would take a nose-dive in North London - with off-the-field issues starting to affect his performances.

José Mourinho’s appointment saw the former Chelsea man question the players' work ethic, which resulted in the star often being handed minutes off the bench.

His interview with Gary Neville gave the supporters an insight into his struggles away from the pitch, with such a situation handing the fanbase a touch of sympathy amid his struggles.

Spurs' new Dele Alli could be under threat

After Frank’s dismissal from the role, rumours have been circling over a potential reunion with former manager Mauricio Pochettino, but such a move now appears to be on hold.

Tudor’s temporary appointment in North London could see the Argentine return to the club in the summer after he’s finished managing USA at the 2026 World Cup.

The 53-year-old was the manager to get the best out of Alli’s skillset, with no other manager in his professional career able to get the Englishman to a similar level.

However, after his appointment in North London in recent days, Tudor will have a similar player to the former fan-favourite in the form of midfielder Conor Gallagher.

Prior to his £34m move to join the Lilywhites, his playstyle had been compared to his compatriot, with both liking to pick the ball up in deep areas and having an impact in the final third.

As a result of his showings at Chelsea, the 26-year-old was dubbed as a “Poch-era Dele Alli” by journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke - high praise indeed given the levels he achieved with the Lilywhites.

However, after his subsequent move to join Spurs in the summer, he’s failed to hit the heights many anticipated, with his recent performances showcasing his struggles.

His latest showing against Newcastle United was evidence of the struggles he’s faced, with Tudor needing to drop him from his starting eleven after taking the reins.

Gallagher featured for 70 minutes, but he could only completed 79% of the passes he attempted and subsequently gave the ball away on 12 separate occasions.

He also failed to complete any of the dribbles he attempted, whilst failing to make any interceptions - which highlights his lack of impact at both ends of the pitch.

The Englishman has simply failed to add to the ranks since his big-money transfer, with such a move already having glimpses of being a huge waste of money.

Tudor’s arrival will certainly inject fresh impetus and ideas into the senior ranks, which is certainly needed following the recent struggles in the Premier League.

However, if he is to lead the side up the table during his short tenure, Gallagher must not be a regular starter, with the midfielder simply not at the level required for success.