FootballFanCast

Tottenham Hotspur were forced to settle for a point at the AMEX on Saturday when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.

Thomas Frank's side had beaten West Ham United and Villarreal in their last two matches without conceding a goal, but they were unable to add to those wins with a third successive victory.

A late own goal from Jan Paul van Hecke ensured that the Lilywhites did not come away from the match without anything to show for their efforts.

Despite it being a fairly disappointing result, as they were almost beaten and only picked up one point, there were some positive performances across the pitch.

One player who caught the eye with his display in the middle of the park was summer signing Joao Palhinha, who started in the number six position for Spurs.

It was his fourth start of the Premier League season since signing on loan from Bayern Munich, and it is already clear what kind of player the club have brought in.

Why Joao Palhinha is not the perfect player for Spurs

Palhinha is an out-and-out defensive midfielder. If you were told to list the attributes you would want in a pure defensive midfielder, he has all of them.

The Portugal international is tall, mobile, strong, wins tackles well, competes in the air, and covers gaps in midfield. All of the things that you would associate with a defensive-minded midfielder.

So far this season, per Sofascore, Palhinha has averaged 4.2 tackles and interceptions per game and won 65% of his ground duels and 54% of his aerial duels in the Premier League, which is evidence of his defensive strength in the middle of the park.

However, despite getting on the scoresheet against Manchester City, the former Fulham star does leave a bit to be desired with his use of the ball.

The best number six types in world football are not pure defensive midfielders, because they are expected to dictate play and be impactful in possession as part of a team that wants to win the biggest prizes.

As you can see in the table above, Palhinha falls well short as a progressive passer in comparison to some of the best defensive or deep-lying midfielders, whether they play as a number six or a number eight, across Europe.

This does not mean that the Portugal international is a bad player, by any means, but his lack of progressive play in possession may be why Bayern were willing to send him out on loan in the first place.

Palhinha may not be the perfect player, therefore, to deploy in matches when Spurs are expected to be the dominant force and need to break teams down, but may be ideal in the biggest games, like against Manchester City, when they need backs-against-the-wall defending.

Spurs did once have a promising young player, though, who had the potential to be a defensive monster like Palhinha, but with the progressive passing to make him the club's own version of Declan Rice.

Given what has happened to him in recent years, it may seem ridiculous to suggest, but Oliver Skipp could have been Tottenham's own Rice in different circumstances.

Why Spurs may rue selling Oliver Skipp

The English number six came up through the youth ranks at Spurs and made a smattering of appearances for the first-team before going out on loan to Norwich City in the 2020/21 campaign.

Skipp played in 45 of Norwich's 46 Championship matches that season, per Sofascore, and played a pivotal role in their promotion to the Premier League, winning the title in the process.

As you can see in the table above, the England U21 international provided quality as both a progressive passer and carrier, whilst also excelling defensively with his ability to make tackles and blocks in his own third.

After that season with the Canaries, former Spurs striker Paul Stewart claimed that he could be as effective as Rice, who was at West Ham United at the time and ranked well above Palhinha in the earlier table for progressive passes for Arsenal last season.

The pundit stated: “You know what, I’d like to see him do what Declan Rice does. I think he’s got that in him and I think he showed that at Norwich. The plaudits that have come out of East Anglia have been massive about Oliver Skipp. I think he can go on and be as effective as Declan Rice at West Ham.”

Unfortunately, Skipp only started 37 Premier League matches in the next three seasons combined, fewer league starts than he managed in one season with Norwich, which meant that the midfielder was unable to really hit his stride in North London.

Ange Postecoglou opted to part ways with the English midfielder in the summer of 2024, selling him to Leicester City, and that is a decision that they should regret.

Skipp has failed to impress with the Foxes, having been thrown into a season that ended in his club being relegated from the Premier League, but things could have been so different for him.

It is all hypothetical now, but what if the defensive midfielder had been given a real run of games to show what he could do after returning from that superb loan spell with Norwich? Maybe he would have become the club's own version of Rice in the number six position, as a player who could progress play as well as disrupt it.

Instead of cashing in on him, Spurs could have given him a chance to nail down a place in the side and get his confidence back. Now, playing in the Championship, it seems like his career is heading in the wrong direction.

Tottenham Hotspur might not have secured all three points away to Brighton & Hove Albion, but Thomas Frank must be satisfied with the way things are taking shape.

The Spurs boss replaced Ange Postecoglou in the summer and was tasked with creating a more stable project. Tottenham won the Europa League last year, but also languished to a 17th-place finish in the top flight.

Signings have been made, and while he's an imperfect player, Mohamed Kudus has offered much to the Lilywhites cause after signing from West Ham United for £55m in July.

Mohammed Kudus' start to life at Spurs

Kudus' shot somewhat fortuitously found Richarlison before the break, and so the Brazilian converted and halved the deficit, scoring a crucial goal that would lead to late parity.

The Ghanaian winger still needs to bring his clinical output into focus, but there's no denying he is a talented and effective winger, adding a dimension to Frank's project.

According to Sofascore, Kudus won eight duels and completed six dribbles across the afternoon, causing all sorts of problems for his opponents and whipping in the ball that ricocheted off Jan Paul van Hecke.

With three assists from five Premier League appearances for Tottenham, Kudus is coming into his own, bouncing back from a difficult campaign last year with the Hammers.

However, this isn't the biggest revival within the Spurs squad, with Destiny Udogie rising back up to the fore in a manner not dissimilar to that of Djed Spence last season.

Frank's own Djed Spence revival

When Spence was called up to Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad, it was a landmark moment in the 25-year-old full-back's development.

While Spence has revived his career over the past year, reinventing himself last year under Postecoglou's wing, Udogie's performance against Brighton underscored the importance of having a natural left-footer at left-back, working wonders for the side's progression.

Awarded an 8/10 match rating by football.london, the statistics perhaps don't tell the full story, with Udogie shackling - for the most part - the bright Yankuba Minteh and working effectively to build up patterns of offensive play down the left flank.

They also considered Udogie to have been the standout performer against the Seagulls.

Having struggled with injury and subsequent dips in form last year, the Italy international made his first start of the season here, with Frank hailing his "absolutely exceptional" performance and continuing to remark that he was "almost unstoppable going forward".

With Udogie fit and firing on all cylinders, Tottenham's backline will begin to look far more fluent, not just solidifying when facing the ball but opening up a more coherent build-up process too.

This is not to the discredit of Spence, who continues to go from strength to strength at the club, but instead highlights the quality of the 22-year-old, who now provides his manager with the very best kind of selection headache.

Kudus might have been directly involved in both of Tottenham's goals, but Udogie proved his worth as one of the most exciting full-backs in the Premier League, and under a new manager in Frank, this might just prove to be the start of something special.

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven has largely impressed under Thomas Frank and throughout his time in north London, so much so that he's now attracting serious rumoured interest from Real Madrid.

Real Madrid turn to Tottenham star Micky van de Ven as 2026 target

The Dutchman, signed from Wolfsburg during the very start of Ange Postecoglou's era in charge, formed an absolutely stellar partnership with Cristian Romero over his first two seasons.

Romero was reportedly on Real's shortlist of targets before the Argentine committed his future to N17 by penning a brand-new £195,000-per-week contract, which made him Spurs' joint-highest earner alongside summer signing Xavi Simons.

Van de Ven and Romero once starred in Postecoglou's high line, which was a key reason for Tottenham's success and qualification for the Europa League in 2023/2024.

Last season, Tottenham conceded just 20 goals in the 18 games they started together, with the duo's injury problems throughout 24/25 seriously crippling Spurs.

With Romero tied down and van de Ven continuing to impress this season, it is believed that Real are now eyeing a move for the latter as Xabi Alonso looks to bolster his central defensive options in 2026.

Tottenham are reportedly ready to double van de Ven's wages in an attempt to keep him out of their clutches, with Chelsea also believed to be interested in the ex-Bundesliga star amid Enzo Maresca's hunt for new centre-backs (Graeme Bailey).

Losing the pacey, powerful and commanding centre-half would be a major blow for Frank, and journalist Dean Jones has sent a warning to Tottenham about Real's interest.

Tottenham sent Micky van de Ven a warning amid head-turning Real Madrid plan

Speaking to TEAMtalk, Jones reports that Real are planning to "turn people's heads" with a statement defensive signing, and despite Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate being Alonso's main target, an alternative move for van de Ven cannot be ruled out.

Commenting on Real's "interesting" van de Ven links, he's "heard" that this could be one to watch.

“I was told Konate was the one they have considered most likely but clearly they have eyes on other players too," said Jones.

"It is interesting that they are also now being linked with Micky van de Ven because I have heard that this might be a situation to watch across this season.

“At this stage I don’t believe there is any contact involved or anything like that, but Madrid want to turn people’s heads and if Van de Ven looks to raise his profile from Spurs then it is feasible he would see Madrid as a potential place to move to.

“I think he has been a player of interest to them for quite a while, so we will have to wait and see if they make the jump to a more active pursuit.”

Defenders of his calibre, age and ability are few and far between.

Van de Ven’s recovery speed is arguably his biggest asset. Time and again, he bailed Spurs out with last-ditch tackles or blistering sprints to snuff out counter-attacks during Postecoglou's reign, and he's been equally imperative for Frank.

talkSPORT's Jamie O'Hara went as far to say that Romero and van de Ven are the best centre-back partnership in the world right now, and either player would stroll into Alonso's starting eleven at the Bernabeu.

Tottenham Hotspur showcased their resilience and togetherness to climb back from a two-goal deficit against Brighton & Hove Albion on the south coast in the Premier League.

However, last season's residual defensive deficiencies had previously seeped in, with Yankuba Minteh and Yasin Ayari firing the hosts into a 2-0 lead in the first half, against the run of play.

Thomas Frank was delighted with his team's performance, even though the shares were spoiled, with several players in particular really shining at the AMEX.

Spurs' best performers vs Brighton

Richarlison halved the deficit for Tottenham just before the interval to restore hope. That hope was captured and channelled in the second half, with Jan Paul van Hecke bundling in an own goal in the late stages to restore parity for the visitors.

At the centre of both goals was Mohammed Kudus, who was a menace throughout the contest. Signed from West Ham United for £55m in the summer, he is a work in progress but endowed with such quality, and the same can be said for nifty playmaker Xavi Simons.

Kudus was a constant thorn in the Seagulls' side over the 90, attempting 12 dribbles and winning eight duels in total, as outlined by data-driven site Sofascore.

He could be more accurate in his attacking play, even having got the assist for Richarlison's goal, but what a danger Frank has in this electric-paced winger.

Indeed, Wilson Odobert is a winger of high-speed efficiency, but it's not working out for him in a Lilywhite shirt so far, with his performances perhaps shaping him into this year's version of Brennan Johnson.

Frank must instantly drop Wilson Odobert

Johnson scored 18 goals for Tottenham across all competitions last season, the last of which carried quite the significance, but he toiled for much of the year, ghosting for large segments of the campaign. Odobert may well be taking that unwanted vacancy in Frank's squad.

Indeed, Kudus might be firing on all cylinders after his cross-capital switch in the summer, but the same can't be said for Odobert, who might have expected to kick on after an injury-hit maiden year at Tottenham but has so far offered little in the way of genuine promise.

Football.london saw it fit to brand Odobert with a 4/10 match rating, singling out his ineffectiveness when on the ball and failure to showcase any sort of meaningful threat.

Plenty of huff and puff, but the winger failed with every single one of his attempted dribbles and duels, and that tells the tale of the tape.

Minteh, his opposite number, won five duels and, of course, opened the scoring after darting round Guglielmo Vicario and converting.

Content creator Mitch Fretton noted that the French talent is "not performing at the required level this season". With such thick competition in the attacking areas, it feels like Odobert might face an uphill battle to start in the Premier League again in the foreseeable future, with his struggles on the flank reminiscent of Johnson's last year.

The Welsh winger was heavily criticised for his performances at the start of the 2024/25 campaign, but it's worth noting that he bounced back spectacularly to play a significant role.

Let's not forget, Johnson scored the goal which secured Tottenham some silverware at the end of Ange Postecoglou's tenure. Odobert might be struggling to bring it all together at the moment, but let's not count him out.

Tottenham summer signing Xavi Simons is arguably one of Europe's most exciting young playmakers, with the Dutchman tipped to become a star for Spurs after ex-chairman Daniel Levy sealed a £52 million deal ahead of Chelsea.

Xavi Simons looking to justify potential club-record Tottenham deal

The cost of Simons' signing, as per club insider Paul O'Keefe, could reach around £125 million when factoring in the length of his contract, wages and transfer fee combined.

The 22-year-old signed a five-year deal worth around £195,000-per-week, making him the Lilywhites' joint-highest earner with Cristian Romero.

Simons' five-year deal includes an option to extend his stay by an additional two years, and if the north Londoners take this option, it would be the longest contract ever awarded to a Spurs player.

Over his first two games, the playmaker has already shown real glimpses of his quality and got off the mark with his first assist for Spurs just 47 minutes into his full debut — setting up Pape Sarr for the Senegalese to head home from a corner.

Simons also started his first Champions League game for Spurs earlier this week, and again impressed in flashes, even if he was largely unconvincing and lucky not to be sent off for a second yellow after bringing down former Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe.

Thomas Frank has elected to start Simons on the left-hand side in each of his first two games, and it will be intriguing to see whether the ex-PSG sensation will be played more centrally in a 'Maddison-type' role soon.

Lucas Bergvall has dazzled for Spurs so far this season and Frank will be keen for the Swede not to lose momentum, so we'll perhaps see Simons more out wide for the time being.

In any case, the starlet, who was also once in Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, is being tipped for stardom in N17.

“I heard Tottenham’s coach give a whole spiel about Simons, saying that he can actually play on the left wing,” said journalist Suleyman Ozturk earlier this week.

“And that’s where he plays now, and you can see that when he gets the ball, there’s a shift in his mind, and he moves on, for example, to Richarlison. There’s a lot of creativity there, and I think that once that comes out in a few weeks, he’s going to be a sensation at Tottenham."

Interestingly, Simons was once believed to be on the verge of joining Chelsea, and super-agent Ali Barat has now revealed the "key" reason why Spurs ended up winning the race.

Why Xavi Simons chose to join Tottenham over Chelsea

Speaking to RMC Sport, Barat says that Frank's influence was a vital factor in persuading Simons to sign for Tottenham over Enzo Maresca's side.

“With Xavi, the key was to clearly understand his priorities and ensure that the club he joined shared his long-term vision,” he said.

“Xavi has a very strong mentality and a big personality. Tottenham and Chelsea are both fantastic clubs with solid projects, and there was genuine interest from both sides.

“But Chelsea was always clear with us; they had certain constraints that made it difficult to move forward in discussions.

“So, when discussions with Tottenham began, it became clear that this would be a project that would be a perfect fit for Xavi, and I think the discussion he had with Thomas Frank was really key to Xavi’s decision.”

Frank has guided the Lilywhites to four wins from six games in all competitions since taking over from Ange Postecoglou, and taking Barat's revelation into account, Tottenham's decision to appoint the Dane is looking more and more like the right decision every week.

Similar to Ange, the tactician appears to have a talent for convincing Europe's most exciting talents, with his predecessor helping Levy to sign Mathys Tel via a Zoom call pitch.

Following James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski's lengthy injury lay-offs, Simons' arrival could be crucial in Spurs' chase for silverware and qualification for next season's Champions League.

It was a statement deal, and beating London rivals Chelsea to his signature was the extra cherry top.

West Ham United have approached a title-winning former Tottenham manager to potentially replace the under-fire Graham Potter.

Graham Potter could be axed if West Ham suffer Crystal Palace defeat

According to some reports, amid real fan unrest, chairman David Sullivan is keen to avoid a Julen Lopetegui-esque 'will they, won't they' sack saga with Potter, and will make a quicker decision on whether to part company if poor results continue.

Lopetegui continuously managed to save himself with the odd win this time last season, and delayed the Hammers axe from swinging down on him until January.

The same won't be said for Potter, as it is believed that an unconvincing loss to Crystal Palace today could even seal the 50-year-old's fate.

"We know he has Saturday’s game,” a Hammers News source said earlier this week.

“I am told Sullivan is very concerned by the fans’ reaction at the moment. It is more toxic than he ever had under David Moyes and Lopetegui. Defeat and that’s it for Potter.

“But I am told it won’t be a rollercoaster like both the previous managers, saving themselves with the odd win.”

This is now backed up by English broadcast giant talkSPORT, who say that an undesired result at the London Stadium this afternoon will "likely spell the end" for Potter.

West Ham officials hold talks with Nuno Espírito Santo

Adding further information on West Ham's managerial saga, the outlet also shared an update on the club's links to ex-Tottenham, Al-Ittihad and Wolves boss Nuno Espírito Santo.

After guiding Nottingham Forest back to European football for the first time since 1995, Nuno is a hot commodity, and won plenty of admirers at the City Ground by shoring up their once-leaky defence.

The 51-year-old made Forest a very difficult side to beat with his pragmatic style, and they became far less vulnerable to set plays, which will undoubtedly appeal to Sullivan, Brady and the Hammers board after West Ham's undoubted struggles in that regard so far.

Nuno was awarded a brand-new contract in June, but a public fallout with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sealed a shock, unceremonious exit just three games into the new Premier League season.

talkSPORT reports that West Ham officials have spoken to Nuno about replacing Potter, but it remains to be seen whether the tactician, who won a Saudi league title with Al-Ittihad, would be so eager to jump into such a pressurised role after the heartbreak of his Forest departure.

In terms of whether Nuno is the right man, we believe he is the standout candidate by far if they elect to hand Potter a P45.

Why West Ham should appoint Nuno if they sack Potter

Not only could the coach help to shore up West Ham's fragile backline, which has conceded more goals than any other Premier League side so far, but Nuno is also famed for being a "very good man-manager".

His status as a free agent means that West Ham won't have to pay any compensation fee to employers, either, with Nuno there for the taking.

The same could be said of fellow top contender, Slaven Bilic, but Nuno's stock is very high right now after his miracle job at Forest last season.

After Thomas Frank took the reins early in the summer, no Tottenham Hotspur fan would’ve predicted the incredible start he’s made - filling the gap after Ange Postecoglou's dismissal.

The Dane has only tasted defeat once in his first five competitive outings, winning the other four - most notably against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad.

However, this afternoon’s meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion will present another tricky clash for the 51-year-old to navigate if he is to keep up his tremendous start.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side are currently on a two-game winning streak over the Lilywhites - subsequently doing the double over them during the 2024/25 campaign.

If Spurs are to put such a run to an end, the manager will have to make sure one player hits the ground running after a quiet start to his career at North London.

Why Xavi Simons has struggled at Spurs

Xavi Simons was one of Spurs’ big-money additions made during the summer transfer window, joining Frank’s men in a £52m deal from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

The attacking midfielder’s arrival in England generated huge excitement, and understandably so, given the talent and potential he possesses at the age of just 22.

His tally of 19 combined goals and assists last campaign showcases that he’s able to either find a teammate or find the back of the net alone, subsequently adding a new dimension to the Lilywhites' attack.

However, two games into his spell in England, he’s operated off the left-hand side rather than his natural number ten position - something which has undoubtedly limited his success to date.

Simons may have registered an assist in the Premier League, but the youngster still has so much more to offer, with Frank needing to give him the opportunity to star in a central position.

Should the manager make that call, he will have to drop one player from the heart of his side - leading to a decision which could be somewhat controversial for the fanbase.

The Spurs player who should be dropped to allow Simons to thrive

Since Frank took the reins during the off-season, the Dane has utilised a flat midfield trio, but that could all be about to change in the trip to face the Seagulls this afternoon.

Lucas Bergvall has arguably been the club’s shining light over the last couple of weeks, scoring in the victory against West Ham United last Saturday.

The Swede even claimed the Man of the Match award in the Champions League on Tuesday night, further showcasing how impressive he’s been during the early stages of the campaign.

He’s often featured alongside Pape Sarr at the heart of the side, but if Simons is to operate behind the striker, the 23-year-old may have to be the one to give way.

Like Bergvall, he scored in the clash at the London Stadium last Saturday, but he could well be sacrificed if the Dutchman does shift inside off the left flank.

It would be a controversial decision from Frank, especially after Sarr was labelled “sensational” by one analyst after his recent displays in the Premier League.

His performance against Villarreal in midweek was arguably one of his poorest of 2025/26, potentially leaving the door open for the manager to test out the big-money signing as part of his midfield trio.

Sarr was replaced with just over 20 minutes left of the European clash, registering just a 77% pass completion rate - highlighting his sloppy nature with the ball at his feet.

He also failed to make any interceptions against the Yellow Submarine, unable to offer the ball-winning presence which he’s so often showcased in North London.

The Senegalese international also tends to operate in a box-to-box role, potentially leaving the side too open should he play alongside - with Frank potentially utilising Joao Palhinha and Bergvall in a pivot slightly behind Simons.

Such a tactical dilemma is not necessarily a bad thing for the new manager, as it highlights the quality and depth he currently has at his disposal in the capital.

However, it’s crucial that the Dane gives out equal opportunities to keep the players happy, something which could see Simons finally get his opportunity in a number ten position against the Seagulls.

Tottenham Hotspur travel to face Brighton & Hove Albion this afternoon, looking to continue their excellent start to life under new manager Thomas Frank.

The Dane has already won four of his first five games in charge of the Lilywhites, with the most recent victory coming against Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Other wins have come in the Premier League against Burnley, Manchester City and West Ham United - allowing the side to occupy a place in the top four after the first handful of outings.

However, this afternoon they will be coming up against Fabian Hurzeler’s side, who have yet to taste defeat on home soil, subsequently picking up four points out of a potential six.

If Frank’s men are to have any chance of securing another victory, he may have to unleash one talent who’s already demonstrated glimpses of his quality in the current campaign.

Why Frank must unleash Johnson v Brighton

Brennan Johnson has certainly had his doubters during his time at Spurs, but it’s safe to say that he’s produced the goods on a consistent basis over the past 12 months.

The Welshman, who joined in a £47.5m deal from Nottingham Forest, registered 18 goals across all competitions last season - including the winner in the Europa League final against Manchester United.

He also made an excellent start to 2025/26, scoring in each of his first two Premier League starts, before being dropped in the last two matches across all competitions.

Johnson has demonstrated that he has the goal-scoring prowess needed to win a game of football, something which will be vital against a solid Seagulls outfit.

However, he should be the only player recalled to the starting eleven, with one other Lilywhites talent deserving of a start after dropping to the bench in the Champions League.

The Spurs player who loves playing against Brighton

Over the last couple of years, Spurs have had somewhat of a torrid time facing Brighton, often being on the wrong end of numerous high-scoring encounters.

The two sides last met on the final day of last season, with the Lilywhites falling to a 4-1 defeat in North London just days after claiming Europa League glory in Bilbao.

Their last visit to the AMEX saw Ange Postecoglou’s side lose 3-2, that’s despite being two goals ahead at the break, thanks to goals from Johnson and James Maddison.

However, another defeat could be avoided by Frank if he unleashes loanee Joao Palhinha at the heart of the midfield on the South Coast once again this afternoon.

The Portuguese international joined the Lilywhites on a loan deal from Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window, offering a needed ball-winning presence in the middle of the park.

He’s started three league games to date, even scoring in the victory against Manchester City at the Etihad back at the end of October - in what was just the second league game of Frank’s tenure.

Out of possession, the 30-year-old has been just as impressive, winning 2.2 tackles per 90 and 7.8 duels per 90, often being the main player to regain the ball for the Lilywhites.

However, it’s his previous record against the Seagulls that could be another reason to start Palhinha, with the former Fulham star previously impressing against the Albion.

In his three matches against today’s opposition, the Portuguese international, who’s been labelled “incredible” by one analyst, he’s won two and drawn one, subsequently never losing a game against them.

He’s also previously netted a goal against the Seagulls, hopefully replicating such a record if he gets the nod and is recalled to Frank’s starting eleven this afternoon.

Palhinha’s early form in North London has showcased that he’s already been an excellent addition to the squad - potentially playing a vital role in any success in 2025/26.

He and Johnson are both deserving of a starting role once more, potentially able to help the side extend their phenomenal start to life under new boss, Frank.

After taking the reins from Ange Postecoglou during the off-season, the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy needed to hand Thomas Frank the funds he needed to make the necessary additions he demanded.

The Dane made a beeline for the signature of West Ham United winger Mohammed Kudus, subsequently forking out a fee in the region of £55m for his signature.

The Ghanaian has already been a crucial member of the squad in 2025/26, missing just nine minutes of Premier League action and nailing down the right-wing position as his own.

He’s already demonstrated his quality in North London, registering two assists to date - one of which was for Richarlison, with the Brazilian’s acrobatic effort against Burnley winning the club’s goal of the month.

Kudus’ subsequent move to join the Lilywhites puts him in a limited group of players in their history, joining multiple players who have joined for at least £50m - but how did the last three other players in the category fare?

The last three Spurs players who joined for at least £50m

Just last summer, Spurs forked out a club-record £65m to land the services of Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth - with a real impetus on the Englishman to provide the goods in the final third.

However, just over 12 months on, the 28-year-old has struggled with injuries, only making 31 minutes of league action this season - failing to add to his tally of 16 goals from 2024/25.

The aforementioned Richarlison was another player who joined for big money, making the move to the capital from Everton after the hierarchy paid £50m for his signature in the summer of 2022.

The Brazilian has received a new lease of life under Frank, already netting twice this campaign, taking his total goals for the Lilywhites to 22 in his 96 appearances across all competitions.

Both players have arguably been a success, but the same can’t be said for Tanguy Ndombele, with the Frenchman previously being their record addition before Solanke joined the side.

He cost a staggering £63m from Lyon in the summer of 2019, but his lack of fitness led to huge questions around his transfer - evidently not being at the speed needed for the Premier League.

After 91 appearances in North London, he would depart on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, further highlighting how much of a disaster his transfer turned out to be.

Kudus will be hoping to avoid replicating the latter, but one other player now falls into the category of high fees after his remarkable performances since making his own transfer to the club.

The Spurs player already worth more than Kudus

Whilst much has been made about Spurs’ lack of spending over recent years, the hierarchy have shown their backing within the transfer market under various managers.

In the last three years alone, over £400m has been spent on new additions in the window, funds which undoubtedly contributed to their incredible Europa League triumph last season.

All areas of the pitch have been strengthened as a result, which have also allowed Frank to hit the ground running with his record of four wins from his five competitive outings.

The backline has played a massive part, keeping clean sheets in all of those victories, with Micky van de Ven being a crucial part of their recent success in the defensive third.

The Dutch international arrived as an unknown quantity to many back in the summer of 2023, but he’s rapidly becoming one of Europe’s most impressive and valuable centre-backs.

He clocked the fastest speed of any player in England’s top-flight in 2024/25, which enabled him to have an effect at both ends of the pitch despite the lowly league finish.

Van de Ven’s most impressive moment certainly came against Manchester United at Old Trafford, gliding past the opposition from one end to another, before teeing up Brennan Johnson for an easy finish at the back post.

The 24-year-old, who’s been dubbed “sensational” by The Athletic’s Jay Harris, also demonstrated his defensive prowess, with his acrobatic goal-line clearance against the same side securing the Lilywhites’ first trophy in 17 years.

His pace at the back is unconventional for a centre-back, but it’s made him a monster hit with the fanbase - with his performances making his value soar in recent times.

He’s now valued at £53.2m by FootballTransfers, a £16m increase on the fee the hierarchy forked out for his signature back in the summer of 2023 under Postecoglou’s guidance.

His subsequent value is higher than that of new addition, Kudus, with the attacker now worth £45.9m despite his big-money arrival just a couple of months ago.

Both players have the tools to play a real part in any success that could be achieved during Frank’s tenure in North London over the next couple of seasons.

However, it’s evidence that the club have turned the corner in the transfer market and are now making sensational pieces of business that could make them a force to be reckoned with once again.

Xavi Simons is a player who has arrived at the club with huge expectations after the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy forked out £52m for his signature this summer.

The Dutch international is seen as a huge talent for the immediate and long-term future in North London as the Lilywhites look to reach the next level under Thomas Frank.

Their Europa League triumph last campaign no doubt aided their chances of landing the 22-year-old, who was firmly on Chelsea’s radar before his big-money transfer.

Supporters will no doubt be hoping he can help catapult the club up the Premier League table in 2025/26, after registering a measly 15th-place finish under Ange Postecoglou.

Frank has no reason to be unhappy with the board, especially after their investment during the off-season, hopefully replicating the success of one player from their local rivals.

The suffering Martin Odegaard has inflicted on Spurs

Martin Odegaard, who currently plies his trade for local rivals Arsenal, has been a player who has constantly impressed against Spurs - often causing the fanbase numerous moments of torment.

In his eight outings against the Lilywhites, the Norwegian international has been on the winning side on six separate occasions - subsequently achieving a 75% win rate.

He’s also scored twice and registered an assist, subsequently having a bearing on the result in 50% of the triumphs for Mikel Arteta’s side in the North London Derby.

There’s no denying that the supporters of Spurs will wish that they could have their own version of the star within the side, especially given the suffering he’s placed upon them in recent years.

The summer addition of Simons could certainly help Frank’s hopes of landing a top-level attacking midfielder, but it’s likely that he will need time to bed in to life in England.

However, the hierarchy may have made a mistake in allowing one other former player to depart the club, given his impressive form since moving away from the Lilywhites.

The former Spurs star who could’ve been their own Odegaard

Over recent seasons, Spurs have spent hefty sums on attacking talent to try and bolster the options in the final third - but not all of their investments have paid off.

Bryan Gil cost a fee in the region of £25m back in the summer of 2021, with real expectations that he could provide needed quality off the left-hand side, along with Heung-min Son.

However, the Spaniard only made 43 senior appearances for the Lilywhites, failing to score a single goal and subsequently returning to his homeland and rejoining his former side, Girona.

The 24-year-old wasn’t the only promising talent to join Spurs from LaLiga, with attacking midfielder Giovani Lo Celso moving in a £27m transfer back in January 2020.

Lo Celso racked up 90 appearances over a three-year spell in North London - scoring a crucial goal against Manchester City a couple of years ago, which helped the side claim one of their famous results against Pep Guardiola’s men.

Whilst he racked up 10 goals for the club, it wasn’t enough to keep him in the first-team plans of Postecoglou, resulting in the Argentine making an £8m transfer back to Real Betis in the summer of 2024.

However, since his move back to Spain, the 29-year-old has once again recaptured his best form, leading to FBref labelling him as a similar player to Arsenal star, Odegaard.

When comparing their respective stats from the 2024/25 campaign, Lo Celso massively outperformed the Gunners captain in key areas - highlighting the mistake made in allowing him to depart last summer.

The former PSG star, who’s been labelled “incredible” by journalist Noah Trister, posted a higher goal and assist rate per 90, along with a better shot on target accuracy rate - showcasing the clinical edge he possesses in front of goal.

He also registered more key passes per 90 (2.7) and more passes into the final third per 90 (5.5), subsequently having the creative nature the hierarchy were frantically searching for all summer.

Lo Celso’s dominance over Odegaard is further demonstrated by his higher tallies of crosses per 90 and take-ons completed - numbers which make him a more all-round talent when in possession and breaking the lines.

The decision to offload the 29-year-old for just £8m now appears to be one that the club will love to regret, especially given his remarkable form for Betis over the last few months.

Simons desperately needs to live up to his mammoth price tag in the near future, with the Lilywhites board potentially allowing their answer to Odegaard slip through their fingers for a minimal fee.