FourFourTwo

International superstars Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe are both in the top four dribblers in Europe’s top five leagues but the front-running front-runner is making his presence felt in England, not Spain.

Barcelona teenager Yamal has completed the fourth-highest number of successful dribbles, with Real Madrid talisman Mbappe second on the list.

Yamal’s 21 dribbles and Mbappe’s 30 are split by the 22 successful dribbles by Real Sociedad’s Ander Barrenetxea but all three are looking up at the number of attempts and completions by the continent’s runaway runner.

The best dribbler in Europe?

Analysis for the Premier League by Adrian Clarke has revealed that new Tottenham Hotspur signing Mohammed Kudus has produced 30 successful take-ons in 2025-26, more than any other player in the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga and Ligue 1 in France.

Noting that Kudus has primarily attacked defenders on Spurs’ right flank since moving from West Ham United in the summer transfer window, Clarke writes: “In Premier League terms, Kudus' 30 successful dribbles put him 11 ahead of his nearest rival, Brighton & Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh (19).”

Regular observers of Kudus throughout his career will know that this season is no fluke in dribbling terms.

The Ghana international was a nuisance for defenders while playing for Danish Superliga side Nordsjaelland, though he was often deployed more centrally in what was at the time an incredibly fluid set-up.

After joining Ajax, he was the Eredivisie’s top take-on man in 2022-23 before leading the Premier League and Europe’s top five leagues as a West Ham player in 2023-24.

He was second in the Premier League behind Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku (and both were miles behind Yamal) last season but has started life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as he means to go on, making sure to contribute with his final ball too.

Only Jack Grealish of Everton has produced more goal-creating actions than Kudus this season, with the Ghanaian level on five in total with Riccardo Calafiori, Antoine Semenyo and Spurs teammate Pape Matar Sarr.

Kudus and Grealish top the Premier League assist rankings with four, while no player has attempted more crosses than Kudus. Pedro Porro, also of Spurs, is second in the Premier League in that category.

Dribbling isn’t everything. Mbappe has scored nine goals in La Liga this season and Yamal, while Kudus has one more assist so far, is the continental leader for assists per 90 minutes.

“Head coach Thomas Frank has encouraged Kudus to express himself, and the talented winger has certainly been fun to watch, showing good degrees of confidence,” offers Clarke.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keeping tabs on a player Thomas Frank already knows well with a view to a potential transfer move.

The Spurs boss made the move across London this summer after seven years at Brentford, having led the Bees to promotion from the Championship and successfully established them as a Premier League side.

Frank enjoyed a reasonably productive first transfer window at Tottenham, with Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons among the high-profile arrivals - and he could now look to Brentford to bring in one of his former charges.

Tottenham set sights on Kevin Schade

Journalist Florian Plettenberg writes that Tottenham are among a number of sides currently keeping an eye on Brentford forward Kevin Schade.

The Germany international enjoyed a standout campaign last season, appearing in every one of Brentford's Premier League games and claiming 11 goals in the process.

Schade remains an important player under new boss Keith Andrews, who has shifted the 23-year-old to playing at centre-forward more regularly this season.

His only strike so far this campaign came as he opened the scoring in Brentford's 2-2 draw with Chelsea last month.

At his age, there is seemingly a feeling that Schade's best years are still ahead of him, with Plettenberg noting that he could be 'one to watch' when it comes to his transfer future.

However, as Frank will be well aware, getting Schade out of Brentford is unlikely to be easy, even if Tottenham were to wait until next summer - as has been reported.

In FourFourTwo's estimation, Brentford are in a strong position to command a very hefty fee for Schade, if indeed they are willing to get him go at all.

Brentford have consistently been willing to drive a hard bargain for their best players, particularly when they still have plenty of time left on their deals.

Newcastle had to shell out £55m to secure Yoane Wissa on transfer deadline day, while Bryan Mbeumo commanded a £65m when Manchester United came knocking earlier in the summer.

Schade joined for a reported £25m in 2023 and his contract is not set to expire until summer 2028, which means come the end of this season, Brentford will be in what is generally regarded as the prime time to sell a player for maximum value.

Thomas Frank's start to life at Tottenham has been good but not flawless, but seems to have done more than enough to convince the club's owners to pump a nine-figure sum of fresh money into the club.

Spurs sit third in the Premier League with just one defeat from their first seven games and the second-best defensive record in the division.

That's a far cry from finishing 17th under Ange Postecoglou last term, conceding 65 goals in 38 games along the way... and, of course, scooping the Europa League trophy that earned them their Champions League place this season.

ENIC's £100m cash injection into Spurs sends three-way message

There's still plenty for Frank to work on at Tottenham, especially after his side needed late comebacks to rescue points against bottom side Wolves in the league and unfancied Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League.

But the announcement that the club's owners ENIC have injected £100m of new capital into the club is not just an implicit statement of trust in the manager; they have actually explicitly spelt it out.

In a club statement, non-executive chairman Peter Charrington said: “As I stated a few weeks ago, our focus is on stability and empowering the management team to deliver on the club’s ambitions.

"I know the Lewis family are also ambitious for the future. Today’s capital commitment reflects that ambition and I would like to thank them for their ongoing support.

"We will continue to do all we can to ensure that Vinai and his team are supported in the best way possible to take this club forward.”

That's a nice little boost for Frank this early in his tenure - but the timing of the move does come at an extremely PR-friendly time for ENIC.

ENIC passed from businessman Joe Lewis to his family via the Lewis Family Trust in 2022.

The younger members of the Lewis Family have had a busy few months re-organising things behind the scenes, including the dismissal of Postecoglou and, most notably, the departure of long-serving chairman Daniel Levy, who left the role last month.

That led to a flurry of speculation that the Lewis family were planning an exit from the club, and there have been three expressions of interest in buying the club over the past few weeks. However, ENIC are said to have been clear in their stance that the club is not for sale.

Ploughing £100m of their own money into the club feels a bit like that old Mitchell and Webb sketch where their version of the producers of the Apprentice decide on £100,000 as the salary for the winning contestant because it's 'the smallest large amount of money'.

In Premier League ownership terms, £100m feels like exactly the kind of number you might come up with if you wanted to send several messages at the same time. First, there's that little bit of public backing for Frank after an overall positive start as gaffer.

Second, it says to potential investors sniffing around "we're actually alright for money thanks - look, here we are just chucking £100m into the club like it's nothing. Just think how much we value the club at when that's the case. If we were interested in selling. Which we're not. So go away."

Finally: it sends another signal to the fans that they really are serious about their intentions of staying in control - and that they want to put to bed the accusations of financial over-caution that were often levelled at Levy.

Spurs and ENIC are now talking in terms of focusing on delivering results on the pitch as well as on the balance sheet - and sticking another £100m into the club feels like them showing they will put their money where their mouth is.

Today's football quiz is all about Nuno Espirito Santo.

The Portuguese back in the Premier League: our quiz today won't be West Ham United-focused, though, unfortunately, given that he's only been in the job for a week.

Instead, we're looking back in time for Espirito Santo: can you name his 30 most-used players across Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest – that's the top 10 players at each club – in just 12 minutes?

Handpicked quizzes we know you'll love

We're challenging you on historic financial windfalls and the latest video game ratings, all hosted by Kwizly: it's time to see if you're a real football mogul.

We start with a dive into the accounts and the archives. Can you name the clubs and players involved in the biggest transfer profits of all time? Then, prove your dedication to the culture by seeing how many FFT cover stars you can guess.

Now, focus on history and virtual reality. How many of the last 100 clubs to defeat the Premier League champions can you recall? Following that test of real-world upsets, check your knowledge of the virtual elite by naming the top 100-rated players in EA Sports FC 26.

FFT spent last Saturday afternoon completing a football double header, which finished with João Palhinha's stoppage time equaliser to salvage a point for Spurs against Wolves.

The day began in one of Hertfordshire's more rough-and-ready watering holes, the designated away pub for Hull City's trip to Watford.

Plastic cups, black-and-amber, broad, local accents - everything a three o'clock kick-off should be about in the Football League. It ended with a crisp schooner of Czech lager, poured on the full-time whistle by the incredibly courteous staff, waiting inside the Seat Unique Club Suite at Tottenham - now, that's what FFT calls Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - FFT's Seat Unique Club Suite experience

Spurs' new home ground has arguably the most modern feel in the Premier League but it is not until you have visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that it can be truly appreciated. At some grounds in English football, the so-called 'fan experience' takes a back seat. When these grand, old stadiums were constructed years ago, that wasn't necessarily a thing.

At Spurs, for better or worse, that is no longer the case.

FFT didn't use a turnstile on Saturday evening, instead we were greeted by Rich, who made the airport security experience now synonymous with attending a match in the 21st Century decidedly more amiable and convivial than is often the case at one of the United Kingdom's major flight terminals.

The atrium, as it is known, beneath the West Stand is more nu-age five-star hotel lobby than football stadium and FFT was promptly directed to the lift where they even had somebody to press the buttons.

Stepping out onto the fourth floor, Seat Unique's designated suite was off to the left and upon entering boasted a generous food and drink offering. It would be rude not to, wouldn't it?

If the hospitality was feast, then the first half football was more famine. Spurs toiled against a bottom-of-the-table Wolves side who looked more like Napoli in their blue shirts and white shorts from FFT's front-row vantage point.

Half-time came and went in the blink of an eye - we finally understand why hospitality spectators often don't return to their seats for the second half until the 50th minute or later.

The Spurs supporters either side of FFT probably didn't appreciate our quip that 'you shouldn't let the 90 minutes ruin a good day out at the football', as Santiago Bueno stabbed in a close-range effort at a Wolves corner shortly after the half-time interval to give the Premier League's basement club a precious lead.

Wolves fans across the far side of the pitch screamed and hollered at every tackle and every set-piece as they closed in on their first points, never mind all three of them, this season - but, it wasn't to be.

Thomas Frank's substitutes didn't exactly change the game but they had a hand in Spurs' stoppage time equaliser. Mathys Tel beat his man on the left-hand side and whipped a ball into a more dangerous area, where Pape Matar Sarr cushioned it into Palhinha's path.

The Portuguese midfielder will probably be the first to admit he didn't have the greatest of games (FFT says, having watched the entirety of the contest from a comfortable, heated seat), but his execution for Spurs' equalising goal with the instep of his right boot was inch-perfect.

Emotion took hold and summoning his inner Hugo Ekitike, the shirt came off, although Palhinha discarded his on the turf quicker than you can say, 'More ham hock croquettes, sir?'

FFT felt like doing similar when the half-time fried chicken, cheese and bacon sliders came out. Oh, I say.

The entire experience felt like going out for an evening meal, with a side of football and if that's your thing, you won't be disappointed. Alternative opinions are available, as are alternative views from the impressive, three-tiered North Stand or South Stand, which was modelled on Borussia Dortmund's famous 'Yellow Wall'.

Spurs mightn't always put on a show worthy of the admission but that's part and parcel of being a football supporter at any club.

As for Vicarage Road, FFT now has a taste for the high life - over to you, Hornets.

Watch Spurs vs Wolves in the Premier League's final action on Saturday, with FourFourTwo bringing you all the details on live streams and TV channels wherever you are in the world.

Tottenham have begun life under new boss Thomas Frank in fine fettle and are sitting pretty in 3rd heading into their clash with Wolves this weekend.

The Lilywhites were held to a 2-2 draw with Brighton last time out, but also booked their spot in the next round of the Carabao Cup with an easy 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers.

Wolves have been in miserable form under Vitor Pereira and are still just one of two sides yet to win a game so far this season in the Premier League.

A 3-1 home loss against Leeds United last time out means Wolves will be looking for a natural response in the capital, but they will have to be at their best to get anything from what appears to be a tricky-looking affair.

Read on for all the details on how to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolverhampton Wanderers online and on TV today.

Watch Tottenham vs Wolves in the UK

Tottenham vs Wolves kicks off at 8:00 pm (BST) and coverage will follow on from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Spurs hosting Wolves at 5:30 pm.

Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Premier League are your two destinations for live coverage of the game in the UK.

Watch Tottenham vs Wolves in the US

In the US, USA Network has exclusive rights for Tottenham vs Wolves.

To watch online, you'll need a cord-cutting streaming service such as Sling orFubo.

How to watch Tottenham vs Wolves in Australia

Premier League fans in Australia can watch Tottenham vs Wolves through Stan Sport.

Can I watch Spurs vs Wolves for free?

Watch Tottenham vs Wolves from anywhere

Away from home when the game's on? A VPN will ensure you don't miss a minute.

Virtual Private Networks are internet security software that alter your device's location, meaning you can bypass the geo-restrictions you get on most streaming platforms and enjoy your usual coverage no matter where you are.

NordVPN is the best VPN provider out there, according to our office-mates at TechRadar, who love its compatibility, top-notch security, and seamless streaming unblocking.

See also ► Premier League TV guide

Tottenham vs Wolves: Premier League preview

Tottenham are flying under new boss Frank and so far have just one loss against Bournemouth on their record under the Dane.

In fact, Tottenham's start under Frank and his record of 10 points from his first five Premier League matches as manager is double what Ange Postecoglou achieved in his final 12 top-flight games in charge.

An easy victory over Grant McCann's Doncaster side in midweek gave vital minutes to Spurs' fringe players, with Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert impressing.

In terms of injuries, Kota Takai (foot) will be monitored and Randal Kolo Muani (thigh) and Ben Davies (knee) are both pushing to return.

Radu Dragusin, James Maddison (both ACL), Dejan Kulusevski (knee) and Yves Bissouma (unspecified) remain out.

Wolves have been in dire form and yet progressed to the next round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win over Everton in midweek.

Marshall Munetsi and Tolu Arokodare both found the net, and Pereira will hope that victory can give his side some confidence heading into a tricky-looking clash in the capital.

In terms of injuries, midfielder Andre was forced off with a calf problem late on against the Toffees and is an early doubt for the clash.

Arokodare's goal could spell trouble for Jorgen Strand Larsen, with the Wolves boss now deciding which striker to hand a start to in the capital.

See also ► These are the cheapest ways to watch the Premier League this season

Tottenham vs Wolves: Expected line-ups

FourFourTwo's prediction

Tottenham 3-0 Wolves

FourFourTwo feels Frank and his side will have too much for Wolves and we envisage a routine home win for Spurs on Saturday evening.

Dominic Solanke is yet to get up and running this season due to a persistent ankle injury.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker has been hampered by the issue since pre-season and has made just three appearances in all competitions, all from the bench.

Solanke last featured in Spurs' 2-0 win at Manchester City on August 23 and has missed his club's past five matches going into Saturday's Premier League visit of Wolves.

Is Tottenham's Dominic Solanke available this weekend?

Solanke made a £55m move from Bournemouth to Spurs in summer 2024 and scored 16 goals in 45 appearances in his first season with the club.

But the new campaign has been more frustrating for the 28-year-old, who will have wanted to hit the ground running under boss Thomas Frank after the Dane replaced Ange Postecoglou this summer.

After coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute in Tottenham's UEFA Super Cup defeat by Paris Saint-Germain, Solanke was limited to similar cameos in the opening two Premier League games against Burnley and City and has not played since.

He is still waiting for his first start under Frank, who revealed before last Saturday's draw at Brighton that the England striker was closing in on a return to action.

"The positive thing is he is back on the grass and has been for three or four days,” the Tottenham boss told The Standard. “He is progressing forward - slowly, but forward.”

And while Wednesday's Carabao Cup victory against Doncaster Rovers came "too early", according to Frank, Solanke may be fit enough to make the bench against rock-bottom Wolves.

Spurs will be targeting maximum points against a side who have lost all of their opening five league matches.

It would continue an encouraging start under Frank, whose side have taken 10 points this term to sit third in the table.

Watch Brighton and Hove Albion vs Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday in the Premier League. Here, FourFourTwo provides all the details on how you can watch the game live from anywhere in the world.

Brighton's defeat at Bournemouth last weekend means Fabian Hurzeler's side will be bidding for a response as they host Tottenham on Saturday.

The last time Spurs won at the Amex was way back in 2022, and that's a record manager Thomas Frank will want to end when the two sides meet on Saturday afternoon on the south coast.

But given the Lilywhites played in Europe this week, Brighton will have had further time to prepare, and that may serve as something of a boost.

Can I watch Brighton vs Spurs in the UK?

Brighton vs Spurs has fallen victim to the 3pm blackout in the UK, meaning no TV coverage or streaming at all.

For those not in the stadium, you'll have to tune into the radio, wait for highlights on Match of the Day, or, if you're visiting the UK from abroad, use a VPN to access the coverage you usually enjoy back home.

Watch Brighton vs Spurs from anywhere

Away from home right now? You don't have to miss the game. The solution to your geo-restriction nightmares is a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a piece of software that can set your devices to appear to be in any country in the world.

You can use a VPN to unblock your usual streaming services while abroad, allowing you to connect and watch as if you were back home. You'll also get better playback quality and it will do wonders for your internet security – result!

FourFourTwo’s tech-obsessed office-mates over at Tom's Guide know everything there is to know about VPNs, and they rate NordVPN as the best VPN you can buy.

Watch Brighton vs Spurs in the US

In the USA, Peacock has the live streaming rights to Brighton vs Spurs.

How to watch Brighton vs Spurs in Australia

Premier League fans in Australia can watch Brighton vs Spurs through Stan Sport.

See also ► Premier League TV guide

Brighton vs Spurs: Premier League preview

Brighton completed a Premier League double over Spurs last season, winning both 3-2 (H) and 4-1 (A) as Ange Postecoglou was put to the sword twice by Hurzeler.

Kaoru Mitoma got off the mark for the season against the Cherries, and the Japan international will be bidding to kick on, having scored 11 times last campaign.

In terms of absentees, it appears as if Jack Hinshelwood (ankle), Mats Wieffer (knee), Solomon March (knee) and Adam Webster (knee) will all play no part in the contest.

Tottenham ensured a winning return to the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, as they beat La Liga side Villarreal thanks to an own goal from Luiz Junior.

Frank could choose to recall Mathys Tel after he was an unlikely recent omission from their European squad this season. Xavi Simons impressed against the Yellow Submarines in midweek and will also be hoping to continue in the starting XI.

James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin all remain out with knee injuries, but striker Dominic Solanke did feature from the bench in North London and could be pushing both Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison for a starting berth this weekend.

See also ► These are the cheapest ways to watch the Premier League this season

Brighton vs Spurs: Expected line-ups

FourFourTwo's prediction

Brighton 1-0 Tottenham

Brighton have always performed well against Tottenham, and after not playing in midweek, the Seagulls have the upper hand. Frank may have to chop and change his side, but we are tipping a narrow win for the hosts.

Spurs welcome Villarreal to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday evening as the Champions League gets underway for another season.

Thomas Frank will make his managerial debut in the competition proper, after predecessor Ange Postecoglou led Spurs to Europa League victory at the end of 2024-25.

Tottenham's league phase draw has pitted them against several top sides across Europe, including Spanish outfit Villarreal who are first to visit North London.

Spurs could face their OWN PLAYER in the Champions League this week

Tuesday 16 September – Villarreal (H) – 8pm UK

Tuesday 30 September – Bodo/Glimt (A) – 8pm UK

Wednesday 22 October – AS Monaco (A) – 8pm UK

Tuesday 4 November– FC Copenhagen (H) – 8pm UK

Wednesday 26 November – Paris Saint-Germain (A) – 8pm UK

Tuesday 9 December – Slavia Prague (H) – 8pm UK

Tuesday 20 January – Borussia Dortmund (H) – 8pm UK

Wednesday 28 January – Eintracht Frankfurt (A) – 8pm UK

Ahead of the transfer deadline earlier this month, Spurs allowed surplus-to-requirements winger Manor Solomon to join Villarreal on a season-long loan.

The former Leeds United loanee, who excelled in the Championship last term, is yet to make his debut for 'The Yellow Submarine' but could feasibly do so against his parent club Spurs.

This is because unlike English football in which the rules prohibit players from competing in matches against their parent clubs, UEFA competition allows it.

According to UEFA rules, a loan player is eligible to face their parent club in European competition as long as the loan agreement doesn't include a clause preventing it and the host club has the player registered and cleared to play.

Solomon is included in Villarreal's 'List A' squad for the league phase, as is ex-Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey.

Former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy was never known for lavish spending on players, but he was ready to provide an expensive leaving gift, according to a report.

Levy was not a popular figure among everyone in north London, but having delivered the club’s first silverware last season, acted decisively on the fate of Ange Postecoglou and moved to solidify the club's progress with high-profile signings in Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, Randal Kolo Muani and manager Thomas Frank, the executive was arguably at the peak of his powers.

It therefore came as a shock that at this point, owners Joe Lewis and his family decided it was the moment to cut ties.

Levy almost delivered what would have been his most memorable deal for Tottenham this summer

Nevertheless, Spurs have decided to go in a different direction, despite recent successes, in the hope they can re-establish themselves at the top of the English and European food chains.

It has since been revealed in the Spanish press that Levy himself came close to agreeing a significant step in that direction just weeks before his departure.

According to Los Blancos-focused outlet DefensaCentral, Levy came close to going big on Madrid winger Rodrygo as his final act at the helm in north London.

They go on to reveal that the businessman was ready to fork out €100m for the Brazilian, in what would have been a landmark signing for the club, usurping the record that Dominic Solanke’s transfer set last year.

While Levy had the club’s wallet primed, no official offer was received at the Bernabeu, with uncertainties around whether the project was right for him.

Rodrygo’s future has been the topic of much debate, with him struggling to unseat the likes of Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, but it seems he is set to remain in the Spanish capital to fight for his place.

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, this transfer would undoubtedly have gone down as one of Spurs’ biggest, in an area they could do with strengthening following the departure of Son Heung-min.

But was this a case of Levy going gung-ho with prior knowledge of his impending departure, in an attempt to leave a positive mark and boost his reputation? That, we may never know.

Regardless of the motivation behind it, Spurs fans may have some regret that the move never came to fruition, whether they had a positive view of Levy or not.