Hotspur HQ

For the vast majority of the 2025/26 Premier League and Champions League season, Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison has been one of the most forcefully criticized members of the squad, owing to his inconsistent play on a weekly basis and propensity to go invisible in important games.

But all the while, Richy quietly has the most goals scored by any Tottenham player, and for as wasteful as the Brazilian veteran can be in front of goal, he is also the guy finding the back of the net the most for Spurs.

After a strong appearance against long time rivals Liverpool, the former Everton star turned in an even better performance this past weekend in a 1-0 win over local rivals Crystal Palace. Richarlison was all over the place and is starting to look like the Richy Spurs expected when they spent a whopping 60 million pounds to sign him from Everton.

Thomas Frank has always backed Richarlison

Richarlison provided the decisive assist for Archie Gray in the win, and he was a constant creative threat throughout, leading Spurs with three chances created. And he was just as good defensively, winning a couple of tackles and even making four clearances to provide a spark going both ways that was instrumental in Tottenham holding off Crystal Palace.

While Richarlison is still widely seen as expendable by Spurs in 2026 at the age of 28 and with the club needing a true top scorer in the aftermath of losing both Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, you can see why Thomas Frank and the club have backed Richy and did not sell him this summer. Because as inconsistent as Richarlison can be, when he performs like this, it really reminds you that he can be an asset - and if Spurs can not sign someone better, then selling Richy would leave them way too thin attacking wise.

Frank has backed Richarlison pretty strongly this season, and while two good games against Liverpool and Crystal Palace are probably not going to get Spurs fans to change their minds and say that Richy is better thna Randal Kolo Muani, he did prove a fair bit of doubters wrong against Palace by being that all around attacking threat while putting in hard, effective defensive work in addition to impacting the final score of a 1-0 game with the assist. Frank has to be feeling good about himself and his decision to fight the fans by sticking with Richarlison.

Tottenham Hotspur are fully expected to prioritize the attack in the January transfer window next month, as the offense has been rather anemic under Thomas Frank. Now, a lot of that owes to Frank himself and his questionable tactics, which are highly defensive bordering on cowardly, but it is also difficult to pin every single ill on the new manager.

Coming into the 2025/26 season, Tottenham fans had to have known that they did not have an ideal gamut of attacking options. Their best goal scoring threat this season has been the mercurial Richarlison, while transfer window picks up Randal Kolo Muani, Xavi Simons, and Mohammed Kudus are better creators than scorers.

But while the onus will be on Tottenham finding new attacking talent in the January transfer window, there is also a strong belief among fans, which seems to be shared by the club itself, that Spurs need one more midifeld playmaker in the 6 or 8 role to help progress the ball and deliver possession to Simons, Kudus, and the attackers.

Tottenham could be in the mix

Archie Gray has been breaking out recently, but a quick veteran addition to upgrade on Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been deeply disappointing this season, and Joao Palhinha could be in order this January.

According to a new report from Fabrizio Romano, Saudi Pro League star Ruben Neves is widely seen by big clubs in European football as a "potential big opportunity" in the middle of the park this January. Neves, per Romano, has still "not signed" a new contract with his current club Al Hilal, even though the renewal offer has been there for weeks. Per Fab, his current contract wtih Al Hilal expires in June, and with "several European top clubs" reaching out with concrete interest in the player, perhaps January is the time for Al Hilal to sell to get some sort of a profit out of him.

This was a much-needed win. Given not only the recent results but also recent performances from Thomas Frank’s side, a trip to Crystal Palace was not exactly a welcoming fixture.

Much of the game played out that way, too, with Palace dominating for long periods. After coming under some considerable pressure in the first half, Archie Gray struck from a corner shortly before half time. Palace started strongly again in the second half, but Frank’s substitutes were able to help us see out the game and make a more comfortable last 20 minutes than it appeared would be the case.

GK Guglielmo Vicario

Inconsistent season from Vicario so far but today was one of his better games. For all of Palace’s pressure, he did not have lots of difficult saves to make. When he was required, Vicario did well and showed some good control of his area when coming for crosses in the second half. Rating: 7

RB Pedro Porro

Better than in recent weeks although Porro’s attacking distribution continues to be down on last season. One exception was an excellent cross for Richarlison’s finish in the first half, unfortunately ruled out by VAR. This shows the type of threat Porro can be when on form. Defensively, he was pulled out of position by Adam Wharton several times in the first half but did look more solid in the second half. Rating: 6

LB Djed Spence

Spence is a reliable defender, particularly in one-on-one situations, and showed that again today. Was under pressure in the first half but, as with Porro, he improved defensively in the second half. We would benefit greatly from Spence getting forward more effectively. Last week against Liverpool showed he can, but today he was needed defensively and played an important part in securing the 3 points. Rating: 7

CB Kevin Danso

Had an unusual situation very early when a through ball caught him out and resulted in a challenge that could have received a red, could have been not given as a foul at all, and instead received a yellow. Danso did look unsure at times in the first half but was one of our best players in the second half. When Danso plays, we look a lot stronger in the air and while Christian Romero and Micky van de Ven typically start when available, Danso is an important member of the squad. Rating: 8

CB Micky van de Ven

Micky has had a couple of difficult moments in recent games, interspersed with his usual excellent play. Today was a more common solid performance. Calm under pressure and able to use his unmatched pace when needed. A big player for us, and a good performance today. Â Rating: 8

CM Rodrigo Bentancur

Looked overrun at times in the first half but was a calming influence on the ball in the second half. Bentancur is at his best when able to move the ball forward, something we saw at the beginning of the season but less so recently. Kept going to the final whistle and was still driving forward at the end with a shot well into stoppage time. The second half performance is what we need more of from Bentancur. Rating: 7

CM Archie Gray

A very welcome first goal for Gray, particularly after he struggled recently away at Nottingham Forest. It still is not clear if Frank knows Gray’s best position, but he has had a run of games in central midfield recently and was able to attack a little more than usual. A simple header for the goal but credit for being in the position to make it. A deserved goal for a young player who has been asked to do a lot since signing.  Rating: 8

RW Mohammed Kudus

Kudus could not drive the ball forward as much as usual but was still the player the team continue to look for to provide creativity. Like Porro, his exception was a brilliant cross for a finish disallowed by VAR. Kudus has so much ability to create and his recent more quiet games may well be a result of teams realizing we rely too much on him as an outlet. Â Rating: 6

AM Lucas Bergvall

Even if not always successful, Bergvall plays with his head up and is one of the few players on the team who can pick a through ball. This game was very much that for Bergvall. Lots of intent but not too much able to work out. He did create a chance in the first half for Randal Kolo Muani with an intelligent header. Went off injured in the second half, replaced by João Palhinha.  Rating: 5

LW Randal Kolo Muani

 Still no Premier League goals for Muani though he continues to work hard for the team. Had long periods out of the game with one first half effort blocked. Can look effective dribbling at defenders but did not get much opportunity. Seems to be another that Thomas Frank needs to decide on his best position. Rating: 5

CF Richarlison

One of Richarlison’s better games of the season. Did well for the goal, flicking the ball back across to keep the attack alive. Also showed improved hold-up play over recent weeks and brought others into the game, which is critical for the way we play. Some close VAR calls could have led to goals as well.  Rating: 8

Substitutes: João Palhinha, Wilson Odobert, Radu Drăgușin, Brennan Johnson

Palhinha and Odobert both had an excellent impact. Palhinha to break up Palace attacks and Odobert as a constant threat on the wing. In different ways, these contributions were a major factor in easing pressure. Odobert was also unlucky not to score with a shot against the post. Johnson was a willing runner and got into some good positions, although again did not look aware with the final ball. Dragusin made a comeback after a long time out with injury, had a chance to score with his first touch, and was able to help solidify the back line.

Every time Tottenham Hotspur fans see the transfer rumor mill ahead of the opening of the January 2026 window in a matter of days, all the news does is remind them that the club are no better than they were months ago or even before Thomas Frank arrived to replace Ange Postecoglou.

Spurs signed a couple of marquee players in the last summer window, namely Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus, but they are literally performing as poorly in the Premier League in 2025/26 as they were in 2024/25.

And now, it looks increasingly like Spurs are not going to meaningfully upgrade the flawed squad that Frank is doing an even more disappointing job of getting the most out of. Antoine Semenyo is impossible at this stage, while top alternatives Savinho, Iliman Ndiaye, and Omar Marmoush also look like dead tracks for Spurs to follow.

Tottenham might already be out of it

Tottenham are mostly going to go after forwards in the January transfer window - and in the following summer stanza, too - but they also need more midfield quality, particularly in terms of deep lying playmaking to help the young Archie Gray out.

Kees Smit, wanted by the top clubs in England and a major dream option for the No. 6 needy Real Madrid, has been floated around by many astute fans as a great option for Spurs. But the teenage AZ Alkmaar breakout star is starting to look unachievable, too.

In his latest transfer rumor update, Fabrizio Romano reports that Smit is "one to watch" for a potential transfer in the year 2026, stating that "all" the best clubs in European football are watching his track closely. However, Fab says that because Alkmaar know the big clubs are interested, Smit is "expected to cost more" than the initially rumored 40-45 million euro transfer fees. Worse yet, clubs have reportedly already been rejected by Alkmaar for offers above this amount.

The rumored totals of potentially 60 million euros may even be selling it short right now. Smit is putting up amazing numbers as a deep lying playmaker, and with teams with big pockets and a big need for a position and a profile that is increasingly coveted in world football, a price point pushing 80 million euros is not impossible.

There is no doubt that Tottenham Hotspur supporters are not sold on Thomas Frank at this stage, and the club somehow look worse in the 2025/26 Premier League season under Frank than they did in 2024/25 when Ange Postcoglou finished a historically poor 17th in the league - and he was not even trying hard by the end of the campaign with the full focus on the Europa League.

So Frank does not even have that excuse of gunning for a trophy, because Spurs have been just as underwhelming and overmatched in the Champions League, too. Now, Frank's Spurs squad could use some reenforcements, and although new attacking blood is atop the wish list for Spurs supporters, the team also needs more help in midfield.

But this help, Tottenham can do without. According to a report from Turkish transfer insider Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, via Lilywhite Rose, Tottenham Hotspur have been in recent talks with the agent of Bayern Munich center midfielder Leon Goretzka.

Tottenham need to be careful here

That sound you hear is the collective frantic typing of Bayern fans on the Internet trying to convince Spurs fans that Goretzka is worth buying by crying and acting as if he is a great player and would be a big loss to the Bavarians.

The truth is that Goretzka has been finished for years. Ever since Thomas Tuchel was manager, Bayern coaches have been desperate to get rid of the German international, and even the club itself has tried to phase him out, but Goretzka stubbornly will not leave since he wants to keep proving himself at the club he loves.

You have to admire that on some level, but Goretzka is clearly no longer the physical beast he was when he broke out to world class stardom in the 2019/20 season when Bayern Munich won the treble under Hansi Flick.

Tottenham Hotspur have had some success with Joao Palhinha in midfield on loan from Bayern, but even he looks like a mistake when watching how limited he is on the ball at a top club. Goretzka is pretty much just as bad and is nowhere near as productive defensively.

All Goretzka is at this stage is a big name with a big reputation that he has not lived up to for years, and you can argue that outside of that one season, he's never even been an asset to Bayern. He is a big salary, an aging 30 year old, and the kind of high wage player who has transfer bust written all over him and could doom Spurs for three years by signing on.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters are quietly preparing themselves for a dismal January transfer window to kick off the dreary months of the New Year following the Christmas festivities, because, so far, all the transfer news the top insiders like Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein are reporting all go against Spurs.

Initially, Tottenham fans were optimistic that their beloved club would be signing a superstar forward in the January transfer window. Even as Ornstein put the kibosh on a dream Antoine Semenyo swoop with the Ghanaian international much more interested in Manchester City, Spurs supporters were dreaming of one of Man City's stars then moving to the N17. But now, even that does not seem feasible for Spurs.

So the first Tottenham "Here We Go" from Fabrizio Romano for the January 2026 transfer window is looking more and more like a departure. And again, Spurs would be more than happy to hear that if it means seeing the back side of an unwanted player like Yves Bissouma, Radu Dragusin, or even Manor Solomon.

Tottenham are about to lose a key piece

But instead, it looks like Tottenham Hotspur are going to lose beloved executive Fabio Paratici, who is one of the best in the business and maybe the only rock of stability in a well below average Tottenham front office.

Fabrizio Romano reports that all Fiorentina are doing at this point in their pursuit of Paratici is waiting for the "final and formal steps" to signing him. All Paratici and Tottenham need to do is formally agree to parting ways, and, at this point, Fab says that the former Juventus director is "expected to become" the new Director of Football at Fiorentina right when the year 2026 kicks off in a matter of days.

So Tottenham fans need to brace themselves for that fabled Here We Go announcement regarding Fabio Paratici. It then says a lot that Paratici is willing to go back to Serie A to direct the worst team in the league right now and a team even more disappointing in European football than Tottenham are.

That is concerning for Spurs supporters, who are already seeing the roots of dysfunction taking shape, and they are openly wondering if Paratici is leaving because he knows working with the likes of Thomas Frank and Johan Lange is a lost cause that will then, in turn, bury his own reputation. These are concerning signs for Tottenham fans, and Paratici's impending loss is about to be massive.

It has already been a disappointing January transfer window for Tottenham Hotspur supporters, and the worst part of it all is that it has not even been the New Year yet. Spurs already lost out on Antoine Semenyo before the window even opened, as Semenyo outright rejected the club despite Tottenham surprisingly being willing to submit a competitive wage offer alongside all the other Big Six Premier League giants interested in the Bournemouth breakout superstar.

But Semenyo seems to only have eyes for title contenders Manchester City and a ridiculous one two punch with Premier League Golden Boot leader Erling Haaland. No matter, though, said most Spurs fans. A Semenyo transfer to Manchester City would then open up a potential move for a talented winger at the club, specifically Savinho, whom Spurs were very interested in last summer but were unable to sign since City could not sign his replacement with Rodrygo Goes unwilling to leave Real Madrid.

Well, it looks like Savinho isn't going to be moving from Manchester City despite a rather tame start to the 2025/26 campaign. And an option Spurs fans have been dreaming about more because he is a better fit for the goal scoring left winger opening in the squad, Omar Marmoush, also seems unlikely.

David Ornstein delivers Tottenham more bad news

Just as he did with Antoine Semenyo, The Athletic journalist David Ornstein is here to pretty much kill the Savinho and Marmoush transfer rumors dead for Tottenham Hotspur. Speaking on the NBC Sports broadcast, via Spurs Zone, Ornstein firmly stated that he is "assured" neither star forward is leaving the Etihad Stadium this winter, simply because Manchester City have "no desire" to let either star man go.

Ornstein said, "I'm assured the likes of Marmoush and Savinho are staying as Man City have no desire to see them leave. They want to use all of their available resources to challenge to win trophies."

That is quite the statement, but it does make sense, since Man City lost the league to Liverpool last year and are very much behind the eight ball on Arsenal this year. And if Marmoush and Savinho are not for sale, then that leaves Oscar Bobb, who is older than Savinho and not as good as either, as the only player Spurs could potentially finagle from Man City. And obviously even that is not fully a guarantee. Bobb would help Spurs, but he is far from the tailor made, immediate star upgrade Tottenham were hoping for on the wings.

Tottenham Hotspur fans are hoping for at least one significant signing this winter transfer window that buoys a squad that sits just 14th in the Premier League and seems to be treading water under new manager Thomas Frank, rather than improving.

If anything, despite a few marquee summer signings, Spurs look worse off under Thomas Frank, and while many fans already feel that firing the coach will bring about the most positive change for Spurs, even these fans who are very down on Frank would like to see one more impact attacker added to the roster.

All the same, Spurs are going to have to sell, too, and there are a few dead weight pieces in the squad whom fans are eager to move on from. Right now, the most frequently linked name away from the N17 is center back Radu Dragusin, who has yet to have an impact this season as he recovers from an injury.

Tottenham need to make this sale

Speaking on his YouTube channel in the Italian language, premier transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Tottenham Hotspur center back Radu Dragusin is one of the names to watch closely in the current transfer period. Fab says Dragusin could be in line for a return to Italy, and he mentions Roma and Fiorentina as two clubs who could be interested. Romano adds that the "matter could be unlocked" in weeks, since Spurs have not currently given the green light for a Dragusin move.

The transfer insider said, "A name to keep an eye on certainly during the winter market is that of Radu Dragusin, central defender of Tottenham, who is returning from an injury and who could return to Italy.

In this case we must be patient with Tottenham, because as of today, Tottenham have not given the okay for the player, but it is expected that this matter could be unlocked in the coming weeks. Two clubs that have started, as far as I understand, to think about it are Roma and Fiorentina.”

Honestly, it would be a shock if Tottenham did not green light a Dragusin transfer this January. It would be an easy way to make a little bit of money, and Dragusin has no real future at the club - and he surely knows it. The Lilywhites signed Kota Takai this past summer, they have Kevin Danso behind Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, Ben Davies stuck around for a year, and the amazing Luka Vuskovic will soon be at Spurs next year.

Dragusin has been a transfer bust for Spurs since moving to North London, and he was a much, much better player in Serie A for Genoa. Virtually every top Italian club has been linked, and, as Fab says, it may only be a matter of time before a deal gets done.

Every single Tottenham Hotspur supporter knows that Lucas Bergvall is a special talent, and there is a reason why one of the most historic organizations in world football, FC Barcelona, were gunning so hard after the Swedish midfielder the same transfer window that Spurs signed him. And even last season, the mighty Real Madrid started to get linked to Bergvall in the transfer rumor mill.

Though he was injured before the Europa League Final took place against Manchester United, Bergvall played a pivotal role in Spurs making it that far last season and was arguably THE breakout story of the season.

So it has, therefore, been disappointing to see Tottenham's new manager Thomas Frank unable to help Bergvall take that next step forward towards true superstardom in the Premier League. Though Bergvall is only 19 years of age, the man is special, and he needs to be starting every game for Tottenham.

Thomas Frank has made some big missteps

Frank has been slow to make Bergvall a regular starter, and while that problem has been changing for the better recently, Tottenham fans are still disappointed by how little Bergvall is playing in his best role as a wrecking ball No. 8.

Ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash against London rivals Crystal Palace, Thomas Frank had some high praise for Lucas Bergvall, but his praise has Tottenham Hotspur supporters scared of the midfield talent playing a role that does not really suit his development.

Here is what Frank told everyone at the press conference, via Football.London's Alasdair Gold, “Lucas is very talented. I think he will end up as what we call an eight, that’s where I think he will end, but who knows? He’s more than capable of playing as a 10 or he can play a more midfield role from the side as he did against Liverpool. He’s a player we can use in different roles which is hugely beneficial and important, to have that player who can run in behind, he’s very good at pressing, good on the ball and he can drive forward with the ball. Over time he will fall into a more fixed position. It’s completely normal for a young player to play in different positions. To be that flexible is a huge boost. Look at Szoboszlai, who we all think is one of the best midfielders in the league.”

Everything Frank said here sounds benign and is all well and good, in a way, because it is true that Bergvall is a phenomenal talent and midfielder with the versatility to play in other positions. And since Dominik Szoboszlai has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, that comparison is high praise for the Sweden star.

The problem is that we have seen Frank play his young midfielders out of position as fullbacks, and we have seen him consistently snub Bergvall either from the starting lineup entirely or from the No. 8 role miscast as a 10. And he specifically mentioned Bergvall being a 10 here. Yes, Bergvall can play other positions, but Frank is wrong about it being beneficial for him to do this - and certainly, it is not beneficial for Tottenham as a team.

Although Xavi Simons was an important signing in the summer transfer window and has a great long term future - or so Spurs fans hope - he hasn't really gotten off to a dream start at the N17 so far in the 2025/26 season.

Simons only has a couple of goal contributions in the Premier League, and in the big games, he has often disappeared. Thomas Frank has a lot to do with Simons's struggles, playing the Dutch midfielder in an isolated tactical scheme as a 10 - or not even playing him at all.

Still, Simons could be doing more as a 60 million euro signing from RB Leipzig, and since he and Tottenham have a lot of room to improve this season, Spurs supporters are not appreciating the public remarks his agent Ali Barat made in an interview with the famed Fabrizio Romano.

Xavi Simons needs to be focused on Tottenham

Barat admitted that Serie A giants were after the signature of Xavi Simons, and then he went on to state that he hopes he can try to bring Simons to one of those Italian clubs in the future.

The super agent told Romano, via Inter Xtra, "When Tottenham and Chelsea contacted me about a potential transfer, his intention really was to go to the Premier League. Of course, he was flattered by the attention from clubs in Serie A. Let's see, hopefully we can try to bring Xavi to Italy in the future."

Look, there is nothing wrong with hyping up your player, talking about the interest out there, or keeping the door open for a future move. Everyone understands the game here. But Tottenham fans are rightfully taking umbrage with the fact that Simons's agent is talking to the biggest transfer reporter out there and being hopeful about a future transfer.

Tottenham fans want Simons to be in it for the long haul, and the optics of thinking about a move to Serie A are made even worse by the fact that both Simons and Spurs have been struggling so much in the early going of the 2025/26 Premier League season under Thomas Frank.

Simons will ultimately come good at Spurs. He is too good not to. And he may very well be a great fit for a club like Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, or Napoli over in Calcio in several years. But Tottenham need and want Simons to be focus on Spurs here and now.