The New York Times

Former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has been awarded a CBE in the United Kingdom’s New Year Honours list.

Levy, who ran Tottenham from 2001 until his departure in September this year, has been given the honour for “services to charity and the community in Tottenham”. Levy said in a statement that he was “humbled” to receive the CBE and praised the “extraordinary efforts” of the people he worked with “to make a genuine difference in north London”.

The CBE stands for Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and is bestowed on individuals to recognise their contributions to public life in the UK. The CBE is a higher rank than OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) and MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), and is the most prestigious civilian honour, short of a full knighthood or damehood.

Levy’s honour is primarily a recognition of the work that was done during his Tottenham tenure for the local community. The club set up the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation — their official charitable body — in 2006, which has led their community outreach work over the past 20 years. And in April 2019 they opened the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which has now been their home for almost seven years, as well as hosting NFL, major concerts and boxing, bringing jobs and economic activity to the area.

When Levy issued a statement on his recognition, he thanked everyone he had worked with towards trying to transform the local area. “The positive change we were able to achieve would not have been possible without the passion, dedication and hard work of so many people at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, together with our community partners, who shared a belief in the power of sport to transform lives,” his statement said.

“Tottenham Hotspur has always been more than a football club to me. It is part of the fabric of the local community, and I am immensely proud of the role we have played in helping to regenerate the area through our initiatives in education, employment, health and social inclusion. While our stadium development and on-pitch results often took the headlines, I hope that my legacy will be the positive and lasting impact we have made on the lives of people in Tottenham and beyond. Football clubs have a unique role to play in their local community and at Tottenham Hotspur we always took this responsibility very seriously.”

The news was met with tributes to Levy’s work by people who had worked with him. Tracey Crouch was a government minister for sport from 2015 to 2018 and is a lifelong Spurs fan. “He may have been much maligned by many but he deserves his honour for the way in which, over a number of years, he realised his vision, working hard to transform the club, building the new stadium and significantly improving the local area,” Crouch told The Athletic.

Tottenham’s work in the local community has also included being the business sponsor of London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (LAET), an academically selective sixth form that prioritises local students. In 2025, more than two thirds of LAET students earned places at Russell Group universities, with 24 earning places at Oxford and Cambridge universities.

“Daniel’s vision for the Tottenham community has given thousands of young people life-changing opportunities via education at London Academy of Excellence Tottenham,” LAET headteacher Jan Balon told The Athletic. “He has shown the power of a Premier League which is rooted in its community and everyone at LAET is delighted about this well-deserved recognition.”

Tottenham have also partnered with Sarabande, an art foundation set up by designer Alexander McQueen, which has a base in Tottenham. “Daniel has always had a vision for Tottenham, and a huge pride in the area,” Sarabande CEO Trino Verkade told The Athletic. “I can’t pretend to know about football but what I can certainly vouch for is his unwavering commitment to the local community and support for the next generation.”

Levy’s 24 years running Tottenham ended in September of this year, when he was dismissed by the majority shareholding Lewis family. His tenure saw them win one League Cup in 2008 and the Europa League in 2025, but they also built some of the best infrastructure in the country with their new training ground and stadium.

His last few years at the club were marked by increasing fan discord and managerial churn, with Ange Postecoglou sacked just weeks after that Europa League success against Manchester United in Bilbao.

“Despite dividing opinion, we can’t underestimate how Daniel Levy transformed Tottenham Hotspur and our place in the game, from being consistently mid-table to being frustrated if we’re not competing for the top four,” Proud Lilywhites founder and co-chair Chris Paouros told The Athletic.

“The stadium is world-class and sets a benchmark across Europe and Spurs are now part of the conversation at the top end of English and European football. Alongside that, his support for inclusion has been consistent and tangible, including backing Proud Lilywhites in 2014, at a time when that support was far from straightforward. That combination of ambition, leadership and values is a significant legacy, and one that will be understood more clearly over time.”

It has not been an easy or enjoyable last few months for Tottenham Hotspur. But after their last game of an exhausting 2025, there is one small thing to cling onto.

One game from the halfway point of the season, Spurs are top of the away league table. This was their fifth away league win under Thomas Frank. With two other away draws, that puts them on 17 points from nine away games, with a better goal difference than Aston Villa, and more goals scored than Arsenal.

No, there is no trophy for this, and Spurs still have 10 away league games left this season. But it is a reminder that for all the sluggish, ponderous performances so far, and all the understandable frustration from the crowd, there are at least some areas where Frank’s Spurs are making clear measurable progress.

This win over Crystal Palace was a case in point.

The 2022 World Cup final it was not. This was an ugly slog between two tired teams, neither of them showing much desire to get on the ball or do anything much with it. Palace largely just wanted to hit Spurs on the break. Tottenham wanted to sit in, wait, go long and then hope to make the most of a set-piece or a counter. The ball spent so much time in the clouds it came down with frost on it. If you were looking for quality, style, imagination, creativity or excitement, then you came to the wrong place.

And yet, for the fifth time on the road this season, Frank’s plan worked. After a few early scares, Tottenham shut down Palace’s transitions. When they moved the ball forward quickly, they caused problems. And they took the lead from a set piece: Pedro Porro hit a deep corner, Randal Kolo Muani won the first header, Richarlison the second, and then Archie Gray nodded the third header in.

Once Tottenham had the lead, they were happy to play out time and wait for opportunities on the break. Richarlison had a second disallowed for a narrow offside call, having had the same experience in the first half. Wilson Odobert, who gave Spurs exactly what they needed when he came on, hit the post from the edge of the box. On another day — as Frank said afterwards — they could have scored four.

Some wins this narrow can be ascribed to luck, and certainly Spurs rode theirs. Palace had enough chances in the second half to equalise or even win the game. And yet you could not say that this win was entirely random. In fact, it was a continuation of a pattern we have seen from Spurs under Frank, whether you like watching it or not.

When Tottenham went to West Ham in September, there was little in the game until Pape Matar Sarr headed in a Xavi Simons corner. Spurs then picked West Ham off and won 3-0. When they went to Everton in October, Mickey van de Ven opened the scoring from a Mohammed Kudus corner that Rodrigo Bentancur headed back across goal. Spurs won that game 3-0 too.

Throw in the Manchester City and Leeds United wins and you can see the outline of a plan. Frank admitted on Sunday evening that this was not Spurs’ best away performance of the season, but one where they showed the qualities required. “The players really understood what type of game we were facing,” he said. “The effort, the character and the defending side of the game gave us a 1-0 win. There have been other very good away wins where we have been more dominant.”

Even in the 2-2 away draws at Brighton and at Newcastle, Spurs showed that same spirit to keep fighting back and to stay in the game. For a team who often used to fold in away games and not do the basics right, that is not nothing.

On New Year’s Day, Spurs go to Brentford and it would not be a big surprise to see another game like this: low on quality, big on set pieces, endless stoppages, with every chance that the most organised, efficient, disciplined team will win it. Six days after that they go to Bournemouth — four points from their last nine — and maybe Spurs will be able to execute the same plan there too.

But even if Spurs keep grinding these wins out, this will not be what determines the success or failure of Frank at Tottenham. Everyone knows that he can organise a team, teach them how to exploit opposition weaknesses, improve their set pieces. This was Spurs’ ninth set-piece goal of the season and Frank said afterwards it was “low-hanging fruit”.

The real question for 2026 is whether Frank can get this squad playing football vaguely resembling what the fans want to see. Particularly at home. Because while no one has a better away record than Tottenham this season, only Burnley, West Ham United and Wolves have been worse at home. And Spurs’ reactive, minimalistic style, which can trip teams up on the road, has not yet looked remotely sufficient to light up the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The qualities that make it effective away are precisely why it looks so blunt at home.

Maybe that will change in the new year with some astute signings in January. Maybe the eventual returns of Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke will lift the team. Maybe enough of these ugly wins will engender enough confidence into the players that they start to express themselves, and it will all just simply click.

Those will be the factors that determine whether this season ever gets off the ground. These five away wins have been invaluable, not only for the points but the proof that Frank has coached a certain approach and a way to win into the team. But in the end, it will take a different approach, a different way to win, to convince everyone that Spurs are on the right path.

It was by no means a classic, but it was certainly a valuable win.

Tottenham picked up a 1-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday — one that will ease a little of the pressure around manager Thomas Frank, even if the performance wasn’t much to write home about.

Spurs thought they’d taken the lead in the 17th minute, but Richarlison’s strike was ruled out after a VAR review for a Lucas Bergvall offside in the build-up.

That came against the run of play. Palace were on top for most of the first half but couldn’t make their pressure count, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Will Hughes missing the target.

And the home side were finally made to pay three minutes before the break, when Archie Gray turned in Richarlison’s flick-on at a corner.

Palace wasted good opportunities in the second half, too, with Maxence Lacroix and Marc Guehi both missing close-range headers in the box.

Tottenham were restricted to half-chances and failed to build any sustained momentum after the break, although there were some isolated moments of endeavour as Palace pushed for an equaliser.

Richarlison again found the net on the counter-attack, but the Brazilian’s effort was again ruled out for a VAR offside, before Wilson Odobert’s effort came back off the post and Rodrigo Bentancur had a shot saved by Dean Henderson in stoppage time.

Here, The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke discusses the game’s biggest talking points.

A first goal for Archie Gray

There has not been a huge amount to shout about at Tottenham in recent months, but one of the brighter things has been Gray’s run in the side. The 19-year-old has now started seven of Spurs’ last eight games, all in central midfield, and here he was rewarded with his first senior goal.

Just before the interval, Pedro Porro swung a corner to the far post, Randal Kolo Muani headed it down, Richarlison flicked it on, and Gray was there to nod the ball into the net. Maybe not a goal of the month contender, but a reward for Spurs’ hard work on set pieces, and for Gray being in the right place at the right time.

Gray is still finding his voice as a midfielder, but he was busy defensively, making a few crucial interventions in Spurs’ box, and tried to move the ball forward when possible. The fact that he has been preferred in recent weeks to Joao Palhinha is testament to his commitment to at least trying to drive this team forward, which they desperately need, given how quickly they can look stodgy in possession.

What does this mean for Thomas Frank?

A win is a win for Frank’s Tottenham. They were not exactly good to watch, but then they have not been good to watch all season. They did find a way to get the three points, which, given the season they are having, is still something.

Spurs do have a template of sorts for these away games, based on keeping it tight, keeping it simple, and then making the most of opportunities from set pieces and on the break. It is a methodology that has worked so far this season. Spurs’ wins at Leeds, Everton, West Ham United and Manchester City were, to an extent, like this.

If you were being optimistic, you could say that it speaks well of their efficiency and character that they fought like this, especially with Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons both suspended for this one.

But at the same time, Spurs fans generally have more of an issue with the performances rather than the results this season. They have not played much convincing football yet, to put it mildly. These three points are certainly valuable and important for Spurs, but what they really need in 2026 is to play football that makes fans believe they are heading in the right direction.

Unlucky Richarlison

Richarlison does not always get the rewards for how hard he works or the energy he commits to the Tottenham cause, but he can hardly ever have been as unfortunate as he was today.

Leading the line by himself, he ran hard all afternoon, even when he did not have much support or service. And he scored two goals, both of them disallowed for offside earlier in the move.

In the first half, Richarlison pulled off to the far post and swept in Porro’s cross from the right. It came out of nowhere and would have been an impressive goal, but Bergvall was offside in the build-up.

Then, in the second half, with Spurs 1-0 up, he converted a Mohammed Kudus cross from the right, only for Gray’s initial run forward to be judged to be offside.

He still had other good moments, assisting Gray’s first-half winner and setting up Odobert’s shot that hit the post late on, but he did not get the goal his efforts deserved.

What did Frank say?

On Tottenham’s performance: “I think it was an even game. I think if you’re that close three times to scoring a goal, it’s not bad, and then we would have scored four. That’s a way to look at it.

“I really liked the desire, details, mentality in the team, and the character and resilience of the team is something I spoke about a lot. That is so important that we have that resilience. In a long Premier League season, you need to go to a very difficult away ground here, and fight and show character.

“Was it a top performance? No. Are there things we can improve? Yes. But to go here, with the season having been a little bit up and down, I think it’s a huge mentality effort from the players. And I think we played extremely disciplined throughout the game.”

On Archie Gray’s goal: “I think Archie is growing. He showed why he has a very good potential in many ways. I think it’s another fine performance overall today. Talking about resilience, he made a mistake in the Nottingham game, played another good game against Liverpool, growing as a young man.

“He was alert. I loved that goal, because he was alert, he was seeing where the ball will land and he was ready on it. He shows a lot of quality, he covers ground so well, he’s excellent in the pressing game, the defensive transition, brilliant at closing down. And then I think he’s good on the ball, but there are parts of the game where we are not top in that area, and didn’t show enough of his qualities there.”

On whether Lucas Bergvall, who was substituted, is OK: “I hope so, of course we’ll assess him tomorrow.”

What next for Spurs?

Welcome to The Athletic’s Boxing Day edition of The Transfer DealSheet.

Our team of dedicated writers, including David Ornstein, will take you inside the market to explain the deals being worked on in the January transfer window. This includes the players who could arrive and the ones on their way out across the Premier League and beyond.

Next month, The Transfer DealSheet will return to its traditional in-window weekly format, with our reporters providing the latest on the market every Tuesday.

The information in this article has been gathered according to The Athletic’s sourcing guidelines. Unless stated, our reporters have spoken to more than one person briefed on each deal before offering the clubs involved the opportunity to comment. Those responses, when they were given, have been included in the Transfer DealSheet.

In this edition, we have David Ornstein’s One To Watch on Antoine Semenyo and updates on Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Real Madrid’s plans. We also have individual Transfer DealSheets for a number of other clubs across the Premier League and beyond, including Aston Villa, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Everton, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Wrexham and Wolverhampton Wanderers. We have a separate Transfer DealSheet for MLS.

We aim to bring you analysis you can trust about what is happening at Europe’s leading clubs and the latest information we’re hearing from across the market.

This article is long but detailed, so enjoy it all — or search for the club or player you want to read about.

David Ornstein’s One To Watch

The biggest transfer expected in the early part of the market — and possibly the entire window — involves Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo.

Top-level admiration for the Ghana international is not recent, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur exploring a move for him last summer. Those clubs continued their pursuit heading towards the winter trading period and were joined by Manchester City, while the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool also held an appreciation.

The difference now is the existence of a £65million release clause — inserted into the new contract Semenyo signed in July, which committed him until 2030 but provided a departure route. That was a condition of the 25-year-old agreeing to extend, so Bournemouth had little choice — however, he has repaid them with eight goals and three assists in 17 games so far this season.

It would also bring considerably more than the £50m and £55m offers they received previously.

The mechanism is valid for the first 10 days of January, which the south coast side hoped would pass and allow them to keep him until the end of 2025-26 — when the fee drops. Even if a deal was done sooner, a buyer willing to let Semenyo stay at the Vitality Stadium for the next five months would have been favoured by his current team.

Yet the strength of interest and Semenyo’s readiness to leave made an immediate switch likely, and all suitors held talks prior to a final decision materialising.

There is a feeling Arsenal would have ranked as his first choice had they been firmly at the table, although many tipped Liverpool to prevail given their stuttering title defence, the uncertainty around Mohamed Salah, and Anfield sporting director Richard Hughes having originally recruited him to Bournemouth.

Tottenham tried again, proposing a highly competitive salary, only for Semenyo to politely decline their advances and that resulted in City and United then emerging as the leading contenders.

A late enquiry from Chelsea did not change the direction of travel and despite Liverpool losing Alexander Isak to injury, it was City who The Athletic revealed as Semenyo’s chosen destination.

City are expected to take steps in the coming days to formalise the situation, but until it is resolved, Bournemouth will utilise their player and keep contingency planning for the event of his exit.

Why were the Premier League’s top sides all interested in Semenyo?

Semenyo’s threat on the transition is clear to see — he’s a frighteningly fast and powerful player who can chop on to either foot and strike through the ball cleanly.

Those skills are put to optimum use at Bournemouth, and are often the driving force behind the pitch-sweeping moves that Andoni Iraola’s side have quickly become known for. An emphatic finish on the opening day at Anfield, along with a rampaging run and cross for Eli Junior Kroupi away at Crystal Palace, stand out among his finest moments on the break.

In that regard, the admiration from Liverpool, which James Pearce writes about below, makes a lot of sense. They are the side to have generated the most expected goals from fast breaks since Arne Slot took over last summer, while they have also missed trickery and fleet-footed incision on the wing since Luis Diaz departed for Bayern Munich.

Manchester United are another side who look to hit hard on the break. They could have benefited from Semenyo’s flashes of speed down the flanks.

There is more to the Ghanaian’s game than just flat-out running. Semenyo is one of the most two-footed wingers in world football, which, coupled with an imposing physical frame and quick feet, makes him a consistent threat against set defences. Only Erling Haaland has taken more non-penalty shots since the start of last season, and as we can see below, those efforts come from all angles, healthily outperforming his expected goals thanks to a reliable shooting technique.

Semenyo is a thrilling player with space to attack, but there is plenty for clubs to admire about his profile when it comes to breaking down deeper defensive blocks.

Thom Harris

What Else We’re Hearing

Fulham could move for a striker and a right-winger as early as the January market. Owner Shahid Khan is prepared to back the club in the market. First-choice striker Raul Jimenez, 34, is out of contract in the summer. They also have Jonah Kusi-Asare on loan from Bayern Munich in that position, but that will end in the summer. On the right wing, Harry Wilson and Adama Traore’s contracts expire in the summer, while Samuel Chukwueze’s loan from AC Milan expires then too. That means those two positions are likely to be pursued. While the club’s owners prefer younger players, they tend to want managerial certainty. Fulham have offered Marco Silva a new three-year contract, but he tends to leave his decisions quite late in the season. As a result, it might be that loans come in because of uncertainty over Silva. However, Fulham are not panicking over Silva’s future and the offer they have made to him would put him in the top six best-paid managers in the Premier League. David Ornstein

Crystal Palace’s main target in the January transfer window is Tottenham Hotspur’s Brennan Johnson. However, he would command a significant fee given the £47.5million Spurs paid Nottingham Forest for him in summer 2023. They have also long admired Joe Willock at Newcastle United and, given his availability, the midfielder is likely to be of interest again. Matt Woosnam

Bayern Munich will allow Sacha Boey to leave this winter if they receive a suitable offer. Boey has been out of favour this season and is willing to leave in search of playing time, but is yet to receive a proposal from anywhere in the Premier League. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Southampton forward Damion Downs is attracting Bundesliga interest, but the English club have not received any formal enquiries yet. Downs is yet to score a league goal in England, having moved from Koln in the summer, but he will not be allowed to leave the club — even on loan — unless a replacement is found first. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

As things stand, Luka Vuskovic will stay in Hamburg for the whole season. Vuskovic is on loan from Tottenham but, while they have the option to recall the Croatian centre-back in January, there are currently no plans to do so. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Bayern Munich’s teenage defender Cassiano Kiala will end speculation linking him to the Premier League by finalising a new contract with the Bundesliga champions in the new year. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Eintracht Frankfurt will consider allowing Elye Wahi to leave on loan next month. Wahi only moved to Germany in January 2025, but has struggled to adapt to the Bundesliga and is yet to score a league or European goal for Frankfurt. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor

Arsenal

What positions will they be looking at in January?

Arenal are blessed with one of the strongest squads in Europe. Unlike in previous windows, they are no glaring areas of need.

If there is any concern, it will surround the spate of defensive injuries the squad has suffered. Arteta is currently without Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera and Ben White.

Arsenal may also continue their drive to recruit more emerging talent. In recent months, they have signed 16-year-old Victor Ozhianvuna and Ecuadorian twin brothers Edwin and Holger Quintero to pre-contracts.

Arsenal are continuing to scour world football for more young prospects with the potential to become first-team players.

Which players do they want?

Sporting director Andrea Berta demonstrated in the summer that he was prepared to explore a number of potential deals before proceeding with preferred targets.

Those exploratory talks are being held over a number of potential recruitment options.

One player Arsenal continue to follow is 20-year-old French centre-half Jeremy Jacquet — although having signed a new contract until 2029 in May, he would command a considerable fee.

One of the most talked-about names ahead of the window is Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo. The 25-year-old grew up as an Arsenal fan and was naturally interested in the prospect of a move to the Emirates. The admiration is mutual — Arsenal have been impressed by Semenyo’s rapid development at Bournemouth.

While there was some contact between the parties, it was clear from the outset that Arsenal’s interest was on the basis of a summer move rather than January. With Semenyo eager to move soon, Manchester City now seem to have emerged as the player’s preferred choice.

Do they need to sell?

After last summer’s huge spend, there will naturally be a need to offset that with sales at some stage.

Arsenal have a big squad. Even in terms of numbers, it is difficult to envisage them making additions without allowing others to leave. They are virtually at capacity.

There are a few players in the Arsenal squad whose lack of game time has attracted interest from elsewhere. The talented duo of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, who’ve both found Premier League starts difficult to come by, naturally feature on several clubs’ wanted lists. Arsenal would be reluctant to lose either teenage talent, having signed both to new long-term contracts this summer.

Earlier in 2025, Arsenal were open to the possibility of Gabriel Jesus leaving in January. As the window has approached, however, Jesus has returned to fitness and reasserted himself as an important figure in Arteta’s squad. The manager would be loath to let the Brazilian leave now as he is needed in north London.

When the time does come, moving Jesus on may not be straightforward: the player does not have an EU passport, which limits his options, and is one of the club’s higher earners.

It is likely that Arsenal will exercise caution. At the season’s halfway point, Arteta will be acutely aware that allowing a player to leave now could potentially come back to bite him during the run-in.

Will anyone move out on loan?

A number of academy players are expected to leave on loan. Harrison Dudziak has already signed a short-term loan with Braintree Town, and several others could follow suit.

As far as the first-team goes, Arsenal are likely to resist loan approaches. Arteta is already reluctant to let players leave — doing so without the incentive of a significant transfer fee appears somewhat counterproductive.

James McNicholas

Chelsea

What positions will they be looking at in January?

Chelsea do not intend to be busy, and additions to the first-team squad are not expected.

The club are instead working with the summer in mind. They could still purchase a young player for the future and keep them at their current club in order to continue their development, or loan them elsewhere. This has been a regular practice for the west London club over the last few years.

Which players do they want?

Chelsea are scouting a number of players in a variety of positions, although some of the names being looked at are with sister Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, who are owned by the same parent company, BlueCo, in mind.

Among the many young talents being monitored are Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet and Saint-Etienne forward Djylian N’Guessan, but that is as far as interest in those players has gone.

Fans can forget about any reunion with veteran centre-back Thiago Silva after his departure from Fluminense — Porto announced his signing on a free transfer at the weekend. In any case, Chelsea have enough centre-backs and he was never under consideration.

In terms of the positions they are concentrating on for the first team in the summer, central midfield has become a priority due to Romeo Lavia’s injury issues. The Belgium international has made just 30 appearances since joining from Southampton for £50million in August 2023.

Chelsea made an initial enquiry over Antoine Semenyo, but decided against pursuing a move.

Who will they be looking to sell?

The biggest priorities are trying to resolve the futures of Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling, who have been left out of the senior squad all season.

A Ligue 1 club have enquired about a loan for Disasi, but Chelsea prefer a domestic loan or a permanent sale.

Sterling’s situation requires greater consideration, as he is on a contract worth more than £300,000 a week, which still has 18 months left to run. The 82-cap England international rejected a loan abroad in the summer, preferring the stability and security of a permanent move. The 31-year-old’s family live in London, and that remains a key consideration regarding any loan offers in particular.

The 19-year-old winger Tyrique George is subject to a lot of interest from Premier League clubs and Champions League teams in Europe. He came close to joining Fulham on deadline day last time out and could be lured away by a club offering more game time.

Sources speaking under the condition of anonymity to The Athletic to protect relationships say goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen wants a move to get more first-team football, but Chelsea do not want to change their options in that position.

Will anyone move out on loan?

Chelsea have already used up their allocation of six international loan spots on Mike Penders, Mamadou Sarr, Kendry Paez (all at Strasbourg), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Aaron Anselmino (Borussia Dortmund) and David Datro Fofana (Fatih Karagumruk). One of those loans will have to be cancelled for another player to go abroad instead. This is why Disasi being loaned out has been ruled out.

Chelsea are exploring options domestically for Brazil Under-20 international Deivid Washington. He has not played a senior game since being recalled from a loan at Santos in late August. The forward has made just three appearances for Chelsea since joining from Santos for €16million plus €4m in add-ons in August 2023.

Marc Guiu’s situation — he played three games on loan for Sunderland in August before being recalled prematurely — means the only club he could technically go on loan to is the north-east side. However, Chelsea want to keep the 19-year-old striker for the rest of the campaign, despite the Spaniard remaining a fringe member under Maresca.

There could be movement for players in the Under-21s. Midfielder Sam Rak-Sakyi, who made his senior debut under Maresca last season, saw a move to a Ligue 2 side break down in the summer. Another loan will be explored in the new year.

Simon Johnson

Liverpool

What positions will they be looking at in January?

Centre-back is the most obvious spot, but the forward line has also come into sharp focus because of recent injuries and the uncertainty around Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool are still interested in signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, despite missing out on the England international late in the last window. The move has become more complex due to his contract situation — he is set to become a free agent this summer — and the additional challenges of completing a transfer mid-season.

Palace pulled the plug on a £35million deal on deadline day, having decided to keep him for this season. Liverpool don’t expect that stance to change in January. It’s also doubtful whether Guehi would want to leave next month, given that, financially, he would be better off waiting and walking away as a free agent come the summer.

Liverpool have the freedom to react in the market if needed but will likely stick with what they have.

Which players do they want?

Liverpool admire Antoine Semenyo, but The Athletic has reported that the forward’s preference — with Manchester United also keen and Chelsea deciding against a move after an initial enquiry — in January is to join Manchester City.

Links to Semenyo cranked up after Salah’s public outburst about losing his place in the team. However, Liverpool don’t expect the Egyptian attacker to leave in January, so in that case, there wouldn’t be a space in the squad to fill.

As in every window, the club’s recruitment staff will be assessing ‘market opportunities’, with several young players on their radar.

Who will they be looking to sell?

There’s no urgency to offload, especially after 10 players (seven permanent) were moved on in the summer. Liverpool are planning for the rest of the season with Salah on board and are not expected to lose any senior players.

A decision needs to be taken over Harvey Elliott’s short-term future. His loan spell at Aston Villa is not going to plan and he is unlikely to make the 10 appearances that trigger a £35million ($47.2m) move. He has only played in five matches.

As Elliott has already represented two clubs this season, he cannot play for another, so he either stays at Villa or returns to Anfield. He’s not playing — or even making the squad — as manager Unai Emery believes other players in his position are fulfilling his specific tactical requirements more successfully.

Another layer of complexity is centred on the terms of the loan, which do not include a recall clause, so it’s not as simple as Liverpool just deciding to bring him back and end the nightmare move. Villa will also have to pay to terminate the loan early.

Will anyone move out on loan?

A number of young players had been primed for a move on loan, but the number of injuries to senior players may change that.

Trey Nyoni has interest from clubs on the continent and across the UK, but right now he’s needed and was introduced for his Premier League debut late into the win at Tottenham last weekend. Calvin Ramsay is another who has been in the squad in recent weeks and may be needed as back-up with Gomez out. Stefan Bajcetic could do with a run of games after a lengthy injury, but won’t be rushed out, while young strikers Jayden Danns and Will Wright are on the comeback trail after injury.

This could, however, be an ideal window for Trent Kone-Doherty to make his first loan move as clubs continue to monitor his progress when he represents Liverpool in the UEFA Youth League and during under-21 games. Rhys Williams, meanwhile, was unable to secure a loan move in the summer, but there may be fresh interest in this next window.

Gregg Evans and James Pearce

Do Liverpool need a replacement for Isak?

Liverpool’s decision to splash out on two expensive strikers over the summer looked a curious recruitment decision given Arne Slot’s preference for a lone forward, but with Alexander Isak’s unfortunate leg break set to keep him sidelined for months, what seemed excessive now looks prudent.

In truth, Hugo Ekitike had already established himself as the preferred option anyway, scoring eight times in 11 starts. Isak’s adaptation to life at Anfield has been far less seamless, with fitness and form issues limiting him to just six starts, and his goal last Saturday was only his second in the league this season.

Instead, their attacking problems lie elsewhere. New signing Florian Wirtz has struggled to impose himself from attacking midfield, and Salah’s sluggish start has been compounded by his public dispute with the club.

Diogo Jota’s tragic passing leaves them light of another option, while the impact of Luis Diaz was perhaps underestimated when he was allowed to join Bayern Munich in the summer. Diaz has flourished in the Bundesliga, and Liverpool miss his tenacity and incisive directness down the flanks. Only Salah was more involved than the Colombian in their attacking moves per 90 during last season’s title-winning campaign.

Conor O’Neill

Manchester City

What positions will they be looking at in January?

City spent heavily last January and in the summer as part of a squad refresh, so there is not expected to be much activity at the Etihad this time.

One position they could strengthen, however, is the wide areas. Guardiola has repeatedly spoken about the need to add more goals and not be as reliant on Erling Haaland.

The team have started finding more goals from other players, but none of Jeremy Doku, Savinho or Oscar Bobb look like they are going to reach the numbers that players such as Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez managed in previous City teams.

Right-back and central midfield are other areas that could be strengthened, but they are likely to be addressed in the summer, especially as Matheus Nunes and Nico Gonzalez are excelling.

Which players do they want?

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. As my colleague David Ornstein has reported, City is the preferred destination for the 25-year-old.

With City being a more transitional team at times this season, his running power would be a huge asset. He also adds a superior goal threat, while his ability to play on either flank would provide Guardiola with more options to rotate. It would increase City’s firepower considerably.

Who will they be looking to sell?

Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and midfielder Kalvin Phillips are the two obvious candidates.

The German goalkeeper is so far out of the picture that he is not even travelling to some games anymore. He has gone from being a relatively active deputy to Ederson for three seasons to now being behind Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford. His deal is up at the end of the season, but if a suitable buyer can be found, he could leave next month. He turned down offers in the summer, however.

Phillips is another who finds himself in limbo. He was included in the 25-man squad for the Premier League but has not made a single matchday squad, and the seven minutes he played against Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup were his first for City in 645 days. After indifferent spells at West Ham and Ipswich, inactivity is his biggest barrier to finding a club that will take on a significant portion of his wage.

Will anyone move out on loan?

Bobb has offers to go on loan from clubs at home and abroad. He started the season well and was given a run of games on the right wing, but gradually dropped out of favour and suffered a hamstring injury in the 2-0 Carabao Cup win over Brentford.

Going on loan would be a way for him to gain regular minutes for the first time since his leg break last August, but whether he is permitted to could depend on what incomings there are.

Otherwise, some academy players could move on development loans later in the month.

Jordan Campbell

Manchester United

What positions will they be looking at in January?

United are prepared to be active in the January market, although incomings are only expected if they are able to accelerate the signing of a long-term target.

Those at the top of United’s midfield shortlist are not expected to be attainable in January as it stands, but the club are ready to act on any opportunity that might arise for the right player, either in that position or elsewhere on the pitch.

Which players do they want?

Antoine Semenyo’s £65million release clause would represent one such opportunity. United have a firm interest in the winger, who has a set price until a specific date in January. The 25-year-old would count as a long-term target. Semenyo is highly regarded by Amorim, who recently singled him out for praise and described him as a “special” player.

However, Semenyo prefers a move across Manchester to City.

In midfield, Elliot Anderson is United’s first-choice target, but as reported in The Athletic’s Transfer Radar, Nottingham Forest have no intention of selling yet and should that stance change this summer, there is bound to be competition from elsewhere in the Premier League.

Adam Wharton is also greatly admired at Old Trafford for his ability to play line-breaking passes and Carlos Baleba cannot be discounted despite his form declining since United held talks, via intermediaries, with Brighton and Hove Albion last summer.

Though Baleba ultimately stayed put, United’s pursuit showed that they are prepared to shift plans and push moves forward if they sense an opportunity to steal a march on their competitors in the market.

Who will they be looking to sell? Will anyone move out on loan?

United do not intend to let first-team players leave in January without replacing them within the squad.

There is also a desire to wait until after the Africa Cup of Nations to make decisions on departures, as allowing players to leave before Amad, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussair Mazraoui return would only deplete Amorim’s options further.

Kobbie Mainoo’s future is only set to be resolved after AFCON is over, with Napoli retaining serious interest.

Mainoo was in serious contention to start at Aston Villa before he picked up a calf problem in the final training session before the game. But it would not rule out a move.

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna is set to handle any proposed Mainoo talks, having already liaised with United over Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund. Manna, who hired Antonio Conte as Napoli won Serie A, has developed a record for signing players with scope to improve and himself is attracting attention from Premier League clubs.

A loan with an obligation is on the table via intermediaries from Roma for Joshua Zirkzee. A personal agreement should not be a problem. Zirkzee wants to join Roma as he bids to go to the World Cup, but United would want to wait until after the AFCON. No club-to-club talks have yet taken place. Benjamin Sesko’s recent injury has highlighted a lack of depth up front, which would only be exacerbated if the Netherlands international were to depart.

Tyrell Malacia has been reintegrated by Amorim after being the only member of last summer’s ‘bomb squad’ to stay put, but has yet to play a minute this season, and could leave either permanently or on loan before his contract expires this summer.

Diego Leon is a candidate to go out on loan, but there are questions over whether he would be more suited to spending another six months in United’s academy as he continues to adapt to English football.

Harry Amass has enjoyed an impressive loan spell despite Sheffield Wednesday’s struggles at the foot of the Championship.

Wednesday are keen to extend his six-month deal until the end of the season, and United are happy with his progress at Hillsborough, but there is competition from several other Championship clubs.

United have officially recalled Toby Collyer from his loan at West Bromwich Albion. Collyer had already returned to Carrington for treatment on a calf injury that is expected to keep him out for around eight weeks, and United have decided he will not go back to the Hawthorns when fit. He could stay and provide midfield competition should Mainoo depart. Several Championship clubs are interested if United decide on another loan.

Mark Critchley and Laurie Whitwell

Newcastle United

What positions will they be looking at in January?

Full-back and midfield are the priority positions, with the former especially pertinent given Newcastle’s volume of defensive injuries.

The drop-off in Newcastle’s performances when Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento are not fit is so significant that alternative full-back options are required. In midfield, Newcastle require greater ingenuity to complement their athletic, physical and technical players.

Acquiring a young, versatile forward is also possible, though that is largely dependent upon whether Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade stay fit, and/or Will Osula’s future.

Despite links to Manchester City’s James Trafford, a previous long-term target, Newcastle have not yet re-engaged. Aaron Ramsdale’s loan runs until June, and a goalkeeping arrival is not anticipated.

Newcastle are not bracing themselves for a particularly busy January. They are open-minded to opportunities but will only make moves for long-term targets at affordable prices.

Which players do they want?

Kees Smit, the AZ midfielder, is greatly admired. Newcastle enquired about the 19-year-old over the summer, but AZ were adamant he was not for sale. The Netherlands Under-21 international is being watched by Europe’s top clubs, however, and Newcastle recognise they face a challenge to lure him to Tyneside, though an aggressive mid-season bid is believed to represent their best chance.

Monaco’s Lamine Camara, Valencia’s Javi Guerra and Auxerre’s Kevin Danois have also previously featured in internal conversations about midfield options. A loan move for Al Hilal’s Ruben Neves, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder, appears unlikely despite reports, given he is 28 — Newcastle want to continue their policy of primarily signing players aged 24 and under — and is not the profile being sought.

In defence, options across Europe are being considered, with Toulouse’s versatile left-back-cum-centre-half Dayann Methalie among several players being tracked.

Who will they be looking to sell?

Joe Willock is among the most likely to depart, should a midfielder arrive. Willock’s contract expires in 2027 and there is Premier League interest in the midfielder.

Will Osula, the 22-year-old striker who almost joined Eintracht Frankfurt in August, may also go. That will only happen if Newcastle can sign a young forward, which is far from certain, and Osula is currently sidelined with a foot problem. Frankfurt remain keen and Osula is among multiple forward options they are considering for January.

Kieran Trippier is 35, and his Newcastle career appears to be coming towards a natural conclusion, given his contract expires in the summer and an exit cannot be entirely ruled out. Emil Krafth, the 31-year-old defender who is in the last year of his deal, may depart, with Copenhagen interested.

The likelihood of Trippier and/or Krafth leaving has diminished as the defensive injuries have piled up.

Harrison Ashby, the 24-year-old right-back who has never made a senior appearance since joining from West Ham in 2023, is available for a permanent transfer.

Will anyone move out on loan?

If Osula was to leave, a deal may be structured as a loan with an option or obligation to buy, although a permanent sale would be preferred.

Newcastle will look to get first-team experience for some of their promising youth players, with Sean Neave, the 18-year-old forward, Leo Shahar, the 18-year-old right-back, and Alfie Harrison, the 20-year-old midfielder, primed for moves. Alex Murphy, the 21-year-old defender, may also head out, although only if multiple Newcastle defenders return to fitness.

Howe may even bring back a loanee, depending on how the injury situation develops. Matt Targett is at Middlesbrough, but Newcastle have a recall clause they can exercise for the 30-year-old defender. Howe has not ruled out doing so.

Chris Waugh

Tottenham Hotspur

What positions will they be looking at in January?

Thomas Frank has not openly disclosed precisely what sort of player he wants in the window, but most Spurs fans would say they need another midfielder who can move the ball forward in the middle of the pitch.

Their play has been too stodgy too often this season, especially with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski yet to play a single minute so far.

Then there is probably a need for another goalscorer. Richarlison is their top scorer so far with seven in the league. Next is Micky van de Ven with just three. They have not truly replaced Son Heung-min and need someone else who can chip in with goals.

Away from the window, Spurs want to tie Van de Ven to a new and improved long-term deal, which, if they could, would be more important than any new transfer.

Which players do they want?

The precise identities of their January targets may change depending on what happens with Fabio Paratici. At the time of writing, Paratici, who only rejoined Spurs as a sporting director in October, is subject to an offer from Fiorentina to make a surprise return to Italy.

In theory, Paratici and his fellow sporting director Johan Lange are meant to work together on potential targets ahead of the window, but if Paratici does leave before the window opens then it could mean a change of plans.

As my colleague David Ornstein reports, Tottenham did make a move for Antoine Semenyo, proposing a highly competitive salary, but he politely declined.

Who will they be looking to sell?

Yves Bissouma has not played one single minute for Thomas Frank’s side yet this season.

He was dropped at the start of the season for lateness, and Frank admitted earlier in December that the club was looking into reports of Bissouma inhaling nitrous oxide, something that Bissouma has been caught doing before. He nearly joined Fenerbahce at the end of last summer, and it would not be a surprise if Tottenham were open to offers for him again in January.

Brennan Johnson has been linked with a move away, although Frank said earlier in December that he was “happy” with Johnson, who is a “big part” of the squad.

Will anyone move out on loan?

Spurs already have some of their best young players out on loan this season, and so there are not too many opportunities within the current squad. But there could be opportunities for other youngsters to go and play.

Dane Scarlett, for example, has only made one 10-minute substitute appearance for the first team so far.

Mason Melia is due to join from St Patrick’s Athletic in January, and the 18-year-old Irish striker could be another player lined up for a potential loan if the club think that is best for his development.

Jack Pitt-Brooke

Barcelona

What positions will they be looking at in January?

Before Andreas Christensen’s injury, Barcelona’s plan was not to sign anyone in January and focus all their efforts on improving their squad in the summer.

But Christensen’s expected four-month lay-off changes things. La Liga rules dictate that clubs can replace an injured player’s registration on their wage bill with that of a new player, as long as their salary counts for less than 80 per cent of the injured player’s. To qualify for this, the injury has to be deemed long-term. This has to be decided by La Liga’s independent medical panel.

Hansi Flick was asked on Sunday if he planned to use Christensen’s injury to bolster the squad and said: “I don’t know now, I need to speak with (sporting director) Deco tomorrow morning.”

Fellow centre-back Ronald Araujo remains unavailable after being granted indefinite leave by Barca. Club sources say that if the Uruguay international’s absence is prolonged, it could also affect their January plans.

Which players do they want?

Barcelona were already monitoring multiple profiles, although they were seen as summer targets rather than options in January.

They are one of the clubs keeping close tabs on Marc Guehi with an eye on the summer. Club sources say they are monitoring Crystal Palace’s 25-year-old England international. They said the prospect of signing him on a free transfer could be appealing given Barca’s precarious finances, but there is still a long way to go.

Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck is another name that has been widely reported in local media. The situation with the 26-year-old Germany international could be more complex because, even if he does not extend his contract at Dortmund and enters the last 18 months of his deal in January, his signing would command a significant fee.

Barca will be in the market for a new striker in the summer, too. Atletico Madrid’s Argentina international Julian Alvarez is the board’s dream signing to replace Robert Lewandowski. The figures required for any deal are seen as prohibitive, however.

Senior executives have also mentioned the name of Levante’s Karl Etta Eyong as a player they are monitoring. The 22-year-old Cameroon striker has scored six goals in 15 games in La Liga this season.

Who will they be looking to sell?

The first name that comes to mind is club captain and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. He is the only player in the team that Barcelona would like to move on, although it is a very complex situation.

The club signed goalkeeper Joan Garcia for €25million ($28.6m; £21.1m) from local rivals Espanyol in the summer, and he is tipped to be Barca’s No 1 for the next generation. Flick has said in recent weeks, after Ter Stegen’s return from injury, that the 24-year-old Garcia remains his first choice and that this won’t change.

But Ter Stegen has a long-term contract until 2028 and has shown no intention of wanting a move. The 33-year-old Germany international previously made clear he wants to fight for his place in the team, even if Garcia remains ahead of him in the pecking order.

There is also an awareness that big clubs are rarely looking for a new starting goalkeeper in the January window, especially not one on the kind of wages Ter Stegen is on at Barca.

His current deal, which was signed in 2023, includes salary deferrals he agreed to help Barca’s finances. He is due a significant chunk of these over the next two seasons.

Will anyone move out on loan?

Ter Stegen falls into this category, too, as Barcelona are keen to offload him in any way. But if there was a club that appealed to Ter Stegen, it is highly likely Barcelona would have to pay a significant share of his wages.

Pol Ballus

Real Madrid

What positions will they be looking at in January?

It is unlikely that Madrid will make any moves in January. First, because the squad is considered to be qualified enough to compete for all titles. The board sees the academy as a valuable resource for emergency situations, even if Xabi Alonso has only fielded 19-year-old Victor Valdepenas and, very briefly, 21-year-old David Jimenez.

Secondly, Madrid tend not to be active in the winter transfer window as a general rule. Madrid’s view is that there are no good options available in January, and if there are, prices are excessive.

There are no plans to change that, even with Endrick’s loan move (without an option to buy) to Lyon and Brahim Diaz’s participation at the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco.

Which players do they want?

With the summer in mind, Madrid are combing the market for a centre-back, and they are also keeping an eye on midfielders.

For the defence, there have been links with three centre-backs whose contracts expire in June, a type of signing that the club is always on the lookout for.

With Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate ruled out, as revealed by The Athletic, no serious move has been made for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi. The financial demands of Dayot Upamecano, who is in talks to extend his contract with Bayern Munich and is being pursued by suitors such as Paris Saint-Germain, are considered excessive by Madrid’s standards.

As for midfielders, there have been positive reports for some time about Adam Wharton, 21, and Kees Smit, 19. Both names were discussed at Madrid back in the summer, around a potential Dani Ceballos sale.

Madrid also retain an option to re-sign Nico Paz from Como, although the Argentina international has been playing a little further forward in Serie A. In any case, there is a good chance that Madrid will bring him back next summer for around €9million (£7.8m; $10.5m).

As reported in The Transfer Radar, AZ do not intend to let Dutchman Smit leave in January and are looking for around €60million for his sale in the summer. AZ sources said Barcelona, Manchester United, Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund were among the clubs monitoring Smit.

Wharton, meanwhile, is under contract at Palace until 2029 and does not have a release clause.

Who will they be looking to sell?

There are no departures planned for January — with Endrick already having moved to Lyon on loan.

The coming months are expected to be 33-year-old David Alaba‘s last at Madrid, as his contract is coming to an end and he will not be offered a renewal.

A decision on 32-year-old Antonio Rudiger, whose contract also expires in June, will be made later in the season, depending on his performance and feelings. His case is similar to that of captain Dani Carvajal, who turns 34 in January.

Since the summer, there have been plans to sell Rodrygo if a good offer comes in, although it is still unclear whether the Brazilian’s recovery in form at the end of the year could change the situation.

The club would like Ferland Mendy, 30, to leave. However, Madrid have extended his contract to 2027 or 2028 (the renewal has not been officially announced) and the Frenchman has not shown signs of wanting a move.

Will anyone move out on loan?

Endrick has already completed his switch to Lyon. Despite Gonzalo Garcia attracting some interest, there are no other moves planned.

Mario Cortegana

Tottenham Hotspur go into this January transfer window under more pressure than ever before.

It has been a difficult start for Thomas Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou in June. His team have struggled to convince fans, and have looked worryingly short of attacking quality. None of James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke have started a competitive game for Frank yet.

There is pressure on the club hierarchy, too. This is the first window since Daniel Levy was removed as chairman in September, and fans will want to see something concrete this window, to show that the majority-shareholding Lewis family share the fans’ ambitions for the club.

Anyone who has watched Spurs this season knows that they need improvements, especially in midfield and up front. The question is whether, in the first window of this new era, they will be able to deliver.

The information found within this article has been gathered according to The Athletic’s sourcing guidelines. Sources with knowledge of transfer dealings, who asked to be kept anonymous to protect relationships, have been spoken to before offering the clubs involved the opportunity to comment.

What is the manager’s priority?

Thomas Frank has made very clear in public already that Spurs will be trying to bring in players during the January window.

“We will definitely be in the market, no doubt about that,” he said at a pre-match press conference on December 12. “We want them as early as possible, like every other time and let’s see if we can have them before January 31.”

And it has been very clear from watching Spurs this season — especially with Solanke, Kulusevski and Maddison out with long-term injuries — that this is a squad short on players who can make the difference.

Away from the window, Spurs want to tie Micky van de Ven to a new, improved long-term deal at the club, which, if they could do, would be more important than any new transfer.

What positions will they be looking at in January?

Frank has not openly disclosed precisely what sort of player he wants in the window. But most Spurs fans would say that they need another midfielder who can move the ball forward in the middle of the pitch.

Their play has been too stodgy too often this season, especially with Maddison and Kulusevski yet to play a single minute so far.

Then there is probably a need for another goal-scorer. Richarlison is their top scorer so far with seven in the league. Next is Micky van de Ven with just three. They have not truly replaced Son Heung-min and need someone else who can chip in with goals.

Which players do they want?

The precise identities of their January targets may change depending on what happens with Fabio Paratici. At the time of writing, Paratici, who only rejoined Spurs as a sporting director in October, is subject to an offer from Fiorentina to make a surprise return to Italy.

In theory, Paratici and his fellow sporting director Johan Lange are meant to work together on potential targets ahead of the window, but if Paratici does leave before the window opens, then it could mean a change of plans.

Tottenham did make a move for Antoine Semenyo, proposing a highly competitive salary, but he politely declined.

Who will they be looking to sell?

Yves Bissouma has not played one single minute for Thomas Frank’s side yet this season.

He was dropped at the start of the season for lateness, and Frank admitted earlier in December that the club was looking into reports of Bissouma inhaling nitrous oxide, something that Bissouma has been caught doing before. He nearly joined Fenerbahce at the end of last summer, and it would not be a surprise if Tottenham were open to offers for him again in January.

Brennan Johnson has been linked with a move away, and Frank said earlier in December that he was “happy” with Johnson, who is a “big part” of the squad.

Will anyone move out on loan?

Spurs already have some of their best young players out on loan this season, and so there are not too many opportunities within the current squad. But there could be opportunities for other youngsters to go and play.

Dane Scarlett, for example, has only made one 10-minute substitute appearance for the first team so far.

Mason Melia is due to join from St Patrick’s Athletic in January, and the 18-year-old Irish striker could be another player lined up for a potential loan if the club thought that was best for his development.

Do they need to sell to buy?

Not necessarily.

Everyone is waiting patiently to see what the budget will be in the January window, but it is unlikely that there will be big, lucrative sales to set up any buying they might want to do. Not least because their most sellable assets right now are not players they would want to part with.

What is their PSR position?

Spurs have traditionally had a strong PSR position. Their revenues are high, thanks in large part to their stadium, which opened in 2019 and brings in some of the biggest matchday revenues in the country.

Equally, the wage bill has always been very strictly controlled, which, in combination with the revenues, gave Spurs plenty of PSR headroom.

What sort of budget do they have?

This is the big question that so many Spurs fans have. This will be the first window of the post-Daniel Levy era, following his removal as chairman in September.

That means there is a new pressure on the majority-shareholding Lewis family to show that they can deliver the investment that the club so clearly needs. Fans will want to see more money committed to transfer fees and wages than Spurs have done in the recent past.

If they don’t make any signings, will they be able to achieve their goals this season?

The evidence of the first half of this season has not been promising.

Spurs’ results have been OK, but the performances have been unconvincing. The team has not shown much progress, leaving fans wondering if they are heading in the right direction. If the injured players can come back and make an impact — especially Kulusevski and Solanke — then there could be a quick uplift.

Otherwise, though, Spurs do not look like they have the quality and depth required to have a strong second half of the season.

For 60 years, footballers passed through Leeds United without threatening club icon Norman Hunter’s unbroken appearance streak. Between 1962 and 1965, defender Hunter racked up 113 consecutive league starts.

Now, 60 years later, Joe Rodon is closing in — with 103 appearances on the bounce.

Rodon is the first outfield Leeds player to hit an unbroken century since Hunter. Is it any wonder his team-mates are trying to emulate his recipe for success? Rodon has even clocked Sam Byram, a 32-year-old professional with more than 300 career appearances, copying his meal choices at the training ground’s canteen.

Not only has the quality of Rodon’s performances made him an integral part of Daniel Farke’s team, but his durability and knack for avoiding injuries are rare in the fixture-congested modern game. When he spoke to The Athletic ahead of Saturday’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace, Rodon was asked what he puts it down to.

“My personal inner circle team in the background are unbelievable with me, but I’m also a bit of a freak when it comes to looking after my body,” he said. “You won’t see me change much.

“When I eat at home, it’s always the same routine and rhythm throughout the week, but credit goes to that behind-the-scenes (team) and everyone involved at the club. I’m just really obsessed with it, I guess.”

The 28-year-old mentions massage, stretching and nutrition when it comes to this inner circle, but he’s reluctant to be specific with names or processes. Rodon says he’s not superstitious, but he likes routine and very much feels that if something is not broken, do not try to fix it.

He has been ticking over like clockwork since he arrived at Elland Road, initially on loan, in August 2023. Palms are planted firmly on the wooden table between Rodon and The Athletic as we navigate the secrets to this longevity without cursing him.

Have the other players asked for advice?

“Some of the boys have seen it close up; the ones I’m really close with, they’ve seen it,” he said. “I’m always willing to give that kind of advice to them, but it is quite funny sometimes.

“I see Sam Byram, for example, copy my meal, and he thinks I’m not looking. He’s all of a sudden gone from that (meal) to that (meal). Little things, but I love it, and I would have been the same before I came here.

“I’m just really structured in my routine. That’s probably the biggest thing.”

Rodon has made 115 Leeds appearances in total. He has never played this frequently for any club before United. He is in uncharted territory.

There was a Cheltenham Town loan and Swansea City breakthrough at 20, but a broken metatarsal and ankle tendon surgery limited the appearances the Wales international hoped to make for his hometown club. Tottenham Hotspur had seen enough to sign him for £11million ($15m) in October 2020, but he would make just 15 league appearances over the next two terms before Rennes gave him 16 Ligue 1 outings on loan during the 2022-23 season.

Rodon feels his body is now benefiting from years of what he compares to a brand new car being left in the garage. United’s 28-year-old is more like a 24-year-old, in his eyes.

“I was very unfortunate (at Swansea),” he said. “Freak things. I don’t like talking about it, but just freak accidents, and I wasn’t used to that.

“Through my whole academy (years), I didn’t really have any issues, so, touch wood, that was new for me. Then going to Spurs, I look at it in the sense of… you buy a new car, and I felt like I was just in a garage for four years, where I wasn’t used.

“Now it’s like I’m fresh (and) with Leeds. The last three years have been non-stop, but I feel fresh. It’s like I’m catching up on things I missed through that period.”

Rodon started 45 of the 49 Championship games in that first season at Elland Road for him and Farke. Like everyone, he was bruised by the pain of the narrow Wembley loss to Southampton in the play-off final.

He was set to return to Tottenham after a year as one of the second-tier’s finest performers. Premier League interest in his services would predictably materialise, but Rodon felt there was unfinished business in West Yorkshire.

“There was a lot of (transfer) interest,” he said. “But from where I was before I came to Leeds and how that went… I loved it even though we failed. It was so important, and there was no other option.”

Not only did Rodon return to Elland Road, but he did so on a permanent transfer with no guarantee of promotion from the Championship. After watching so many players scramble to leave Leeds after relegation, it was jarring to see someone turn down top-flight interest for a second year in the second tier.

“It’s funny you say that because I had a chat with a player before I signed permanently,” he said. “He laid it all out for me and (said), ‘The Championship is very difficult to get out of. Mentally and physically, it’s a gruelling season, but (once) you’re in the Premier League, you’re in the Premier League’.

“I just believed in it. Of course, I really wanted to be in the Premier League, but I wanted to do it the right way.

“Leeds is such a big club and going to the Premier League with Leeds, that’s all it was for me. I said in an interview at the beginning of last season, Leeds took a chance on me when no one else did.”

Leeds achieved their goal and are in the Premier League. They have found a recent groove with a starting 5-3-2 shape. Rodon, a fixture as the right-sided centre-back in Farke’s back four since August 2023, has shifted across to the right of the central three and covers Jayden Bogle when he roams forward.

At the weekend, when Palace visited, Rodon was an out-and-out right-back, even venturing forward into a role on the wing when the team was upfield. He likes the freedom the back-five system has given him.

“The wide centre-halves have to be very adaptable in being able to step out and press,” he said. “We did kind of do it in training in pre-season, so we had a picture of it if we were going to do it in-season.

“It’s good for us to be adaptable. Against top teams, you’ve got to show respect. We have to earn our respect in this league, playing against the best.

“Me being on the right side allows me to show more of my ability to run and be in higher positions. If you watch the games, you see me more in the full-back position in the system.

“It allows me to show more things in my game. Being comfortable in wide areas, I love it.

“Some of the players we have here are so physical (and this allows them) to be dominant in this formation.”

The pivot in shape has precipitated a remarkable turnaround in results and confidence. Since half-time at Manchester City, Leeds have amassed an aggregate lead of 13 goals to seven against five opponents, including four of the current top eight.

The interval at Etihad Stadium may come to be seen as the turning point in their season. They went into the dressing room 2-0 down, bereft of confidence or any foothold in the game. They fought back to 2-2 and only a late Phil Foden goal saw them leave without any points.

“We were saying, ‘Listen, if we’re going to be like this, we’re going to be absolutely fine’,” said Rodon. “That’s what brought more confidence in, knowing then we had the back-to-back home games against two top opposition (Chelsea and Liverpool). We knew in ourselves, ‘We can win here, we can do this’.”

The festive period brings with it fixture congestion, but also one of the most important dates in the calendar for the players: their Christmas visit to Leeds Children’s Hospital. Rodon was among the squad as they visited patients, families and staff, sitting for conversations, pictures and presents.

“I’ve done a lot with Leeds over the last three years and, at Christmas, it’s important we give back to the community and the kids, the ones who are unfortunate not to be at home on Christmas,” he said.

“It’s important for us to go in and share some laughs, some joy for the families as well. It’s amazing what the club do and how we get involved with the community like that.”

Rodon does not have children of his own yet, but he acknowledges it can hit some of his older team-mates, who are fathers, harder. Even so, everyone, including the club staff, finds it a deeply emotional experience.

“The older ones especially,” he said. “It’s difficult, depending on the situation of what’s happening in the room, but it hits everyone. The staff as well.

“It’s important we, given how strong they’re being, stay strong for them as well and try to make it as happy and as comfortable as possible for the little ones.”

The visit to the hospital took place before Leeds’ win over Palace at Elland Road. At home, they have 15 points from their nine matches this season. There is a sense that matches on their own turf will be critical to the team’s success in 2025-26. For Rodon, the recent clash with Liverpool set new levels for noise.

“Last season, if I had to pick the best game, it’d probably be Stoke (City) at home,” he said. “Everyone was on edge, but when we scored four goals in the first 25 minutes, the place just exploded.

“I don’t think I’ve heard it louder than Liverpool. When that second goal went in, I was just like, ‘What is going on?!’.

“I started running off, but I was just like, ‘What is going on?!’ for the five minutes after that, until they scored the third.”

Rodon, like Leeds, is off and running in the Premier League — and closing in on a record run of his own.

Thomas Frank has made a point of encouraging his Tottenham Hotspur players to applaud the home support after the final whistle, but there have been few occasions in the Premier League when this gesture has been gratefully received.

Despite losing 2-1 to Liverpool on Saturday — their fifth home defeat of the league season and a record 11th this calendar year — large sections of the South Stand were on their feet to applaud the team, who fought to try to rescue an unlikely result. Even after going down to nine men, Tottenham pushed for an equaliser, with the defending Premier League champions buckling under their pressure and the noise coming from the stands.

Truthfully, however, the circumstances leading up to those final moments were ludicrous.

Spurs responded well to the first red card. Xavi Simons was dismissed in the 33rd minute after catching his Netherlands national-team captain Virgil van Dijk late and on his calf, with referee John Brooks upgrading an initial booking after VAR recommended he consult the pitchside monitor.

The 10 men rode out the first half, even offering a threat on the counter-attack, before their defence was breached just before the hour through substitute Alexander Isak. It was at this point in proceedings that Tottenham club captain Cristian Romero, so often the main character, thrust himself into the limelight again.

Unusually for a player who has achieved so much in the game, the general perception within the Spurs world is that the Argentina international centre-back is underrated within the English game. For every neutral Premier League follower on social media who describes two-time Copa America winner and 2022 World Cup champion Romero as hot-headed and unreliable, there will be countless Tottenham fans defending their skipper.

“He’s actually not a loose cannon.”

“He’s actually not been sent off since 2023.”

“He’s actually our most important player.”

Their backing of him is so robust because they know how important Romero is to the team’s success. When he plays well, Spurs tend to play well too.

Alongside the intensity and crunching tackles, Romero’s line-breaking passing is vital, with several successful instances in the first half on Saturday setting Tottenham away on attacking moves through the middle of the pitch — something they cannot do when he is not around. For that reason, the 27-year-old’s miscued pass leading to Isak’s goal can almost be excused. If Spurs are to be successful, Frank needs Romero to play those kinds of balls.

What Spurs could do without, however, was his reaction to that moment.

As he often does when Tottenham are chasing a result, Romero then vacated his position and went hunting for possession, finding himself anywhere from the right wing to being in advance of striker Randal Kolo Muani, breaking the team’s structural integrity. While the home side were searching for a goal, perhaps requiring a more urgent approach to their forward play, having a central defender in striker positions — particularly one who is so crucial to the team’s build-up — seems sub-optimal when a man down.

He was also on the scene for Liverpool’s second, a header from striker Hugo Ekitike in the 66th minute.

While the goal perhaps should have been ruled out, with Frank saying in his post-match press conference that it was “a mistake from the ref” as the France international had a “clear two hands on (Romero’s) back”, the counter-argument is the centre-back should have been stronger and more dominant in that situation. For protesting the referee’s decision to award the goal, Romero was shown his first yellow card of the evening.

While that reaction may have been justified, his second booking was entirely inexcusable.

With seven minutes to go in added time and Tottenham firmly in the ascendancy after Richarlison pulled a goal back on 83 minutes, Romero was fouled from behind by Ibrahima Konate, giving Spurs a free kick in a promising position.

As a player who thrives in chaos — see his game-saving two goals away at Newcastle United earlier this month — he is precisely the player you would want in the opposition box, trying to get on the end of that set piece. Instead, he was handed his marching orders by Brooks in the immediate aftermath of Konate’s challenge after mindlessly kicking out at the Liverpool centre-back, which should have virtually killed any hope of a comeback, if not for Liverpool’s incompetence.

“I think any player needs to control their emotions and be cool-headed,” Frank said in his post-match press conference. “It’s not only because you’re a captain that you need to be exceptionally cool-headed. That’s also always good, of course. We’re talking about a very passionate player that’s been very good for this club and team for many years.”

Former Manchester United and England full-back Gary Neville, commentating on the match for Sky Sports, was less diplomatic, calling Romero’s reaction “absolute madness”. Later, former Tottenham midfielder and now Sky analyst Jamie Redknapp added, “What Romero did is what Romero does.”

Even for the most ardent Romero advocate, it is difficult to label his conduct in that moment as anything less than petulant and selfish.

Now Frank has to prepare for a crucial game away to Crystal Palace on Sunday with one fewer leader in a side already short on big characters.

Liverpool fear striker Alexander Isak suffered a significant leg injury in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Isak, a half-time replacement for Conor Bradley, was injured in the act of opening the scoring in the 56th minute with a smart finish from Florian Wirtz’s pass. After striking the ball, he was brought down awkwardly by a sliding challenge from Spurs defender Micky van de Ven and was unable to celebrate with his teammates.

Isak, 26, received treatment and was helped off the pitch by two members of Liverpool’s medical staff, with Jeremie Frimpong replacing him.

Liver, which will reveal the full extent of the injury but Liverpool are concerned at the extent of the damage caused to the forward’s lower leg.

Isak being absent for a lengthy spell would be a huge blow to both Liverpool and the £125million signing, who scored for only the second time in the Premier League in north London since his record-breaking move from Newcastle United in the summer.

Isak has started six top flight games for Liverpool and three times in the Champions League, with fellow summer signing Hugo Ekitike – who scored the winner against nine-man Spurs – settling quicker at Anfield.

After the game, Arne Slot, the Liverpool head coach, was encouraged by the impact of Isak and Wirtz, another big money summer addition, and said he hoped the Sweden international would not be sidelined long-term.

“I haven’t spoken to him about it yet but it’s a good thing he scored, a good goal assisted by Florian Wirtz,” Slot said. “I said players are getting better, the team is getting better.

“It wasn’t perfect today, especially the last 10 minutes but we pick up points and are developing in a way I want to see.

“That’s what we’d like to see happening a lot. A good finish, a good pass. Let’s not be too negative yet. We don’t know yet, let’s hope he is back with us soon.”

Will Isak injury force Liverpool to be active in January?

Analysis by Liverpool reporter Andy Jones

Alexander Isak’s first few months at Liverpool have been forgettable but just when it looked like he had turned a corner, he has suffered another major setback.

As he netted his second Premier League goal of the season to give Liverpool the lead against Tottenham he was unable to celebrate. The agonising look on his face told the story as he clutched his leg and he hobbled off soon after. Now, Liverpool fear he has suffered a significant injury.

After becoming a record-breaking signing in the summer when he arrived at Anfield for £125million from Newcastle United, fitness and form have both been issues.

But the prospect of being ruled out for a lengthy spell would be a huge blow for him as an individual, but also has knock-on effects for head coach Arne Slot and his depth in attack.

Slot is fortunate that he can turn to another elite No.9 in Hugo Ekitike. The 23-year-old is in excellent form, scoring five goals in his last three league games.

However, with Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations and his future up in the air and Cody Gakpo on his way back from a muscle injury, his attacking options in the short team include only Federico Chiesa and 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha. Neither have started a league game this season.

With Salah away, this had been earmarked as an opportunity for Isak and Ekitike to get a run in the team, potentially together. Those plans now lie in tatters and Slot will need to manage Ekitike carefully.

Further scans will reveal the full extent of Isak’s injury, but there has to be a chance that Liverpool may now be forced to move in the January transfer window. A versatile forward who can play as a No.9 and in wide areas would make more sense that a like-for-like replacement as attacking depth in wide areas is also low.

Finding a player of the required level and for a sensible fee will be the challenge. Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65million release clause, is admired by Liverpool and can operate on both flanks but has only played a handful of games as a No.9 for Bournemouth.

Fiorentina have approached Tottenham Hotspur’s co-sporting director Fabio Paratici about a surprise return to Italy, just over two months after his reappointment at the Premier League club.

Fiorentina are yet to approach Spurs directly about Paratici, according to sources briefed on the situation, but the Serie A club have made the 53-year-old an offer to run their football operation.

Paratici only officially resumed working for Spurs in October following the end of his 30-month ban from football activity, taking up a role alongside Johan Lange as co-sporting director. He was formerly Tottenham’s managing director of football from June 2021, having been appointed by former Executive Chairman Daniel Levy.

Paratici was one of 11 former Juventus executives banned from Italian football after being accused of financial malpractice, and this suspension was extended worldwide by FIFA in March 2023. The ban related to the inflation of transfer fees for accounting purposes during his time at Juventus.

The Italian officially resigned from his role at Tottenham in April 2023 following the rejection of his appeal against his worldwide ban, which was partially reduced, enabling him to work in football in a reduced capacity. During the interim period, he worked on a consultancy basis for Spurs, advising Levy and the club on transfers.

Earlier this year, Paratici held talks with AC Milan before they appointed Igli Tare as sporting director in May.

Fiorentina’s former sporting director Daniele Prade left by mutual agreement in November following a poor start to the season and they are yet to replace him. They are currently rock bottom of Serie A, winless in 15 games and eight points shy of 17th place.

Paratici’s return was the most recent high-profile development in a year of change at Tottenham, with Vinai Venkatesham appointed as CEO in April and Thomas Frank replacing Ange Postecoglou as head coach in the summer. The same month, long-serving Executive Director Donna-Maria Cullen stepped down from her position on the board, and in September, Levy was removed as Spurs chairman after 24 years at the helm of the club.

Paratici spent 11 years as Juventus’ sporting director prior to his first spell at Spurs, overseeing one of the most successful periods in the Italian club’s history, winning nine Serie A titles and reaching the Champions League final twice.

Analysis

The news that Fiorentina have approached Fabio Paratici about a big new job in Serie A is not something that many people saw coming less than two weeks before the opening of the transfer window.

Paratici only officially returned to Tottenham in October, announced as one of the club’s two Sporting Directors, working alongside Johan Lange.

He had previously been a consultant for Spurs since he was forced to resign as managing director of football in April 2023 following his ban from football.

But the plan was that Paratici would use his unrivalled network and his transfer market nous in January (and beyond) to help bring a higher quality of player to Spurs. Just like he did with Cristian Romero, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski during his first spell at the club.

Clearly this is going to be an important window for Spurs, the first of the post-Daniel Levy era.

Thomas Frank’s team have struggled to convince so far this season – they are currently 13th in the Premier League table – and look in need of improvements in the window. Especially in central midfield and in the front line.

Now everyone has to wait and see what happens with this Fiorentina approach for Paratici. And whether one of their two Sporting Directors will be around for it or not.

Liverpool have come a long way in recent weeks.

A six-game unbeaten run in all competitions has silenced talk of a crisis at Anfield and eased the pressure on head coach Arne Slot. They have taken 11 points of the last 15 on offer in the Premier League and strengthened their position in the Champions League with an impressive away win against Serie A side Inter.

The mood has been transformed since that humiliating 4-1 European defeat at home to PSV in late November, which followed similarly chastening domestic setbacks at the hands of Nottingham Forest and Manchester City.

From the depths of despair, the Premier League champions now sit level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea. Those with short memories and little patience who were calling for change have been muted as Slot has breathed new life into a managerial reign which had veered so alarmingly off course.

The Dutchman deserves great credit for how he has dealt with the toughest period of his career. He has not shied away from the big calls, dropping Mohamed Salah to deal with the fallout after the Egypt forward’s public outburst about losing his place in the team, and changing Liverpool’s system to make them more compact.

But Saturday’s chaotic 2-1 away win against Tottenham Hotspur underlined how far they still have to travel if they are going to salvage something tangible from this turbulent season.

How they lost control playing against 10 men after Richarlison reduced the deficit in the 83rd minute was worrying. How blind panic set in after Cristian Romero’s dismissal in stoppage time left the hosts with nine players was just downright ridiculous.

“What hurt me the most was from the nine minutes of added time, which ended up being 10, I think they had 95 per cent of the ball,” Slot said. “Every time when we had the ball, we kicked it away or we threw it away. It was unbelievable that we couldn’t keep the ball a bit longer. It looked as if we were down to nine and they were with 11, because it was attack after attack after attack.”

Liverpool’s game management was non-existent, with composure conspicuous by its absence. Possession was repeatedly frittered away and needless free kicks were conceded as they invited pressure. Slot gestured wildly on the touchline about them dropping too deep but the message did not get through. A better team than Tottenham would have made them pay.

Just how fraught it got late on was underlined by the sight of Slot taking off Jeremie Frimpong, who had stayed down for treatment after taking a blow to the mouth. The former Bayer Leverkusen man was fine to continue on his comeback after two months out, but Slot was not prepared to run the risk of waiting for him to come back on, so introduced Federico Chiesa instead.

“I didn’t want to go down to 10 men for 30 seconds,” he explained. “I think this is the only country where if players are injured they need to go off for 30 seconds, with a head injury it’s even 45, so I adapted to that. There wasn’t long to go and we were struggling even with plus one (player).”

Frimpong had come on for the injured Alexander Isak, who himself had replaced the injured Conor Bradley. It was that kind of night.

Despite having 65 per cent possession and an extra man from the 33rd minute onwards, when Xavi Simons was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool struggled to make their advantage count.

Remarkably, when Alisson denied Pedro Porro an equaliser at the death, Tottenham had attempted the previous six shots in the contest. The home side created as many big chances as Liverpool as defined by Opta (two apiece) and edged it on expected goals (xG) 1.07 to 0.66.

“The immediate reaction coming off was that it was a chaotic last five to 10 minutes,” Van Dijk told reporters post-match. “It wasn’t great, but to get the three points is massive. There was nothing wrong up to us conceding a goal. We need to analyse the last part.

“When you concede a goal and their fans get behind them like they did, it’s never easy to make the right decisions and find the right solutions. That’s something we can improve, but I don’t think it’s worrying. It’s a transition, and we need to keep getting better.”

On Dutch countryman Simons’ red card, Van Dijk added: “I don’t think there was any intention to hurt me but obviously he did hurt me, and then the referee and the VAR made the decision to send him off. I spoke to him after but it’s a chat that no one needs to know about.”

There were positives for Liverpool.

Not least the sight of the £241million ($320m at current exchange rates) double act of Florian Wirtz and Isak combining for a Premier League goal for the first time to break the deadlock early in the second half.

It was cruel that Isak’s joy proved to be so short-lived, as he was clattered by Micky van de Ven after firing beyond goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. The Sweden striker had to be helped from the field by medical staff and Liverpool are anxiously awaiting scan results.

Hugo Ekitike, who nodded home the second goal from Frimpong’s deflected cross — much to Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank’s irritation — has been integral to the recent resurgence and the France striker’s importance will only grow if Isak is facing an extended spell on the sidelines. With Salah now away at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and Cody Gakpo still out with a muscle injury, Slot’s attacking options have dwindled.

The hope is that Wirtz was only suffering from cramp when he pulled up holding his hamstring late on. With Dominik Szoboszlai banned for the visit of bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers to Anfield next Saturday, Liverpool cannot afford to lose anyone else.

“Injuries unfortunately are part of football, and hopefully they’re not too bad,” added Van Dijk. “Alex scored a great goal. It’s too soon after the game to know (the full extent of it). Now we have a couple of days off. We will recover and then we will focus on Wolves. First we have Christmas. Being with your family and being healthy are the most important things in life.”

There will be no training on Christmas Day this year, with Slot having given his squad the day off. The players headed straight out for a festive team meal following this win in north London.

Relief was the overwhelming emotion after coming so close to throwing away two points. There has been much to admire about Liverpool’s recent resurgence, but if it is going to be extended into the new year and beyond, the bar simply has to be raised in terms of performances.