Football League World

Whilst the race for promotion from the EFL Championship to the Premier League continues to heat up, attention is also strong when assessing which sides could be falling into the second tier ahead of next season.

In the past two seasons, we have seen all six of the sides promoted from the Championship be instantly relegated in the form of Burnley, Sheffield United, Luton Town, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton.

Only the Clarets were able to regain their top-flight status at the first time of asking last campaign as they finished second to Leeds United on goal difference whilst achieving 100 points. However, it feels inevitable that they and Wolverhampton Wanderers are two of the three sides who will be relegated to the EFL barring a strong run of end-of-season form.

As such, it is the final spot in the relegation places which is catching the eye of many, with West Ham United still occupying 18th place, albeit their goalless draw with AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, coupled with Nottingham Forest's last-gasp defeat to Liverpool, means the Hammers are just two points from safety with 11 games remaining.

It would be a huge shock to see the Irons relegated back to the Championship for the first time since 2012, but an even greater surprise could still occur, as their London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, are only four points clear of the drop zone following their second 4-1 loss of the season in the North London derby to league leaders, Arsenal, on Sunday afternoon.

Despite finishing 17th last season, Spurs were never in serious threat of relegation due to a 13-point buffer, whilst they also won a first major trophy since 2008 by defeating Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final.

However, next season, they could be swapping Tuesday nights in the UEFA Champions League with the Championship.

As such, Football League World asked AI-based chatbot, ChatGPT, to predict how Tottenham would fare in the second tier if they were to fall into the division for the first time since 1978.

AI issues Tottenham Hotspur, EFL Championship prediction amid relegation fears

At present, it remains to be seen who will be in charge of Spurs in the long run, with Igor Tudor replacing Thomas Frank until the end of the season on February 14th, albeit sporting director, Johan Lange, believes the Croatian could be kept for a longer period if his initial spell goes well.

That, of course, would not be the case if they were to be relegated between now and May.

With that being said, AI believes the North London club would become an immediate force in the Championship due to their pulling power and resources, such as the 62,850-seater Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It has been predicted that, if the club were able to recruit a promotion specialist, they would immediately spend the majority of the season in the top three, and would most likely finish second, as the unpredictable nature of the Championship means it would be typical that the league title would go to a divisional rival.

AI also claims that, even if several fringe players and a handful of top earners were to depart the club, the remaining squad still has the overall quality to outshine several opposition squads.

It has also been stated that, due to the financial disadvantages that relegation brings, even with parachute payments, Spurs would look to unearth several gems from their highly-rated academy setup.

However, it has also been predicted that they could finish as low as sixth if they initially underestimated the challenges of the Championship, which has certainly been the case with Southampton and Leicester this season.

Do you think Spurs will be relegated to the Championship this season? Let us know in the comments!

Tottenham Hotspur's relegation chances are now beginning to be taken seriously

Even though Spurs endured a dismal league season last term, and that those fortunes have since continued, only now are the club's chances of going down appearing to be taken seriously.

Of course, it would be a major shock to see the Europa League holders and 2019 Champions League finalists be relegated so soon, but it would not be the first time such a drastic fall-off has occurred.

Leeds United were relegated in 2004, just three years after making the Champions League semi-finals, whilst Blackburn Rovers fell into the Championship in 1999, just four years after winning the Premier League under Sir Kenny Dalglish.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Coventry City have been told that they must part ways with Yang Min-hyeok as soon as possible, and explore the free agent market, after a difficult start to the winger's life at the CBS Arena.

Signed from Tottenham Hotspur on loan until the end of the campaign in the first week of the January transfer window, this looked to be an excellent opportunity for the South Korean starlet as his spell with Portsmouth was brought to an early end.

The 19-year-old has played just 29 minutes of league football under Frank Lampard from five separate games, and has been used from off the bench in just three games. The Sky Blues have failed to win any of those matches and frustration will be building for all parties.

Now, one Coventry fan has spoken out on Yang's tough start and why it has not gone right for a player who has impressed in the Championship before.

Verdict made on Yang Min-hyeok's first month with Coventry City

The teenager's only start for the West Midlands outfit came in an FA Cup third round defeat to Stoke City in January, where he was played in a central role that did not suit him. However, he has not been given the opportunity to shine out wide either, and Football League World's Coventry Fan Pundit, Chris Deez, has weighed in on just how strange his addition was.

He told FLW: "I think Yang Min-hyeok could possibly end up going down as one of the weirdest transfers in Coventry City history. Obviously, we needed strength in depth on the wings and Esse was brought in on loan from Palace. Over the last few games, he's looked like a really good signing. I'm really happy with him. He was an exciting one when it was announced.

"But even when Yang was announced at first, I didn't really see anybody jumping for joy. He was okay for Portsmouth. He wasn't exactly setting the world on fire and their fans didn't seem too upset at Tottenham recalling him. It just seems like Lampard doesn't fancy him anymore, even though he would have obviously signed off on bringing him in the first place.

"It's a very strange one. I think our selection on Monday against Middlesbrough will probably say all that there is to say about Yang. Ephron Mason-Clark might not be fit and ready for Middlesbrough. Hopefully he is, obviously, because he's our best player out on that side of the pitch.

"If he's not, it would make all the sense in the world for Yang to start because he is the most natural left-winger that we have available. If he ends up starting, Esse or maybe even Sakamoto on that side or Brown, we've got a few options. None of them are perfect options. Yang also probably isn't perfect but still makes the most sense."

Chris continued: "If he can't get game time with Mason-Clark out, then surely that's the final nail in the coffin. I would rather send the lad back to Tottenham and bring in a free agent who is actually going to fit what we need on that side of the pitch.

"Maybe Lampard just hasn't been impressed with Yang in training, and you know that's fair enough. A great player can come into your club with all these expectations, and everybody can be excited, and the manager wants him in the team and in the squad, and it just doesn't work out for a number of reasons.

"That's fair enough, but especially when you factor in that Tottenham wanted him to go out and get more minutes somewhere. He's barely even played half an hour for us, and he came in like five-six weeks ago, it's not good, is it? Alarm bells must be ringing for Tottenham a little bit."

Yang Min-hyeok and Tottenham Hotspur will be extremely keen to put things right

The South Korean World Cup hopeful will be extremely wary of this year's tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico, and therefore it is vital that he gets the game time he needs to progress.

Tottenham signed Yang as he is one of the most exciting prospects to come out of his nation since Son Heung-min, and they will be extremely keen to see their talented youngster develop in the Championship.

He scored twice and registered one assist for QPR in the second-half of last season, and he made quite the impression at Loftus Road. Portsmouth may have thought they struck gold with his arrival in the summer, and while he did score three goals, Pompey were fighting towards the bottom of the table.

Gareth Southgate has no plans to return to management in the immediate future amid links to Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

According to Football Insider, a move to the King Power is not on the cards for the time being despite the vacancy created by Martí Cifuentes’ departure.

The Spaniard was dismissed earlier this month following a 2-1 loss to Oxford United, with the Foxes now at risk of relegation to League One this season.

It has been a disappointing campaign for the side, who have also been docked six points by the EFL for financial rule breaches.

Southgate has been out of work since the Euro 2024 final, where England’s 2-1 loss to Spain ended his time in charge of the national team.

Gareth Southgate’s Leicester City stance

Southgate is not prepared to make a return to management despite reports linking him with the vacancy at the King Power Stadium, as well as at Spurs.

The former England boss is in no rush to jump back into a coaching role, as he comes up on two years since his last game in charge.

It’s believed that the 55-year-old would also be inclined to look for a job higher up the football pyramid, particularly with Leicester now at risk of dropping into League One.

Southgate has been linked with a number of jobs since his departure from the Football Association, including replacing Thomas Frank at Tottenham Hotspur, but his last job at club level came at Middlesbrough in 2009.

He oversaw the Teesside outfit’s relegation to the Championship, and departed just a few months later after a poor start to life in the second tier.

However, he guided England to a World Cup quarter and semi-final, along with two defeats in the final at the European Championship in 2021 and 2024.

Leicester are 21st in the Championship table ahead of their FA Cup clash against Southampton on Saturday in a 3pm kick-off.

Gareth Southgate appointment was always a long shot for Leicester

Southgate hasn’t worked in football for almost two years, so it’s hardly like he is itching for a return to the game now.

So it was always likely that Leicester were going to have a hard time convincing him to replace Cifuentes.

Southgate can really take his time and choose his next role, particularly as his reputation has never been higher due to his work as England boss.

The Foxes cannot waste much more time searching for their next head coach, as they need someone that can come in and immediately get results to aid their survival hopes.

It has been an up-and-down start to 2026 for Preston North End – they won two games without conceding to start the year, then lost four straight in all competitions without scoring.

They finished January with a course-correcting draw against fellow promotion hunters Ipswich Town, before a win over Portsmouth last weekend to climb back up to seventh in the Championship table.

Despite the inconsistency of it all, one player who has maintained his bulletproof popularity at Deepdale is Tottenham loanee and now joint leading goalscorer in the league for the Lilywhites, Alfie Devine.

If the difference he makes for Preston leads to a serious promotion push, the club may have no choice but to spend big to secure his services upon the end of his loan deal.

Alfie Devine has enjoyed a breakout season at Preston North End

The 21-year-old joined PNE on August 8th for a 12-month temporary stint away from parent club Tottenham Hotspur, becoming the club’s 10th arrival of the summer, and their second of four on loan from the Premier League.

Upon signing on the dotted line, Devine told the club website: “I’m buzzing. When this opportunity came about, I was excited when I first heard about it. I’m happy to be here and happy to get it done. I can’t wait to get going tomorrow.

“I like to make people excited. I like to get on the ball. I like to always be involved in it and get people off their seats.”

It did not take long for the attacking midfielder to put his money where his mouth was, scoring an excellent goal on his full debut - a 2-1 home win against newly relegated Leicester City.

He has kicked on since then, ascending to a position where, after scoring the only goal in a home victory over Pompey this past Saturday, he has managed the second-most goal contributions in Lilywhite since the start of the season in all competitions.

In December, after two consecutive Man of the Match performances against Sheffield Wednesday and Wrexham, Devine again spoke to the club website, saying: “I want to play as much as I can, stay in the game for as long as I can and obviously help the team as much as I possibly can. So far I'm loving it.

“The fans have taken to me, players, staff, so I'm pretty sure every single other boy that's come in this summer can say the exact same thing as well. It’s just about keeping that good feeling going and see what'll happen.”

Devine’s desire to play consistently has certainly been fulfilled so far. He has featured in the joint-most league games for Preston this season, tied with long-time defender Jordan Storey and captain Ben Whiteman, showing how dependable he is considered to be by Heckingbottom and company.

In fact, the only game in which he was not part of the 18-man squad was the reverse fixture against Portsmouth – a 1-0 defeat for Preston.

PNE will need to break the bank to keep Devine beyond this summer

As one of the few Championship teams to have never reaped the benefits of a billionaire investor, or a Premier League relegation parachute payment, Preston have often been frugal with their spending.

Until just over a week ago, PNE’s record signing was Montenegrin firecracker Milutin Osmajic, who set the club back a reported €2.5m (£2.15m) in 2023 when joining from Cadiz, per Radio Cadiz reporter Ignacio de la Varga on X – when the club officially announced his arrival, his fee was undisclosed.

To put that into perspective, last summer, Ipswich Town broke the Championship transfer record with their signing of Norwegian youngster Sindre Walle Egeli, putting down £17.5m for his services, per BBC Sport – that exceeds Osmajic’s import value eight times over with change to spare.

As of deadline day in the most recent winter window, that status now belongs to new arrival Callum Lang, who joined Preston from Portsmouth for a fee that has been confirmed as a new record by the club themselves, despite remaining undisclosed.

Whatever that fee is, it may not be a record that Lang holds for very long. As was first illustrated by the club themselves upon Devine’s arrival at Deepdale, and as has been recently reiterated by the LEP: “PNE have inserted a buy-option - albeit expensive - into his loan agreement."

How expensive exactly that buy option will be is currently subject to speculation, with George Hodgson of the Lancashire Post suggesting on X that the fee would exceed £4m – not too far removed from double what was paid for Osmajic three years ago.

Devine has proven his value to Preston amidst rumours of a permanent transfer

Adding perhaps the most fuel to this particular fire was a chat between the Lancashire Post and PNE CEO Peter Ridsdale, during which the board member said of the club’s option to sign Devine in the summer: “We have exclusive rights and, in fact, we’ve already agreed personal terms, were the option to be exercised.”

That is a massive step in the right direction for Preston, and it is complimented by the news that North End will also be allowed to spread the payment over a few years, in a structured deal.

His impact at Preston has been undeniable, and if the club were to force their way back into the play-off places and potentially sneak into the Premier League for the first time in their history due to what Devine can produce for them in the next few months, then a permanent deal would be a given.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has been in charge since December 2021, but prior to his career in the dugout, he spent seven years as a youth player with Tottenham Hotspur, as well as coaching their youth teams.

The now 39-year-old joined Spurs as a youth player in 2002, after signing a scholarship contract with the club. In 2009, at the age of just 22, McKenna retired from playing due to an ongoing hip injury.

It prevented the Northern Irishman from making a senior first-team appearance for Tottenham. After retiring from playing, McKenna started a career in coaching whilst studying at Loughborough University. During his time studying, McKenna spent time as a youth coach at Tottenham and a handful of other sides.

Upon graduating, the current Ipswich Town boss was hired as the Head of Academy Performance Analysis at Tottenham, before being placed in charge of their under-18's side. During his tenure at Spurs, McKenna guided the team to the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup in 2015.

In August 2016, McKenna left his role at Tottenham to join the academy set-up at Manchester United, becoming the under-18's manager once more. Ipswich were his first steps into a senior position of his own, despite having first-team assistant roles under various coaches at Old Trafford.

Ipswich Town verdict on Kieran McKenna amid Tottenham Hotspur vacancy

Man United recently replaced Ruben Amorim with Michael Carrick until the end of the season, whilst Spurs are now looking for a replacement for Thomas Frank following his sacking after losing 2-1 to Newcastle United.

Football League World's Ipswich fan pundit Adam Wilkin was asked to provide his thoughts as to whether there are fears Tottenham may come back in for their former coach, and if he thinks McKenna would depart the club in their current position.

"I think the two clubs I am always worried about coming in for McKenna are Manchester United and Tottenham, given his links and given the size of the clubs," Adam told FLW.

"But then, I think there have been better times for him to move to Tottenham than now. I was probably more worried at the end of the season around when Thomas Frank got the job.

"I feel like McKenna is the kind of manager who likes to finish off a job, which is something that is rare in football. But once he commits to a project, it's something that he clearly likes to follow through. So, I don't think he would leave mid-season.

"If Spurs were to get an interim style manager until the end of the season, Harry Redknapp's been rumoured somewhere - although I'm not sure how serious that is - and we're having this conversation before the beginning of next season, then maybe.

"But, for now, yeah, I don't see it. I can't see him leaving Ipswich Town this season."

Kieran McKenna is Ipswich Town's prized asset - they can't lose him now

Ipswich have many assets on the playing side of things, but the club's greatest asset is arguably McKenna.

It could be argued that he is the architect of everything the club has become. While players execute on the pitch, McKenna defines the identity and their recent trajectory.

He transformed Ipswich from a stagnant League One side into back-to-back promotion winners, which helped retore belief and unity at Portman Road, as well as an incredible style of play and elite performance levels.

His tactical clarity is what makes him a potential long-term Premier League coach, given his structured build-up, as well as intelligent rotations and use of his substitutes bench to get the most out of his squad and adapt to the opposition. That is something lacking at Spurs for some time now.

The Northern Irishman maximises individual players and consistently improves them. Crucially, his coaching raises the collective above the sum of its parts; players thrive within a clear framework and often outperform expectations. That stability attracts other suitors, undoubtedly.

Middlesbrough have slapped a £30 million asking price on star midfielder Hayden Hackney, with the Teesside outfit reluctant to sell the 23-year-old amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Middlesbrough are targeting Premier League football next season, with the January window presenting an opportunity to improve areas of weakness to bolster those prospects.

However, TEAMtalk has reported that both Spurs and Man United are interested in signing their star midfielder Hayden Hackney this January, with Boro slapping a £30 million price tag on the 23-year-old.

Indeed, this season presents Boro with their best opportunity of a return to the top flight in some while, sitting in 2nd place, just six points behind Coventry City at this stage.

Therefore, understandably, they are increasingly reluctant to allow any important player to leave this January, let alone Hackney, who is arguably their most important player and prized asset.

Middlesbrough demand a record-breaking fee to part ways with Hayden Hackney this winter, with promotion in their sights

Middlesbrough had accepted an offer in the region of £20 million during the summer for Hackney from fellow Championship rivals Ipswich Town, but he turned down the move in favour of staying with his boyhood club.

Hackney then later stated that he would only be interested in leaving Boro should an established Premier League side come in for him.

Now, with both Spurs and Man United lurking, a move could well be on the cards, much to the dismay of Boro fans, though the Premier League outfits will have to meet their asking price for a move to be sanctioned.

Hackney has started all 26 Championship games so far this season, much to his importance to the side, scoring three and assisting six from midfield.

If a £30 million bid is submitted and accepted for Hackney, it would indeed break the record for Boro's most lucrative sale in their history, surpassing the £22.5 million Atlanta United paid for Emmanuel Latte Lath.

It would be fitting for Hackney to become the club's most expensive sale, and for him to depart; that will almost surely have to be the case.

Though with 18 months remaining on his current deal, Boro will be hoping they can fend off interest from top-flight sides this winter and achieve promotion with the England youth international, in hopes that he will commit his future to the club.

Whether any side will match Middlesbrough's asking price remains to be seen, but the club's stance on Hackney has been made clear - he will only leave this January for a record fee.

Kim Hellberg will not want to lose Middlesbrough's star asset this January

Indeed, head coach Hellberg will be one of the most reluctant people to see Hackney depart Teesside this January.

As he was under predecessor Rob Edwards, Hackney has been an ever-present under the Swede, playing a pivotal role in sustaining Boro's promotion push.

The January window, whilst it offers the chance for teams to improve areas of weakness, it also provides an opportunity for other sides to poach your club's best players, and thus become weaker.

For a side sitting in the automatic places at this stage, Boro simply cannot afford to weaken this January, as any sale of Hackney would almost certainly cause a huge dent in their promotion hopes.

James Maddison has sent his well-wishes to Coventry City's latest signing, Yang Min-Hyeok, after his loan move was confirmed on Wednesday morning.

The South Korean starlet spent the first-half of the season on loan at Portsmouth before he was recalled by his parent club, Tottenham Hotspur, and he will now be targeting the Championship title with the league leaders as Frank Lampard eyes his first promotion in management.

Min-Hyeok, who made 15 appearances in the league for Pompey, has three goals to his name already this season and will be looking to add to his tally following this weekend's FA Cup third round fixtures as the Sky Blues face Leicester City in their next second tier clash at the CBS Arena.

With excitement building in the West Midlands following an extraordinary campaign for Coventry so far, one of their own, Maddison, has sent their newest acquisition a caring message on social media following his move to CV6.

James Maddison's message to Yang Min-Hyeok after Coventry City move

Maddison made 42 appearances for the Sky Blues between 2014 and 2016 after coming through the club's academy, finding the back of the net five times, while also picking up five assists.

The attacking midfielder was born in Coventry, and while his days at Leicester did bring out arguably his best on the pitch, it is clear to see that his heart still lies with his boyhood club, and he may have been influential in Min-Hyeok's move to the CBS Arena following a spell at Fratton Park.

Maddison posted on his Instagram story: "Let's go Yangggg!!! What a city and what a club! Told you that in pre-season 😉. Good luck mate 💙."

The 19-year-old has the chance of making his debut this weekend against Stoke City in the FA Cup, with Coventry making the short trip to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon following a run of three games without a win in the league.

Yang Min-Hyeok's first words as a Coventry City player

QPR were able to get the first taste of Min-Hyeok in English football last season following his permanent move from Gangwon FC in South Korea to Tottenham. The winger played 14 times for the R's, scoring twice while also picking up an assist as the West London outfit finished 15th in the Championship.

Nonetheless, this will be the teenager's biggest test so far since moving from his home country, with the battle at the top of the second tier becoming closer and closer. Despite this, Min-Hyeok remains confident in his ability. Speaking for the first time as a Coventry player, he told the club's media: "I’m very happy and excited to join a club with such strong traditions and history.

"When I played against Coventry, I really felt the positive atmosphere within the team, and that made me even more excited about becoming part of this club. The Head Coach explained very clearly how he plans to use me and how I could fit into the team, which gave me a lot of confidence that this is the right place for me.

"I want to help the team achieve its goal and to do that, I need to adapt as quickly as possible, show my qualities on the pitch, and prove why I am here."

Coventry City are set to bolster their frontline with the addition of 19-year-old Tottenham Hotspur winger Yang Min-hyeok, after he was recalled from his spell at Portsmouth.

It's a decision that has taken a few neutral Championship fans, and Coventry fans too, by surprise, as the Sky Blues have a plethora of talent out wide and are also set to welcome Crystal Palace winger Romain Esse on loan for the rest of the season.

It's not that Coventry doesn't need reinforcements. It's well known that sides need that extra attacking boost to maintain a title charge following a strong opening to the campaign, but with competition for places rife now, there's bound to be a few disgruntled players left out on a regular occurrence.

Per a report from Chris Wise, Tottenham recalled Yang from Portsmouth as they weren't happy with the amount of game time he was given at Fratton Park, and Coventry have promised more minutes.

However, that's a promise that not many feel will be kept between now and May, due to the already established talent in Frank Lampard's fold.

Yang Min-hyeok may struggle for more minutes at Coventry City than at Portsmouth

Yang's loan move at Portsmouth was cut short by Tottenham due to a lack of game time. While at Fratton Park, the South Korean international started nine games, came off the bench six times and was an unused substitute eight times.

Understandably, that's not enough time for a 19-year-old to progress, and with three goals and an assist in that time in a Pompey frontline that has been firing blanks for the majority of the season so far, it's clear that John Mousinho didn't view Yang as a legitimate starter.

Therefore, on the basis of things, a recall and a move to another bottom-end Championship or even top-end League One side would have been wise this January to ensure that the wideman got enough game time to satisfy Tottenham.

However, a move to the side atop the second tier, with 27 more points and 36 more goals than Portsmouth, is very much not a sidestep or a step-down move, instead a step-up. That's why it's rather strange that Coventry have reportedly promised Tottenham that Yang will be afforded more game time.

To put it simply, Coventry have better attacking options out wide than Portsmouth do, and if Spurs weren't happy with how many minutes the 19-year-old was getting at Fratton Park, it's hard to imagine that they'll be best pleased with his involvement at the CBS Arena.

Already at Frank Lampard's disposal are Ephron Mason-Clark and Tatushiro Sakamoto, with Brandon Thomas-Asante, who is set to return from a hamstring injury soon, also capable of playing out wide.

To add to that, Palace wideman Romain Esse is also reportedly set to join those ranks on a loan move.

The last time Championship fans saw the 20-year-old, he was the main focal point of the Millwall attack in the opening half of last season, which would imply that he has a large role to play in the second half of the current campaign, too.

Frank Lampard should do everything to help Coventry City achieve promotion, regardless of Tottenham Hotspur promise

Coventry have prided themselves on a terrifying frontline so far this season, and the focus this January would have been to add to it with equal amounts of quality to maintain that impressive scoring rate they built between August and now.

When the window slams shut, the Sky Blues will be in a straight race to the finish line in the promotion battle, and Frank Lampard will be picking his best side week in, week out.

Granted, Yang has been a bit-part player in both his loan spells at QPR last season and Portsmouth this term, so it's unfair to immediately suggest that he should be behind the likes of Sakamoto, Mason-Clark and potentially Esse in the pecking order, as he arguably hasn't had much of an opportunity to make a lasting impact thus far in the Championship.

However, regardless of his impact, the likes of Sakamoto and Mason-Clark, especially, are more deserving of those minutes right now, given their contributions so far this campaign.

Coventry's promise to give Yang more minutes than Portsmouth did in the second half of the season almost puts the 19-year-old on a pedestal compared to the other options — that the Sky Blues simply have to play him to satisfy the Premier League side.

Ultimately, though, Frank Lampard should and will do what's best to help his side secure promotion.

If the added competition means that Mason-Clark and Sakamoto up their already impressive standards and become undroppable, then Tottenham may find themselves frustrated at yet another middling loan spell for their exciting 19-year-old wideman.

It's fair to say that there is a strong argument that Tottenham Hotspur didn’t merely sign Gareth Bale from Southampton in 2007, but that they quietly removed tens of millions from the south coast that the Saints would never see again.

The Welshman's story begins at Southampton, where his rise was rapid, eye-catching, and unmistakably special already. Breaking into the first-team at just 16, Bale looked nothing like a typical academy graduate. That said, it was not abundantly clear exactly what he would become.

In terms of his profile, he was already fearless, and athletically ahead of his years, with a fantastic engine. He also possessed a left foot that already hinted at something extraordinary. That came from his early reputation as a dead-ball specialist — scoring stunning free-kicks against the likes of Derby County and West Bromwich Albion.

That quickly marked him out as one of the most exciting young defenders in the Football League, with Bale initially operating as an attacking left-back. Many others may well develop from being a flying winger into a full-back later in their career, but Bale went the opposite route.

Gareth Bale's transfer from Southampton to Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton, to their credit, developed him brilliantly. Bale wasn’t just a talented youth; he was trusted and given responsibility for both club and country. He played regularly, improved technically, and showed signs of maturity beyond his age. By the time Spurs came calling, Bale had already become one of the brightest teenage prospects outside the Premier League’s elite.

And yet, Tottenham secured Bale for an initial fee of around £5 million, which could eventually rise to £10 million with add-ons. He wasn't the first nor the last high-profile export from St. Mary's, but he went on to become the most famous of the lot.

At the time, that figure seemed reasonable. Bale was young, raw, and still technically a left-back. But history has a habit of reframing transfer fees — and few deals look as one-sided in hindsight. Six years later, Tottenham sold Bale to Real Madrid for approximately £86 million, which was a then world-record fee.

The scale of that profit is staggering. Spurs turned Southampton's academy gem into a global superstar and pocketed the difference.

The key to Bale’s explosion at Spurs was his transformation physically and technically. Initially used as that explosive left-back, he gradually pushed higher up the pitch, where his attributes truly flourished.

His pace and power became devastating, his ball-carrying unstoppable — as seen against Inter Milan's Maicon on that famous night at San Siro — and his shooting also became more ruthlessly efficient. Bale evolved into an explosive and athletic left winger — and eventually something closer to an all-round inside forward — who combined elite athleticism with increasingly refined technique.

Tottenham deserve credit for facilitating that evolution. Under Harry Redknapp, Bale was increasingly liberated from defensive responsibility and encouraged to attack space. His physical development was spectacular; he became stronger, faster, and more resilient, capable of overpowering full-backs and regularly scoring from range with ease.

Southampton's Gareth Bale regret at Spurs transfer deal

The Saints did not benefit from Bale’s superstardom. They did not receive a sell-on windfall that matched his value, nor did they enjoy his peak years in red and white. Instead, they watched from afar as a player they had nurtured became one of the best and most famous footballers on the planet — while another club banked the reward.

In an alternative reality, Southampton might have built a team around Bale and his devastating and powerful left boot, retained him longer, or at least structured a deal that reflected his ceiling. He could have been a franchise player, a talisman during their rise, or a financial cornerstone upon eventual sale. Instead, they got neither longevity nor legacy.

Of course, Southampton fans and club alike can — and should — feel proud. Bale’s journey began with them. His foundation was built at St Mary’s. But pride does not replace what was lost from their pockets.

Tottenham didn’t just sign Bale, they took his future value and benefited from a world-record sale. And Southampton, for all their excellent development work, were left watching millions disappear from their pockets. Sometimes, it benefits to hold out for more or a better deal. That is where they will have some regrets regarding Gareth Bale.

Tottenham Hotspur have recalled Damola Ajayi from his loan at Doncaster Rovers, with two London-based EFL clubs now expressing interest in taking the winger on for the remainder of the season.

The Sun has revealed that League Two leaders Bromley are keen to bolster their promotion push with the addition of Ajayi, while AFC Wimbledon, currently competing in League One, are also monitoring the situation and considering a loan approach.

Doncaster sit 23rd in the third tier of English football after 24 matches, with only six wins and the division’s second-worst defensive record, and are now reshaping their squad in an attempt to halt a damaging run of form.

That context has prompted Spurs to intervene, seeking a new environment that better serves Ajayi’s development.

Bromley FC and AFC Wimbledon set to battle for Damola Ajayi loan

Ajayi arrived at Doncaster hoping to gain experience in men’s football, but opportunities proved scarce.

He made 19 appearances across all competitions, starting just once in League One, as Rovers slid into the relegation places.

Now, Spurs look set to redeploy the young winger in the EFL, with Bromley and AFC Wimbledon vying for his signature.

Bromley’s interest is rooted in ambition rather than necessity. Andy Woodman’s side lead League Two after 24 games, boasting 48 points, a five-match winning streak and the only unbeaten home record in the division.

Having reached the Football League for the first time in 2024, Bromley have continued to defy expectations and are now firmly positioned as promotion contenders.

AFC Wimbledon’s situation is more complex. The Dons sit 12th in League One, having recently ended a prolonged winless run with a victory at Leyton Orient.

On the pitch, Johnnie Jackson’s side remain competitive, but off it they are operating under tight financial constraints, with one of the smallest playing budgets in the division. Loans remain a vital mechanism for adding quality without overstretching resources.

Ajayi’s pedigree is not in doubt. He scored on his senior debut for Tottenham in the Europa League last season and has been widely regarded as one of the club’s brighter academy prospects.

The challenge now is finding the right competitive level to turn flashes of promise into sustained contribution.

Damola Ajayi’s potential sentimental return to Bromley FC - or chance to continue League One development with AFC Wimbledon

Ajayi’s next move will reflect broader truths about the EFL. Doncaster’s struggles illustrate how quickly a young loanee can be swallowed by a relegation battle, while Bromley’s rise shows how momentum and clarity can create space for developing players to flourish.

For Bromley, the appeal is obvious. Leading the table in a division that has seen former League One sides fall away, they represent one of the season’s most compelling stories.

A player like Ajayi could add depth and flexibility rather than pressure, particularly in an environment riding confidence rather than fear.

A move to Bromley would also offer a compelling narrative. The winger began his youth career with the south London club before joining Tottenham’s academy in 2022, and a return could see him play a meaningful - and sentimental - role in a side pushing for promotion from League Two.

Wimbledon’s interest speaks to a different reality - their League One status remains fragile.