ToTheLaneAndBack - Tottenham Fan Site

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou is in charge of an exciting project at White Hart Lane as the Australian looks to take the Lilywhites to a silverware-competing club. However, ahead of the North Londoners recent game against London rivals Chelsea, the former Celtic manager has claimed that the project at Spurs is nowhere near the Blues’ project in any way, shape, or form.

The Lilywhites have been struggling in the second half of the Premier League table (11th to be precise) after 14 games of the season concluded as pressure continues to mount on Postecoglou, and this is nowhere near their objective of finishing in the top four while Chelsea are surprising everyone with their consistent performances as they stay just seven points off league leaders Liverpool.

While this shows how Tottenham are far apart from their objectives for the season, a loss against Chelsea will take them to a new low as the calls for Ange’s head will start getting louder in the lanes of North London.

Postecoglou tries to speak on Chelsea project as compared to his at Tottenham

Speaking ahead of the game, Ange insists it is not possible to compare both the projects. He said (via. Irish Times):

“I don’t think so. The sheer volume that they’ve invested, both from a financial perspective but also a numbers perspective (means) that we are nowhere near being in that boat.

“The players we’ve signed are not only young in age but young in experience. Archie Grey made his senior debut last year in the Championship. Lucas Bergvall has come from the Swedish first division. Wilson’s out (injured), but the teenagers weren’t experienced either.

“It’s different in both approaches and really almost impossible to compare what we’re trying to do.”

To an extent, Ange is not wrong; the Blues have been spending crazy money of late and have brought in tonnes of players. While he is right to emphasise that the roster at his disposal is still in the early stages of its development, with a brand of young players adjusting to the Premier League, the reality for Spurs fans is that results have been disappointing, and the struggles on the pitch are becoming more difficult to ignore.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

“I imagine it will be…” – Ex-Spurs scout speaks who will make Romero decision ahead of Chelsea game

£20.7m move could revive Tottenham’s midfield as Spurs receive boost in pursuit – Opinion

Tottenham now in position to hijack Chelsea deal for Serie A ace

Where do you stand with Ange Postecoglou’s comments vis-à-vis the current situation at N17? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Tottenham Hotspur have a bit of a problem with defensive injuries in the ongoing season, with the first-choice duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven spending extended time in the treatment room, and if that weren’t enough, one of their backups, Ben Davies, has also joined them in the injury room.

The Welshman suffered from a hamstring injury in the Lilywhites 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday.

King frustrated with hamstring injuries as Ben Davies faces extended spell on sidelines

And in the aftermath of the injury, former Spurs scout Bryan King expressed his shock at yet another hamstring problem at Hotspur Way while speculating that the player will spend around “four or five weeks” in the rehabilitation camp.

The North Londoners head coach, Ange Postecoglou, confirmed that the veteran defender is set to undergo a scan on Friday to determine the extent of the injury, and King, speaking in an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, insists how it is bad news for Spurs.

He said:

“Another hamstring injury. How many Spurs players have been ruled out with hamstring injuries? That is another four or five weeks potentially if it is bad. When these kinds of injuries continue to happen you have to question what is happening in the warm-ups, what is happening in training?”

Hamstring injuries are a bit tricky to deal with, and it looks like Tottenham is suffering from ample of those at the moment, and with Micky van de Ven still injured alongside Argentine CB Cristian Romero, who is yet to return, the last thing that Ange Postecoglou needed was for Davies to pick up an injury.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

Tottenham in three-way transfer battle as Conte plans to sign Spurs target this summer

Not Toney – Tottenham put off by €50m asking price for striker whose contract expires in less than 12 months

Tottenham now in position to hijack Chelsea deal for Serie A ace

For now, however, Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou will have to make the best of the situation in front of them and hope that their defensive depth, which is already being stretched thin, can hold up through the rest of the season. And for Davies, hoping that the injury is not as serious as he is not only a decent backup but also a strong leader presence in the dressing room.

Tottenham Hotspur can sign Khusanov for just £10 million

Tottenham Hotspur have been recently linked with a transfer for RC Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov alongside Newcastle United. It has been speculated that a deal for the defender would cost approximately £25 million, although Spurs insider John Wenham believes that a deal could be negotiated for a significantly lower price.

In an interaction with Tottenham Hotspur News, he was quoted saying the following words:

“This player isn’t going to play regularly. Spurs have centre-backs who will start ahead of him. There aren’t too many players from Uzbekistan in the Premier League, and he is only 20. Therefore, if he is worth £25million he would have to be something special. I think the fee sounds a bit inflated. I think realistically Tottenham would be looking to sign him for around £10million, then that transfer could become very interesting.”

Tottenham undoubtedly need a new central defender or two with Cristian Romero’s and Micky van de Ven’s absences proving a bit too costly in recent weeks and they can afford to bring in a player with a high potential. Therefore, little can be questioned about their interest in Khusanov, especially because even Radu Dragusin will lead him in the pecking order.

However, it is hard to argue with Wenham’s perspective of Tottenham being able to negotiate a deal with him for a significant discount. Lens are not the most affluent club and keeping the player’s Uzbek background in mind, Spurs as well as Newcastle United could begin any potential talks by offering a much lower fee than the previously rumoured amount of £25 million.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

Tottenham in three-way transfer battle as Conte plans to sign Spurs target this summer

Not Toney – Tottenham put off by €50m asking price for striker whose contract expires in less than 12 months

Tottenham now in position to hijack Chelsea deal for Serie A ace

Yet, £10 million might be a bit too cheap as it’s only 40% of what Lens seemingly value him at and so Tottenham will need to be prepared slightly more than that to actually convince the Ligue 1 giants into selling him. With that said, it also remains to be seen if the Lilywhites are indeed prepared to splurge more money on a centre-back who might not be up for the Premier League’s intensity from the word go, with Luka Vuskovic also due to arrive next year.

Tottenham Hotspur are short on midfielders in the ongoing campaign, and Daniel Levy will be looking to meet the gaps in the upcoming 2025 transfer intervals as the American businessman in charge of the Lilywhites looks to give Ange Postecoglou new faces in his roster, with Bayern Munich maestro Leon Goretzka the latest being linked with a move to White Hart Lane.

Spurs have endured a difficult season owing to a number of slip-ups, which has led them away from their intended Champions League qualification objective. And January will be the first chance for them to get some recruits and get back on track in a possible top four goals.

Latest on possible move for Leon Goretzka

Highly reputed journalist in German football, Florian Plettenberg, has given the latest on Goretzka’s future with his current employers. He insists that the 29-year-old will not be moving clubs this winter amid links to Tottenham.

This comes as a big blow to Spurs, as they were hoping to strengthen their midfield options with someone who can fit into Ange Postecoglou’s playing style. His presence at the heart of the park could have brought more balance to the roster at Ange’s disposal, particularly after Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s and Giovani Lo Celso’s departures.

What now?

While this is disappointing, Spurs will now have to turn their attention elsewhere, and Daniel Levy must act quickly to not only find an alternative but also ensure that the targeted player can provide the needed physique and quality in the middle of the park as Tottenham look to revive their top-four ambitions after a difficult start to the season.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

Tottenham in three-way transfer battle as Conte plans to sign Spurs target this summer

Not Toney – Tottenham put off by €50m asking price for striker whose contract expires in less than 12 months

Tottenham now in position to hijack Chelsea deal for Serie A ace

Do you think Tottenham should sign a midfielder in the upcoming winter window? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Tottenham Hotspur centre back Cristian Romero has been subject to massive criticisms owing to his faulty form in the ongoing 2024/25 campaign. However, loss of form hasn’t been the sole problem for the Argentine, who has also been suffering from injury concerns that have been a cause of concern for Ange Postecoglou & Co.

The North Londoners have had to play the likes of Ben Davies at the heart of defence because of the injuries to Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

Cristian Romero under fire

Spurs Australian head coach did reveal that the former Atalanta defender is due to return to first-team training ahead of the Lilywhites London derby against Chelsea at the weekend. However, John Wenham, owner of the reputable Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose, isn’t really thrilled by the prospect of having the 26-year-old back.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tottenham News, Wenham said:

“Romero has been terrible this season. Yes, he does make our strongest lineup. However, the reality is that he has been terrible this season. I can think of at least five individual goals that he has been at fault for.

“He needs to return to the team and be the World Cup-winning defender that he has shown he can be in the past. I remember him having some good games against Chelsea before. Therefore, if he does return, he needs to step up. That whole leadership team has been pretty weak as of late, so they all need to come together.”

Cristian Romero’s current form is a major concern for the Lilywhites, especially considering how important he is for Ange Postecoglou’s defence, moreover given his reputation as one of the top defenders in the Premier League. The Argentine needs to rediscover his consistency and the form he was known for, and the sooner that happens, the better for Tottenham.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

Tottenham in three-way transfer battle as Conte plans to sign Spurs target this summer

Not Toney – Tottenham put off by €50m asking price for striker whose contract expires in less than 12 months

Tottenham now in position to hijack Chelsea deal for Serie A ace

The upcoming London derby against Chelsea will be critical, and this is Romero’s opportunity to lead from the back.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is facing a race against time as he looks to salvage his role at the club after a string of unsatisfactory results which have even poured water over an emphatic 4-0 win over Manchester City a fortnight ago. It is speculated that the Australian has less than a month to save his job with a firing looming in January if results do not improve in the near future.

According to Football Transfers, Spurs are already planning for life without Postecoglou and have shortlisted Ipswich Town coach Kieran McKenna as a possible replacement. He was on Chelsea’s and Manchester United’s radar earlier this summer before the Blues hired Enzo Maresca whereas the Red Devils continued with Erik ten Hag, who has since been fired and succeeded by Ruben Amorim.

McKenna renewed his contract with the Tractor Boys until 2028 although he remains of interest to the bigger sides in the league after guiding the club to two successive promotions and eventually into the Premier League. The Ed Sheeran-owned outfit has not enjoyed the best start to the English top flight and is 18th in the standings but that has not affected McKenna’s stock too detrimentally.

Postecoglou seems to have fallen out of favour among the Tottenham fans as well having been booed by the travelling supporters at the Vitality Stadium in the midweek defeat against Bournemouth. He seems to have the club’s support so far, but given his defiant nature earlier in the season and then some questionable results thereafter, there are slowly some doubts creeping about his suitability for the job.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

Tottenham in three-way transfer battle as Conte plans to sign Spurs target this summer

Not Toney – Tottenham put off by €50m asking price for striker whose contract expires in less than 12 months

Tottenham now in position to hijack Chelsea deal for Serie A ace

In spite of Ipswich Town’s position in the Premier League, Kieran McKenna’s job does not seem to be in any grave danger, so Tottenham might need to pay a decent sum to bring him in as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement if their interest in him is serious. It remains to be seen if the former Celtic boss is given some more time to prove himself or is another prey to the club’s incompetent management led by Daniel Levy.

Tottenham dropped points again in their midweek fixture against Bournemouth, making it just one win in six for them across all competitions.

After the game, however, Postecoglou was left with an issue that could derail a significant portion of the season.

Ange Postecoglou addresses Ben Davies’s injury

Speaking to the press after his side’s 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou addressed, among other things, the latest injury that has hit his defence, with Ben Davies the latest victim.

“It looks like he’s done his hamstring. Him [sic] and Radu [Drăgușin] have played every game. It’s the one position we can’t rotate. He’ll obviously be out for a period of time now, we’ll just have to wait and see how long it is. It’s a consequence of having the squad we have at the moment.“

Postecoglou on Davies’ injury, as quoted by Football London.

Davies was taken off after an hour against Bournemouth and replaced by Pedro Porro.

It was reported recently that Tottenham were ready to extend Davies’s contract, with the Welshman’s current £80k-per-week deal coming to an end this season.

Tottenham’s first-choice centre-backs, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, are both expected to return to the pitch within the next two weeks barring any further injury setbacks.

Double whammy

It’s hard enough for Tottenham to defend properly with a fully-fit defence. Injury to one of their makeshift centre-backs in only going to make things worse.

This makes things doubly hard, because Spurs cannot afford to rush back neither Van de Ven nor Romero.

Of course, one possibility would be to come up with an ad-hoc defence-heavy solution for the next few games, but we can safely say that that’s not going to happen.

More Tottenham News:

RC Lens’ defensive starlet Abdukodir Khusanov has been scouted by Tottenham this season

Tottenham Hotspur have cracked some smart deals off the pitch in recent transfer windows, with chief Daniel Levy doing a brilliant job in the past summer transfer window to get some highly regarded talents while pushing the surplus on Lilywhites books out the door.

The North London outfit have also tweaked its transfer strategy, where they rely heavily on signing exciting young talents and nurturing them within the corridors at Hotspur Way. And Spurs have been subject to links with another highly-rated young defensive talent.

According to an exclusive report from CaughtOffside, Tottenham are planning to swoop in for RC Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov after scouting him extensively this season. The scouts were present to watch him in action for Lens against Reims last weekend.

-> Tottenham and Newcastle battle it out for Uzbek star making a name for himself in Ligue 1

Abdukodir Khusanov moved to RC Lens from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU Minsk in July 2023, and he hasn’t looked back since. He has established himself as one of the most promising defensive prospects in Ligue 1 over the last 12-15 months, becoming a regular fixture at the back for RC Lens in the process.

The Uzbekistan international has featured in every league match he has been available this term, barring two games due to the red card he picked up against French champions Paris Saint-Germain in November. He has made 13 appearances across all competitions this campaign.

Khusanov’s performances in Ligue 1 haven’t gone unnoticed, with several clubs from the continent monitoring his progress. Marseille, PSG, Newcastle United and Tottenham are among those clubs keeping tabs on his situation.

The aforementioned report adds Lens are wary about interest in Khusanov from European bigwigs and have placed a €15m-20m price tag on his head. This asking price could understandably rise in recent weeks as the Ligue 1 club are under no pressure to sell with the 20-year-old defensive talent under contract until 2027 (Transfermarkt).

-> PSG threaten top derail Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of 20-year-old defensive star

As for Spurs, Ange Postecoglou is dealing with several injury issues related to his backline as starting centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are unavailable for selection. To make matters worse, Ben Davies is expected to be sidelined for some time now after sustaining a hamstring injury in the 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Thursday.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

Tottenham in three-way transfer battle as Conte plans to sign Spurs target this summer

Not Toney – Tottenham put off by €50m asking price for striker whose contract expires in less than 12 months

Tottenham now in position to hijack Chelsea deal for Serie A ace

With Radu Dragusin the only recognised centre-back fit and available, the chiefs at the Hotspur Way must dip their toes in the January transfer window for a new addition. And the talented Khusanov would be a strong addition to Tottenham’s defensive ranks, bringing youthful exuberance as well as much-needed depth.

With so many clubs vying for his signature, the North Londoners must do everything within their powers to land the Uzbek in January.

Tottenham have lost their No.1 Guglielmo Vicario for months following ankle surgery

Tottenham Hotspur have had an underwhelming start to the season. They have produced a few incredible performances but have also suffered some shocking defeats.

The Lilywhites’ latest loss came at the hands of Bournemouth, who were excellent at home on Thursday evening. Andoni Iraola’s side should have scored more, thanks to a combination of wasteful finishing and Fraser Forster’s incredible saves.

Forster, deputising for the long-term injured Guglielmo Vicario, made a string of saves to keep Spurs in the game for the second match running. However, the veteran glovesman was lucky to get away with a sloppy pass after Evanilson’s goal was ruled out for offside. Despite warning signs, he continued to play out from the back causing panic within the Tottenham team.

-> Tottenham questioned over ‘eyebrow raising’ decision; January transfer advised

Losing your first-choice goalkeeper in Vicario is a big blow and that has certainly affected Ange Postecoglou’s team dynamics. However, the Spurs gaffer has played down the idea of entering the market for a new goalkeeper to replace the injured Vicario. Last month, the 59-year-old suggested he was happy to play Forster when asked about the possibility of a new face coming in.

Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham Football has urged Spurs to sign a new goalkeeper in the New Year. Forster is now the stand-by shot-stopper until Vicario heals fully, but Wenham has advised the North London club to strengthen their goalkeeping unit next month even if it means paying an extra £2m to have the new signing on board on January 1.

-> Bryan King expects Tottenham to fork out at least £40million for PL star

The club are yet to put out a timeframe for Vicario’s return, and going by the fact that he had surgery on a fractured ankle, he is certain to spend months on the sidelines. Thus, it would make sense for Tottenham to sign a new shot-stopper when the transfer window reopens in January.

Forster may have performed extremely well in the past three games but he is 36 and out of contract at the end of the season (Transfermarkt). This clearly demonstrates the ex-England international will not be at the club for long to compete with Vicario when he returns.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

Tottenham in three-way transfer battle as Conte plans to sign Spurs target this summer

Not Toney – Tottenham put off by €50m asking price for striker whose contract expires in less than 12 months

Tottenham now in position to hijack Chelsea deal for Serie A ace

Signing a quality goalkeeper would not only allow the Lilywhites to address a key position, but also keep Vicario on his toes. Vicario has been exposed by teams time and again from set-plays, so maybe the arrival of a new glovesman gives him the kind of push required to take his game to the next level.

Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur host Chelsea in the Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur host Chelsea in their next Premier League match on Sunday, December 8th, as they look to get back to winning ways after two successive winless results in the English top-flight, including a recent defeat to Bournemouth away from home. As a matter of fact, Spurs have won just once in their last six outings, against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium a fortnight back.

Their results thereafter have put them on the verge of dropping into the bottom half of the standings with Enzo Maresca’s rejuvenated Chelsea coming into the side as comfortable favourites to bag the bragging rights in the London Derby. That said, Ange Postecoglou will hope that hope advantage works in his side’s favour and propels the team towards a vital win on the weekend.

Team News

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur remain without Rodrigo Bentancur owing to a suspension. Ben Davies also could miss out having pulled up at the Vitality Stadium last time out, while Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will also not make the game. Guglielmo Vicario, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert have also been ruled out while doubts continue to persist over Mikey Moore’s involvement in the game.

The offensive department’s misfiring in recent outings has been a particular cause for concern in the Tottenham camp although Postecoglou’s decision of resting Son Heung-min in the midweek clash could reap its rewards. The South Korean will undoubtedly be the team’s most influential player if they are to win considering his record against the league’s better sides over the last few years.

PREDICTED TOTTENHAM XI (4-3-3): Forster; Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie; Kulusevski, Sarr, Maddison; Johnson, Solanke, Son

Chelsea

Chelsea will be coming into the game having thumped Southampton 5-1 in their midweek Premier League game, while also having rested several players. Enzo Maresca’s camp does not have any suspensions but the Italian manager will be without the likes of Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Mykhaylo Mudryk – all of whom have been confirmed as absentees in his pre-match press conference.

Cole Palmer is in fantastic form and has 15 goal contributions in the English top flight this season, while Spurs will need to keep a close eye on Nicolas Jackson as well having scored a treble the last time Chelsea visited the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League. Unfortunately for the hosts, Chelsea’s offensive form and their immaculate efficiency in the final third are enough to make them clear-cut favourites to grab all three points.

PREDICTED CHELSEA XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson

Match-deciding duel

Son Heung-min vs Malo Gusto

Son Heung-min has a commendable record against opponents from London and having been rested in the clash against Bournemouth, the Tottenham captain will look to perform at his peak against Chelsea. He will be up against a dynamic full back in Malo Gusto, who contributes to good measure on both ends of the pitch.

Son will have a number of opportunities to run in behind, as well as the chance to take Gusto on. How he performs against his individual opponent and whether he can navigate into the box with or without the ball will go a long way in determining the course of the game.

More Tottenham Hotspur News:

Tottenham in three-way transfer battle as Conte plans to sign Spurs target this summer

Not Toney – Tottenham put off by €50m asking price for striker whose contract expires in less than 12 months

Tottenham now in position to hijack Chelsea deal for Serie A ace

Prediction

Tottenham 1-3 Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur will be able to breach Chelsea’s defence, which has not kept too many clean sheets this time around but a depleted backline will struggle to keep the Blues’ offensive department dormant. Ange Postecoglou’s side will suffer another defeat, this time on home soil, and the Australian will come under even more pressure owing to recent results.