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Paul Robinson believes that Tottenham Hotspur will be frustrated in their efforts to lure one young midfielder away from their Premier League rivals.

Tottenham have been linked with Facundo Buonanotte

Facundo Buonanotte has had an outstanding start to his loan spell at Leicester City, having established himself as one of the first names on the Foxes’ team sheet under Steve Cooper.

The youngster’s displays have reportedly not gone unnoticed in North London, with Tottenham linked with a move for Buonanotte earlier this week.

However, it was explained that Brighton have earmarked a role for the 19-year-old in Fabian Hurzeler’s set-up when he returns to the Amex Stadium next summer following his stint with the Foxes.

Paul Robinson sceptical about Tottenham’s transfer pursuit

Robinson is not surprised to hear the likes of Tottenham are reportedly eyeing a move for Buonanotte, yet he is of the opinion that the Seagulls will not let the Argentine international leave on a permanent basis next summer.

When asked about the speculation over the teenager’s future, the former Tottenham goalkeeper told Football Insider: “He’s been very impressive since his loan move from Brighton. I don’t see Brighton having any inclination of selling Buonanatte.

“Leicester would be interested in signing him on a permanent basis. There’s been other big clubs who’ve been linked with him as well, the likes of Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund.

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“But he just looks like another gem that Brighton have signed and one that they’re probably going to develop into a major Premier League star. Brighton are really winning out of this deal because he’s playing regularly for Leicester in the Premier League and he’ll just go back to Brighton as a better player.”

Brighton will sell Buonanotte for the right fee

We know that Brighton’s business model is based on selling players for a profit, which is why every player in their squad has a price.

However, Tottenham may have to break their transfer record to sign the young attacking midfielder if he continues developing in the same vein at Leicester over the rest of the season.

The interest in his services is likely to intensify and we might see a major bidding war for the player next summer.

When discussing Tottenham Hotspur’s prolonged absence from lifting silverware, it is impossible to overlook Daniel Levy’s tenure.

While the Spurs chairman has built a reputation as a shrewd businessman, his decisions as a football custodian have often drawn ire from fans. Could his leadership be the root cause of Spurs’ barren spell?

Tottenham’s trophy cabinet under Levy

Tottenham Hotspur, once celebrated for their domestic and European exploits, have seen their silverware tally stall under Daniel Levy. Since his appointment as chairman in 2001, Spurs have lifted only one major trophy: the League Cup in 2008, under Juande Ramos. This drought is particularly glaring given that Levy has overseen 12 permanent managerial appointments, with renowned names such as Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte among them, alongside interim caretakers.

While Spurs have flirted with success, they have fallen short at critical moments. Their run to the 2019 Champions League final under Mauricio Pochettino was inspiring, but it ended in heartbreak with a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. Similarly, in 2021, they reached the Carabao Cup final, only to succumb to Manchester City. These near-misses have left fans questioning the club’s inability to get over the line.

Many point to Levy’s reluctance to invest in the squad when it matters most. This criticism was especially prominent during Pochettino’s tenure, where a promising Spurs side that consistently finished in the Premier League’s top four seemed just a few marquee signings away from glory.

A tale of missed opportunities

Levy’s era at Tottenham is a paradox; while he has elevated the club commercially, his footballing decisions have arguably held them back. Despite his flaws, Levy has proven himself a capable businessman, constructing a state-of-the-art stadium that generates significant revenue. However, it is his reluctance to adequately invest in the squad during key moments that rankles with supporters.

Pochettino’s reign is a prime example. Under his guidance, Spurs played some of their finest football in decades, regularly finishing in the top four. Yet, during this golden era, the club failed to invest heavily to strengthen the squad. Comparisons have been drawn to Liverpool, who bolstered their team after a fourth-placed finish and were rewarded with Champions League and Premier League titles.

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Another decision that remains a point of contention is Levy’s choice to sack Mourinho just days before the Carabao Cup final in 2021.

With Ryan Mason—a managerial novice—thrust into the spotlight against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, the outcome felt inevitable. Fans still struggle to comprehend the timing of this dismissal and what it achieved beyond further disruption.

That said, Levy has sought to instil a winning mentality through his managerial appointments. Names like Mourinho, Conte, and now Ange Postecoglou highlight his intention to bring experienced winners to the club. Postecoglou has reinvigorated Spurs with an attractive, attacking style, but his success will largely depend on Levy’s willingness to provide the necessary backing in upcoming transfer windows.

Is Levy to be blamed for Spurs’ trophy drought?

It is undeniable that Levy has played a significant role in Tottenham’s long wait for silverware. Time and again, Spurs’ managers have appeared to do their best with the resources made available to them, yet the lack of trophies persists. When managers like Mourinho and Conte—serial winners with extensive track records of success—fail to deliver at Spurs, the focus inevitably shifts to the hierarchy.

Both Mourinho and Conte arrived at Spurs with expectations of instilling a winning mentality, yet neither could overcome the structural challenges posed by the club’s limited squad depth and lack of timely reinforcements.

These failures cannot be solely attributed to the managers, as their histories at other clubs demonstrate their ability to deliver when adequately supported.

That said, Levy has an opportunity to redeem himself. Ange Postecoglou’s start at Tottenham has rekindled hope among fans, with the team playing some of its best football since Pochettino’s tenure.

The question now is whether Levy will provide the consistent backing needed to help Postecoglou build a team capable of challenging for silverware. The early signs do look promising as Ange has spent €376,950,000 on transfers since joining the club last summer.

However, the January transfer window and subsequent transfer periods will be critical. By ensuring that Postecoglou has the resources to strengthen the squad, Levy could finally break the cycle of near-misses and missed opportunities.

His legacy at Tottenham may hinge on whether he learns from past mistakes and embraces a more ambitious approach to investment in the team.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly only willing to spend a modest fee on a new recruit in January as they are worried about one potential knock-on effect of a big-money signing.

Tottenham need reinforcements at the back

Micky van de Ven‘s injury record and Cristian Romero’s poor form this season have perhaps necessitated the search for another centre-back for Ange Postecoglou.

Additionally, Radu Dragusin has been inconsistent in the opportunities that have come his way so far, with the 22-year-old not looking completely comfortable in Ange Postecoglou’s system.

However, it has now emerged that the Lilywhites are wary of spending big on another centre-back.

Tottenham looking towards the future

GiveMeSport now report that while Spurs are willing to spend to strengthen the backline in January, they are also considering the knock-on effect on some of their young players.

The likes of Ashley Phillips, Alfie Dorrington and Luka Vuskovic are all seen as potential first-team options, perhaps even as early as next season.

As a result, Tottenham are wary that signing another top centre-back might close the door for some of these young players to get a taste of first-team football.

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The outlet adds that the North London club would prefer to not spend more than £25m on a new defensive recruit and are now on the lookout for the right option.

Tottenham fans will prefer a proven signing

It is fair to say that some Spurs fans are not on board with the club’s strategy of building for the future rather than signing players who can improve the side right now.

Given that the likes of Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert have not made much impact since arriving at N17, many supporters will want to see Postecoglou backed with players who are proven at the top level.

Alan Shearer has named his Premier League Team of the Season so far, and it certainly does not make for good reading for those in the Tottenham Hotspur dressing room following the Newcastle legend’s chosen eleven players.

Are the wheels coming off for Spurs?

Spurs fans would have expected the side to be a lot more consistent in Ange Postecoglou‘s second season in charge, but consistency still seems to evade the Lilywhites, which is a matter of huge concern for Tottenham fans.

While this season is still very much salvageable, with Tottenham sitting just three points off third place in the Premier League, almost none of their star men have stood out this season, with many senior players blowing hot and cold.

No Tottenham players are in Shearer’s Team of the Season

That is reflected in Shearer’s Team of the Season, with not a single Spurs representative finding a place in his eleven.

The worrying part is that Tottenham fans cannot really argue with Shearer’s selection as almost none of their star players have hit the expected heights this season.

The likes of Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, James Maddison, and Heung-min Son have all failed to consistently hit the levels that they needed to for the club to have a shot at challenging the best sides in the Premier League.

One Tottenham man is unlucky to miss out

The only Tottenham star who can consider himself a little unfortunate to not get into Shearer’s eleven is Dejan Kulusevski, who has been outstanding since being moved to the middle of the park.

However, the Swede alone cannot be expected to carry a lot of Spurs’ creative burden, with Postecoglou desperately needing his key men to come back into form.

Tottenham Hotspur have announced that their cockerel logo and other elements of their brand have now been tweaked.

The history of the Tottenham cockerel

While Tottenham had a cockerel logo since the inception of the club, they have had different versions of the cockerel over the decades. They changed it to its modern, minimalistic version back in 2006 by simplifying the badge.

Changes to the brand

Spurs have announced that using input from more than 300 players, staff and fans, they have now decided to forge a new band identity which takes a “more playful, daring approach for the club’s brand across the multitude of platforms.”

They reveal that the curved ‘Tottenham Hotspur’ text has been removed from beneath the cockerel, which enabled the club to increase its scale across different environments.

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Further, the cockerel will now be supported by a new silhouette version that allows for a more playful expression of the brand across different spaces.

Further changes announced

Apart from the changes to the club’s main logo, they have also remastered the famous ‘THFC monogram’, which has been used since the 1950s.

The club have also developed “a suite of hallmarks to celebrate key heritage features”, including the Seven Sisters Trees, Bruce Castle and 1882 (the club’s founding year), in order to support their brand’s storytelling.

According to an update from Spain, one La Liga club’s efforts to sign a forgotten Tottenham Hotspur is gathering steam ahead of the January transfer window.

Where will Tottenham defender end up?

While Sergio Reguilon evidently does not have a future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it is unclear the moment where the left-back will end up if he does leave the North London club in January.

Some sources have suggested that Jose Mourinho, who was the man who brought the defender to Tottenham back in 2020, is keen on reuniting with the player at Fenerbahce.

However, various Spanish outlets have reported over recent weeks that the full-back is also a target for his former club, Sevilla.

Sevilla stepping up their pursuit of Sergio Reguilon

Vamos Mi Sevilla have delivered an update in this transfer saga by revealing that the Andalusian club are eyeing the Tottenham man as a replacement for Valentin Barco.

Barco joined Sevilla on loan from Brighton back in the summer and it is revealed that he has failed to convinced the coaching staff since his arrival and there is some confusion over what his best position actually is.

The Spanish side are ready to bring Reguilon back to the club to bolster their options at left-back.

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It is pointed out that the Real Madrid graduate’s contract situation makes this a potentially easy deal to do and the publication suggests that Sevilla’s pursuit of the Spain international is now ‘heating up’.

A free transfer on the cards?

There have been suggestions in the British press recently that Reguilon could leave Spurs on a free transfer in the upcoming transfer window.

Although the defender is contracted to the North London side until next summer, it was reported last week that Tottenham would be willing to agree a compensatory package with Reguilon and terminate his contract in January.

It wat suggested this solution would be Reguilon’s preference and the Lilywhites are open to it since are keen to get his sizeable salary off their wage bill.

Tottenham Hotspur could have three of their players back fit for the clash against Manchester City next weekend with the club having experienced injuries to some key players recently.

Tottenham face a huge challenge against Man City

Tottenham go into the game at Etihad Stadium needing a result after their humiliating 2-1 loss at home to Ipswich Town ahead of the international break.

While a trip to Man City is considered the most difficult assignment of the season for all Premier League sides, Spurs might have more than a glimmer of hope.

Not only have they picked up some decent results at the stadium over previous years, but they will also be taking on a City side who, extremely uncharacteristically, have lost their last four matches across all competitions.

Tottenham could be handed some good news

Football.London report that Spurs’ chances could be boosted as they could have as many as three players fit for the clash.

Central defender Micky van de Ven, is also thought to have a chance of being fit for the game, with Spurs continuing to keep a close eye on his recovery through the international break.

It is revealed that Timo Werner might also be back in contention, although he might not be 100 per cent, while Mikey Moore is expected to return to the squad and take his place on the Tottenham bench.

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van de Ven’s central defensive partner Cristian Romero withdrew from the Argentina squad to return to London due to his foot injury.

Ange Postecoglou would not want to take any risks

Postecoglou would certainly not want to risk either Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven against City unless they are 100 per cent fit.

While there is no doubt that Tottenham need their first-choice central defensive pair in such a big game, the last thing the Spurs boss would want is for them to aggravate the injury and be sidelined for a lengthy period.

Since joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, Ange Postecoglou has overseen a significant transformation in the squad, bringing in 15 new players to fit his vision for the team.

While some signings have been outstanding and made an immediate impact, others have struggled to live up to expectations.

Here, we rank all 15 of Ange Postecoglou’s signings, from the least effective to the most impressive.

Manor Solomon joined Spurs on a free transfer after a spell at Fulham, where he scored five goals in 24 games, and he featured for Spurs a few times before picking up an injury. Currently plying his trade on loan at Leeds United, Solomon hasn’t quite replicated his best form there, as he has only managed one assist in eight games.

He primarily plays as a left winger, meaning he has to compete with the likes of Richarlison, Moore, Son, and Odobert, and I don’t see how he will break into Spurs’ setup anytime soon. At 25, he is far from the pecking order, but the only saving grace is that he arrived on a free transfer; however, in terms of quality, I don’t rate this signing highly, so he’s at the bottom of my list.

Rating: 3.5/10

Alejo Véliz is a young striker for Spurs, and at just 21, he still has plenty of time to gain experience and develop before reaching his prime. Many strikers, including our current number nine, Dominic Solanke, took time to find their feet, so I won’t be too harsh on Véliz just yet, as he could improve in the future. So far, he has scored four goals in 12 matches, including a hat trick against San Tirso in the Copa del Rey, which shows promise.

Rating: 4/10

Let’s be honest—Timo Werner hasn’t been the greatest signing for Spurs during his loan spell, as his performances have been inconsistent. While he can show flashes of brilliance, his decision-making in the final third often lets him down, and rumours suggest he might return to Leipzig in January after a largely underwhelming stint here. For me, he has been frustrating to watch, and this move hasn’t worked out well for either party.

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Rating: 4.5/10

Archie Gray is undoubtedly a player for the future, and his talent and versatility make him an exciting prospect; however, we haven’t seen enough of him yet to justify ranking him higher on this list. While I like his profile and potential, he needs more opportunities to showcase his abilities before becoming a standout.

Rating: 5/10

Similar to Gray, Lucas Bergvall is another young talent with clear potential, and he has looked promising in the few Europa League games he has played. His versatility is a bonus, but it’s hard to judge this signing fully as he wasn’t brought in to make an immediate impact. Spurs’ handling of his development will determine whether he succeeds in the future, but for now, he’s still a work in progress.

Rating: 5/10

I’ve been impressed with Ashley Phillips’ performances in recent games, and he looks ready to push on this season to make a strong case for being part of the squad next term. Ange Postecoglou will undoubtedly monitor his progress closely, and if Phillips continues to develop, he could be a valuable addition to Spurs’ defence.

Rating: 5/10

Odobert is an exciting player with immense potential, and I believe he has the talent to make the left-wing position his own should Spurs decide to rely on him. While he hasn’t played enough games to form a definitive opinion, the glimpses we’ve seen have been promising, and he could become a key player in the future.

Rating: 5/10

Radu Drăgușin has had some bad games, and fans understandably criticise him, but I think he’s been a solid addition to the squad overall. He’s still young at 21 and has room to improve, and while the system may not suit him perfectly, he has done a decent job as a backup option. I believe he will get better with time and experience.

Rating: 5.5/10

Brennan Johnson was a good signing, but I don’t think he’s quite first-team quality yet. He works better as a backup or impact player off the bench, although he has had his moments in a Spurs shirt. At £47.5m, I feel there were better options available, but he still has time to prove himself and improve.

Rating: 6.5/10

Vicario has been an excellent signing, as he fits Ange’s system perfectly with his ability to play out from the back, his good distribution, and his excellent shot-stopping. He has been a great addition to the squad, and I love how he contributes to starting attacks while being reliable between the sticks.

Rating: 6.5/10

Pedro Porro has been a solid addition, and his performances last season under Ange were very impressive; however, he has played a lot of games this season and looks like he could use a break. He’s such a good signing that Spurs would likely make a profit if they were to sell him, and he fits the system brilliantly.

Rating: 7/10

Dejan Kulusevski has been one of Spurs’ best players this season, and he suits Ange’s system perfectly with his work rate, creativity, pressing, and versatility. His market value has increased since he joined, and he has proven to be an excellent signing for the team.

Rating: 7.5/10

James Maddison was a much-needed signing, as Spurs required a creative midfielder, and Maddison delivered brilliantly, though his recent dip in form pushes him down this list. Overall, I think this transfer deserves a 8/10, as it addressed a key issue in the squad.

Rating: 8/10

Dominic Solanke has been fantastic in Ange’s system, as he plays the role of a tireless, relentless presser who drops deep to link up play. He has only started nine games this season but has already made a significant impact, and I rate this signing 9/10 as an ideal fit for Spurs.

Micky van de Ven has been immense, and his impact on the team cannot be overstated, as his recovery pace and ball-carrying ability are exactly what Spurs needed for their high line. Ange knew what he was getting with this signing, and Van de Ven has been exceptional. I rate this signing a 9.5/10, as he has transformed the defence.

In reality, if you look at the list you can say that when it comes to transfers, Ange has had a high success rate in terms of transfers with only just a few misses. The strategy in terms of transfers have changed for Spurs as they are now focusing on youth and if you are a fan you can only get excited for the future and if these young lads reach their full potential, then it will be really good.

Tottenham Hotspur have now played 17 games this season in all competitions, which gives us the perfect opportunity to really assess how every player has fared so far in the 2024/25 campaign.

While Ange Postecoglou’s side have made great progress in the Carabao Cup and the Europa League, Tottenham Hotspur have struggled for consistency in the Premier League and currently find themselves in 10th place in the table.

Oddly, the Lilywhites have been beating the teams they’re not expected to — smashing Aston Villa 4-1 and defeating Manchester City in the cup was not on the cards — and then have proceeded to lose to lowly Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town.

So, which players have shined the brightest for Spurs this season to date, and who has been letting the side down? We’ve taken a look at the first-team squad and rated them all out of ten for their displays so far.

Rating the Tottenham Hotspur players so far this season

In a nutshell, Spurs have been fairly strong in attack, and the form of Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski, and new arrival Dominic Solanke has been pleasing. Meanhwhile, the defence has really struggled.

Guglielmo Vicario – 6

Vicario continues to make some huge saves, and has stepped up as a leader, too, but is still unable to deal with set-pieces and cannot command his area. He needs to fix this as soon as possible or face being replaced.

Pedro Porro – 7

The Spaniard has been offering plenty going forward, and is one of Tottenham’s most creative players now. Still has some question marks hanging over the defensive side of his game, though.

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Cristian Romero – 4

There is no doubting that Cristian Romero is a defender of the absolute highest quality on his day, but Spurs fans are seeing that far too infrequently this season. The Argentina star has been losing his man too often, and doesn’t appear to be concentrating at all.

Micky van de Ven – 8

Micky van de Ven can hold his head high for the most part, having been as solid as ever at the back (aside from one poor showing against Brighton), and has even contributed two absolutely world class assists, too.

Destiny Udogie – 4

Another defender that has really looked off the pace and doesn’t appear to have his head in the game. Destiny Udogie has made big mistakes, is sloppy in possession, and is not offering enough in attack, either.

Yves Bissouma – 7

Bissouma has enjoyed quite the turnaround in fortunes since he was suspended at the start of the season by Postecoglou. Clearly, he’s had a point to prove, and has been composed in the middle of the park, while also chipping in with some goals.

Pape Matar Sarr – 8

The young midfielder has really taken his game to the next level this season, and is starting to properly influence games on the regular. Sarr is dynamic, can unlock opponents with his passing, and is also adding more goals, too.

Rodrigo Bentancur – 7

Is slowly looking like he’s back to his best after injury issues have plagued him for the last two years. The only problem is, Rodrigo Bentancur facing suspension for those stupid comments in the summer.

Brennan Johnson – 8

Went on a prolific run of six goals in six games for Spurs, so what else is there to say, really? If he can just improve his final ball, Brennan Johnson will be a top, top player.

Dejan Kulusevski – 9

Having moved into a central role this season, Kulusevski has been a revelation. He’s creating huge chances every game, scoring for himself, and is absolutely dictating games in his new playmaker role.

James Maddison – 6

Has lost his starting spot of late, which is a real concern as it’s not absolutely clear why. Maddison looked to be back to his best at the start of the season, but his influence has faded recently.

Heung-min Son – 7

Fitness issues aside, the Spurs captain has clearly still got it. He’s scoring goals, providing assists, and just needs to get back to top condition to be able to impact games more.

Dominic Solanke – 8

What a signing Solanke has proven to be. He’s pressing relentlessly, linking up nicely with his teammates, and scoring goals. Let’s just hope he can keep it up.

Tottenham Hotspur’s youngsters and fringe players

It’s a long season, and Spurs are competing across four different competitions, so Postecoglou needs his fringe players and youngsters to chip in. So far, some have, but plenty have more to do.

Fraser Forster – 5

Has played a couple of times, but looked really shaky against Galatasaray. That said, he did make a couple of incredible saves there, too.

Djed Spence – 6

It’s been great to see Djed Spence back in the fold, but we haven’t seen enough of him yet. When he has played, he’s been solid enough, though.

Ben Davies – 7

Tottenham’s mister reliable has still not let the team down, and continues to be a brilliant squad player who can step in and offer experience and quality in cup games.

Radu Dragusin – 3

Sadly, it has been a pretty disastrous season for Radu Dragusin. The Romanian defender has a big chance to turn things around now with Micky van de Ven out injured, but he needs to drastically improve his discipline and awareness, and get a lot better in possession, too.

Archie Gray – 7

The youngster has already played across the whole back four and in midfield, and has done really well in every role he’s been asked to take on. While there have been some signs of nerves, Archie Gray looks set to be a top player for Spurs.

Lucas Bergvall – 5

Will be disappointed with his progress so far early in his Spurs career. Has played a bit part here and there, but has shown signs of quality, too. Once he settles and gets more consistent game time, Bergvall will be fine.

Timo Werner – 4

You cannot fault Timo Werner for his effort levels, and his goal against Manchester City might just be the best moment of the whole season so far, but he’s really lacking composure in front of goal and it’s costing Spurs massively.

Mikey Moore – 7

Spurs fans have been delighted to see Mikey Moore step into the first-team this season, and he’s not disappointed with his performances, either. A standout display in the Europa League against AZ Alkmaar has been one of the most exciting things Tottenham fans have witnessed this term.

Will Lankshear – 6

Will Lankshear hasn’t had an abundance of opportunities, but he’s enjoyed his time in the Europa League for the most part, especially getting his first senior goal against Galatasaray. It’s just a shame he got sent off later in that game.

Aston Villa have reportedly jumped ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and other clubs in the queue to sign one Premier League midfielder in January.

Spurs are showing interest in Chelsea player

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has struggled to get game time since his switch to Chelsea in the summer and it has emerged that the Blues are considering offloading the midfielder.

Earlier this week it was claimed that the Blues were looking to loan out the 26-year-old, with Spurs, Aston Villa and Newcastle said to be showing interest in Dewsbury-Hall.

It was explained that Unai Emery was a big fan of the former Leicester City man while Ange Postecoglou sees the player as a potential solution to Tottenham’s creativity woes.

Aston Villa in talks over a deal for Dewsbury-Hall

According to Fichajes, Chelsea are not just open to loaning the midfielder but are also open to a permanent sale in January.

It is revealed that the Villans have already started working on a deal to sign Dewsbury-Hall on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.

However, there is thought to be some distance between the valuations of the two clubs, with the Blues insisting on a £30m option to buy and the Villa Park outfit proposing an option of £18.2m.

Will Tottenham enter the transfer race?

We know that Chelsea and Tottenham have not done any business since the infamous Willian saga, and the fact that Spurs missed on Conor Gallagher in the summer might be evidence that the deadlock between the two sides may continue.

That might make it quite tricky for the Lilywhites to edge out Villa in the race, but I would not be surprised if Tottenham do attempt a deal for Dewsbury-Hall.