The Spurs Web

While footballers often make a lot of money during their careers, once they hang up their boots it can be far more difficult to make a living, but not for one former Tottenham Hotspur player.

Giovanni Dos Santos flopped at Tottenham Hotspur

One described as the next Lionel Messi, Tottenham Hotspur believed they had snapped up one of the most exciting talents in world football when they signed Giovanni Dos Santos back in 2008.

Things did not work out for the Mexican attacker at White Hart Lane, though, as he registered just three goals and three assists in 33 appearances for the Lilywhites.

After a few loan spells with the likes of Ipswich Town, Galatasaray, and Racing Santander, Spurs eventually cut their losses and sold Dos Santos to Real Mallorca in 2012.

Dos Santos never really got going regardless of where he played, though, and stints with Villarreal and LA Galaxy led him back to Mexico before he officially retired in 2023.

What has Giovanni Dos Santos been up to since he retired?

In the year since, Dos Santos has made a real success of himself, and he’s nowhere near the footballing world now.

According to a source speaking to The Sun, Dos Santos has been investing in Procura Mexico, a company which is part of Mexico’s state-owned oil corporation, Pemex.

In doing so, the former Spurs man is now thought to be pulling in roughly £400,000 per year. The source said: “According to our information, his new job brings him in four to five hundred thousand dollars a year – over 10 million Mexican pesos.”

Naturally, Dos Santos was earning fairly good money at Tottenham, and indeed, very likely was compensated nicely throughout his whole playing career. But, as that didn’t work out for him, the 35-year-old has clearly landed on his feet in a very different way now.

Tottenham Hotspur have been seeking financial compensation in the event that Manchester City are found guilty of their 115 charges, but the club has been informed there could be one big issue with that claim.

Why do Tottenham Hotspur want compensation?

One of the biggest stories in the Premier League over the last few years has been the scandal surrounding Manchester City, with the club facing a slew of charges based on financial irregularities and incorrect reporting since 2009.

It has been claimed that City’s transfer dealings and wage setup has not been conducted lawfully, and has in turn given them an unfair advantage on the way to winning the trophies they have in recent years.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Tottenham Hotspur were among four clubs looking for financial remuneration on the back of Manchester City’s situation, along with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United.

This is based on the fact that all four clubs feel they have been denied silverware, higher league positions, and in turn, financial reward, because of City’s dominance.

Compensation claim could take years to resolve

The problem for Tottenham Hotspur and the other clubs is that the whole issue, particularly in terms of receiving compensation, could take years to conclude.

That’s according to a new report from The Times, in which “legal sources have said that process could drag on for several years.”

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The example of Burnley is cited, who still have a legal claim against Everton from the 2021/22 season when the Clarets were relegated, prior to the Toffees picking up a points deduction for breaches made during that campaign.

That process officially began last November, and it is believed that particular case could still take another year, taking the timeline to roughly two years to resolve, at best.

The report adds that the Manchester City case is “far more complicated” and could involve more affected parties, meaning that two-year timeline could be stretched even further for Spurs.

One of Tottenham’s brightest prospects, Mikey Moore, is prioritising humility after being compared to Neymar.

Flashes of brilliance with more yet to come from Mikey Moore

The Europa League is providing the opportunity for Mikey Moore to have his breakout year in senior football. With over 200 minutes so far this season, Moore is being given chances to show why he is such an exciting prospect.

Notably, his second half performance against AZ Alkmaar when he was moved to his favoured left-side, inspired James Maddison to compare Moore with Neymar.

His performances when played on the right and his Premier League minutes have garnered fewer comparisons of this ilk. However, Moore is aware of where he needs to develop and won’t let those comparisons distract him.

What Mikey Moore said about Neymar comparison

During an internal interview with Tottenham, Moore commented on those comparisons and words of praise.

“No matter what I do in football, I want to stay humble, keep working hard and that’s the main thing for me as a player and person.

When you play football, people don’t really get to see the human side of you but you always want to be a nice person and stay grounded.

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I know I have a lot more to show. Some of my performances have been okay but I still have a lot more to give to help the team. I have that belief in myself to be able to help in any game.

I’m still nowhere near where I want to get to, so I need to carry on with what I’m doing but I always want to stay true to myself as a person.”

This attitude and right circumstances will lead Moore to stardom

A signifier of a great footballer is often in their ability to balance their ego and self-belief with a committed approach to self-improvement. Mikey Moore appears to have that in spades, which is why Ange Postecoglou already believes he is capable of starting any game.

Paul Scholes came out of retirement to have one last swansong with Manchester United, but the performance of one Tottenham Hotspur star at the time made him realise he was done with football.

Gareth Bale pushed Paul Scholes to his limit

Having initially called time on his playing career in 2011, Paul Scholes made a surprising U-turn a year later and came back to Old Trafford for another stint under Sir Alex Ferguson.

It was a successful return, too, with Manchester United lifting the Premier League title in the 2012/13 season before Scholes officially hung up his boots for good.

But, there was one game during that campaign where Scholes felt he had made a big error in judgement, and it was all down to the incredible performance levels of Tottenham Hotspur legend Gareth Bale.

Paul Scholes explains Gareth Bale nightmare

In an appearance on the Football’s Greatest podcast, Scholes discussed the meeting with Tottenham and how Bale ran him ragged so much that he felt the effects for days afterwards.

Scholes said: “I actually thought the first time I retired would be the end. I came back for six months originally and then the manager [Ferguson] wanted me to stay for another season and I think that was a mistake.

“I think it was the first home game of my last season, against Tottenham. I remember I didn’t actually play that badly but I remember playing against Gareth Bale. Now this could have happened to me when I was 21 but he was just starting to burst and he was flying. I remember him going past me two or three times and I knew I couldn’t compete with that, I had absolutely no chance.”

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At the time, Bale was just hitting his best for Spurs, and would later move on to Real Madrid at the end of that season. Not before making Scholes rue the day he carried on playing, though.

Scholes added: “I was in the ice bath later and I could’ve been in there for two days, I could barely move for three or four days. That’s when I knew that was the end. It was a mistake to play that season.”

To be fair to Scholes, Gareth Bale effectively ended a few careers during his time, including most notably, Maicon, during that iconic performance against Inter Milan. There’s no shame in being overran by Bale during his peak years.

Tottenham have reportedly set their sights on demanding a monumental fee for Cristian Romero amid renewed interest from Real Madrid, but questions remain over whether Spurs should consider a sale in the long run.

The context behind Cristian Romero’s situation at Spurs

Cristian Romero has quickly become one of Tottenham’s most valuable assets since joining the club in 2022, offering defensive solidity and a commanding presence at the back. The World Cup winner’s performances have often drawn attention from Europe’s elite, with Real Madrid among the clubs keeping tabs on his progress.

Their interest stems partly from their injury woes, as both Eder Militao and David Alaba are currently sidelined with knee injuries, leaving a significant gap in their defensive line.

Romero’s contract with Spurs runs until June 2027, but the centre-back is yet to commit to an extension despite becoming a key figure in Ange Postecoglou’s system. His age and profile mean he is likely to remain an in-demand player in the years to come, with Paris Saint-Germain also linked in previous windows. The timing of these links, combined with Tottenham’s history of record-breaking sales to Real Madrid—such as Luka Modric and Gareth Bale—has reignited speculation about a possible future transfer.

Adding to the complexity is Tottenham’s current defensive situation. Injuries to Micky van de Ven have left the team relying on less experienced options like Radu Dragusin, which could make Spurs more reluctant to part ways with a proven defender mid-season. Still, the long-term question remains: will Tottenham be able to resist an enormous offer for Romero if it comes their way?

Tottenham’s stance on a ‘huge’ Romero bid

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are not prepared to entertain any bids for Cristian Romero during the January transfer window, even as Real Madrid are said to be plotting a fresh approach for the Argentine defender. The outlet revealed on 11 November: “That Spurs will not entertain bids for Romero in January as Real Madrid plan to reignite their long-term interest.”

Now, Football Insider is reporting that: “Tottenham will demand a “huge” offer to be brought to the table in negotiations for Cristian Romero.”

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Romero’s contract situation, coupled with his age and growing reputation, makes him a prime target for clubs looking to bolster their defence. However, Spurs’ reluctance to sell him in January reflects their immediate ambitions under Postecoglou, as well as the reality that their current defensive options are stretched thin due to injuries.

Should Spurs consider selling Cristian Romero?

While Tottenham’s current stance is to resist any bids for Romero, it might be worth questioning whether selling the centre-back in the next year could benefit the club in the long term. With his contract expiring in 2027, the defender’s value is unlikely to increase significantly beyond the next couple of windows, and there is always the risk that he could push for a move if a top club like Real Madrid intensifies their pursuit.

Romero’s form this season has been inconsistent at times, and Spurs may have to weigh whether his potential sale could fund a broader rebuild or the acquisition of multiple players to strengthen the squad. Selling Harry Kane to Bayern Munich in 2023 set a precedent for extracting maximum value from departing stars, and Romero’s sale could bring in a fee that rivals or even surpasses that deal.

Ultimately, while Romero’s presence is crucial to Spurs’ immediate goals, the club’s history of big-money sales suggests they might be open to considering a deal under the right circumstances.

Football Insider claim that Ange Postecoglou has had a bust-up with four senior players within the Tottenham Hotspur squad in light of the side’s inconsistencies this season.

Ange Postecoglou is a man under pressure

The pressure is now starting to build on Ange Postecoglou, with many supporters worried that the team is not showing signs of progress in his second season in charge

However, rather than publicly attacking his players like some of his predecessors at Spurs, Postecoglou chose to take the blame for the side’s struggles.

The head coach declared following Tottenham’s 2-1 loss to Ipswich that the side’s inconsistency stems from his approach, admitting that it is an issue that he needs to address.

Which Spurs players have fallen out with Postecoglou?

Football Insider have now claimed that at least four of Tottenham’s first-team players have now fallen out with the club’s head coach.

The report claims that Postecoglou is at the centre of a bust-up with his players, with Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur and Cristian Romero, thought to be upset by the Australian.

It is explained that the Spurs boss’ straight-talking nature has not gone down well with some players and has sewn discord at Hotspur Way.

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Postecoglou now faces an uphill challenge

If this is true, then Postecoglou potentially faces a huge challenge in getting Tottenham’s season back on track, with the Lilywhites currently sitting in tenth place in the Premier League table.

According to Football Insider, some senior sources at the club have made it clear that the next month is pivotal for the 59-year-old’s future in North London.

It is asserted that Tottenham would have to show improvement in that time frame if Postecoglou is to secure his medium-term future at the club.

The draw has taken place for the third round of the FA Youth Cup and Tottenham’s Under-18s have learned who they will be facing.

The FA Youth Cup enters its third round

The first two rounds of the FA Youth Cup have been completed, with Premier League and Championship clubs now set to enter the competition in the upcoming round in December.

Only players born after 1 September 2006 are eligible to play in the competition, and there are no replays, with drawn matches set to be decided by extra time and penalties.

Who Spurs will be playing in the Third Round of the FA Youth Cup

The draw has now been completed, with Tottenham set to take on Middlesbrough at home next month.

While the official date of the clash is yet to be finalised, the Third Round fixtures will be completed by Saturday 14 December 2024.

If Tottenham’s Under-18s side manage to get the better of Boro, they will book a place in the round of sixteen stage of the competition.

How Spurs fared in the FA Youth Cup last season

Tottenham’s academy side made a decent start to the FA Youth Cup, thrashing Brentford 5-1 in the Third Round and turning over Burton Albion 3-1 away from home in the Fourth Round.

However, they fell in the quarterfinal stage to the eventual Champions, Manchester City, who emerged 2-1 winners against the Lillywhites.

Stuart Lewis’ side will be hoping to go deeper into the competition this season after the strong start they have made to the Under-18 Premier League campaign.

Heung-min Son was in stunning form for his country again this week, and the South Korea star has now shared an update on his fitness that will be music to the ears of Tottenham Hotspur fans.

Heung-min Son reaches huge milestone for South Korea

In a 3-1 win over Kuwait on Thursday afternoon, Heung-min Son reached 130 caps for South Korea, and bagged yet another goal for his country.

That takes him to 50 goals for South Korea, and now puts him just eight goals behind Cha Bum-kun in the all-time goalscoring charts for the Asian nation.

The Tottenham Hotspur captain helped South Korea maintain their unbeaten start to World Cup qualification, and stands a great chance of not only leading them to the next major international tournament, but also breaking the big record for his country over the next 12 months.

Heung-min Son insists he is feeling fit

Son lasted just over an hour in the game against Kuwait, with his lingering fitness concerns clearly playing a part in Hong Myung-bo’s decision to replace him.

But, in a post-match interview (via Yahoo Sports), Son himself was upbeat about his condition and insisted he is back to his best.

He said: “I am feeling great. I am back to my normal condition. I’d like to play at 100 percent in the next match.”

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Son also mentioned the Tottenham Hotspur staff who have been “taking a great interest in my health and protecting me”.

National coach not convinced on Heung-min Son

Interestingly, Son’s coach, Hong Myung-bo, was clearly not so sure. He said: “He is currently struggling with injuries and is in a phase of repeated recovery. He played 90 minutes in the last match [for Spurs] but when I watched him today, he wasn’t at his best.

“I believe we need to continue protecting Son Heung-min for the future.”

With Rodrigo Bentancur likely to be out for seven matches, I think this could be the perfect time for Ange to shake things up by introducing fresh faces to Tottenham’s starting line-up.

The FA’s ruling on Rodrigo Bentancur

Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-match ban looms, following the FA’s decision to charge him with an “aggravated breach” of conduct for remarks he made about his teammate Heung-min Son.

While Bentancur later apologised, admitting his comment was a poor attempt at humour, the FA appears resolute, with the ban expected to affect key league and cup fixtures. Though the decision hasn’t been fully confirmed yet, reliable sources suggest it’s likely to stand, and Bentancur is set to miss critical games in the coming month.

This impending suspension couldn’t have come at a worse time for Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou, with the team aiming to stay competitive in the Premier League and Carabao Cup. Without Bentancur’s presence in midfield, Spurs will need to rely on other options to navigate a challenging lineup of domestic fixtures over the next month.

However, Bentancur’s availability for the Europa League offers a slight reprieve, as UEFA’s jurisdiction means he’ll remain eligible for European fixtures during his FA ban. The situation leaves a significant gap in Tottenham’s midfield, and it will be up to Postecoglou to reshuffle his lineup strategically, balancing youth development with Spurs’ ongoing ambitions this season.

An opportunity for Gray and Spence to prove their worth

Bentancur’s absence offers a prime opportunity for young talents to step up, and I think Ange should seize this chance to move Archie Gray into his ideal role in central midfield. Gray has shown glimpses of his potential, especially in his recent performance against Galatasaray, where he delivered a perfectly timed pre-assist to Johnson in a superbly constructed attack.

It was a moment of precision and timing that, in all fairness, only a few Spurs players – Maddison and Kulusevski – consistently achieve with such finesse. Given that Tottenham invested €40 million in Gray, I feel this ban period is the perfect chance to see what he can bring to the team in his natural position.

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If Gray takes on Bentancur’s role, this also opens the door for Djed Spence to finally get some minutes in the side. While Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie have been consistent in their positions, I think they could do with a few games on the sidelines to refresh and regain a sharper mindset.

Spence has rarely seen the pitch this season, and with Gray moving into midfield, Spence could slot in as the new back-up full-back. It’s a move that would benefit both Spence and Spurs, with the young full-back finally able to contribute and add his pace and defensive skills in games where Tottenham need them most.

Why a youth-led approach could pay off

In my view, the timing is right for Spurs to let Gray and Spence take on more significant roles. Gray, in particular, has the technical ability and creativity that could be of use in Bentancur’s absence. His composure on the ball and ability to pick out players with his passing could add an extra dimension to Tottenham’s midfield.

Meanwhile, Spence has been waiting for his chance, and his eagerness to prove himself could revitalise the defence during this tough fixture list. Against opponents like Manchester City, a fresh and motivated Spence could bring speed and adaptability, both valuable assets as Tottenham look to remain competitive.

Of course, this is just my opinion, and I understand why Ange may prefer to rely on the senior players he trusts, like Maddison, Bissouma, Porro, and Udogie. However, as a fan, I strongly believe that at some point during Bentancur’s absence, Gray and Spence should be given a chance – at least once or twice – especially if the more senior players fail to step up their game.

Radu Dragusin has been heavily criticised for his performances in recent Tottenham games. Rather than fixating on his weaknesses, there are ways he can be effectively utilised to bring out his best qualities and help Spurs secure wins.

Spurs utilised different skills to triumph in the cup

Even though it has only been two weeks, the euphoric League Cup win against Manchester City feels like an age ago. The display provided a glimpse of Spurs rarely seen under Ange Postecoglou.

Before that game (and up until the match against Ipswich), Tottenham have defended well at home and often found success through counter-attacks. However, it has been rare to see Tottenham settled into a low-block. Spurs ended the match against City with such a low percentage of possession (32% to City’s 68%). However, during that game, they generally remained compact and Radu Dragusin appeared at his best, in a resilient defence.

However, Galatasaray and Ipswich specifically set up to take advantage of Dragusin’s limitations on the ball. Closing off passing options, forcing him to make easier choices backwards or to turnover possession. This makes Tottenham’s build-up play significantly harder to implement and with other tactical issues in the team, perhaps there needs to be an adjustment to how Dragusin is used in order to benefit the team.

Going against Postecoglou’s mentality could help the team rest and Dragusin to thrive

One of the trends in Tottenham performances so far this season has been a noticeable drop of energy within games. This initially appeared as a second-half lethargy and recently has been seen via Spurs starting slowly.

Tottenham and their approach have the potential to physically out-perform most teams with a hyper-aggressive press and (when they are fresh) a uniquely brave and exciting build-up game. While it is unlikely Postecoglou would ever directly advocate for conceding on his non-negotiable high-pressing and attacking intent, there is a potential for Spurs to go all out establishing a lead, then dropping back to their box allowing for them to play directly and securely during the second half.

In this type of game plan, Dragusin could come on as one of the second half substitutes to help see Spurs over the line and secure points. Of course this is dependent on Tottenham being able to establish a lead, but Dragusin is a composed and committed box defender and this type of utilisation would at least allow him to demonstrate his best attributes. Additionally, he is still well-suited to play against any team who do not press aggressively, as seen against Aston Villa.

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Signings are needed, but it’s worth putting current players in their best situations

Adjusting how Dragusin is used does not alter Tottenham’s need for a winger who can get by their defender or another left-footed centre-back. There are players Spurs need to sign to help Postecoglou work towards his vision for the club.

However, in the meantime, there are players in the team with excellent skillsets for particular situations and would be a boon for Tottenham if they can be implemented in an effective manner. Johnson, Son and Sarr are especially effective in transitional situations.

Spurs need more tools to break down determined opponents as well as technically proficient players to play through a press. Their gameplay should always be to establish a lead then invite teams onto them to create space in behind, if they can pull this off, Dragusin and several others have the ability to help them secure wins against even the best opposition.