The Boy Hotspur

Gary Lineker feels Tottenham were sluggish and off the pace against Brighton because of the absence of Heung-min Son.

The North London club were on an incredible run heading into the game against Brighton. They had won each of their last five games across competitions and were expected to make it six in a row away from home against the Seagulls. But, they suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat last Sunday.

Tottenham once again created a truckload of chances and even managed to score twice in the first half. Despite being in full control of the fixture with a two-goal lead heading into the break, they conceded thrice in the second half and returned home empty-handed. While speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Gary Lineker suggested that it could be down to the fact that they are without their best player, Heung-min Son.

He said: “We have to remember as well that Spurs are missing quite possibly their best player, Heung-min Son. He is a big miss to them, isn’t he? I mean, Werner gives them a lot of pace, but his final product is not that of a certain Son.”

Tottenham did have a 2-0 lead and a better defensive structure could have helped them secure all three points. But, Ange Postecoglou is someone who sticks to his style of play irrespective of the situation. Spurs tried to add to their lead but they were not clinical enough and Werner who is covering for Son didn’t have the best of performances.

The former Chelsea star wasted quite a few opportunities which eventually cost the North London club. He lacks the final product which is something the South Korean international is well known for. Son has missed their last three games and heading into the international break Tottenham fans will hope he is back in time for the game against West Ham later this month.

James Maddison believes Tottenham Hotspur lack the mental fortitude to compete with the ‘best teams.

Spurs went into Sunday’s trip to Brighton off the back of an excellent run of five straight wins across all competitions, which included a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.

Tottenham then cruised into a 2-0 lead at the Amex Stadium on Sunday thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson and Maddison.

But that was followed by a remarkable capitulation, with Spurs conceding three goals in 21 second-half minutes to lose 3-2.

James Maddison: Spurs lack mental strength to compete with ‘the best’

Former Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov accused the Lilywhites of being ‘too nice’ after the match, lacking the ‘mental strength’ to deal with setbacks.

Maddison seems to agree with Berbatov’s assessment, stating that Spurs cannot ‘stay strong’ under pressure, unlike the ‘best teams’.

“We couldn’t deal with the mental shift and lost complete control of the game after the first goal went in. We dealt with the momentum very poorly. It just felt like attack after attack and we couldn’t deal with it,” Maddison told Sky Sports after full-time.

“It could have been definitely. Brighton are a good side but when the first goal went in you have to deal with adversity in the Premier League and stay strong, weather the storm. The best teams stay strong. We didn’t do that.

“We’ll need to take big lessons from the second half if we want to make strides forward.”

Spurs will now break off for the October internationals before returning for a home tie against London rivals West Ham United on the 19th.

Dimitar Berbatov has branded Tottenham Hotspur ‘too nice’ after their shocking collapse at Brighton on Sunday.

The Lilywhites took a 2-0 lead into half-time thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson and James Maddison.

But Spurs could only follow that up with an inexplicable capitulation, conceding three goals in 21 second-half minutes to fall to a 3-2 defeat.

As a result, Spurs are the first team in Premier League history to lose 10 games in the competition after taking a 2+ goal lead.

Spurs ‘too nice’ says Dimitar Berbatov

Manager Ange Postecoglou accused his players of getting too ‘carried away’ at their half-time lead.

However, Berbatov went a little further, stating that this is typical behaviour from a Spurs side that are ‘too nice’.

“This type of stuff happened to Spurs before and continues to happen,” the former Tottenham striker said on Sky Sports.

“They have a couple of good games but then it all comes crashing down because of results like that or something else. This is where they need to be mentally strong [after conceding the first goal], weather the storm, but it didn’t happen for Spurs. If you don’t have consistency in your performances to stay at the top you are going to suffer.

“Spurs are too nice.”

Tottenham Hotspur captain Heung-min Son’s injury has become a growing concern after he was dropped for the upcoming international break with South Korea.

The decision to leave him out of the national squad has sparked worries about the severity of the injury.

Former Spurs scout Bryan King believes that Son’s omission from the South Korea team indicates that the injury could be “serious,” especially given his importance to both the club and his national side.

Speaking to Tottenham News, King shared his hope that the injury won’t result in a long-term absence for the 32-year-old winger while acknowledging that for a player of Son’s quality to be left out of international duty, the issue must be significant.

King said:

“Hopefully this isn’t a long-term injury.

However, when you have a player of his quality, it must be pretty serious if he hasn’t gone away with the South Korean national team.”

“We will have to wait and see exactly what the state of that injury is.”

Son suffered a hamstring injury during Spurs’ Europa League opener against Qarabag, and this setback has already caused him to miss two games.

He is also expected to sit out Sunday’s

Premier League fixture against Brighton.

The injury comes at a time when the Lilywhites are on a strong run of form, with five consecutive wins across all competitions.

The approaching international break offers a silver lining, as it will allow Son valuable recovery time without missing additional club matches.

Tottenham is optimistic that their captain will be fully fit after the break, ready to return to action and contribute to the team’s push for success as they navigate a busy season.

Although Tottenham have performed well in Son’s absence, his return will certainly strengthen the squad as they prepare for crucial fixtures ahead.

Tottenham remain keen on Crystal Palace star player Eberechi Eze, viewing him as a prime transfer target for next summer, as reported by TEAMtalk.

The creative midfielder, who has long been on Spurs’ radar, could become available for a hefty sum with a £68 million release clause set to be activated in 2025.

Eze, who extended his stay at Palace with a new contract last November that runs until 2027, has consistently caught the eye with his attacking flair and goal-scoring capabilities.

Tottenham’s interest in the 26-year-old England international has been well-documented, with sources indicating that the club is considering a move to bring him to North London next summer.

Although Spurs had been linked with Eze during the most recent transfer window, no formal bid was made, despite the club showing clear interest by inviting his representatives to attend games at the Tottenham.

Eze’s impressive form last season saw him net 11 goals and provide four assists in 27 Premier League appearances, despite being sidelined for a month with a muscle injury.

His early form this season has been promising as well, with three goals and an assist already in his first nine appearances across all competitions.

With Tottenham looking to add more creativity and firepower to their squad under manager Ange Postecoglou, Eze remains a top target.

A move could be in the works for next summer as Spurs closely monitor the situation and weigh their options for bolstering their attacking ranks.

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson has confirmed midfielder Angel Gomes ‘could definitely be an option’ for the club in the transfer market.

Spurs have previously been linked with the Lille star, who made his senior debut for England in the last international break.

Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Gomes, who is a product of the Manchester United youth system.

Gomes’ future at Lille is up in the air with his current contract due to expire at the end of this season.

It’s highly likely the 24-year-old — who is second among Lille players for chances created (10) in Ligue 1 this season — would prefer a return to England, especially now that he’s started to crack the international scene.

Spurs transfer news: Robinson provides promising Gomes update

Ex-Spurs and England star Robinson believes Gomes would be a great addition to Ange Postecoglou’s squad as a more advanced option.

The former goalkeeper has also heard whispers around the club suggesting they may well move for the London-born playmaker.

“He’s certainly a player that would make the team better without a doubt,” Robinson told Football Insider.

“I think he’s proven himself on the international scale, and Lee Carsley obviously has a lot of faith in him because he’s a good player.

“Given his age, I think he can only get better.

“I think you’d have to look at him a bit higher up the pitch.

“If you look at the cover they’ve got in a deeper position with Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison’s been playing deep and they’ve also got Archie Gray.

“An attack-minded midfielder is something Tottenham will be looking at alongside James Maddison, and, from what I hear from people at the club, Gomes could definitely be an option.“

Tottenham are reportedly showing a keen interest in Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci as they look to strengthen their midfield options in the upcoming summer transfer window.

According to former Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson via Football Insider, Spurs’ former managing director, Fabio Paratici, could play a pivotal role in facilitating the move for the 23-year-old Italian international.

Despite officially stepping down from his role at Tottenham, Paratici’s deep ties to Serie A continue to prove valuable for the club, with reports suggesting that he is assisting behind the scenes in identifying and securing key transfer targets.

Ricci, who has garnered attention for his performances in Italy, has emerged as one of Tottenham’s primary targets.

The young midfielder initially joined Torino on loan from Empoli in January 2022, before the move was made permanent for €8.5 million in July of that year.

Since then, Ricci has developed into a crucial figure for Torino, playing predominantly as a defensive midfielder. Last season, he made 32 Serie A appearances, contributing one goal and four assists while showcasing his composure on the ball and his ability to dictate the tempo of the game from deep.

With his contract at Torino running until 2026, Ricci’s current market value is estimated at around €22 million, making him an attainable option for Tottenham.

Discussing the potential transfer, Robinson told Football Insider:

“I think it’ll be a tough one to do in the winter.”

“If you look at the way the team’s played in recent weeks in more of a 4-3-3 formation, I’m not sure whether the midfield will be a pressing position.

“But he’s a young player, he’s only 23 years old and he’s already got four caps for Italy.”

“Tottenham are certainly interested in signing him.

“I think it’ll be tough to do in the winter but that is potentially one they’ll explore in the summer.

“We know that Spurs like to do their business in Italy.”

“It’s still got the fingerprints of Fabio Paratici working with Tottenham’s recruitment team.”

As Tottenham continue to build towards competing at the highest levels under manager Ange Postecoglou, securing a player of Ricci’s caliber would provide a significant boost to their midfield depth and quality.

Should the move materialize, Ricci could play a key role in helping Spurs challenge for major honors in the coming seasons.

Tottenham may be considering recalling their young striker Dane Scarlett from his loan at Oxford United in January due to concerns over his limited playing time.

The 20-year-old forward has struggled to secure regular minutes at the Championship club, raising doubts about whether the loan is effectively aiding his development.

John Wenham, host of the Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose, voiced his frustration over Scarlett’s lack of game time.

He highlighted Scarlett’s proven ability at the youth level, particularly with England’s youth teams, but pointed out that the striker has yet to receive the consistent opportunities needed to further his progress at the senior level.

Wenham suggested that Tottenham should consider recalling Scarlett in the upcoming January transfer window and potentially loaning him to a club where he would be more likely to get regular playing time.

Speaking to Tottenham News, the journalist said:

“I am constantly defending Scarlett.

“Whenever he goes away with the England youth groups, he scores. Therefore, I just find this situation really frustrating.

“I know Scarlett is a really good player, he just needs the right club where he is going to play. Therefore, to have loaned him somewhere once again where he isn’t playing is frustrating.

“We can only keep going with this situation until January, and if he is to be recalled, he needs to be sent to a club where he is going to start. If he is given game time, he will score.”

Scarlett, a product of the Spurs academy, made his first-team debut in 2020 during a Europa League match against Ludogorets, becoming the youngest player to appear for Tottenham at that time.

Despite his promising start, his loan spells, including his current stint at Oxford United, have been hindered by limited opportunities. So far, he has only made four substitute appearances in the Championship, amounting to just 36 minutes of playing time. (Transfermarkt)

If recalled, Tottenham will likely look for a loan move where Scarlett can get regular game time, aiding his growth as one of the club’s most promising young talents.

Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger calls former Tottenham star Mousa Dembélé the most underrated player he’s ever faced.

Mousa Dembélé had a nine-year spell in the Premier League and he spent seven of those years playing for Tottenham. The Belgian midfielder featured in a total of 249 matches for the North London club and he contributed towards 20 goals.

While he never really had the limelight on himself, the 37-year-old was one of their most consistent players back in the day. They had forked out €19 million to sign him from Fulham back in 2012 and Dembele surely repaid every penny that they had invested to bring him to the club.

Real Madrid defensive mainstay Antonio Rudiger recently talked about the former Spurs star during his appearance on The Inside Scoop Podcast. He feels Dembele is the most underrated player he has ever faced.

The German international said: “Mousa Dembele from Tottenham Hotspur. Wow, wow.

“This guy, no disrespect to Tottenham, but I don’t know how he didn’t play for a higher club.

“I really don’t know how because he had everything. I’ve never seen someone as strong as him. He was like a wall.

“And technique – poof! He didn’t know pressure. You can pass him the ball and two men can be behind him – no problem!”.

Rudiger squared up against Dembele during his initial years at Chelsea and was in awe of the Belgian midfielder’s abilities. The 31-year-old can’t really understand why he didn’t play for a bigger club than Tottenham. The 37-year-old had everything one needs to be amongst the best midfielders. He was strong like a wall and had exceptional technical abilities.

Irrespective of how many players he had around him, the former Tottenham star was capable enough to receive the ball and keep it rolling or glide past the opposition when needed. After a seven-year spell at Spurs, he moved to the Chinese Super League club Guangzhou and just three years down the line, the Belgian decided to retire from the game at the age of just 34.

Tottenham scouts were recently seen at Atalanta’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, keeping a close eye on two standout players: Ederson and Ademola Lookman.

According to TBR Football, Spurs are monitoring the pair as potential transfer targets ahead of the January window.

Brazilian midfielder Ederson, known for his versatility and tactical intelligence, has been attracting interest from several top Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, Liverpool, and Newcastle United, alongside Tottenham.

He played a crucial role in Atalanta’s Serie A campaign last season, making 36 league appearances and contributing six goals and one assist.

His versatility across midfield positions and technical skills make him a strong candidate to strengthen Spurs’ midfield, a key area manager Ange Postecoglou is looking to bolster.

Ademola Lookman has also emerged as a prime target for Spurs following his impressive performances at Atalanta.

The Nigerian international, who joined the Italian side in 2022, has become a vital component of their attacking setup.

His standout moment came in the 2024 Europa League final, where he scored a hat-trick in Atalanta’s 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman finished the season with 17 goals and 10 assists, and this campaign, he has continued to shine with three goals and two assists in six games. His overall tally at Atalanta stands at 35 goals and 20 assists in 84 appearances.

Lookman’s blistering pace, creativity, and goal-scoring prowess have earned him a nomination for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, further cementing his growing reputation.

His ability to play across the forward line makes him an attractive option for Tottenham, who are seeking additional firepower to complement their current attacking options.

This is not the first time Spurs scouts have kept tabs on the Atalanta duo. They had previously monitored them during Atalanta’s Champions League fixture against Arsenal earlier this season.

With the January transfer window on the horizon, Tottenham will continue to assess Ederson and Lookman as they look to add depth and quality to their squad in pursuit of a strong second half of the season.